I refer to the letter headlined, 'Dolphins' plight ignored' (South China Morning Post, November 13), by Jessey Cheung Kit-yee and would like to thank her for her interest in the conservation of the Chinese white dolphin.
The proposed Disney theme park is a designated project under Schedule 2 of the Environmental Impact Assessment Ordinance (EIAO).
An Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) shall be conducted and an Environmental Permit is required for its construction and operation.
The EIA will ensure that all potential adverse effects to the dolphin and its habitat are kept within acceptable levels.
Appropriate mitigation measures will be recommended and implemented to minimise the impact on the dolphins. The public and the Advisory Council on the Environment will have opportunities to comment on the EIA report to be submitted under the EIAO.
According to previous studies, areas to be reclaimed for the theme park development are not part of the core habitat for the dolphins in Hong Kong.
The area north of Lantau is heavily used by the dolphins throughout the year and represents the most important habitat locally.