THE ENVIRONMENT
mitigatory actions are taken when environmental impacts exceed or are likely to exceed the established limits.
The effort on environmental monitoring and audit in the ACP projects was supplemented by the establishment of the Environmental Project Offices (ENPOs) at the West Kowloon Reclamation and in Kwai Tsing since 1992 and 1994 respectively. During 1995, the ENPOS have played a very important role in identifying and averting potential environmental problems, including safeguarding the quality of flushing water as well as excessive dust and noise arising from construction activities. Solutions are proposed promptly and most issues have been dealt with successfully. During 1995, the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) and the Environmental Affairs Panel of the Legislative Council took a proactive stance in monitoring the implementation of environmental mitigation measures by project proponents. For instance, all key project proponents of the ACP projects were required to report to the ACE the status of the implementation of measures recommended in previous EIAs and the actual environmental performance of their projects.
Green Housekeeping and Environmental Management Systems
The government is committed to setting a good green example. In January 1994, it launched the Green Manager Scheme whereby a Green Manager was appointed in all government branches and departments to initiate and implement good housekeeping measures such as reduction in the use of paper and energy. Pilot audit schemes for the Planning and Electrical and Mechanical Services Departments were completed during the year. There are plans to extend the exercise to other government departments and to widen the scope of the Green Manager Scheme to include environmental auditing and management systems.
Cross-border Liaison on EIA and Environmental Planning
After the successful completion of the first cross-border environmental impact assessment in Hong Kong for the Shenzhen River Regulation Project Stage 1 project in 1994, the EIA report for Stage 2 Project was also completed through the collaboration of effort between Hong Kong and Shenzhen.
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Environmental collaboration between Hong Kong and Guangdong is vividly reflected through the achievements of the Hong Kong Guangdong Environmental Protection Liaison Group set up in 1990. A two-year monitoring programme for the Deep Bay area was completed in 1995, and the scope of a study on Mirs Bay worked out with a view to expanding the effort to protect the bay's environment.
Airport Core Programme Projects
Work on Airport Core Programme projects continued. The year 1995 saw some 7.5 kilometres of noise barriers built along sections of West Kowloon Expressway, North Lantau Expressway and Route 3 as one result of the detailed EIA conducted in 1993. Some 3 000 dwellings that would be affected by the Western Harbour Crossing were given notices to proceed with window insulation and installation of air-conditioners in Hong Kong's first major insulation project. A detailed EIA to assess the cumulative noise from the Lantau and Airport Railway and the planned Western Corridor Railway was started.
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