Strategic Environmental Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) ManualAssessment (SEA) Manual

Environmental Protection Department

H. M. Wong

18 June 2005

Objectives of SEA ManualObjectives 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 ContentSEA Manual – Table of Content

Part I What is SEA

Part IISEA Mechanisms in Hong Kong

Part IVWorldwide Experience & Trend

Part IIIHow to Conduct SEA

Why is SEA Important ?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 RequirementsAdministrative Requirements for SEAfor 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.

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 Statutory requirements for certain SEAcertain 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.

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.

Methodology Development and Building successstories

+ major plans/ strategies

some sustainability issues

Wider Application Phase to Other sectors

+ Some policies+ Strategic follow-up

more sustainability driven

Plans / Programme

Trying Out Phase

EIA issues

1988 1992 1995/96 1998 2002

Types

Issues

Evolution of SEA in Hong KongEvolution of SEA in Hong Kong

When should SEA be Conducted When should SEA be Conducted

To tie in with the Critical Juncture of Decision Making

SEA Process in TDSR

How does SEA relate to the Project Life Cycle?

Site selection, environmentalscreening, initial assessment,scoping of significant issues(PER Stage)

Detailed assessment of significant impacts,identification of mitigation needs,Input to cost/benefit analysis (EIA Stage)

Pre-feasibility Feasibility

Implementation

Design and Construction

Monitoring and evaluation

Project concept

Detailed Design of Mitigation measures

Implementation of mitigationmeasures andenvironmentalstrategy

Monitoring and auditRectify adverse impactsLessons for future projects

SEA

Source : “EIA Training and Capacity Building Program for Government Works Departments”

Common Applications of SEA

Interaction Between Planning, SEA and EIA

Planning Approval

Broad Land Use Patterns

Scenarios

Preferred Option

Planning & SEA

Strategic Planning or Sectoral Policy Studies

Development Options

Sub-regional Plan

Development Strategy

Statutory Plans

Plan Implementation and Local Disposal

Project Planning & EIA EIA Implementation

Strategic Environmental Assessment

Designated Projects

Designated Projects

Project Level EIA

Environmental Controls during Construction and

Operation

Environmental Controls during

Decommissioning

Project Planning and Design

Assessing Environmental

Impact Against

Established Criteria

Technical Prevention & Mitigation Measures

Environmental Monitoring & Audit

Developing Detailed

Source : “EIA Training and Capacity Building Program for Government Works Departments – EIA Training Manual”

Common Applications of SEA Common Applications of SEA

Generic Steps of SEA

Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 1 to 3)

Continuous and earliest possible interaction with stakeholders and the public Re-consideration

of objectives in view of environmental implications

Step 1

Step 3

Step 2

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

Generic Steps of SEAGeneric Steps of SEA

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)Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 4 to 6)

Step 4

Step 5

Step 6

Preparation

Final Assessment

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

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

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.

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 SEAGeneric Steps of SEA

Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 7 & 8)Generic Steps of SEA (Steps 7 & 8)

Step 7

Step 8

Continuous and earliest possible interaction with stakeholders and the public

Initial Assessment

Require future follow-up actions such as environmental issues, mitigation measures and major assumptions.

Example : CTS-3 EM&A

Task group was set up.

Regular update of EM&A findings and results.

Strategic Follow-up (SEM&A)Strategic Follow-up (SEM&A)

Step 8 : Determine follow up action, monitoring requirements

Application of SEA Processes Application of SEA Processes to Different Types of PPPsto Different Types of PPPs

Sectoral strategies and policies

Transportation strategies and policies

Territorial land use planning

Sectoral strategies and policiesSectoral strategies and policies

1. 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.

2. 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.

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

Transportation Strategies and PoliciesTransportation Strategies and Policies

Territorial land use planningTerritorial land use planning 1. Nature and Scope

• Population Growth & strategic growth areas

• Transport & Other Supporting Infrastructure

• Ecologically Important Areas

• Spacial and Temporal Cumulative impacts

2. 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

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.

Further actions in handFurther actions in hand

Thank YouThank You