Module Identifier BSM8010  
Module Title ENVIRONMENTAL LAW AND SITE ASSESSMENT  
Academic Year 2002/2003  
Co-ordinator Dr John Scullion  
Semester Available all semesters  
Assessment Semester Exam   examination 1.5 hours    

Learning outcomes

Enabling objectives :

After studying this module you should be able to:

You will find it very helpful whilst working through this module to create your own glossary. Note down all the relevant legislation and list all the acronyms.

Content

This module is divided into two sections, namely environmental law and site investigation/ assessment. In the first section basic legal concepts are introduced and the structure of the legal system is explained. The development of law by past precedent is illustrated by the use of actual cases. The legal systems relating to water pollution and waste disposal are described in detail whilst air pollution is covered superficially, mainly to illustrate some important legal points since air has little direct relevance to environmental rehabilitation. The control of minerals development and the law relating to contaminated land are also studied.

The next sections describe the methods and limitations of site investigation and assessment. Risk assessment and its role in site specific assessment is explained. Throughout these sections the limitations and assumptions underlying risk assessment and the derivation of generic guideline values are pointed out to give you a critical appreciation of the limitations of results from site investigations. This is vitally important if informed decision making is required.

Finally the process of site investigation is considered. Current, accepted best practice is described with emphasis on the importance of communication between the data producer and the data user. This topic will be taken up again in Module 7.