XN000022-1994-11-11 — Page 16

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 1994

14

DUMPING AT SEA BILL GAZETTED

LAW

THE DUMPING AT SEA BILL WHICH SEEKS TO INCORPORATE INTO THE 1974 OF HONG KONG EXISTING PROVISIONS OF THE DUMPING AT SEA ACT (OVERSEAS

ACTIVITIES TERRITORIES) ORDER 1975 WHICH PROHIBITS DUMPING EXCEPT WITH A PERMIT WAS PUBLISHED IN THE GAZETTE TODAY (FRIDAY).

THE ORDER WAS MADE IN 1975 TO APPLY TO HONG KONG THE PROVISIONS OF AN INTERNATIONAL TREATY, THE LONDON CONVENTION ON THE PREVENTION OF MARINE POLLUTION BY THE DUMPING OF WASTE AT SEA.

THE CONTROL ARRANGEMENTS PROPOSED IN THE BILL ARE ESSENTIALLY THE SAME AS THOSE WHICH HAVE BEEN IN OPERATION FOR MANY YEARS.

THE BILL ALSO SEEKS TO STRENGTHEN THE EXISTING CONTROL SCHEME BY EMPOWERING ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST IMPENDING OFFENCE AND INCREASING THE MAXIMUM PENALTY ΤΟ

PLUS $200,000 MONTHS' IMPRISONMENT. THE EXISTING PENALTY IS $5,000 AND SIX MONTHS'

IMPRISONMENT.

SIX

THE INCREASE IN PENALTY WOULD BRING IT IN LINE WITH THOSE UNDER OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL LEGISLATION, SUCH AS THE WASTE DISPOSAL ORDINANCE AND THE WATER POLLUTION CONTROL ORDINANCE.

IT ALSO SEEKS ΤΟ ENABLE THE DIRECTOR OF ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION TO SERVE ABATEMENT NOTICES IN RESPECT OF MARINE POLLUT LON CAUSED BY DUMPING AND OTHER MARITIME CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES.

FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THE ABATEMENT NOTICE WILL BE AN OFFENCE.

THE GOVERNMENT INTENDS TO IMPLEMENT THE ABATEMENT NOTICE SYSTEM

WITHIN TWO YEARS AFTER THE BILL BECOMES LAW.

A TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM TO ESTABLISH PROCEDURES FOR THE ISSUE OF ABATEMENT NOTICES WILL BE ISSUED AFTER CONSULTATION WITH THE AFFECTED PARTIES.

THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION DEPARTMENT IS OPERATING AN EFFECTIVE SATELLITE SYSTEM TO TRACK ILLEGAL DUMPING.

/15