The Environmental Protection Department stressed on Sunday that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau Development Node is “scientific, professional and comprehensive.”
The comments came after environmental groups criticized EPD for approving the report with conditions, even though it contained 35 significant mistakes. That included the ecological and fisheries impacts arising from the development plan, as well as the misleading bird flight path or corridor.
The Department said a large number of continuous ecological survey data within the study area have been used as references for the EIA report to lay out the mitigation measures on the development plan.
EPD emphasized that establishing wildlife corridors to facilitate and support the movement of Eurasian otters and egretries can effectively mitigate the ecological impacts arising from the San Tin/Lok Ma Chau Development Node.
It added that a 12-month ecological baseline survey covering 152 species of birds and ecological enhancement measures have been carried out.
The Department also noted that it is using the actual experience of the Sheung Shui to Lok Ma Chau Spur Line project as a reference to enhance the ecological function and capacity of the wetland and fish ponds concerned under the project. That would achieve no net loss in the ecological value of the existing wetland.
Hong Kong United Times丨香港聯合時報丨HKUT 