Environmental damage appraisal and assessment refers to the process of comprehensively using economic, legal, technical and other means to reasonably identify and calculate the scope and extent of damage caused by environmental pollution or ecological damage. It is a professional activity that assists judicial authorities and parties in identifying and judging, aiming to determine the extent of environmental damage and the attribution of responsibility, and providing services for environmental management and environmental justice.
The process of environmental damage identification and assessment usually includes the following steps.
1.Collect relevant evidence and information: including environmental monitoring data sampling reports, evidence provided by the owner, etc., which are the basis for appraisal and assessment.
2.On-site investigation: understand the location, scope and situation of environmental damage through ground observation, sample collection, photography and video recording.
3.Assessment of the degree of damage: analyze the type, concentration, and scale of environmental pollution, determine the degree and scale of environmental damage, and refer to relevant environmental standards and regulations to determine whether the environmental damage meets the standards required by law.
4.Judgment of attribution of responsibility: Through the investigation of the production process, emissions, environmental protection measures of the relevant enterprises, etc., determine whether there is illegal discharge, and confirm the person responsible for environmental damage.
1.Confirmation of environmental damage.
Specify the criteria or conditions used to determine environmental damage in this environmental damage appraisal assessment, as well as the technical methods used to identify environmental damage. Introduce in detail the basic information, on-site investigation, monitoring and analysis, experimental simulation, numerical simulation and other processes and results based on the process of environmental damage confirmation. Indicate the results of the confirmation of environmental damage, i.e., whether there is environmental damage, what type of damage exists, and the spatiotemporal scope and extent of the damage.
2.Causation determination.
Explain in detail the criteria or conditions used to determine the causal relationship between environmental pollution or ecological damage and environmental damage in this environmental damage appraisal and assessment, as well as the technical methods used to determine the causal relationship. Details of the evidence (documentary evidence, physical evidence, audio-visual materials, witness testimony, party statements, appraisal conclusions, inquest records, etc.) on which the causal relationship is based, as well as the processes and results of on-site investigation, monitoring and analysis, experimental simulation, numerical simulation, etc. Specify the result of the determination of causation, that is, whether there is a causal relationship between environmental pollution or ecological damage and environmental damage and the uncertainty of its existence.
3.Quantification of environmental damage.
The standards, norms and assessment methods based on the quantification of environmental damage in this environmental damage appraisal and assessment are elaborated in detail. Introduce in detail the evidence on which the quantification of environmental damage is based, such as hospitalization records, drug receipts, and certificates of lost time pay, etc., on which the quantification of personal damage is based. Clearly define the scope of environmental damage quantification, i.e. what types of damage are included and what constitutes each type of damage quantification. For the quantification of ecological and environmental damage, if the ecological environmental damage assessment method based on restoration objectives is adopted, the screening, determination and restoration measures of the restoration or restoration plan on which the quantification of ecological environmental damage is based should be elaborated, and the results of environmental damage quantification should be stated, that is, the amount of compensation to be compensated by the party responsible for environmental damage or the amount and budget of restoration or restoration work to be carried out.
4.Appraisal and evaluation conclusions.
For the entrusted matters of environmental damage appraisal and assessment, the appraisal and assessment conclusions of each environmental damage shall be specified, including the conclusion of environmental damage confirmation, the conclusion of causal relationship and the conclusion of environmental damage quantification.
The significance and value of environmental damage appraisal and assessment are mainly reflected in the following aspects:
1.Provide a basis for environmental management: By assessing the scope, extent and causes of environmental damage, it can provide a basis for decision-making for environmental protection departments and help formulate targeted environmental management measures and policies.
2.Auxiliary environmental justice activities: The appraisal and assessment of environmental damage can provide professional opinions and evidence on environmental damage to the judicial organs, assist the judicial authorities in judging the attribution of responsibility for environmental damage and the amount of compensation, and ensure the fairness and efficiency of environmental justice.
3.Protecting the public's environmental rights and interests: Through the identification and assessment of environmental damage, the extent and scope of environmental damage can be clarified, which is helpful to protect the public's environmental rights and interests, so that the public can understand the truth of environmental problems and participate in environmental protection actions.
4.Promote the implementation of environmental responsibility: The results of environmental damage appraisal and assessment can be used as the basis for the implementation of environmental responsibility, so that the responsible party can assume its due responsibility and promote the implementation and promotion of environmental protection.
5.Prevent the recurrence of similar environmental incidents: Through an in-depth analysis of the causes and processes of environmental damage, lessons can be learned, preventive measures and recommendations can be put forward, which can help prevent the recurrence of similar environmental incidents and protect the ecological environment and human health.
In summary, the appraisal and assessment of environmental damage is of great significance and value in environmental protection work, which provides important technical support and decision-making basis for environmental management, environmental justice and environmental protection.