XN000022-1992-10-01 — Page 18

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 1, 1992

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ENVIRONMENT OFFICE SET UP TO MONITOR WEST KOWLOON WORKS

WAS

THE

AREA

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION OFFICE FOR THE WEST KOWLOON CREATED WITH THE SIGNING OF A CONSULTANCY AGREEMENT WITH CES CONSULTANTS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES (ASIA) LTD AND BINNIE CONSULTANTS LTD ON AUGUST 27 THIS YEAR.

A SPOKESMAN FOR THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT SAID THE OFFICE WAS SET UP BECAUSE THE WEST KOWLOON PROJECT AREA, UNLIKE OTHER AIRPORT CORE PROGRAMME (ACP) PROJECT AREAS, HAD PARTICULAR FEATURES THAT CALL FOR SPECIAL MONITORING ARRANGEMENTS.

"THE MAIN DISTINGUISHING FEATURE IS THAT THE PROJECTS INVOLVE A MULTIPLICITY OF CONTRACTS TAKING PLACE AT THE SAME TIME, EACH UNDER THE DIRECTION OF DIFFERENT ENTITIES, BOTH WITHIN AND OUTSIDE THE GOVERNMENT.

"AS ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS DO NOT ALWAYS RESPECT WORKS SITE BOUNDARIES, AN OVERALL VIEW AND MANAGEMENT IS REQUIRED, THE SPOKESMAN

SAID.

THE MAIN RESPONSIBILITY OF THE OFFICE IS ΤΟ MONITOR AND INVESTIGATE THE CUMULATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF PROJECTS WEST KOWLOON AREA, INCLUDING MAJOR ACP PROJECTS.

IN THE

THESE ACP PROJECTS INCLUDE THE WEST KOWLOON RECLAMATION, WEST KOWLOON EXPRESSWAY AND THE AIRPORT RAILWAY.

"THE EMPHASIS WILL BE ON IDENTIFYING POTENTIAL PROBLEMS AND TAKING PREVENTIVE MEASURES BEFORE THEY ARISE,' THE SPOKESMAN ADDED.

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THE OFFICE WILL IDENTIFY THE CAUSES OF ADVERSE EFFECTS ON ENVIRONMENT AND PROVIDE TIMELY AND EXPERT ADVICE ON OPTIONS CORRECTING THE SITUATION.

THE

FOR

ON

IT WILL ALSO REPORT PERIODICALLY ΤΟ THE GOVERNMENT ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE MEASURES, THE REMEDIAL ACTIONS TAKEN AND THEIR RESULTS, AND OUTSTANDING ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES.

THE

AS A FOCAL POINT FOR ENVIRONMENT ASPECTS OF THE ACP WORKS, OFFICE WILL HELP THE GOVERNMENT INFORM AND CONSULT THE AFFECTED PARTIES AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

UNDER THE SUPERVISION OF THE

THE CONSULTANTS WILL WORK DEPARTMENT FOR A PERIOD OF TWO YEARS AT A COST OF $11 MILLION.

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