2.2 Main Water Resources Management Systems
31
Given the critical time requirements of emergency management, emergency water
abstraction is exempted from permit management, but required to be reported to and
approved by the management agency at a subsequent time.
The permit system framework develops a classified management institution and
authorizes RBOs and provincial, prefectural, and county WADs to implement the
permit system in accordance with the provisions of laws and entitlements to authorities, which is consistent with the water resources management system specified in
the 2002 Water Law.
Due to hydrological randomness, water resources change year by year. Within the
design of the water permit system, approval, certification, and supervision processes
are developed. According to the law, the actual water withdrawal of an abstractor in
a given year should be implemented in accordance with an annual water abstraction
plan formulated based on water forecasts.
Roles in water resources management. As the fundamental system in water
resources management in China, the permit system plays a crucial role.
The water abstraction permit system has become the basic system for water
resources management through the management of water abstraction activities.
Although the water cycle is integrated and interrelated, water resources management
covers different aspects, such as source management and end-of-pipe control. The
water abstraction permit system has been developed at the source of water resources
development, use, and protection. Through the management of water sources, the
management targets for water resources development, use, and protection can be
realized. Therefore, the permit system has become the most fundamental and critical
system for water resources management in China.
The water abstraction permit system develops the linkage for the water rights
system through the management of water abstractors. According to the water
resources allocation framework, under the water abstraction permit system, the state,
as both the owner and manager of water resources, authorizes WADs and RBOs to
review and approve the units and individuals directly abstracting water from rivers,
lakes, and aquifers on its behalf. In terms of public and private sector relationships, the
system links public water resources management with individual water abstraction
activity. In terms of property rights, the system connects water resources state ownership rights with private water abstraction rights by means of the permit and water
resources fee systems and by granting water abstraction rights. In terms of the spatial
aspect, the implementation of the water abstraction permit system conforms to the
water resources allocation plan, which develops the linkage between regional rights
and private rights. Consequently, the permit system is not only an administrative
management system, but also a system for rights entitlement and clarification.
The water abstraction permit system realizes water resources allocation through
the total volume control system. Technically, according to the law, the approval
and supervision of the water abstraction permit, which are reflected in the permitted
volume and annual water abstraction plan, are based on the water resources allocation
plan and the annual water resources regulation plan. This arrangement is in fact the
linkage between the regional total volume and the individual abstraction. Thus, the
31
Given the critical time requirements of emergency management, emergency water
abstraction is exempted from permit management, but required to be reported to and
approved by the management agency at a subsequent time.
The permit system framework develops a classified management institution and
authorizes RBOs and provincial, prefectural, and county WADs to implement the
permit system in accordance with the provisions of laws and entitlements to authorities, which is consistent with the water resources management system specified in
the 2002 Water Law.
Due to hydrological randomness, water resources change year by year. Within the
design of the water permit system, approval, certification, and supervision processes
are developed. According to the law, the actual water withdrawal of an abstractor in
a given year should be implemented in accordance with an annual water abstraction
plan formulated based on water forecasts.
Roles in water resources management. As the fundamental system in water
resources management in China, the permit system plays a crucial role.
The water abstraction permit system has become the basic system for water
resources management through the management of water abstraction activities.
Although the water cycle is integrated and interrelated, water resources management
covers different aspects, such as source management and end-of-pipe control. The
water abstraction permit system has been developed at the source of water resources
development, use, and protection. Through the management of water sources, the
management targets for water resources development, use, and protection can be
realized. Therefore, the permit system has become the most fundamental and critical
system for water resources management in China.
The water abstraction permit system develops the linkage for the water rights
system through the management of water abstractors. According to the water
resources allocation framework, under the water abstraction permit system, the state,
as both the owner and manager of water resources, authorizes WADs and RBOs to
review and approve the units and individuals directly abstracting water from rivers,
lakes, and aquifers on its behalf. In terms of public and private sector relationships, the
system links public water resources management with individual water abstraction
activity. In terms of property rights, the system connects water resources state ownership rights with private water abstraction rights by means of the permit and water
resources fee systems and by granting water abstraction rights. In terms of the spatial
aspect, the implementation of the water abstraction permit system conforms to the
water resources allocation plan, which develops the linkage between regional rights
and private rights. Consequently, the permit system is not only an administrative
management system, but also a system for rights entitlement and clarification.
The water abstraction permit system realizes water resources allocation through
the total volume control system. Technically, according to the law, the approval
and supervision of the water abstraction permit, which are reflected in the permitted
volume and annual water abstraction plan, are based on the water resources allocation
plan and the annual water resources regulation plan. This arrangement is in fact the
linkage between the regional total volume and the individual abstraction. Thus, the