Strategic Environmental Assessment SEA Manual Environmental Protection Department

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Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Manual Environmental Protection Department H. M. Wong 18 June 2005

Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) Manual Environmental Protection Department H. M. Wong 18 June 2005

Objectives of SEA Manual To provide government officials, decision makers and professionals with a

Objectives of SEA Manual To provide government officials, decision makers and professionals with a set of systematic, user-friendly and practical guidance on SEA practice; To use examples to demonstrate how SEA can contribute proactively to a more sustainable outcomes and preclude major environmental problems; To illustrate and demonstrate in a step by step manner the techniques and principles in the application of an SEA process.

SEA Manual – Table of Content Part I What is SEA Part II SEA

SEA Manual – Table of Content Part I What is SEA Part II SEA Mechanisms in Hong Kong Part III How to Conduct SEA Part IV Worldwide Experience & Trend

Why is SEA Important ? Facilitate the search of sustainable development options; Provide environmental

Why is SEA Important ? Facilitate the search of sustainable development options; Provide environmental information at the earliest stage of PPP formulation; Inform decision makers and the public about the environmental and sustainability implications of PPPs; Test out alternatives at a policy level before proceeding with site specific projects; Steer developments toward environmentally “robust” areas or away from environmentally sensitive areas; and Address at a high level the cumulative environmental impacts that cannot be addressed by project EIA.

Administrative Requirements for SEA In 1988, the Government required major landuse/ development plans to

Administrative Requirements for SEA In 1988, the Government required major landuse/ development plans to be subject to EIA process. Since 1992, environmental implications arising from the proposals should be stated clearly in all submissions to Executive Council. Policy Address 1999 requires all Policy Bureaus to carry out Sustainability Impact Assessment for major policy proposals. Requires “Sustainability Assessment” and “Sustainability Implications” for major proposals since April 2002.

Statutory requirements for certain SEA Schedule 3 of the EIA Ordinance Major Designated Projects

Statutory requirements for certain SEA Schedule 3 of the EIA Ordinance Major Designated Projects Requiring Environmental Impact Assessment Reports 1. Engineering feasibility study of urban development projects with a study area covering more than 20 ha or involving a total population of more than 100, 000. 2. Engineering feasibility study of redevelopment projects with a study area covering more than 100, 000 existing or new population.

Evolution of SEA in Hong Kong Types Plans / Programme Issues EIA issues +

Evolution of SEA in Hong Kong Types Plans / Programme Issues EIA issues + major plans/ strategies some sustainability issues Trying Out Phase Methodology Development and Building success stories 1988 1992 1995/96 + Some policies + Strategic follow -up more sustainability driven Wider Application Phase to Other sectors 1998 2002

When should SEA be Conducted To tie in with the Critical Juncture of Decision

When should SEA be Conducted To tie in with the Critical Juncture of Decision Making SEA Process in TDSR

Common Applications of SEA How does SEA relate to the Project Life Cycle? Detailed

Common Applications of SEA How does SEA relate to the Project Life Cycle? Detailed assessment of significant impacts, identification of mitigation needs, Input to cost/benefit analysis (EIA Stage) Site selection, environmental screening, initial assessment, scoping of significant issues (PER Stage) Pre-feasibility Feasibility Detailed Design of Mitigation measures Design and Construction Project concept SEA Monitoring and evaluation Source : “EIA Training and Capacity Building Program for Government Works Departments” Implementation Monitoring and audit Rectify adverse impacts Lessons for future projects Implementation of mitigation measures and environmental strategy

Common Applications of SEA Interaction Between Planning, SEA and EIA Project Planning & EIA

Common Applications of SEA Interaction Between Planning, SEA and EIA Project Planning & EIA Implementation Planning & SEA Strategic Planning or Sectoral Policy Studies Scenarios Strategic Environmental Assessment Project Level EIA Development Options Preferred Option Designated Projects Development Strategy Broad Land Use Patterns Sub-regional Plan Statutory Plans Planning Approval Source : “EIA Training and Capacity Building Program for Government Works Departments – EIA Training Manual” Project Planning and Design Plan Implementation and Local Disposal Designated Projects Environmental Controls during Construction and Operation Environmental Controls during Decommissioning Assessing Environmental Impact Against Established Criteria Developing Detailed Technical Prevention & Mitigation Measures Environmental Monitoring & Audit

Generic Steps of SEA

Generic Steps of SEA

Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 1 to 3) Step 1 Continuous and earliest possible

Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 1 to 3) Step 1 Continuous and earliest possible interaction with stakeholders and the public Step 2 Step 3 Re-consideration of objectives in view of environmental implications

Generic Steps of SEA Step 3: Screening and Scoping Propose of Screening To identify

Generic Steps of SEA Step 3: Screening and Scoping Propose of Screening To identify aspects of the PPPs having major and long terms environmental implications to facilitate informed decision and to pre-empt major environmental problems, while balancing the need of efficiency and avoid unnecessary assessments Purpose of Scoping To define the issues to be assessed, to what levels of detail and by what kind of methodologies

Ways of Screening : Checklists Source : The former Planning Environmental and Lands Bureau’s

Ways of Screening : Checklists Source : The former Planning Environmental and Lands Bureau’s Technical Circular No. 10/98

Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 4 to 6) Preparation Step 4 Step 5 Step

Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 4 to 6) Preparation Step 4 Step 5 Step 6 Final Assessment

Generic Steps of SEA Step 4 : Assemble Relevant Baseline or Background Studies TDSR’s

Generic Steps of SEA Step 4 : Assemble Relevant Baseline or Background Studies TDSR’s environmental baseline study identified a range of environmental constraints and environmentally sensitive areas and thus protecting these areas free from development

Generic Steps of SEA Step 6 : Identify Possible Options and their Environmental Implications

Generic Steps of SEA Step 6 : Identify Possible Options and their Environmental Implications In TDSR, the option of reclaiming Rambler Channel to the east of the Tsing Yi Island was eliminated and excluded for further study after consideration of SEA results.

Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 7 & 8) Initial Assessment Continuous and earliest possible

Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 7 & 8) Initial Assessment Continuous and earliest possible interaction with stakeholders and the public Step 7 Step 8

Strategic Follow-up (SEM&A) Step 8 : Determine follow up action, monitoring requirements Require future

Strategic Follow-up (SEM&A) Step 8 : Determine follow up action, monitoring requirements Require future follow-up actions such as environmental issues, mitigation measures and major assumptions. Example : CTS-3 EM&A § of Task group was set up. update Regular § results.

Application of SEA Processes to Different Types of PPPs Sectoral strategies and policies Transportation

Application of SEA Processes to Different Types of PPPs Sectoral strategies and policies Transportation strategies and policies Territorial land use planning

Sectoral strategies and policies 1. 2. Nature and Scope • Usually for very major

Sectoral strategies and policies 1. 2. Nature and Scope • Usually for very major infrastructure / facilities ; • Usually high profile and restricted access during the course of SEA ; • Timely environmental inputs are important, especially for alternative sites. Considerations • Identify “no-go” areas at the onset; • Carry out site search process in stages; • Consider alternative approaches and sites over the territory; • For decisions required within very short-time frame professional judgment based on best available information.

Transportation Strategies and Policies 1. Nature and Scope Facilitating a “win-win” strategy/ policy to

Transportation Strategies and Policies 1. Nature and Scope Facilitating a “win-win” strategy/ policy to meet transport (social), environmental, and economic requirements. 2. Considerations • • mode of transport ; alternatives and needs ; rail or road ; alignment options ; integration with environmental and landuse planning ; traffic management and control ; use of advance vehicle technologies; demand management

Territorial land use planning 1. Nature and Scope • • 2. Population Growth &

Territorial land use planning 1. Nature and Scope • • 2. Population Growth & strategic growth areas Transport & Other Supporting Infrastructure Ecologically Important Areas Spacial and Temporal Cumulative impacts Considerations • Detailed evaluations at various levels should be carried out. • Environmental & Planning objectives should be fully integrated. • Use best estimates and predictions available. • Undesirable elements should be screened out at each stage. • Adopt different scenario for analysis and comparison. • Analysis should focus on implications of “worst-case” scenarios. • Define mitigation measures & follow-up review

Further actions in hand Existing SEA website will be revamped to be more interactive

Further actions in hand Existing SEA website will be revamped to be more interactive and user-friendly. SEA website will be further improved, with hyperlinks to other environmental information or other SEA website overseas.

Thank You

Thank You