2.2 Main Water Resources Management Systems
35
From the perspective of water resources management, the water resources fee
system and the water abstraction permit system jointly constitute the basic system
of water resources management for individual water users. Through the external
restrictions imposed by the permit system and the internal incentives offered by
the fee system, and under the rational system design and implementation, the water
resources management goals could be effectively achieved.
2.2.5 Water Resources Justification System
The water resources justification system is an important system established in recent
years in China. Article 23 of the 2002 Water Law stipulates that the formulation
of the social and economic plan and city overall plan and the distribution of major
construction projects should be in accordance with the local water resources availability and flood control requirements, as well as involving a scientific justification
process. In 2002, the MWR and NDPC jointly issued the Management Methods
for Water Resources Justification of Construction Projects. Article 2 of the methods
stipulates that for new reconstruction and expansion construction projects which
directly withdraw water from rivers, lakes, or aquifers and are required to apply for
a water abstraction permit, the owner of the construction project should conduct a
water resources justification and then compile a water resources justification report
for the project.
The water resources justification report is required to conduct analysis on four
technical issues related to water resources and construction projects. The first is
the assessment of water abstraction sources, which normally reviews whether water
resources are available for the project. The second is the assessment of water use
rationality, which investigates the water use process of the project. The third is the
assessment of the return flow, which analyzes the impact of the return flow of the
project on environment, particularly on the water function zone. The fourth is the
assessment of the third-party impacts.
The examination authority of the management agency in the water resources
justification system is also defined in the legislation. The Management Methods
for Water Resources Justification of Construction Project stipulates the examination
scope of the MWR and its RBOs, but leaves other aspects to be decided by the
provincial WAD. Generally, the province defines the examination authority as the
same that is designed for management of water abstraction permits.
Since the implementation of the water resources justification system for construction projects on May 1, 2002, significant progress has been made. The water
resources justification report procedure has significantly improved the assessment
for the approval of water abstraction permits and promoted the optimal allocation
and sustainable use of water resources, while also guaranteeing efficient water use
in construction projects. Over time, the water resources justification procedure for
construction projects has developed into a more standardized system.
35
From the perspective of water resources management, the water resources fee
system and the water abstraction permit system jointly constitute the basic system
of water resources management for individual water users. Through the external
restrictions imposed by the permit system and the internal incentives offered by
the fee system, and under the rational system design and implementation, the water
resources management goals could be effectively achieved.
2.2.5 Water Resources Justification System
The water resources justification system is an important system established in recent
years in China. Article 23 of the 2002 Water Law stipulates that the formulation
of the social and economic plan and city overall plan and the distribution of major
construction projects should be in accordance with the local water resources availability and flood control requirements, as well as involving a scientific justification
process. In 2002, the MWR and NDPC jointly issued the Management Methods
for Water Resources Justification of Construction Projects. Article 2 of the methods
stipulates that for new reconstruction and expansion construction projects which
directly withdraw water from rivers, lakes, or aquifers and are required to apply for
a water abstraction permit, the owner of the construction project should conduct a
water resources justification and then compile a water resources justification report
for the project.
The water resources justification report is required to conduct analysis on four
technical issues related to water resources and construction projects. The first is
the assessment of water abstraction sources, which normally reviews whether water
resources are available for the project. The second is the assessment of water use
rationality, which investigates the water use process of the project. The third is the
assessment of the return flow, which analyzes the impact of the return flow of the
project on environment, particularly on the water function zone. The fourth is the
assessment of the third-party impacts.
The examination authority of the management agency in the water resources
justification system is also defined in the legislation. The Management Methods
for Water Resources Justification of Construction Project stipulates the examination
scope of the MWR and its RBOs, but leaves other aspects to be decided by the
provincial WAD. Generally, the province defines the examination authority as the
same that is designed for management of water abstraction permits.
Since the implementation of the water resources justification system for construction projects on May 1, 2002, significant progress has been made. The water
resources justification report procedure has significantly improved the assessment
for the approval of water abstraction permits and promoted the optimal allocation
and sustainable use of water resources, while also guaranteeing efficient water use
in construction projects. Over time, the water resources justification procedure for
construction projects has developed into a more standardized system.