Taichung Port Reclamation Threatens White Dolphin Habitat, Councilor Says City Is Bowing to Central Government

More than 32,000 people have signed a petition to save Taiwan’s endangered Chinese white dolphins as a construction-waste reclamation project at Taichung Port prepares to begin in September.

The project would use construction soil to reclaim land in the port’s southern filling area, a location within the dolphins’ habitat. Fewer than 50 of the Taiwan-specific subspecies are believed to remain in the area, according to the report.

Independent Taichung City Councilor Wu Pei-yun accused the city government of being too weak in its response. She said officials publicly claimed to be demanding a full environmental impact assessment, but meeting records showed that the city had asked only for an environmental-impact difference analysis. She also pointed to the city’s request that the central government simplify the relevant procedures, saying Taichung had effectively become “the central government’s little follower.”

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Taichung has become the central government’s little follower

Environmental groups fear the project could permanently destroy 90 hectares of shallow-water nursery habitat. They also warned that heavy metals concealed in the construction waste could pollute the sea.

Li Zheng-wei of the Taichung City Urban Development Bureau said a January 13 meeting at the Ministry of the Interior had required an environmental-impact difference analysis when outside soil is received. He added that the port area falls under the Maritime and Port Bureau and Taiwan International Ports Corporation, while the central Environment Ministry handles environmental-impact reviews. The city government, he said, respected professional assessments.

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soft and weak