DYNAMIC SETTLEMENT PROCESSES: THE CASE OF US IMMIGRATION*

Immigration settlement patterns are examined within a pooled cross-section time-series framework. Trends in settlement patterns from 1970 to 1979 differentiate the immigration streams from various source areas. Certain “new'’immigrants show an increasing propensity to concentrate, while immigrants from traditional source areas deconcentrate in some cases. The analysis suggests that immigration is a dynamic process with characteristics and determinants that change over time.     

江苏省湿地保护立法评析

江苏省作为湿地大省,目前尚未形成湿地专门立法.现有省级湿地保护法律散见于多个地方性法规、规章之中,且存在不少问题.分散立法过分强调湿地生态系统中单项因素的保护,忽视湿地整体保护的立法;分散立法必然导致多头管理;目前,湿地保护立法偏重湿地经济价值,忽视湿地生态功能价值;立法滞后会导致湿地遭受严重破坏;也影响了江苏省湿地保护进展.为了有效保护湿地资源,当务之急需要制定江苏省省级层面专门的湿地保护地方性法规.针对江苏省大面积滩涂湿地被过度围垦现象,建议制定江苏省沿海湿地围垦利用管理的地方性法规.同时,建议制定保护特定生境的地方性法规,共同组建完善的湿地保护法律体系.     

Norwegian salmon-farming industry in transition: dislocation of decision control

There are three milestones in the organization of the Norwegian salmon-farming industry (NSFI). In 1969 the net-pen production technology was established, and formed the basis for all further organization. In 1978, the Fish-Farmers Sales Organization (FSO) was established, and the organizational and institutional apparatus were thus complete. In 1991 the FSO went bankrupt and major amendments in the aquaculture legislation - such as the removal of the ownership regulation - were made. This three-step development is analyzed along two dimensions: the effect of dislocation of decision control from the local level to remote actors, and the changes in the government's aquaculture policy. During the last 20 years the NSFI has changed from a single farm locally-owned industry to a structure of large corporations, while the governments' policy has changed from support to neutral tasks such as control and surveillance. In sum the local residents use rights of coastal areas is severely reduced.     

A survey of the legal and policy framework for controlling,compensating and criminalizing ship-source pollution in Hong Kong

Hong Kong (HK) has enacted laws providing: (1) Regimes that address pollution prevention responsibilities for parties involved in shipping activities to ensure that ships used in HK waters comply with applicable rules and standards; (2) civil damages remedy for wrongful death, personal injury or property damage caused by an environmental incident; and (3) a system of penalties to address the rare cases where the behavior of the polluter is considered intolerable and must be punished as a criminal offence. Being acquainted with this legal and policy framework is of beneficial interest for the maritime industry in HK. This article first summarizes the existing general legal framework, and later presents the results of an empirical study to determine what repercussions there could be within the HK maritime industry as a result of these laws and policies being applied in cases that result in civil liability compensation and criminal charges. The empirical research demonstrates that the laws and policies are in general sufficient and effective, but that flaws still remain in the limitation of liability scheme, as well as uncertainties as to which particular kinds of environmental violations should result in either civil or criminal enforcement. To address these concerns, it is first suggested that HK should impose greater liability in areas where prior law provided insufficient liability, as this will act as a more potent deterrent; and second, that HK should clearly delineate an appropriate role for criminal enforcement in the environmental regulatory scheme, so as to lessen concerns about over-criminalization.     

Environmental Issues Pertaining to the Kwale Mineral Sands Project, Kenya's South Coast—Reply

Tiomin Resources Inc. (“Tiomin”), the proponent of the Kwale Mineral Sands Project in Kenya, presents a response to the article authored by J. O. Z. Abuodha and P. O. Hayombe, entitled “Protracted Environmental Issues on a Proposed Titanium Minerals Development in Kenya's South Coast”, published in Volume 24, Number 2, April-June 2006. This article contains a series of inaccuracies, some grossly misleading and many statements relate to outdated information. Tiomin is greatly concerned at the publication of such a misleading report and is obliged to state the facts correctly. This response seeks to identify the misrepresentation of statements and/or facts in the article and present a correct and accurate perspective on the environmental issues of the project.     

我国海洋生态修复政策现状、问题及建议

通过系统梳理并分析了近年来国家和沿海地方在制订和实施海洋生态修复政策的现状和实施概况,从管理政策、技术政策和经济政策三个方面进行研究分析认为:目前海洋生态修复的政策大多分散在岸线保护、滨海湿地保护、围填海管控修复的单项法律法规、政策文件、相关规划或标准中,国家和地方层面对于系统开展海洋生态修复工程尚缺少针对性和系统性的...     

Does ratification matter and do major conventions improve safety and decrease pollution in shipping?

This article develops a method to measure the effect of the major international conventions in the area of safety, pollution, search and rescue and work related measures. It further distinguishes between the effect of entry into force and the status of ratification of a convention by its parties. Standard econometric models are used and the analysis is based on a unique dataset of 30 years of monthly data where the models also correct for other factors which can influence safety such as safety inspections and ship economic cycles. The results show a complex picture where the average time between adoption and entry into force was calculated to be 3.1 years. Overall, the more parties ratify a convention, the more likely safety is improved and pollution is decreased although one can detect a certain level of non-compliance. The immediate effect of entry into force presents a mixed picture where most negative effects can be found with legislation in the area of safety management and pollution, followed by technical areas. The effect of legislation in the areas related to working and living conditions and certification and training is smallest. Seasonality can be found with peaks in December and January for all conventions but are less important for pollution.     

澳大利亚地下水资源管理的法律与政策

对澳大利亚地下水资源开发利用现状、存在的问题、地下水资源管理与保护方面的立法、管理体制进行了介绍,并对近年来联帮政府在地下水管理方面采取的主要政策进行了重点介绍.     

Protracted Environmental Issues on a Proposed Titanium Minerals Development in Kenya's South Coast

This study takes cognizance of the fact that the TIOMIN (TIOMIN Resources Inc. of Canada) project has resulted in controversy over its handling of environmental issues and especially the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). The authors address many of the protracted issues that have slowed the development of the mining project in Kwale. The main emphasis is on the impacts of the mining and mineral separation processes on the environment, including the governing legislation, the role of consultation and public participation, and socioeconomic issues. In their public documents TIOMIN has specified neither the type of minerals it wants to extract from the area nor their chemical composition. It is well known, however that the titanium minerals and zircon targeted have impurities of iron, thorium and uranium. In the absence of an Environmental Management Plan, the effects of stockpiling radioactive wastes and other impurities that could possibly lead to environmental degradation in both the terrestrial and marine environments have not been publically addressed. The measures proposed to mitigate ecological damage as a result of the establishment of a minerals processing plant in the area seem inadequate. Pollution resulting from accidental spillage or breakage could have significant impact on marine life and residents living near the mining site. Other issues that have not been addressed satisfactorily pertain to the use of surface and underground water. The area already faces a huge water deficit and the calculations presented on aquifer recharge and stream flow rates do not indicate the large quantities of water that would be required in the mineral processing plant. The project, if approved in its present state, risks violation of international conventions. Furthermore, it could cause a conflict between Kenya and Tanzania in the event of an oil spill at the proposed ship loading facility at Shimoni. The proposed mining area includes the district's most fertile land, is home to many fisherfolk and is a major tourist destination. An analysis of the effects of this project on other available opportunities must be thoroughly understood to ascertain the economic and environmental benefits and costs of the mining venture. The proposed compensation rate of $1,000 per acre, for resettlement for example, appears to be grossly inadequate. Compensation should take into account family size and structure family assets and the cost of relocation.     

中国碳捕集、利用与封存立法和监管体系研究

碳捕集、利用与封存技术（CCUS）被认为是进行温室气体深度减排最重要的技术路径之一。为了促进CCUS技术的发展与应用,欧盟、英国、美国等国家和地区一直积极倡导CCUS实施的制度化和规范化。通过对与CCUS相关的国际公约、重点国家和地区的政策、法规进行系统的梳理,以及对中国的法律制度体系和CCUS政策法规现状的整理,中国CCUS立法和监管体系建立的关键在于解决CO₂的定性、地表权和地下权的确定、保障健康、安全和环境、知识产权的转移和保护、项目审批制度以及激励政策体系的建立等,应有针对性地构建CCUS政策法规体系,逐步完善CCUS政策法规环境,从而推动CCUS在中国的健康发展。