The Environmental Protection Department today (January 16) released a list of completed and newly commenced statutory environmental impact assessments (EIAs) and non-statutory environmental studies for major development projects between October 1 and December 31, 2019.
 
     Updated information related to the EIA Ordinance is available on the EIA Ordinance website at www.epd.gov.hk/eia.
      
     Completed statutory EIAs and non-statutory environmental studies for projects in the fourth quarter of 2019 include:
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A. Statutory EIAs:
 
    Nil
 
B. Non-statutory Environmental Studies for projects:
 
    Nil
 
     Newly commenced statutory EIAs and non-statutory environmental studies for projects include:
————————————————————————————————————–
A. Statutory EIAs:
 
1. Establishment of Fish Culture Zone at Po Toi (Southeast) (EIA Study Brief No. ESB-327/2019)
(Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)
 
2. Establishment of Fish Culture Zone at Mirs Bay (EIA Study Brief No. ESB-326/2019)
(Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)
 
3. Establishment of Fish Culture Zone at Outer Tap Mun (EIA Study Brief No. ESB-325/2019)
(Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)
 
4. Establishment of Fish Culture Zone at Wong Chuk Kok Hoi (EIA Study Brief No. ESB-324/2019)
(Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department)
 
5. Improvement of Lion Rock Tunnel (EIA Study Brief No. ESB-323/2019)
(Highways Department)
 
6. Drainage Improvement Works in Ta Kwu Ling (EIA Study Brief No. ESB-322/2019)
(Drainage Services Department)
 
7. Upgrading of Tai Po Sewage Treatment Works (EIA Study Brief No. ESB-321/2019)
(Drainage Services Department)
 
B. Non-statutory Environmental Studies for projects:
   
    Nil

     Hong Kong Customs and the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) mounted a joint operation yesterday (January 15) and seized about 502 kilograms of suspected scheduled dried shark fins of endangered species with an estimated market value of about $390,000 from a container at the Kwai Chung Customhouse Cargo Examination Compound.

     Through risk assessment, Customs officers selected a container arriving in Hong Kong from Sri Lanka for inspection and found the batch of suspected scheduled shark fins inside the container.

     The AFCD is following up on the case.

     Under the Protection of Endangered Species of Animals and Plants Ordinance, any person found guilty of importing or exporting an endangered species without a licence is liable to a maximum fine of $10 million and imprisonment for 10 years.

     Customs will continue to take vigorous enforcement action against different kinds of smuggling activities during the Chinese Lunar New Year holidays.

     Members of the public may report any suspected smuggling activities to Customs 24-hour hotline 2545 6182 or its dedicated crime-reporting email account (crimereport@customs.gov.hk).

  

     The Government Gazette published on November 1, 2019, contains a Legal Notice to the effect that the Secretary for Financial Services and the Treasury has authorised a change in the rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates. From January 17, 2020, the new annual rate of interest will be 0.3667 per cent against the current rate of 0.25 per cent, i.e. the new rate will be $0.0306 per month per $100.

     Tax Reserve Certificates bear simple interest and interest is calculated monthly (including part of a month) from the date of purchase to the date of payment of tax.

     Interest is only credited when certificates are used to pay tax and no interest is due where the principal value of a certificate is repaid to its holder.

     The rate of interest payable on Tax Reserve Certificates is periodically revised in line with the market trend. Currently, it is reviewed every month based on the average prevailing interest rate for the twelve-month time deposit for $100,000 to $499,999 offered by the three note-issuing banks. 

     The new rate will apply to all certificates purchased on or after January 17, 2020. Certificates purchased before January 17, 2020, will continue to earn interest at the rates prevailing on their respective purchase dates. More interest rate information can be found on the Inland Revenue Department website (www.ird.gov.hk). The public can also obtain a copy of the Tax Reserve Certificate Interest Rate Table from the 24-hour information hotline at 1878033. Below is a summary of the interest rates for the past periods:
 

 
     This is always subject to the general rule that interest ceases to accrue after 36 complete months.

     Hongkong Post announced today (January 16) the postal service arrangements for the Lunar New Year holidays from January 25 to 28. No mail delivery will be provided and all post offices will be closed, except for the General Post Office and the Airport Post Office, which will open on January 28 from noon to 5pm and 10am to 3pm respectively. Details of the services available will be advertised at the respective post offices. In accordance with the usual practice, mail posted on the public holidays will be processed on the next working day.
               
     On January 25, the first day of Lunar New Year, one mail collection will be made for the posting boxes of the General Post Office, Kowloon Central Post Office and Tsim Sha Tsui Post Office. On January 28, one mail collection will be made for the posting boxes of the General Post Office and the Airport Post Office.
 
     For more information, customers may visit Hongkong Post's website at www.hongkongpost.hk or contact the Hongkong Post enquiry hotline at 2921 2222.

Attention TV/radio announcers:

Please broadcast the following as soon as possible:

     Here is an item of interest to swimmers.

     The Leisure and Cultural Services Department announced today (January 16) that due to big waves, the red flag has been hoisted at Clear Water Bay Second Beach in Sai Kung District. Beach-goers are advised not to swim at the beach.