280 The Environment
Floating Refuse in the Harbour
The Marine Department deploys a fleet of about 70 contractors' vessels to collect floating refuse and refuse from vessels. In 2007, 16 550 tonnes were collected. Besides law enforcement, the Government also uses publicity and educational activities to tackle the floating refuse problem.
Marine Dumping
Hong Kong's development projects continue to generate vast quantities of dredged mud that is unsuitable for reclamation or other uses (about 7.5 million cubic metres in 2007). It is dumped at sea in specified mud disposal areas under a permit system. Regular government monitoring is carried out to ensure that the dumping does not harm the marine environment. The EPD maintains strict control over dumping operations under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance. These operations follow the requirements of the London Convention on marine dumping.
Marine dumping permits allow operations to be carried out only by a vessel equipped with an automatic self-monitoring device to allow the authorities to trace any illegal dumping in a cost-effective manner. Moreover, the department's inspectors patrol Hong Kong's waters frequently to prevent illegal dumping.
Monitoring and Investigation
Assessing the amount of progress made in achieving policy goals is one of EPD's key activities. The results gained from its routine monitoring and special investigations form the basis for much of the department's strategic planning, provision of facilities and statutory controls. The department has 94 sampling stations in marine waters, including enclosed bays and typhoon shelters, and another 82 stations for inland waters. It also keeps 41 bathing beaches under surveillance.
The water quality monitoring programme provides a comprehensive record of the chemical, physical and microbiological quality of Hong Kong's waters. The monitoring data is shown in the annual water quality reports available on EPD's home page. The latest information on water quality of the major marine and river stations is also published on a monthly basis on the homepage. The latest water quality grades of bathing beaches are issued on a weekly basis to the media and frequently updated on the department's website.
Sustainable Development
The Council for Sustainable Development was appointed by the Chief Executive in March 2003 to promote sustainable development in Hong Kong. The council has so far addressed four key sustainability issues, namely solid waste management, renewable energy, urban living space and population policy, since launching its first public engagement exercise to consult stakeholders in 2004. In June 2007, the council launched a new round of public engagement on better air quality. It is now consolidating their views and will forward recommendations to the Government. The council has invited five rounds of applications from organisations and individuals for grants from the Sustainable Development Fund since 2003 to carry out work related