XN000022-1985-05-31 — Page 10

FRIDAY MAY 31, 1985

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ADVICE ON SUCH FACILITIES IS AVAILABLE IN HONG KONG FROM A NUMBER OF SOURCES INCLUDING THE HONG KONG PRODUCTIVITY CENTRE, THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY AND THE ENGINEERING DEVELOPMENT

DEPARTMENT.

+GENERALLY, THROUGHOUT HONG KONG, ALL APPLICATIONS FOR NEW BUILDING PERMITS ARE CHECKED ANYWAY TO ENSURE THAT ACCEPTABLE PROVISION HAS BEEN MADE FOR THE TREATMENT OF WASTES BEFORE THEY ARE DISCHARGED, HE SAID.

BILL DEALING WITH OIL DISCHARGE GAZETTED

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PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY ARE A WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (AMENDMENT) BILL 1985 WHICH WILL BE INTRODUCED INTO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL ON JUNE 12, AND WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATIONS 1985 WHICH WILL COME INTO FORCE ON A DATE TO BE APPOINTED BY THE GOVERNOR.

THE BILL SEEKS TO INCLUDE WITHIN THE SCOPE OF THE PRINCIPAL ORDINANCE ANY DISCHARGE OF OIL OR A MIXTURE CONTAINING OIL INTO THE WATERS OF HONG KONG.

IT ALSO PROPOSES TO EXEMPT DISCHARGES LICENSED UNDER THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE FROM THE OIL POLLUTION CONTROLS

IN THE SHIPPING AND PORT CONTROL ORDINANCE.

ON MATTERS OF COMPENSATION, THE BILL SPECIFIES WHICH PERSONS WOULD BE ABLE TO CLAIM COMPENSATION FOLLOWING THE CANCELLATION OR VARIATION OF A LICENCE OR OF AN EXEMPTION IN RESPECT OF A DISCHARGE OR DEPOSIT OF MATTER INTO A WATER CONTROL ZONE.

+ IT PROVIDES THAT, IN THE EVENT OF DISAGREEMENT OVER THE AMOUNT OF COMPENSATION, THE DISPUTE WOULD BE REFERRED TO THE LANDS TRIBUNAL FOR DETERMINATION,+ A GOVERNMENT SPOKESMAN SAID.

ON THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL (APPEAL BOARD) REGULATIONS 1985, HE EXPLAINED THAT THE APPEAL BOARD TO BE SET UP WOULD BE EMPOWERED TO HEAR AND DETERMINE AN APPEAL AGAINST THE AUTHORITY'S DECISIONS, FOR EXAMPLE IN SUCH MATTERS AS REFUSAL TO GRANT OR RENEW A LICENCÉ, CANCELLATION OF A LICENCE, OR IMPOSING NEW OR AMENDED TERMS OR CONDITIONS FOR CONTINUANCE OF A LICENCE.

+THE APPEAL BOARD MAY ALSO HEAR AN APPEAL FROM A PERSON WHO IS AGGRIEVED BY THE DECISION OF THE SECRETARY FOR HEALTH AND WELFARE TO REFUSE HIS APPLICATION TO WITHHOLD FROM PUBLIC INFORMATION. ANY SPECIFIED INFORMATION CONCERNING A DISCHARGE OR DEPOSIT.

+THESE REGULATIONS, MADE BY THE GOVERNOR IN COUNCIL. FURTHER PROVIDE FOR THE PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED AND THE FORMS TO BE USED

IN THE COMMENCEMENT AND CONDUCT OF APPEALS TO AN APPEAL BOARD,+ HE SAID.

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