ENG-2001 — Page 361

THE ENVIRONMENT

In January 2000, a memorandum of understanding with the State Environmental Protection Agency was signed on the control of hazardous waste shipments between the Mainland and the HKSAR.

Floating Refuse in the Harbour

The Marine Department deploys a fleet of seven government vessels and 65 contractors' vessels to collect floating refuse. In 2001, 12 054 tonnes of floating refuse were collected. The Government has made considerable efforts in tackling the floating refuse problem by raising public awareness through publicity and educational activities, and deterring marine littering by means of enforcement action.

Marine Dumping

Hong Kong's development projects continue to generate vast quantities of dredged mud that is unsuitable for reclamation or other uses (67 million cubic metres in 2001). It is dumped at sea in specified mud disposal areas under a permit system. Regular monitoring is undertaken by the Government to make sure that dumping operations would not create an unacceptable impact on the marine environment. Because of the serious impact illegal dumping has on the marine environment, the EPD maintains strict control over dumping operations under the Dumping at Sea Ordinance. These operations follow the requirements of the London Convention on marine dumping. Marine dumping permits only allow operations carried out by a vessel equipped with an automatic self-monitoring device. This device tracks all marine dumping operations by recording the position and draught of the vessel, so that the authorities can trace any illegal dumping in a cost-effective manner. Moreover, the department's inspectors operate frequent patrols. There were 12 convictions for illegal dumping offences in 2001.

Monitoring and Investigation

The assessment of progress towards policy goals is one of the EPD's key activities. Its routine monitoring and special investigations form the basis for much of the strategic planning, provision of facilities and statutory controls aimed at improving the environment. The department has 93 sampling stations in the marine waters, including enclosed bays and typhoon shelters, and another 82 stations for inland waters. It also keeps 41 bathing beaches under surveillance.

The current monitoring programme started in 1986. It provides a comprehensive record of the chemical, physical and microbiological quality of Hong Kong's waters. All data are published regularly in the form of annual reports and can be made available to academics and professionals. Information on beach, marine and river water quality is available at the EPD's home page. Members of the public are usually more interested in the latest water quality of bathing beaches, details of which are issued to the mass media and published in the department's home page every week during the bathing season.

Government Laboratory

The Government Laboratory offers a wide range of analytical and advisory services to various government departments in the management and monitoring of the environment and in the enforcement of various ordinances pertaining to the protection of the environment and pollution control. In 2001, a total of 294 194 tests

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