XN000022-1995-12-06 — Page 48

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Measures to improve water quality of Deep Bay

Following is a question by the Hon John Tse Wing-ling and a written reply by the acting Secretary for Planning, Environment and Lands, Mr Canice Mak, in the Legislative Council today (Wednesday):

Question:

Regarding the pollution problem in Deep Bay and the Shenzhen River which are in the vicinity of the Mai Po Nature Reserve, will the Government inform this Council:

(a) of the total resources allocated in the past three years to improve the water quality of Deep Bay;

(b) what plans or measures does the Government have to improve the water quality of Deep Bay and its wet land, so as to protect Mai Po against pollution; and what resources have been used for such purposes:

(c) whether the Government has co-operated with the relevant authorities in Shenzhen to prevent the Mai Po Nature Reserve from being polluted; if so, what is the progress and whether any specific plan has been drawn up;

and

(d) what criteria are used in determining the area of the buffer zone in Mai Po, and what measures the Government will take to ensure that the minimum area of the buffer zone is maintained?

Reply:

Mr President.

(a) The resources that have been allocated to improve the water quality of Deep Bay in the past three years are as follows:

* $175 million on new sewerage and sewage treatment and disposal facilities;

$656 million in ex-gratia allowances to livestock farmers who choose to cease farming rather than comply with new pollution control requirements;