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2 Water Resources Management Framework
implementation of the permit system realizes the river basin and regional total volume
control targets, as well as conducting water resources allocation.
The water abstraction permit system establishes the basis for the implementation
of the water resources fee system, which is another fundamental water resources
management system in China based on economic incentives intended to increase
the efficient use of water resources. However, the collection of water resources fees
requires the permit system to provide water use information, such as the permitted
volume and actual water use volume. Therefore, the water abstraction permit system
provides the basis for the water resources fee system
Implementation consideration in provinces. China is a centralized country. The
laws and regulations promulgated at the national level must be implemented and
applied in various provinces, prefectures, and counties. However, in light of the
diverse water resources and different water resources development, utilization,
protection, and management requirements among provinces, while implementing
the national water permit system, many provinces have introduced reforms based
on specific local requirements, resulting in distinctive forms of implementation in
each province. These local designs are mainly reflected in the management objects.
Generally, the design of the management objects is based on the following categories:
Abstraction volume. This is the most commonly adopted rule. Generally, the
authority of the management agency for permit approval is designed according to
the applied amount for the permit. The volume can be quantified in two ways: as
the annual total water withdrawal and as the withdrawal rate, such as Xm3/s. In
the specific provisions corresponding to the approval authority of the same level
management agencies, such as prefectural WADs, the provinces in southern China
normally entitle a larger volume than those in northern China, while surface water
resources are entitled by a larger volume than groundwater.
Abstraction source. Generally, surface and groundwater water resources are
managed separately. This is the common principle applied to water sources
management. The most common approach is to combine abstraction volume with
source.
Abstraction site. The sites are normally designated based on river sections or lake
areas. The corresponding management agency is designated to manage specific river
sections or lake areas according to their importance. For example, the MWR grants
management rights to RBOs in accordance with the river sections of major rivers in
China, and similar provisions have been made in the provinces. Water abstraction
sites are also often combined with volume control measures.
Purpose. This concept is applied when defining the appropriate management agency
for industrial, domestic, and agricultural water use, and usually in combination with
volume.
The type of the project for abstraction. This is used to define the management
agency according to the abstraction project. For instance, a project approved by the
State Council or its investment administrative department is normally managed by
2 Water Resources Management Framework
implementation of the permit system realizes the river basin and regional total volume
control targets, as well as conducting water resources allocation.
The water abstraction permit system establishes the basis for the implementation
of the water resources fee system, which is another fundamental water resources
management system in China based on economic incentives intended to increase
the efficient use of water resources. However, the collection of water resources fees
requires the permit system to provide water use information, such as the permitted
volume and actual water use volume. Therefore, the water abstraction permit system
provides the basis for the water resources fee system
Implementation consideration in provinces. China is a centralized country. The
laws and regulations promulgated at the national level must be implemented and
applied in various provinces, prefectures, and counties. However, in light of the
diverse water resources and different water resources development, utilization,
protection, and management requirements among provinces, while implementing
the national water permit system, many provinces have introduced reforms based
on specific local requirements, resulting in distinctive forms of implementation in
each province. These local designs are mainly reflected in the management objects.
Generally, the design of the management objects is based on the following categories:
Abstraction volume. This is the most commonly adopted rule. Generally, the
authority of the management agency for permit approval is designed according to
the applied amount for the permit. The volume can be quantified in two ways: as
the annual total water withdrawal and as the withdrawal rate, such as Xm3/s. In
the specific provisions corresponding to the approval authority of the same level
management agencies, such as prefectural WADs, the provinces in southern China
normally entitle a larger volume than those in northern China, while surface water
resources are entitled by a larger volume than groundwater.
Abstraction source. Generally, surface and groundwater water resources are
managed separately. This is the common principle applied to water sources
management. The most common approach is to combine abstraction volume with
source.
Abstraction site. The sites are normally designated based on river sections or lake
areas. The corresponding management agency is designated to manage specific river
sections or lake areas according to their importance. For example, the MWR grants
management rights to RBOs in accordance with the river sections of major rivers in
China, and similar provisions have been made in the provinces. Water abstraction
sites are also often combined with volume control measures.
Purpose. This concept is applied when defining the appropriate management agency
for industrial, domestic, and agricultural water use, and usually in combination with
volume.
The type of the project for abstraction. This is used to define the management
agency according to the abstraction project. For instance, a project approved by the
State Council or its investment administrative department is normally managed by