From this point of view, the driftwood problem is not just a crisis, but an opportunity. If handled in the right way, the wood can be cleared away quickly, cutting pollution, and can be used to generate electricity, earning money for local governments and benefiting flood-stricken areas. It really is a case of killing many birds with one stone.
The COA always sees driftwood as government property in the first instance, which is in line with Article 15 of the Forestry Act (森林法). However, driftwood that cannot be sold as timber should not be thought of as worthless.
If the COA and EPA work together, they can turn dirt into gold.
What they must avoid is a situation where, because the policies, powers and responsibilities of the two agencies are not clearly defined, gold is instead turned into dirt and taxpayers’ hard-earned money goes to waste.
Winston Dang is a former Environmental Protection Administration minister.
TRANSLATED BY JULIAN CLEGG
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