ENG-1981 — Page 291

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THE ENVIRONMENT

The Noise Control Bill is being drafted to consolidate the provisions which exist in different pieces of legislation, and will introduce new controls including these for neigh- bourhood, construction, industrial and building services noise where necessary. The bill is expected to be introduced in the Legislative Council by late 1982 or early 1983.

Progress on the Environmental Impact Assessment Bill is being made at a slower pace since valuable experience is being accumulated from the present non-statutory arrange- ments in which the developers of major industrial projects - such as the new power stations and cement plants - have been asked to provide an impact assessment in a form, and to a timetable, laid down by the government.

Consultation

The principal consultative forum on environmental matters is the Environmental Pro- tection Advisory Committee (EPCOM) which advises-government on all aspects of environmental protection, and in particular ensures that new environmental legislation is appropriate in balancing the need for environmental improvement against the require- ment that industry remains viable and competitive.

EPCOM (the chairman of which is an unofficial member) comprises 16 members, the majority of whom are prominent citizens and includes representatives of the three major industrial organisations, the Chinese Manufacturers' Association, the Federation of Hong Kong Industries, and the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce; and a representa- tive of the environmental group, the Conservancy Association.

There are also four special committees under EPCOM concerned with air pollution, noise, land and water pollution, and legislation. Each committee examines specific areas of pollution control in detail by seeking views from experts and academics, members of the public, industrial organisations and government departments.

These committees, during the year, discussed a variety of subjects including water pollution in Tolo Harbour, several landscaping proposals, an air pollution monitoring network, water quality objectives and water control zones, and waste management.

A provision for consultation on environment protection regulations and related matters is incorporated in all the new ordinances and requires the government to consult EPCOM on all proposed regulations, environmental quality objectives and standards. Draft legislation is discussed with organisations whose members may be affected by its enactment; for example consultations took place with the construction industry regarding controls over the use of powered mechanical equipment during evenings and public holidays.

Protecting the Environment

The task of making environmental protection policy has been the responsibility of the Administration and Environmental Affairs Branch of the Government Secretariat.

In November it was announced that responsibility for environmental affairs would be transferred to the Home Affairs Branch.

In early 1981 the Environmental Protection Unit, comprising a small nucleus of specialists inside the Government Secretariat, was transformed into the free-standing Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The aim of the agency is to provide a central source of expertise and scientific data on all aspects of pollution control and to assume a central co-ordinating role in the formulation and execution of government policies in this field. This work involves establishing quality objectives, monitoring long-term trends in environmental quality, and assessing and advising on the environmental impact of major new developments.