Environmental Protection Of HONG KONG Lantau Link Plan

News Extract Oriental Daily News 14/11/2000 Apple Daily 14/11/2000 Environmental Protection Department 13/11/ /11/ /11/2000

Know more about the background The Environmental Protection Department (EPD) has rejected the proposed route of a new 6 km road link across Lantau Island. Transport chiefs are now considering an alternative, involving a tunnel that could quadruple the cost. The estimated cost of the original overland alignment is $1.3 billion while the new one is expected to cost more than $5 billion.

Know more about the background The project was rejected owing to its environmental impact on the ecosystems in the area. But the existing north-south thoroughfare - Tung Chung Road - was overused and a “high-risk”area. It is high time for the Government to do both things in a better balance.

Reasons for rejecting the plan 1.The project would likely result in a permanent loss of 15.6 ha habitat, which supports a high variety of ecologically valuable species, but the Environmental Impact Assessment Report for Lantau Link has not demonstrated that the loss could be adequately compensated.

Reasons for rejecting the plan 2. The conclusion in the Report that no fish species should be lost from the stream catchments is based on the assumption that the fish species are well distributed across the upper tributaries, but this assumption may not be valid. 3. The marsh at Luk Tei Tong and the Lin Fa Shan Woodland support 83 bird species and some rare amphibian species, including the Romer’s tree frog. These ecologically valuable habitats will likely be disturbed.

Reasons for rejecting the plan 4. According to the law, projects that are likely to result in adverse ecological impacts should not normally be permitted unless it has been proven that no other practical and reasonable alternatives are available. 5. The measures recommended in the Report are not adequate or effective to mitigate the potential environmental impacts.

The problems that Lantau residents face Roads on Lantau are really narrow and overused. There is high risk that accidents will occur. In fact, many serious car accidents have taken place on Tung Chung Road in the past few years. An increasing number of visitors to Lantau has brought out an urgent need to build a new road across the island. The residents have launched a slow-drive protest and threatened to take more “radical” action if the government does not come up with a solution to the island's transport problems in a month. For example, they may poison fish in the river or burn the trees. Action taken by the residents

The Environmental impact The project will destroy the ecosystems in Lantau, for example, the fresh water river and the mangroves. There are more than 46 fish species, including some rare ones living in Tai Ho River ( 大蠔河 ). The proposed link will also affect the wetland. Over 83 bird species live in the wetland now. Rare frogs are the residents of the wetland too. Those endangered species are treasures of Hong Kong. Lantau is a place with high ecological values. The government should put much effort into conserving this piece of land.

Controversies about the link The link can improve the traffic conditions of Lantau. Residents’ living will be better. It will be safer to drive on a bigger road than the current one. Thus, most residents welcome the plan. The link will destroy the natural environment of Lantau. It is indispensable to protect the treasures on Lantau Island. Hong Kong should focus on not only development but also environment. FOR THE RESIDENTS FOR THE ENVIRONMENTALISTS

Accidents Occur !! A car crashed into a bus on Tung Chung Road the other day. The accident claimed 3 lives. The road was closed for 4 hours and many visitors to Lantau flocked in Mui Wo. Some people went to their destinations on foot while the others kept waiting for the buses for hours. Residents have urged that the Lantau Link should be built as soon as possible. Thus, serious road accidents can be prevented and the traffic be improved.

My Opinion about the link There must be other solutions besides building the alignment to improve the traffic conditions on Lantau. Although building a tunnel is more expensive, everything pales into insignificance beside our natural environment. It will be too late for us to regret after the environment has been destroyed. At that time, even if we have got lots of money, we can no longer enjoy the beauties of nature. Road safety is essential but in addition to considering our rights, we should take account of the animals’ rights to survive as well.

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