19.2 Water Resources Management Since 1978
433
19.2 Water Resources Management Since 1978
China’s modern water resources management was developed in the late 1970s and
early 1980s.
19.2.1 Legislation
Over the last 40 years, China has developed a modern water legislation system.
Water-related legislative work began at the end of the 1970s, based on the principle
of rule by law. The MWR organized the drafting of water law, water and soil conservation law, and water sources protection legislation. In the mid-1980s, the Water and
Soil Conservation Work Regulation and Water Tariff Formulation, Collection and
Management for Hydraulic Engineering were issued by the State Council.
In 1988, the Water Law was issued, a milestone in water legislation in China.
Water legislation entered into a rapid development period. In the 1990s, the MWR
formulated the “General Plan for a Water Legislative System” to strengthen water
legislation. Several important water laws were issued, including the Water and Soil
Conservation Law, Flood-Control Law, River Course Management Regulation, and
Measures for the Implementation of the Water Abstraction Permit System. Local
water laws were promoted. Before 2002, when the Water Law was revised, more
than 700 water laws were issued by provinces. A water legislative system had been
fundamentally established.
The Water Law was revised in 2002. Since then, the focus was shift to gradually
improve the water legislative system. Supporting legislation was issued soon after this
revision, including the Flood-Control Regulation, the Regulation on the Management
of Water Abstraction Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection, the Yellow River
Water Resources Management Regulation, and the Hydrological Regulation.
After 40 years, an improved and modern water legislative system has been developed in China, with the Water Law as its core, and consisting of four laws, about
20 administrative regulations, nearly 100 departmental rules, and more than 800
provincial laws and governmental rules. The system covers various aspects of water
resources. Importantly, water laws have evolved with socio-economic developments,
water issues, and water resources management ideas.
19.2.2 Institutions
A special water resources management agency at the central level was set up in the
mid-1980s. In 1984, the State Council decided the MWP should be responsible for
national water resources management. In 1985, the National Water Resources Coordination Group was established, with its office at the MWP. The group was merged
433
19.2 Water Resources Management Since 1978
China’s modern water resources management was developed in the late 1970s and
early 1980s.
19.2.1 Legislation
Over the last 40 years, China has developed a modern water legislation system.
Water-related legislative work began at the end of the 1970s, based on the principle
of rule by law. The MWR organized the drafting of water law, water and soil conservation law, and water sources protection legislation. In the mid-1980s, the Water and
Soil Conservation Work Regulation and Water Tariff Formulation, Collection and
Management for Hydraulic Engineering were issued by the State Council.
In 1988, the Water Law was issued, a milestone in water legislation in China.
Water legislation entered into a rapid development period. In the 1990s, the MWR
formulated the “General Plan for a Water Legislative System” to strengthen water
legislation. Several important water laws were issued, including the Water and Soil
Conservation Law, Flood-Control Law, River Course Management Regulation, and
Measures for the Implementation of the Water Abstraction Permit System. Local
water laws were promoted. Before 2002, when the Water Law was revised, more
than 700 water laws were issued by provinces. A water legislative system had been
fundamentally established.
The Water Law was revised in 2002. Since then, the focus was shift to gradually
improve the water legislative system. Supporting legislation was issued soon after this
revision, including the Flood-Control Regulation, the Regulation on the Management
of Water Abstraction Permits and Water Resources Fee Collection, the Yellow River
Water Resources Management Regulation, and the Hydrological Regulation.
After 40 years, an improved and modern water legislative system has been developed in China, with the Water Law as its core, and consisting of four laws, about
20 administrative regulations, nearly 100 departmental rules, and more than 800
provincial laws and governmental rules. The system covers various aspects of water
resources. Importantly, water laws have evolved with socio-economic developments,
water issues, and water resources management ideas.
19.2.2 Institutions
A special water resources management agency at the central level was set up in the
mid-1980s. In 1984, the State Council decided the MWP should be responsible for
national water resources management. In 1985, the National Water Resources Coordination Group was established, with its office at the MWP. The group was merged