| 1977
|
The Environmental
Protection Unit (EPU) is established within the Environmental
Branch to develop policy and formulate legislation on environmental
protection.
The creation
of an Environmental Impact Statement Ordinance is recommended
by a Hong Kong Government commissioned study. The Ordinance
would require that certain categories of development projects
be subject to environmental impact statements.
|
| 1981 |
Separation
of the Environmental Policy Unit from the Government Secretariat
to form the Environmental Protection Agency. |
| 1985 |
A
chapter on the environment is added to the Hong Kong Planning
Standards and Guidelines (HKPSG). It sets out guidance
for the incorporation of environmental consideration into
the planning and execution of major development activities
in Hong Kong. |
| 1986 |
A
Hong Kong Government circular is issued on the Environmental
Review of major public sector development projects - an
early form of Environmental Impact Assessment.
|
| 1988 |
The Hong
Kong Government circular on Environmental Review is revised
to establish a link between the public works programme and
the Environmental Impact Assessment process.
Introduction
of requirements in land title documents for submission of
environmental studies to EPD.
|
| 1989 |
Publication
of policy objectives for environmental planning and assessment
in the white paper on " Pollution in Hong Kong -
A Time to Act". |
| 1990 |
An administrative
arrangement is reached with the Hong Kong Industrial Estate
Association to establish EIA applications for the first time
for its development within Hong Kong Industrial Estate.
Publication
of the EPD Advice Notes 1/90 & 2/90, setting out the EIA
process for major private sectors projects.
|
| 1992 |
A
requirement is introduced to include an Environmental
Implications Paragraph in all public works, as well
as in all Sub-Committee and Finance Committee papers.
The Hong
Kong Government Circular is revised to standardise EIA
procedures incorporating more detailed assessment procedures
and follow-up monitoring and auditing requirements to
implement recommended measures in EIA reports.
Issuing
of a circular on public access to EIA reports (PELB GC 2/92)
|
| 1994 |
The advisory
role of the Environmental Pollution Advisory Committee is
expanded from covering only pollution control to considering
the overall sustainability of the environment. It is renamed
the Advisory Council on the Environment (ACE), with its designated
"EIA Subcommittee" to focus on EIA issues.
Revision
of the circular on public access to the EIA reports (PELB
GC 2/94)
|
| 1995 |
Provisions
for a strategic environmental assessment with environmental
sustainability analysis are introduced in the Territorial
Development Strategy Review.
The EIA
Bill was supported by the ACE.
|
| 1996 |
Endorsement
of the overall framework of the EIA Bill by the ACE and the
joint Environmental Affairs/ Lands and Works Panels of Legislative
Council.
The EIA
Bill was introduced into the Legislative Council.
|
| 1997 |
The
Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO) enacted. |
| 1998 |
The EIA
Ordinance goes into effect on 1st April.
"A
Guide to the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance"
is published and distributed freely to the public.
A designated
EIA Ordinance website is commissioned to release EIA information.
An EIA
Ordinance Register Office is opened for the public to inspect
EIA Ordinance information and applications.
Issuing
of a circular on procedure of EIA of development and proposed
projects (PELB TC 10/98)
|
| 1999 |
A
review on the operation of the EIA Ordinance is conducted
and a continuous improvement strategy is adopted to
enhance the process.
Presentations
on the EIA Ordinance to 18 District Boards and/or their environmental
committees to encourage an open and transparent EIA process.
Enactment
of EIAO (amendment of Schedule 2) Order 1999 for inclusion
of theme parks or amusement parks with a site area of
more than 20 ha as size as designated projects.
|
| 2000 |
Bilingual
project profiles is required for all new applications to enhance
accessibility for the Chinese community.
Setting
up of various EIA Ordinance Liaison Group for government,
private/public corporate users and consultants.
|
| 2001 |
Require
the most recent environmental monitoring and audit data
of major projects to be accessible in the EIA Ordinance
Homepage.
Accepting
public comments via E-mail through EIA Ordinance Homepage.
|
