Replies to Questions from Finance Committee Members

Examination of Estimates of Expenditure 2003-04 Reply Serial No.
CONTROLLING OFFICER’S REPLY TO
INITIAL WRITTEN QUESTION
ETWB(E)045
Head : 44 Environmental Protection
Department
Subhead(No. & title):
Question Serial No.
0051
Programme : (6) Environmental Assessment and Planning
Controlling Officer : Director of Environmental Protection
Director of Bureau : Secretary for the Environment, Transport and Works
Question : Would the Government inform this Council:
The average cost for handling each Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report by
Environmental Protection Department (EPD) in carrying out the statutory work under the
EIA Ordinance. What are the expenditure items involved? What is the percentage of
such items on the current fees collected?
Asked by : Hon. CHOY So-yuk
Reply : At present, the fees for processing applications for an EIA study brief and for approval of an
EIA report under the EIA Ordinance are $16,325 and $42,190 respectively. According to a
review completed in 2000, such fees can recover over 90% of the average costs of processing
such statutory EIA applications. Such costs involve essentially staff costs of the EPD and
other departments involved in processing the statutory applications.
Gototop
Signature
Name in block letters ROBERT J. S. LAW
Post Title Director of Environmental Protection
Date 21 March 2003