On October 19, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment announced via its official WeChat account that since 2020, it has been guiding various regions to implement the “Guiding Opinions on the Reward System for Reporting Ecological and Environmental Violations.” This initiative aims to actively engage the public in ecological and environmental protection efforts, enhancing the ability to identify problems and uncover significant violations through rewards for whistleblowers.

In an announcement made on October 19, 2024, the Ministry highlighted five notable cases within the reporting reward framework and commended environmental agencies from Huzhou, Zhejiang, and provinces such as Anhui, Jiangxi, Shandong, and Hunan for their effective handling of these issues.

**Case 1: Reward for Reporting Excessive Metal Discharge in Huzhou, Zhejiang**

– **Background of the System**: In 2021, the Huzhou Ecology and Environment Bureau, in collaboration with the Finance Bureau and Public Security Bureau, released a document outlining a reward mechanism for reporting ecological violations. If a report leads to the discovery of illegal activities, the whistleblower is rewarded 5% of the penalties imposed, up to a maximum of 100,000 yuan. Additional rewards are granted if criminal charges are filed against the violators.

– **Case Summary**: On February 14, 2022, the Deqing branch of the Huzhou Ecology and Environment Bureau received a complaint about a processing site emitting foul odors. Upon investigation, officials discovered unauthorized metal plating activities discharging untreated wastewater into the municipal sewer system. Sampling revealed contaminant levels far exceeding safety standards. Consequently, the violator, identified as Zhang, was sentenced to 10 months in prison and fined 25,000 yuan. The whistleblower received a reward of 20,000 yuan.

**Case 2: Reward for Reporting Fraudulent Discharge by a Company in Anhui**

– **Background of the System**: In 2020, the Anhui Provincial Department of Ecology and Environment revised its reward system to reward whistleblowers between 1,000 and 20,000 yuan based on the severity of the reported violation.

– **Case Summary**: In March 2023, a complainant reported that a company had illegally discharged sludge into the Desheng River while tampering with monitoring equipment. Investigation revealed the company’s employees were bypassing regulations to discharge contaminated water. Consequently, the company was fined 320,000 yuan, and the whistleblower was rewarded 20,000 yuan.

**Case 3: Reward for Reporting Illegal Wastewater Discharge in Jiangxi**

– **Background of the System**: In 2021, Jiangxi established a reporting rewards mechanism that allows complaints through various channels, with rewards based on the scale of violations, including double rewards for key reports.

– **Case Summary**: On April 24, 2023, reports were made about an electroplating facility discharging untreated wastewater. Subsequent investigations confirmed this, with sampling revealing contaminant levels dramatically exceeding regulated standards. The violators, including the factory manager Xu, faced potential criminal charges. The whistleblower received a reward of 16,000 yuan.

**Case 4: Reward for Reporting Water Pollution in Shandong**

– **Background of the System**: Shandong has implemented a reporting system that offers rewards up to 500,000 yuan based on the severity of the violations.

– **Case Summary**: On November 22, 2023, complaints about white wastewater flowing into local ditches led to investigations revealing severe violations from a nearby company. The company was subsequently fined 400,000 yuan, and the whistleblower received a reward of 10,000 yuan.

**Case 5: Reward for Reporting Malfunctioning Pollution Control in Hunan**

– **Background of the System**: In 2023, Hunan’s Department of Ecology issued guidelines for rewarding individuals who provide credible environmental violation tips, allowing for cash rewards up to 500,000 yuan.

– **Case Summary**: In April 2023, a complaint about a food company discharging waste improperly led to the discovery that the company was mixing freshwater with its wastewater to dilute it before discharge. As a result, the company faced a fine of 270,000 yuan, and the whistleblower was awarded 3,000 yuan.

As these cases suggest, the collaborative effort of the public and environmental agencies is key to combating ecological violations effectively.