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The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) today (May 13) lodged an appeal against the judgment handed down by the Court of First Instance (CFI) in respect of the judicial review (JR) on the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) reports of Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao (HZM) Bridge.
As regards the JR lodged by a citizen on the air quality assessment of the EIA in respect of Hong Kong section of HZM Bridge project, the CFI handed down the judgment on April 18 which rejected six of the seven issues contended by the applicant. However, after considering the purpose of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO), the Court ruled that apart from assessing the cumulative environmental impacts caused by the designated project, the EIA report should include a "stand alone" analysis of the project and put forward relevant mitigation measures, so as to allow the authority to consider whether the relevant impacts have been kept to the minimum.
The EPD disagreed with the CFI's said ruling and considered that it has significant impact on the on-going and future EIAs and the principles for executing the EIAO in Hong Kong. After seeking legal advice and considering relevant factors thoroughly, the EPD has decided to lodge an appeal against the judgment.
During the appeal process, the EPD shall follow the judgment when processing applications for EIA report approval or granting of environmental permits submitted under the EIAO.
Ends/Friday, May 13, 2011
Issued at HKT 21:53
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