Press Release

 

 

Lok Ma Chau spur line EIA report rejected

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The Director of Environmental Protection (DEP) today (October 16) decided not to approve the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report for the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line and not to issue an Environmental Permit for the Project.

A spokesman for the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) said: "In making his decision, the DEP has carefully considered the 225 sets of public submissions received during the public inspection period of the report and the comments of the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE).

"He has also taken into consideration the further information submitted by the Kowloon Canton Railway Corporation on September 18 and the advice of the Director of Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation. He also has had regard to his statutory responsibilities for protecting the environment under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO)."

"After taking all these views and information into account, the DEP has concluded that the construction of the spur line is likely to cause adverse environmental impacts to Long Valley which is an area of high ecological value with a high diversity of birds," the spokesman noted.

Many of the proposed measures to mitigate the environmental impacts during the construction stage are unlikely to be practical or effective. Serious fragmentation, significant disturbance and habitat destruction are likely to happen when construction works are being carried out.

The proposed temporary wetland is unlikely to compensate adequately for habitat loss during the construction stage and the impact of the project on the environment is likely to be greater than predicted.

In addition, the cumulative environmental impacts of the project and other existing, committed and planned projects have not been properly addressed.

The DEP is of the view, in light of the comments received from the public and the ACE, that it has not been proven that there are no other practical and reasonable alternatives.

Overall, the DEP is of the view that the environmental impacts to be caused by the project are likely to be prejudicial to the health or well being of the flora, fauna or ecosystems in the areas to be affected by the project.

The reasons for rejecting the EIA report are available for public viewing at the EIAO public register on the 27th floor of Southorn Centre, 130 Hennessy Road, Wan Chai.

They will be uploaded onto the EIAO website at http://www.info.gov.hk/epd/eia tomorrow (October 17).

End/Monday, October 16, 2000

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