Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07GUANGZHOU720
2007-06-25 00:01:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Consulate Guangzhou
Cable title:  

Environmental Training Helps Local Officials

Tags:  SENV PGOV CH 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO4340
RR RUEHCN RUEHGH RUEHVC
DE RUEHGZ #0720 1760001
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 250001Z JUN 07
FM AMCONSUL GUANGZHOU
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 6199
INFO RUEHOO/CHINA POSTS COLLECTIVE
RUEAEPA/HQ EPA WASHDC
RUEAIIA/CIA WASHDC
RUEKJCS/DIA WASHDC
RHHMUNA/HQ USPACOM HONOLULU HI
UNCLAS GUANGZHOU 000720 

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM - WARD
STATE FOR OES/ETC - SORENSON
STATE FOR OES/PCI - SALZBERG, COVINGTON
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV PGOV CH
SUBJECT: Environmental Training Helps Local Officials
Address Enforcement Deficiencies

REF: Guangzhou 701

UNCLAS GUANGZHOU 000720

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

STATE FOR EAP/CM - WARD
STATE FOR OES/ETC - SORENSON
STATE FOR OES/PCI - SALZBERG, COVINGTON
EPA FOR INTERNATIONAL
USPACOM FOR FPA

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SENV PGOV CH
SUBJECT: Environmental Training Helps Local Officials
Address Enforcement Deficiencies

REF: Guangzhou 701


1. (U) Embassy Science Fellow (ESF) provided environmental
permit training on May 14 to Shenzhen Environmental
Protection Bureau (EPB) experts in response to Pearl River
Delta environmental authorities' concerns over deficiencies
in their enforcement program. ESF explained how the U.S.
EPA uses permits to control industrial and municipal
pollutant dischargers. Training covered the permit
system's legal framework, the use of general and individual
permits, technology-based and water quality-based permit
limitations, monitoring, and reporting. Shenzhen
environmental officials - widely regarded as having one of
the most advanced and innovative environmental programs in
China - responded positively to the training, while
Guangdong EPB and the Guangzhou State Environmental
Protection Administration (SEPA) officials declined to
attend.


2. (U) ESF also provided training in Beijing on April 19-20
for SEPA and EPB officials on hazardous waste management,
permit systems for power generators, treatment and disposal
facilities, inspection tools and enforcement.


3. (U) Participants inquired about how EPA and States
delineate respective jurisdictional authorities, how EPA
makes sure State agencies comply with requirements, and
about permit fees. ESF distributed sample permit
application forms, showed participants copies of actual
permits, and described the permit public notice process. A
major part of the training focused on the development of
permit limitations and a discussion on technology-based
limitations for industry and secondary treatment for
municipal dischargers. ESF stressed that monitoring and
other reporting are an integral part of the overall permit
program and necessary for effective compliance and
enforcement.


4. (U) EPB compliance and enforcement efforts vary widely
depending on location and local government support. Permit
training in other large mainland cities will help companies
know precisely what is expected of them and will help the
Chinese develop a fair and transparent compliance and
enforcement system.

GOLDBERG