ENG-1986 — Page 333

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THE ENVIRONMENT

comprehensive evaluation of environmental and other intangible benefits was specifically recognised in the programme for the preparation of a territorial development strategy. Under this strategy, priority areas for development have been identified for future urban growth. There is still, however, a need for the environmental issues to be taken fully into account in relation to these major development proposals.

The strategic environmental concerns arising from the proposed major reclamation at West Kowloon relate to the maintenance of acceptable water quality in Victoria Harbour and the requirements for sewage treatment and disposal. Water quality has been recognised as a constraint on further growth in the harbour region, and previous water quality modelling studies have indicated that large reclamations would increase pollutant loads at the same time as reducing tidal flows, so leading to a deterioration in water quality. The current major reclamation proposals, however, have not yet been tested by modelling studies. To fulfil this need, a thorough assessment of the complex water flow and pollution dispersion characteristics of the area was initiated during 1986. The results of this inves- tigation will need to be examined before firm commitments are made to this develop- ment option, to avoid the threat of substantially increased costs for sewerage and sewage treatment infrastructure and unacceptable damage to the water system in the harbour.

Another area in which environmental concerns have a major influence on development is the proposed second phase of development at Ma On Shan, in Tolo Harbour. The extreme topographical confinement and limited dispersive capacity of both the natural air and watershed of Tolo Harbour present severe environmental constraints on urban develop- ment. Restrictions are already applied on the use of high sulphur fuels in these areas to reduce aerial emissions. The recently enacted Water Pollution Control Regulations, to be implemented in Tolo Harbour in April 1987, will fulfil a long overdue need for further controls on water pollution in the catchment.

On the other hand, development in other areas such as Pok Fu Lam, Sham Tseng and Tuen Mun East present no insurmountable environmental problems. They offer advan- tages in terms of sewage disposal because they permit effluent loads to be discharged into water with a relatively high, and presently under-utilised receptive capacity. The develop- ment of Green Island, and the Central and Western reclamations is also favoured on environmental grounds. It would offer opportunities to rationalise and improve sewerage, to control the discharge of effluents into Victoria Harbour and to deal with a number of long-standing environmental nuisances. The relatively good ventilation of the Harbour airshed is an advantage in maintaining reasonable air quality in the face of further development.

In Deep Bay, the movement of both air and water, and hence the dispersion of pollutants, is very limited. While development proposed on the Hong Kong side may not, on its own, present environmental problems with strategic implications, the eventual environmental conditions in the area will depend very much on the nature and extent of development that takes place in the Shenzhen special economic zone on the northern and western shores of the bay.

Detailed assessment and advice on strategic issues and individual projects continue to be provided by the EPD, using a range of sophisticated techniques including computer models for the dispersion of air and water pollutants. Planning against noise, using both computer and acoustic models, has led to much improved noise climates for many new schools, hospitals and housing estates.

Architectural and engineering drawings of new buildings are submitted to the Buildings and Lands Department for approval under the Buildings Ordinance. Plans which concern