Introduction of the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fund
Origin
Since 1981, Taiwan has encountered continual issues of soil and groundwater pollution generated by improper disposal of industrial wastewater, wastes, and air. Main incidents of industrial pollution caused by Taiwan Petrochemical Development Corporation (TPDC), Coin Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd., Jili Chemical Corp., RCA, and all illegal waste disposal sites throughout the island often made the headlines. In order to address the issue of soil and groundwater pollution, the Ministry of Environment (MOENV) embarked on establishing relevant regulations. After years of study and discussion, Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act (herein referred to as the 'Remediation Act') was officially announced by the President on Feb 2, 2000.
Given the urgent need for flexibility in handling contaminated sites, the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fund was established based on the related schemes of U.S. Superfund Program taking into account domestic social, economic, and environmental conditions, as well as international environmental protection practices. The Fund was authorized by Article 28 of the Remediation Act to levy Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fees (herein referred to as the 'Remediation Fees') on manufacturers and importers in accordance with the amounts of officially announced chemical substances manufactured and imported by such enterprises. The Fund was established to raise dedicated resources for soil and groundwater pollution investigation, verification, necessary countermeasures, evaluation, regulation, control, remediation, quality monitoring, health risk evaluation and management, lawsuits involving the Fund, international environmental protection personnel and administrative management involving soil and groundwater pollution. The Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fund Management Committee was also established to bear responsibility for fund management and use.
Fund Income
In accordance with Article 29 of the Remediation Act, Funds for the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fund shall be derived from the following: I. Revenue from Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fees; II. The amounts paid by polluters, potential polluters, and interested parties of the polluted land pursuant to Article 43 and Article 44; III. Payments from land developers pursuant to Paragraph 3 of Article 51; IV. Accrued interest income generated by the Fund; V. Funds appropriated through the budget process as determined by the central competent authority; VI. Funds from the partial appropriation of relevant environmental protection funds; VII. Funds from the partial appropriation of criminal and administrative fines for environmental protection; VIII. Other related income. At present, funds for the Remediation Fund were mainly from the Remediation fees.
Figure 1. Sources of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Fund
Utilization of the Fund
The utilization of the Fund is stipulated under Article 28 of the Soil and Groundwater Pollution Remediation Act. There are twelve primary purposes, with the Fund earmarked exclusively for activities related to soil and groundwater pollution, including: investigation, verification, emergency response measures, assessment, regulation, control, remediation, litigation involving the Fund, personnel and administrative management of the Fund, international environmental protection matters concerning soil and groundwater pollution, quality monitoring, as well as health risk assessment and management.