The Environmental Protection Department today said that the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process in relation to the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau Development Node (ST/LMC DN) is scientific and professional as well as open and transparent.

The department made the statement in response to questions raised by individual groups on its approval of the EIA report for ST/LMC DN with conditions.

It noted that the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) and its Technical Memorandum (TM) have laid down scientific and objective standards and requirements, with designated professional authorities to help comprehensively review all EIA reports.

Starting from the submission of the project profile by the project proponent, all steps are made public on the EIAO website, and there is a two-stage consultation during the public inspection period to allow the public and the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE) to fully express their comments, the department explained.

The Director of Environmental Protection will approve the EIA report after fully considering all the relevant information and comments and confirming the report has met all statutory standards and requirements, it added.

For the comments raised by individual groups, the department provided consolidated responses on seven aspects that include the TM, ecological impact of the project, impacts on flight of breeding egrets and other wetland avifauna, and mitigation measures for potential ecological impacts.

The memorandum lays down clear guidelines on the requirements of the EIA Study Brief, with Annex 3 of the memorandum listing out all factors that need to be considered. The department confirmed that the study brief has covered all environmental issues that need to be assessed and met all relevant requirements.

Moreover, the EIA report has followed the principle in the order of "avoidance", "minimisation" and "compensation" in accordance with the memorandum’s requirements, such as avoiding the Ramsar Site and preserving the core area of the Mai Po Lung Village Egretry and the Mai Po Village Egretry.

Additionally, a 12-month ecological baseline survey has been conducted under the EIA study in accordance with the requirements of the TM and the relevant guidance notes, including surveys on flight paths above egretries and night roosts.

The department emphasised that it has fully considered comments received during the public inspection of the EIA report and consulted relevant authorities in accordance with the memorandum, adding that the ACE unanimously approved the EIA report and its recommendations.

It further stated that it hopes to optimise the project through the EIA process so that the ST/LMC DN can improve its ecological environment and become a sustainable, liveable place where urban and rural areas and nature integrate.