THE ENVIRONMENT
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in 1994. The department also vetted 70 'Environmental Implications' sections of the submissions to PWSC, compared with more than 180 in 1994.
The transparency of the process is enhanced through the consultation with the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) and relevant district boards on major environmental impact assessment. In 1995, the ACE examined 23 EIA studies, compared to 18 in 1994. The most controversial project presented to the ACE was the Aviation Fuel Receiving Facility at Sha Chau. Consultation resulted in the proposed establishment of a dolphin sanctuary in Sha Chau and early implementation of a permanent option that can avoid the adverse environmental problems identified.
The EPD continued to encourage public access to EIA Reports by publicising quarterly a list of reports made available by project proponents. An EIA library was set up in the department and the public can inspect government-owned EIA reports at relevant district offices, public reference libraries of the Urban and Regional Councils, the library of the Office of Members of the Legislative Council and the headquarters of the Home Affairs Department.
Land Use Planning
The Territorial Development Strategy Review drew to a close in 1995 and established a long term land-use, transport and environment framework for future development. It included an assessment of the alternative and recommended strategies, through which many important environmental issues were highlighted, especially possible long-term implication on air quality. All these will require appropriate policy measures and technical solutions to avoid intractable environmental consequences. The requirement to integrate environmental principles into planning at all levels is included in sub-regional and district land use planning.
During 1995, the Northeast New Territories Development strategy review and Development Statements for Hong Kong Island West and Central and East Kowloon, were completed, with environmental principles and requirements laid down for subsequent detailed planning. The government has begun a review of Metroplan, first published in 1990, which will include identification of measures to reduce incompatible land uses. At the district level, the EPD commented on 1 300 plans or planning applications considered by the Town Planning Board.
Housing Developments
Housing developments proposed by the Hong Kong Housing Authority, Land Development Corporation and Hong Kong Housing Society must also follow the EIA procedures. Since 1994, 120 potential housing sites have undergone the environmental screening exercise and 35 schemes were subject to assessments to ensure early focus on environmental issues and to allow timely action.
Environmental Monitoring and Audit of Projects
As an essential follow-up to the EIA process, major projects are now subject to environmental monitoring and audit programmes during construction. These projects include, for example, all Airport Core Programme (ACP) Projects, Route 3, and Shenzhen River Regulation Stage I. Such programmes are to ensure that the recommendations in the EIA reports are implemented and that appropriate