Amendments to Schedules 2 and 3 of Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance and Technical Memorandum on Environmental Impact Assessment Process gazetted
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Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (Cap. 499) (Ordinance) covers development and infrastructural projects such as roads, airports, reclamation, waterways and drainage works, etc. Schedule 3 of the Ordinance covers engineering feasibility studies of major development or redevelopment projects. The EIAO-TM sets out principles, procedures, guidelines, requirements and criteria for carrying out the environmental impact assessment (EIA) process under the Ordinance.
With the implementation of the Order, the lists of Designated Projects (DPs) under Schedules 2 and 3 of the Ordinance will be more clearly defined and better aligned with technological advancement and development needs in recent years. As regards the revised EIAO-TM, the methodologies for conducting various technical assessments in the EIA process will be further standardised to enhance consistency, efficiency and quality. The overall EIA process will be streamlined and the delivery of DPs could be expedited to bring long-term environmental benefits to society as a whole.
"The Environmental Protection Department conducted an extensive public engagement exercise on the overall approach and scope for the review of the EIA process in order to collect views and suggestions from stakeholders and the public between March and June 2022. We have also obtained the support from the Panel on Environmental Affairs of the Legislative Council and the Advisory Council on the Environment in respect of, inter alia, the proposed amendments of Schedules 2 and 3 to the Ordinance and the EIAO-TM," a Government spokesman said.
Subsequent to the gazettal, the Order and the EIAO-TM will be tabled at the Legislative Council for negative vetting on May 10. The Order is expected to be effective on June 30, 2023. As required by section 16(10) of the Ordinance, the revised EIAO-TM, will only come into effect upon the expiry of the period for debate of the technical memorandum in the Legislative Council.
Ends/Friday, May 5, 2023
Issued at HKT 11:20
Issued at HKT 11:20
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