Zhangbin Industrial Park Adds Construction Debris as Fill Material Source; Initial Environmental Review Passes with Conditions

(Taipei, June 17, reporter Chang Hsiung-feng) To expand disposal options for construction debris, the Zhangbin Industrial Park has added Xiansi West Zone 3 as a new source of fill material. The initial environmental impact difference analysis review was held today at the Ministry of Environment. Review committee members requested simplification of material sources and enhanced quality control, recommending conditional approval pending revisions. The case will now proceed to full committee review.

The Ministry of Environment convened a preliminary review meeting today for the 'Environmental Impact Difference Analysis Report on the Development Plan of Changhua Coastal Industrial Park (Addition of Construction Residual Earth and Rock as Fill Material in Xiansi West Zone 3, Area B).'

The development agency stated that, in accordance with the Executive Yuan's inter-ministerial consultation on the 'Accelerated Full-Process Disposal Strategy for Construction Residual Earth and Rock,' this amendment aims to rapidly expand final disposal capacity by planning to receive construction residual earth and rock in Xiansi West Zone 3, Area B (already diked).

The agency further explained that Xiansi West Zone 3, Area B covers 20 hectares and has completed dike construction. In addition to the original environmental assessment-approved isolated waterway and offshore sand extraction, this amendment adds approximately 900,000 cubic meters of construction residual earth and rock as a new fill material source.

The Changhua Environmental Protection Alliance pointed out that construction debris often contains lead, asbestos fragments, or industrial waste at the front lines. They emphasized the need for scientific inspection methods to confirm the absence of heavy metals and hazardous substances, noting that visual inspection or surface removal alone may not detect contamination.

Environmental review committee members acknowledged the urgency of the case. While northern regions can use Taipei Port and southern areas can utilize Kaohsiung Port or Tainan Anping Port, central Taiwan currently lacks such disposal sites. However, they stressed that time constraints cannot justify unclear or incomplete justifications.

The committee also called for comprehensive management of incoming materials, including inspection frequency and return mechanisms. Additionally, they recommended evaluating whether the entire 900,000 cubic meters of fill material could come from compliant sources at the Lunwei Earth Storage Area within the Zhangbin Industrial Park.

The committee requested clearer explanations on acceptance standards for the new construction debris and specific quality control plans for fill material (including source management, pre-entry inspections, and work zone planning). The development agency committed to fulfilling these requirements. Ultimately, the committee recommended conditional approval pending revisions, and the case will be submitted to the full environmental review committee for further examination. (Editor: Li Heng-shan) 1150617