ENG-2006 — Page 337

The Environment | 281

governmental organisations, business groups, academic institutions and professional bodies.

The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) is the main agency for nature and wildlife conservation. The Planning Department plans future land use (including conservation zoning) and controls developments across Hong Kong. The Drainage Services Department designs, builds, operates and maintains sewerage and sewage treatment facilities. The Civil Engineering and Development Department provides outlets for the reuse of inert construction and demolition material. The Electrical and Mechanical Services Department promotes the efficient use and conservation of energy. The Marine Department clears floating refuse and oil in the sea and enforces the law governing oil pollution.

Government spending on the environment in 2006-07 was budgeted at $5.66 billion, or about 2.14 per cent of total public expenditure.

Pollution Prevention

The Government has been successful in pre-empting environmental problems by applying an environmental assessment process to policy planning and project proposals. Development and policy proposals submitted to the Executive Council that involve environmental issues and all 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 provides a transparent and systematic framework for assessing the environmental impact of designated projects and for identifying effective mitigating measures if needed. It is supplemented by a technical memorandum setting out clear and consistent technical guidelines and criteria. Since the implementation of the ordinance, 103 environmental impact assessment (EIA) reports have been approved (as at December 31) and more than 1.5 million people and many ecologically sensitive areas are being protected against the effects of unacceptable environmental problems. In addition, the EPD has been promoting continuous public participation in the EIA process.

Environmental Monitoring and Auditing

The environmental monitoring and auditing process seeks to validate the assumptions made in the planning stage and to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures and to ensure that every project meets the environmental performance promised in the impact assessments. In 2006, the EPD managed about 110 monitoring and auditing programmes for major projects.

For major projects, permit holders are required to set up dedicated websites to publish project information, including the results and data obtained from the environmental monitoring and auditing process. Since April 2002, proponents of major projects have been required to set up web camera systems to enable the public to see conditions at their sites.