Discuss One Problem with the Current Structure of the B

question 5

Essay

Discuss one problem with the current structure of the B.C.waste permit fee system that could lead to unintended increases in environmental damages and suggest a possible solution.
One problem with the fee structure is that permits are based on the volume of discharges,not loadings (concentration,time,volume)to the environment.Under a volume-based system,dischargers have an incentive to increase the concentration of the waste material per unit of volume discharged.This is a problem since higher concentrations of wastes generally lead to more environmental problems.One possible solution would be to base permits on loadings.In this case,monitoring of discharges would become essential to ensure compliance which could raise the costs of the program substantially.

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Definitions:

Bacillus Anthracis

A bacterium that causes anthrax; it is rod-shaped and can be a serious pathogen affecting both humans and animals.

Legionella Pneumophila

A bacterium that causes Legionnaires' disease, a severe form of pneumonia, and is found naturally in freshwater environments.

Infectious Disease

Diseases caused by pathogenic microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, parasites or fungi that can be spread, directly or indirectly, from one individual to another.

Bacteriorhodopsin

A protein found in the plasma membrane of certain bacteria that acts as a light-driven proton pump, aiding in converting light energy into chemical energy.