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Following is a question by the Dr Hon Kenneth Chan and a written reply by the Secretary for the Environment, Mr Wong Kam-sing, in the Legislative Council today (March 2):
Question:
It has been reported that the Shenzhen Municipal Government conducted a chemical decontamination test at the estuary of Dasha River adjacent to Shenzhen Bay (known as Deep Bay in Hong Kong) at the end of January this year. Some experts have pointed out that if such chemical decontamination method is widely adopted at Deep Bay, there may be an impact on the water quality in the vicinity of Deep Bay and Lau Fau Shan in Hong Kong waters. It has also been reported that the Zhuhai Municipal Government has granted permission for a power company to construct a wind farm in Zhuhai waters about 10 kilometres west of Lantau Island. Some conservation groups have pointed out that the noise to be generated by the wind farm upon commissioning may have an impact on the ecological environment of Hong Kong waters off Lantau Island, including the habitat of Chinese white dolphins. In this connection, will the Government inform this Council:
(1) whether the Government knew beforehand that the Shenzhen Municipal Government would conduct the aforesaid chemical decontamination test; if so, of the channels through which the authorities learnt about this and the measures in place to address the possible impact of the test on the water quality in Hong Kong waters; if not, the reasons for that;
(2) whether it has received any notification from the Zhuhai Municipal Government or other mainland authorities concerning the aforesaid wind farm project, and whether it has discussed the project with the mainland authorities; if it has, of the details and the authorities' follow-up actions; if not, whether the authorities will consider commencing work immediately to address the possible impact of the wind farm on the ecological environment of Hong Kong; if they will, of the details of the relevant work; if not, the reasons for that;
(3) whether there is now in place a notification and co-operation mechanism on environmental issues established by the Governments of Guangdong and Hong Kong; if not, whether such a mechanism will be established expeditiously; if there is, whether it has assessed the effectiveness of the mechanism in the light of the aforesaid incidents; if it has assessed and the outcome is in the affirmative, of the justifications for that; if has assessed and the outcome is in the negative, whether the Government will immediately improve the mechanism concerned; if it will, of the details of the relevant work; if not, the reasons for that;
(4) whether it will consider taking the initiative to seek information from the governments of nearby cities in Guangdong Province on the major infrastructure projects and environmental regulation plans which they will implement, so as to determine at an early stage the environmental impact of such projects and plans on Hong Kong and take corresponding measures; if it will, of the specific arrangements; if not, the reasons for that; and
(5) whether it will assist members of the public and green groups in Hong Kong in expressing their concerns to the relevant mainland authorities over various kinds of cross-boundary environmental protection issues; if it will, of the relevant specific arrangements; if not, the reasons for that?
Reply:
President,
Our response to the question raised by Dr Hon Kenneth Chan is as follows:
(1) In early February this year, the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) enquired with the Human Settlements and Environment Commission of Shenzhen Municipality (SZHSEC) about press reports regarding the trial disposal of chemicals by the Shenzhen side at the mouth of Dasha River in Shenzhen Bay. The SZHSEC advised the EPD that the Shenzhen Municipal Water Affairs Bureau (SZMWAB) had allowed a research institute to carry out a trial for in-situ treatment of sediments at the mouth of Dasha River of Shenzhen Bay, with a view to resolving the problem of black and odorous sediments thereat. The treatment made use of a composite reagent comprising mainly nitrate supplemented by lime and calcium peroxide. The trial was confined to a small area of around 1 000 square metres. Given also the dilution and buffer capacity of seawater and that the composite reagent would be converted into calcium (needed by living organisms) and other non-toxic substances, the Shenzhen authorities considered that the trial would not have any adverse impact on the water quality of Deep Bay. The relevant authorities of Shenzhen have drawn up surveillance and evaluation plans to regularly monitor the quality of the sediments and surrounding water. The SZHSEC, in particular, conducted an additional on-site sampling at the mouth of Dasha River as well as on both sides of the river mouth on February 4, 2016. The monitoring results indicated that all relevant water quality parameters were at normal levels and there was no abnormality. The SZHSEC stated that they would closely monitor any changes in water quality to protect the water body.
Reagent has been used to treat contaminated sediments worldwide for many years. In Hong Kong, nitrate was used for the treatment of contaminated sediments at the Shing Mun River, Sam Ka Tsuen Typhoon Shelter and Kai Tak Approach Channel, and was effective in reducing the odour nuisance. Having noted the incident, the EPD also collected marine water samples from the five routine monitoring stations at Deep Bay on February 3, 2016 to monitor any changes in water quality, and conducted a routine monthly monitoring on February 18, 2016. The monitoring results indicated that all relevant water quality parameters were at normal levels and there was no abnormality. The EPD will continue to closely monitor any changes in the water quality of Deep Bay. The Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) also conducted site inspections at the Mai Po Inner Deep Bay Ramsar Site on February 15, 2016. No abnormality in the ecology of the Inner Deep Bay wetlands was observed. The AFCD will continue to closely monitor the situation of the wetlands and the culture environment of the oyster beds at Deep Bay.
The SZMWAB has also indicated to the EPD that, if there is a need to embark on sediment treatment on a larger scale, they would liaise with relevant authorities of Hong Kong when developing the relevant schemes. The EPD will continue to liaise and follow up with the Shenzhen authorities on environmental matters of mutual concern under the Hong Kong-Shenzhen Environmental Co-operation Forum (HSECF).
(2) Regarding the offshore wind farm project located at Guishan of Mainland waters, there was no discussion or notification between governments of the two sides over this project. The wind farm is eight kilometres away from the boundary of the waters of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, and the chance of the wind farm affecting the ecological environment of Hong Kong waters is thus very slim. It is unlikely that this project would affect the Chinese white dolphin habitats within Hong Kong waters.
(3) Guangdong and Hong Kong have established various mechanisms to foster co-operation and exchanges on environmental protection. To enhance and safeguard regional environmental quality, the EPD and the Environmental Protection Department of Guangdong Province (GDEPD) set up the Hong Kong-Guangdong Joint Working Group on Sustainable Development and Environmental Protection (JWGSDEP) in 2000, with several special panels under the JWGSDEP to follow up on environmental matters of mutual concern to relevant authorities of both places.
Meanwhile, the HSECF was set up by the EPD and SZHSEC in 2007 to foster co-operation and exchange of views on environmental matters of mutual concern.
In addition, the EPD set up the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Emergency Environmental Incident Notification Mechanism with the SZHSEC in 2008 and the Guangdong-Hong Kong Emergency or Significant Environmental Incident Notification Mechanism with the GDEPD in 2014, allowing one side to notify the other of any emergency or significant environmental incidents that may bring about potential environmental impact. The two mechanisms enable timely information sharing and effective responses to safeguard the living conditions of both places and protect the ecological environment.
The co-operation mechanisms between Hong Kong and Guangdong/Shenzhen on environmental matters have been operating smoothly and good progress has been achieved in various areas of collaboration.
(4) Geographically, Hong Kong and Shenzhen are adjacent to each other. Environmental collaboration between the two places is very important to the prevention of regional pollution and improvement of living environment. Through the HSECF, Shenzhen and Hong Kong will maintain liaison and follow up on environmental matters of mutual concern under the "One Country, Two Systems" Principle. Under the JWGSDEP, Guangdong and Hong Kong will also continue to enhance information sharing on the planning and environmental assessment for major projects that may affect the environmental quality of the two places.
(5) The EPD always takes heed of the views and concerns expressed by the public and green groups on various cross-boundary environmental matters. Where appropriate, the EPD will communicate with the Mainland environmental authorities through the above-mentioned platforms on cross-boundary environmental collaboration to protect the environment of Hong Kong.
Ends/Wednesday, March 2, 2016
Issued at HKT 12:20
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