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October 28th, 2015:

Green Groups Decline Airport invitation to join Professional Liaison Group

For Immediate Release

(28 October 2015, Hong Kong) — Eleven leading green groups have declined the Hong Kong Airport Authority (AA)’s invitation to join the Professional Liaison Group (PLG) for the Three-Runway System Project.

The setting up of a PLG is a specific condition (2.1) under the Environmental Permit (AEP-489/2014) issued by the Environmental Protection Department under the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance: “ To enhance transparency and communication with the public.”

Following several months of communication with the Airport, green groups decided that “a more effective and efficient platform for dialogue, and a greater commitment from the Airport Authority and Government on a truly green airport” is required.

In a letter to the Airport Authority, and copied to the Director of Environmental Protection, green groups set out the following reasons for declining the invitation:

1. Deep concerns among the groups over the impacts of the three-runway project;
2. The limited mitigation measures set out under the Environmental Permit;
3. The narrow scope of the Terms of Reference for the Professional Liaison Group;
4. The absence of an independent due process for the proposed Professional Liaison Group.

Green groups noted that the PLG was limited to a technical oversight of the environmental consultant hired to monitor the contractors meeting the various technical conditions set out in the Environmental Permit. The PLG would be controlled by the Airport which act both as Chair and as Secretary. However, no resources were set aside for the Members to conduct their work independently. It was determined that participation would seriously undermine the “watch dog” and “environmental expert” roles of green groups.

The green groups who declined the invitation include Clean Air Network, Clear The Air, The Conservancy Association, Designing Hong Kong, Friends of the Earth (HK), Green Lantau Association, Green Sense, Greeners Action, Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society, The Hong Kong Bird Watching Society and Living Islands Movement.

The specific condition (2.1) under the Environmental Permit (AEP-489/2014) requires the Airport: “ To enhance transparency and communication with the public, the Permit Holder shall, no later than 3 months before the commencement of construction of the Project, set up Community and Professional Liaison Groups respectively comprising members of affected parties including local residents and relevant professional/experts to facilitate communications, enquiries and complaints handling on all environmental issues related to the Project. The Permit Holder shall take a proactive approach to disseminate information to the groups, promote community cooperation and participation and implement suitable local environmental enhancement works. All relevant information of the Project including the detailed design, the progress of construction and operation and environmental monitoring and audit results shall be provided to the groups. The Permit Holder shall inform the Director in writing the membership and terms of reference of the two groups. The Permit Holder shall make the minutes of the groups’ meetings and all papers and documents available to the public through a website.”

新聞稿
2015年10月28日

十一個環保團體已去信香港機場管理局,拒絕加入其就香港國際機場第三條跑道計劃設立的「三跑專業聯絡小組」(Professional Liaison Group , PLG)。

環境保護署根據《環境影響評估條例》就三跑發出的環境許可證(編號:AEP-489/2014),當中一個特定條件,就是設立「專業聯絡小組」,提高透明度和加強與公眾溝通。

環團與機管局連月溝通,認為香港國際機場要成為真正的環保機場,必須建立一個有效的對話平台,政府和機管局都應實踐更大的承諾。因此我們已經去信機管局,信件同時抄送環境保護署,表明拒絕加入「專業聯絡小組」,原因如下:
我們對三跑系統的影響表示關注;
環境許可證的緩和措施乏善可陳;
「專業聯絡小組」的職權範圍狹窄;
「專業聯絡小組」缺乏獨立而正當的法律程序。

環團認為「專業聯絡小組」盡其量只能為三跑承辦商聘請的環保顧問公司,根據環境許可證,在技術上層面上作小修小補。加上「專業聯絡小組」的主席和秘書會由機管局成員擔任和掌控。這樣的架構跟我們「監察者」和「專家」的角色完全不刎合,更削弱了環團一貫的角色。

拒絕加入機管局「三跑專業聯絡小組」的環團包括:健康空氣行動、爭氣行動、長春社、創建香港、香港地球之友、綠色大嶼山協會、環保觸覺、綠領行動、香港海豚保育學會、香港觀鳥會和島嶼活力行動。

三跑的環境許可證(編號:AEP-489/2014),當中一個特定條件,要求機管局「提高透明度和加強與公眾溝通,許可證持有人須在展開工程項目的建造工程前最少3個月成立分別由受影響人士(包括當區居民及相關的專業人員/專家)組成的社區及專業人員聯絡小組,以便就所有與工程項目有關的環境問題進行溝通、查詢及處理投訴。許可證持有人須採取積極主動的做法,向相關小組傳遞信息、推廣社區合作和參與,並進行適當的地區環境改善工程。工程項目的所有相關資料,包括詳細設計、建造及營辦工程的進度、環境監察及審核結果,均須提供予有關小組。許可證持有人須將兩個小組的成員名單及職權範圍以書面通知署長,並須把小組的會議記錄及所有文件上載至網站供公眾閱覽。

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