|
WWF considers the decision made by the Environmental Protection Department (EPD) to approve the EIA report of the China Light and Power's (CLP) Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Receiving Terminal and Associated Facilities a bad precedent for the Hong Kong environment.
"WWF disagrees with the conclusion of the EIA and is highly disappointed with the decision made by EPD which allows an undesirable development within a marine area supposed to be protected," stressed Eric Bohm, CEO, WWF Hong Kong.
Marine Parks Ordinance states that all marine parks should be managed for the purpose of protecting, restoring and enhancing marine life and marine environment, WWF is confused and surprised on how the management Authority ˇVAgricultural, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) ˇV has considered the impacts induced by the LNG terminal in the proposed Soko Islands Marine Park are "environmentally acceptable". In fact, the levels of impact of the LNG terminal are much greater than have previously been allowed in other designated Marine Parks.
"CLP has downplayed the operational impacts of the LNG terminal to fisheries resources," stated Dr. Andy Cornish, Director of Conservation, WWF Hong Kong, "up to 400 million fish larvae and 400,000 adult fish individuals will be killed annually due to the operation of the proposed cooling system."
Apart from the damage to fisheries, it will not only be another encroachment of the protected Chinese white dolphin's habitat, the so-called "protected area" will also be dredged periodically.
Before the Economic Development and Labour Bureau offers its final approval, WWF urges the Authority to re-call what Marine Parks in Hong Kong should protect.
"A Marine Park is designated for conservation, recreation and education purposes but having an LNG Receiving Terminal inside would only fail these purposes. The public is extremely concerned about the project and is not fooled, as demonstrated by the record number of 20,000 submissions. WWF has called on EPD to release a summary of the submissions but not received an answer yet. The government is urged to listen to these voices" said Mr. Bohm.
|
