Speech at the Press Conferenceon the First Census of Pollution Sources in Shandong Province

Zhang Xiaodong,director of the Office of the Provincial Leading Group for Census of Pollution Sources and deputy secretary of the party group and deputy director of the Provincial Environmental Protection Bureau

Zhang Xiaodong:Good morning, friends from the press.
Zhang Xiaodong:At the beginning of 2008, the provincial government decided to carry out the first provincial census of pollution sources. Today I will give a briefing on the census.

Zhang Xiaodong:I. The background, purpose and significance of the census of pollution sources
 The census of pollution sources is an important investigation on national conditions. It is an important measure to promote statistical reform and perfect statistical system, a significant step to keep fully informed on the environment state and strengthen the work of environmental protection in the new era, and a significant move to implement the scientific development concept. It is an important systematic project relating to the overall economic and social development.

Zhang Xiaodong:In recent years, because our country`s economy has been developing in a sustained and rapid way, the consumption of natural resources and energy has increased substantially, the adjustment of economic structure has been quickened, the number of industrial enterprises has increased rapidly, and enterprises have been changing frequently. At the same time, the urban domestic pollution has showed an increasing tendency and agricultural non-point source pollution has become more apparent.

Zhang Xiaodong:The information available about the pollution sources falls behind the changes brought about by economic development. It can not meet the needs of the state`s macro control and environmental protection. Therefore, the State Council decided to launch the first nationwide census of pollution sources to provide scientific basis for the all-round pollution control and environmental quality improvement.

Zhang Xiaodong:II. The general plan and arrangements for the census of pollution sources
The census involves a wide range and numerous departments, with arduous tasks, high technical requirements, and difficult work. According to the state`s general arrangement, our province`s overall plan and arrangements are as follows:

Zhang Xiaodong:1. The objects and content of the census
The objects of the pollution source census include all the industrial sources, agricultural sources, domestic sources that discharge pollutants and centralized pollution treatment facilities within Shandong Province.

Zhang Xiaodong:The pollutants and content of the census are: 1. the pollutants emitted by all industrial pollution sources, 2. the pollutants emitted by agricultural pollution sources, especially by large-scale farms and agricultural non-point sources, 3. pollutants which mainly include sewage and garbage discharged by urban domestic pollution sources, and medical waste, 4. the basic situation and operating conditions of the centralized pollution treatment facilities.
Zhang Xiaodong:2. The timing and steps of the census. The standard time of the census is on December 31, 2007, and the annual data is during 2007. The census is conducted in three stages:

Zhang Xiaodong:1). The Preparatory stage (January, 2007 to December, 2007): to establish and perfect a sound coordination mechanism of organization and leadership, to arrange the funds and publicity, to organize and mobilize people; to formulate the plans for the census and various technical norms, to organize the monitoring of pollution sources, to make an inventory of sewage-discharging enterprises and units, to hire census workers, and to carry out census training.

Zhang Xiaodong:2). The general census stage (January, 2008 to December, 2008): to carry out household investigation during the first half of the year, to organize sewage-discharging units to fill in the census form, and to complete the work of data entry, collection, verification, and reporting.

Zhang Xiaodong:3). The Summary and release stage (January, 2009 to July, 2009): to establish and perfect the provincial pollution source database, to release the census data, to develop and utilize the census results, and to summarize and accept the census work.

Zhang Xiaodong:III. The organization and implementation of the census of pollution sources

Zhang Xiaodong:1. The organization
Leading group for census of pollution sources and their offices at the provincial, municipal, and county levels will be set up to organize and implement the local census.

Zhang Xiaodong:2. Quality guarantee
According to the regulations made by the Leading Group for the Census of Pollution Sources of the State Council, the Office of the Provincial Leading Group for Census the of Pollution Sources will prepare a special document concerning quality control of the census data, determine the criteria for the evaluation of the census, and guide quality control work of the whole province.
 
Zhang Xiaodong:3. Publicity and mobilization
All regions should follow the spirit of the State Council and the provincial government`s notices and the requirements of The Publicity Plan for the Census the Provincial Pollution Source and give an in-depth publicity to the census of pollution sources, in order to create a good opinion atmosphere for the smooth implementation of the census of pollution sources.

Zhang Xiaodong:IV. Data reporting and management
The data obtained from the objects of the census is strictly used for the purpose of the census of pollution sources, and is not linked to the completion of the plan for the total reduction during "the Eleventh-Five-Year Plan", and is not used as the basis for punishing and charging the objects of the census.