Hong Kong Standard
A conservation group wants the Airport Authority to take more notice of green groups that may help minimize the environmental impact of a third runway.
Samson Lee
Monday, August 22, 2011
A conservation group wants the Airport Authority to take more notice of green groups that may help minimize the environmental impact of a third runway.
Hong Kong Dolphin Conservation Society chairman Samuel Hung Ka-yiu said a balance may be struck between infrastructure development and environmental protection.
“It is about give and take,” Hung said. “If we take something from the environment, we need to give something back to the environment.”
However, consultancy reports released on August 8 by the authority still do not address concerns over the environmental threat, particularly to Chinese white dolphins
Hung said the studies provide information about the impact on air quality, but fail to tell the public how the dolphins will be affected and what mitigation measures the authority will take to protect the endangered creatures.
Calling on the authority to reveal the full environmental impact, he said “if there are serious problems, we can discuss together to find a solution.”
Hung hopes there will be more positive developments and talks with the authority before the end of consultation next month.
“Some people think we are radical and make some unreasonable requests. Actually, we are rational and for the good of Hong Kong.”
He said green groups tend to be placed in a position against the authority because it always mentions economic benefits instead of environmental costs.
“We are forced to oppose them because they do not consider the environmental impact seriously.”
Hung said there are about 200 Chinese white dolphins using Hong Kong waters and they are facing threats such as overfishing, water pollution and high-speed ferries.
He said the proposed reclamation area for the third runway is at the center of three core locations frequented by the dolphins – Lung Kwu Chau, the Brothers Islands and Tai O to Fan Lau waters.