ENG-2000 — Page 333

THE ENVIRONMENT

submissions to the Public Works Subcommittee of the Legislative Council's Finance Committee must contain an assessment of the environmental implications.

Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance

The Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) came into effect on April 1, 1998. It provides a systematic, clear and transparent framework for assessing the environmental impacts arising from major development projects and for implementing effective prevention and mitigation measures. It is supplemented by a technical memorandum setting out clear, consistent technical guidelines and criteria. Information on applications made under the EIA Ordinance is available at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd/eia,

Environmental Monitoring and Audit

Environmental monitoring and audit (EM&A) has become an integral part of the EIA process to validate the assumptions made in the planning stage and to monitor the effectiveness of prescribed mitigation measures during project implementation. This is to ensure that every project delivers the environmental performance promised in the impact assessments. In 2000, the EPD managed about 167 EM&A programmes for major projects.

Starting from 1999, the EPD has been promoting EM&A reporting through the Internet the Cyber EIA Process under the EIAO. Project proponents are encouraged to set up a dedicated web site to present their project information including EM&A data and results in multi-media format. The web-based reporting enables easier access to information on environmental performance and has enhanced public participation in the monitoring of the EIA process.

Land Use Planning

The process extends into land use planning. The Advisory Council on the Environment considered the results of a strategic environmental assessment of the Territorial Development Strategy Review in 1996. In 1997, the Planning Department began further studies on some strategic growth areas that the review identified. Some of the EIAS completed in 2000 have identified major environmental issues and solutions for integration into more detailed land use plans.

Environmental Sustainability

The assessment of the Territorial Development Strategy showed that continuing urbanisation would be likely to have implications on air and water quality, increase public exposure to noise and overload Hong Kong's waste disposal capacity. While the timely provision of resources and environmental mitigation measures could resolve some of these issues, others may require fundamental reconsideration of the proposals' implications on Hong Kong's long-term sustainability. A Study on Sustainable Development for the 21st Century began in September 1997. The report, produced in 2000, contains recommendations on a sustainable development system that integrates environmental, economic and social considerations in the decision- making progress on government policies.

281