Phase 4 of the Central Taiwan Science Park's wastewater threatens the environment; 600 Zhutang Township residents protest

Today (the 1st), the Environmental Protection Administration held a "second-stage environmental impact assessment scoping continuation meeting" for the Phase 4 development project of the Central Taiwan Science Park, to decide which items would be included in the review items of the second-stage environmental impact assessment. More than 600 Zhutang Township residents worried about the environmental impact of the Phase 4 development project chartered 14 tour buses north to the Environmental Protection Administration to protest against the Phase 4 discharge pipe passing through Zhutang Township.

Because "Zhutang rice" has won the national Top Ten Classic Premium Rice award 5 times and the Taikeng No. 9 rice championship 1 time, many residents worry that "a rupture of the discharge pipe, or its settling into groundwater," would affect their farming livelihoods, and therefore do not agree to the discharge pipe passing through Zhutang.

Environmental groups questioned that the developer only assessed 5 locations in the lower reaches of the Zhuoshui River, "without including groundwater, wetlands, or coastal areas, so it is not comprehensive enough." At the same time, the impact on the endangered species "Chinese white dolphin" could not be seen either. Environmental groups and Fisheries Agency officials believe that wastewater discharge should aim for "zero discharge," which would not only solve the pipe-laying problem but also protect the livelihoods of farmers and fishermen along the Changhua coastal area.

Today's meeting resolved to include "the pipeline not passing through Zhutang Township" in its considerations, and required the developer to propose mitigation and compensation measures for impacts on endangered species.