THE PRIME MINISTER | | THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIETNAM
Independence - Freedom - Happiness |
No. 50/QD-TTg | | Hanoi, February 6, 2023 |
DECISION
Approving the General Master Plan for the Red River-Thai Binh river basin for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050[1]
THE PRIME MINISTER
Pursuant to the June 19, 2015 Law on Organization of the Government; and the November 22, 2019 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of the Law on Organization of the Government and the Law on Organization of Local Administration;
Pursuant to the June 21, 2012 Law on Water Resources;
Pursuant to the November 24, 2017 Planning Law; and the November 20, 2018 Law Amending and Supplementing a Number of Articles of 37 Laws concerning Planning;
Pursuant to the National Assembly’s Resolution No. 61/2022/QH15 of June 16, 2022, on continued improvement of effect and effectiveness of the implementation of policies and laws on planning and a number of solutions for removing difficulties and obstacles, accelerating the formulation and improving the quality of master plans in the 2021-2030 period;
Pursuant to the Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1622/QD-TTg of December 27, 2022, approving the Master Plan on water resources in the period of 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050;
At the proposal of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment;
DECIDES:
Article 1. To approve the General Master Plan for the Red River-Thai Binh river basin for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 (below referred to as the Master Plan) with the following major contents:
I. VIEWPOINTS
1. Water resources shall be managed by the integrated method based on the river basin, in a consistent manner in terms of quantity and quality between surface water and groundwater, between upstream areas and downstream areas, and between localities in the basin, and in conformity with treaties and bilateral cooperation mechanisms Vietnam has joined.
2. The Master Plan is formulated on the basis of combining the current status and orientations for use of water resources with land resources, land use structure and other natural resources. It shall serve as a basis for formulation of socio-economic development master plans and plans of localities and of sectors and fields that exploit and use water in the basin so as to ensure synchronization and consistency among master plans of sectors that exploit and use water in the basin.
3. To store, regulate and distribute water sources flexibly, respecting natural rules and capacity of water sources, using water economically and efficiently for multiple purposes, improving the water use value, ensuring water source security, and adapting to climate change; to ensure the sharing of water sources among sectors in the region, between the northern midland and mountainous region and the Red River delta.
4. To protect water resources on the basis of protecting functions of water sources to meet water quality requirements for different use purposes and protecting water-generating sources in conformity with socio-economic development conditions in the river basin.
5. To prevent, control and overcome consequences and harms caused by water with the motto of considering proactivity in prevention as the key factor in order to minimize losses, stabilize social security, and maintain national defense and security in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin area.
II. OBJECTIVES
1. Overall objectives
To ensure water source security in the river basin, store, regulate and distribute water resources in a fair and reasonable manner, exploit and use water resources in an economical and effective manner in combination with the protection and sustainable development of water resources to meet water demand for residential activities, socio-economic development, national defense and security assurance, and environmental protection; to protect water resources, prevent degradation, depletion and pollution of water sources and the harms caused by water and develop a roadmap for restoring degraded, depleted and polluted water sources, meeting the requirements of integrated management of water resources by river basin and adaptation to climate change.
2. Objectives up to 2030
a/ To store, regulate and distribute water sources in a way that ensures the harmony of benefits among localities and water users in the region, between the northern midland and mountainous region and the Red River delta, and exploit and use water in an economical and efficient manner in order to increase the economic value of water and ensure water source security, adaptation to climate change and conformity with treaties related to water resources to which Vietnam has acceded.
b/ To protect surface water and groundwater sources, step by step meeting requirements on water quantity and quality so as to achieve socio-economic development objectives.
c/ To ensure flows, prevent and control landslide and erosion of riverbanks and alluvial grounds, minimize harms caused by water, and prevent and control ground subsidence.
d/ To gradually restore the water level of the Red River and seriously degraded, depleted and polluted surface water sources, with priority given to key areas for socio-economic development; to restore groundwater levels in areas where groundwater is excessively depleted.
dd/ To manage and operate information systems, digital models, and decision support toolkits to assess water sources in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin in order to support the regulation and distribution of water sources in the basin.
e/ To strive to achieve a number of basic targets set forth in the Master Plan, specifically as follows:
- All positions in the rivers where the minimum flow must be maintained are monitored, with an appropriate roadmap for automatic and online monitoring.
- All inter-provincial water sources have their wastewater receiving capacity and carrying capacity announced.
- All water exploitation and use works and works discharging wastewater into water sources are monitored, operated and connected to systems under regulations.
- All lakes and ponds which have the function of regulating water and high value in terms of biodiversity, history and culture and which may not be leveled are announced and strictly managed.
- 70% of water sources subject to establishment of water source protection corridors have their protection corridors marked.
- 50% of the total wastewater volume in urban centers of grade II and higher grade and 20% the total wastewater volume in urban centers of grade V and higher grade are collected and treated up to standards or technical regulations before being discharged into the environment.
- 20% of important water sources that are degraded, depleted and polluted, particularly river sections flowing through concentrated residential areas and water sources playing an important role in supply of water for residential activities and socio-economic development, are improved and restored.
3. Vision toward 2050
a/ To maintain and develop water resources, regulate and distribute water sources in a way that ensures water source security, adaptation to climate change and conformity with treaties and bilateral cooperation agreements concerning water resources to which Vietnam has acceded.
b/ To strengthen the protection of water resources, ensuring the quantity and quality of water to meet socio-economic development objectives and minimize harms caused by water; to conduct online management, exploitation, use and protection of water resources on the basis of smart governance.
c/ To restore seriously degraded, depleted and polluted water sources and rivers in the river basin; to initially control the elevation of riverbeds in the delta area, maintaining water levels on the Red River, and Duong and Cau rivers in the dry season, particularly river sections flowing through such urban areas as Hanoi, Bac Giang and Bac Ninh so as to create riverside landscape.
d/ To supplement and heighten a number of indicators of the Master Plan and conduct integrated management of water resources suitable to development stages of the country and on par with other developed countries in the region; to ensure water source security and raise water use value in line with the general development trend of the world.
III. CONTENTS OF THE MASTER PLAN
1. Functions of water sources
a/ Inter-provincial and transboundary water sources in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin have the function of supplying water for residential activities, industrial production, agricultural production, tourism, business and service, hydropower generation and waterway transportation. The basic functions of each water source and river section are specified in Appendix I to this Decision.
The groundwater sources in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin have the function of supplying water for residential activities, industrial production, and business and service.
b/ The functions of intra-provincial water sources must be specified to be systematic and consistent with the functions of the water sources specified in Appendix I to this Decision.
c/ Organizations and individuals exploiting and using water may not cause impacts on the functions of water sources; the discharge of wastewater into water sources must conform to the functions of water sources as specified in Appendix I to this Decision.
2. To manage, regulate and distribute water sources to contribute to ensuring security of water sources for different exploitation and use purposes and socio-economic development objectives in the river basin, specifically as follows:
a/ To manage and regulate the volume of exploitable and usable water in the whole basin corresponding to the rate of 50% with about 133,930 million m3, and corresponding to the rate of 85% with about 102,210 million m3 , of which the volume of exploitable and usable water from transboundary sources corresponding to the rate of 50% is about 12,000 million m3, and corresponding to the rate of 85% is about 10,000 million m3 (details are specified in Appendix II to this Decision), so as to meet the demand for water exploitation and use by 2030 as specified in Appendix IV to this Decision.
To regulate and distribute water sources among water-exploiting and -using entities in the region, and between the northern mountainous and midland region and the Red River delta, especially for the Red River delta, the Prime Minister-promulgated operation process of inter-reservoirs in the Red River shall serve as one of the important bases for the regulation and distribution of water sources. Solutions for regulating and distributing water sources for regions and sub-regions shall be implemented on the basis of the inter-reservoir operation process and the provisions of this Master Plan. In case of drought or water shortage, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall decide on the operation of reservoirs to ensure water for the downstream areas and improve the efficiency of power generation.
b/ The volume of water distributed to water-exploiting and -using entities is specified in Appendix V to this Decision.
c/ In case of serious water shortage when the volume of water from transboundary sources in January and February of a year is 50% or more lower than the average volume of many years over the same period
Based on the current state of water sources and forecast bulletins on the meteorological and hydrological status, water resources, degree of drought and water shortage, volume of water stored in existing reservoirs in the river basin, and ability to exploit groundwater, localities shall coordinate with related ministries and sectors in formulating and submitting plans on use of existing water sources and backup water sources to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for consideration and decision on an appropriate plan for water source regulation and distribution.
3. To manage the exploitation and use of surface water, ensuring the minimum flows of rivers
a/ The exploitation and use of surface water must ensure the minimum flows of rivers and streams specified in Appendix III to this Decision. In case of building new water exploitation and use works, based on actual conditions and characteristics of water sources, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the People’s Committees of related provinces and centrally run cities (below collectively referred to as provincial-level People’s Committees) shall consider and decide on values of minimum flows after works are built according to their competence, ensuring conformity with regulations.
b/ To operate a system of works to create regular and continuous flows for Bac Hung Hai, Nhue, Day and Ngu Huyen Khe rivers, meeting requirements concerning the environment and landscape and serving the socio-economic development.
4. Works for exploiting and using water on rivers, river sections (except reservoirs and overflow dams), and aquifers must ensure that the exploited and used water volume does not exceed the volume of exploitable water and the scale of works specified in Appendix II to this Decision. In the period of this Master Plan, to limit the conveyance of water out of the Red River-Thai Binh river basin and limit the building of new works for regulating, exploiting and using water on the main stream of the Thao river, and in the downstream areas of the main streams of the Red River and Thai Binh river. When necessary to carry out water conveyance or build new works, based on results of the detailed assessment of economic, social and environmental impacts of the river basins from and to which water is conveyed, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in summing up reports and proposing the Prime Minister to direct or decide on the additional adjustments according to his/her competence so as to ensure water source security and socio-economic development.
5. Backup water sources for residential activities in areas at risk of water source pollution
Upon occurrence of incidents involving pollution of water sources in an area due to exploitation, production and discharge of wastewater into water sources, the backup water sources specified in Appendix VI to this Decision shall be used.
6. Water regulation, exploitation and use works and water resource development works
a/ Water regulation, exploitation and use works and water resource development works in this Master Plan include: irrigation reservoirs with a capacity of 0.1 million m3 or higher, water-regulating sluices and pump stations with a flow of 2 m3/s or higher, hydropower works of a capacity of 2MW or higher, other surface water exploitation works for use for residential activities, non-agricultural production and business and service purposes with a volume of 10,000 m3/day or higher, and groundwater exploitation works of a capacity of 3,000 m3/day or higher specified in Appendix VII to this Decision; other works for regulation, exploitation and use of water and development of water resources of the same scale which have been approved by competent authorities in master plans involving water exploitation and use or have been built and put into operation before the effective date of this Decision; lakes, ponds and lagoons that may not be leveled as announced under regulations.
b/ To improve the capacity of accumulating and storing and participating in the regulation of water sources of the existing hydraulic structures, hydropower works and groundwater exploitation works with the scale specified at Point a of this Clause so as to meet approved design requirements; to build new water accumulation, water storage, water regulation and water resource development works specified at Point c of this Clause to ensure water source security in the planning period.
c/ During the planning period, to study the building of new multi-purpose water accumulation, storage and regulation works, water exploitation and use works, and water resource development works with a total regulation capacity of 940 million m3 or higher, of which works located in the Da river basin have a capacity of 175 million m3 or higher; Thao river basin, 60 million m3 or higher; Lo-Gam river basin, 300 million m3 or higher; and Cau-Thuong river basin, 405 million m3 or higher.
The list of proposed water regulation, exploitation and use works and water resource development works is specified in Appendix VII to this Decision and shall be adjusted and supplemented under the Prime Minister’s decision.
7. To protect water resources
The exploitation and use of water must be associated with the protection of water resources, protection of water-generating sources, circulation of flows, and regulation lakes and ponds of biodiversity values in conformity with the functions of water sources during the planning period as follows:
a/ To strictly manage the existing forest areas in the provinces in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin; to maintain, protect and increase the forest coverage rate, contributing to improving the adaptation to climate change and facilitating the mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions.
b/ To manage the water drainage space, ensure the circulation of flow on rivers and streams under regulations. For important inter-provincial rivers, projects on embankment, riverbank reinforcement, river leveling, filling and encroachment, and improvement of riverside landscape must neither obstruct the flow nor narrow the width of the riverbed by more than 5% and must comply with Appendix IX to this Decision. For other rivers and streams, based on their importance to socio-economic development, landscape and environment, the management of the water drainage space shall be considered and decided by competent authorities as appropriate.
c/ To manage infiltration areas so as to recharge groundwater in combination with creating ecological landscapes; to manage the list of lakes and ponds that may not be leveled or encroached under regulations and, at the same time, add lakes and ponds to the list of those with the function of storing water for the purpose of backup water supply sources, preventing and controlling local-scale floods and inundation in conformity with the specific characteristics with regards to rainfall, terrain and water use in each area to create an additional infiltration supply for recharging groundwater; construction projects must comply with regulations on construction density.
d/ Production facilities that discharge or collect and treat wastewater must have measures and roadmaps for collecting and treating wastewater up to standards or technical regulations, ensuring compliance with functions of water sources specified in Appendix I to this Decision.
8. To prevent and control landslides and erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds
a/ To take measures to protect, prevent and control landslides and erosion of, riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds; to survey, assess and monitor flows, sedimentation, landslides, and erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds; to study the change of flow beds and natural rules affecting the stability of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds.
b/ To strictly manage activities of exploiting riverbed sand and gravel under regulations to ensure stability of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds and minimize the decline of water level on rivers. In case of exploiting riverbed sand and gravel in river sections with unstable topographic and geological conditions, it is necessary to maintain a minimum safety distance from the exploitation area to the edge of the riverbank in conformity with the natural width of the riverbed.
c/ To manage the water source protection corridors under regulations; the planning and construction of urban areas, industrial parks, traffic works, and residential areas along rivers and on alluvial grounds must neither obstruct the flow nor cause artificial inundation, ensure water drainage capacity, and not pose the risk of causing water source pollution, landslides, erosion of rivers’ and canals’ beds and banks; it is required to conduct assessment of the impacts on riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds and send assessment reports to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment or provincial-level People’s Committees according to their competence for consideration and appraisal under regulations.
9. To prevent and control ground subsidence and intrusion of saltwater to groundwater
a/ The exploitation of groundwater must ensure that the exploited water volume does not exceed the volume of exploitable and usable water under regulations.
b/ To manage the construction of groundwater exploitation works in areas adjacent to the saline aquifer boundary, ensuring a minimum distance of 1 km. For existing works that are located in these adjacent areas, there must be a roadmap to reduce exploitation flow. Groundwater exploitation in coastal freshwater lenses must be closely monitored.
10. To monitor water resources, water exploitation and use and water quality
To build and maintain a network of water resource monitoring and supervision according to the Prime Minister-approved Overall Master Plan on basic survey of water resources; to carry out monitoring of water flow and quality at positions on rivers, streams and aquifers as specified in Appendix VIII to this Decision.
IV. SOLUTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MASTER PLAN
1. Improving institutions, policies and technical regulations on exploitation, use and reuse of water resources
a/ To review, amend and supplement regulations on management and protection of water-generating sources, protection and development of watershed forests; standards and technical regulations on water quality and water reuse; to amend and supplement the financial mechanism and mechanisms for attracting and mobilizing financial resources for use in water exploitation and use, protection, prevention, control and overcoming of consequences and harms caused by water.
b/ To review and supplement mechanisms on use of transboundary water sources.
c/ To review and adjust master plans related to exploitation and use of water resources, ensuring consistency and synchronism among master plans.
d/ To encourage the people to use water economically, improve water use efficiency, and protect the water environment.
dd/ To review and adjust the mechanism on coordination among ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities to overcome overlaps and contradictions, ensure consistency in regulation of water sources and and contribute to ensuring water source security in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin.
e/ To review and improve mechanisms and policies to promote forest protection, zoning for reforestation, afforestation, and forest services; to enhance the implementation of policies to increase revenues from the forest environment-supplying services in addition to electricity and water services which are now available to serve the management, protection and development of watershed protection forests.
g/ To improve legal institutions, mechanisms and policies of the water industry, strengthen the delegation of powers, simplify administrative facilities procedures, and raise transparency to create motivational conditions for organizations and individuals to participate in investment in, and management and operation of, infrastructure facilities of the water industry and clean water production and trading.
h/ To review and supplement regulations, standards and technical regulations for construction works and construction infrastructure to ensure rainwater storage, and improve water drainage capacity, especially in urban areas.
i/ To implement the roadmaps for application of prices, provision of irrigation services, payment for forest services, and shifting to sustainable production structure in areas frequently affected by drought and water shortage.
2. Regulating, distributing, developing, and protecting water resources, using water economically and efficiently, and reusing water, contributing to ensuring water source security
a/ To build and operate information systems, digital models, and decision support toolkits to assess water sources in the basin under normal conditions and in case of water shortage in order to support the regulation and distribution of water sources in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin.
b/ To build and improve the meteorological and hydrological monitoring system and systems for monitoring water resources in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin.
c/ To control the exploitation and use of water, and the discharge of wastewater into water sources in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin through the connection and transmission of information and data on the system for monitoring water exploitation and use and wastewater discharge under regulations.
d/ To improve water accumulation and storage capacity of existing water reservoirs on the principle of ensuring safety; to supplement, build new multi-purpose water resource regulation, exploitation, use and development, ensuring water supply for the downstream area at the request of competent state management agencies in case of water shortage, in conformity with this Master Plan and other relevant specialized master plans.
dd/ To review and adjust the operation process of reservoirs in rivers and streams in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin toward real-time operation of reservoirs in order to optimize the regulation of water sources for assorted use purposes.
e/ To review and adjust the operation process of the irrigation system, thus ensuring the continuous flow in order to improve the water environment in conformity with the actual situation.
g/ To formulate plans and roadmaps for investment in construction of backup water supply works for use upon occurrence of incidents of water source pollution, drought or water shortage.
h/ To review and supplement regulations on management of lakes and ponds that must not be leveled or encroached on.
i/ To protect and develop watershed protection forests, and gradually restore degraded watershed protection forests.
k/ To formulate, and organize the implementation of, plans to protect surface water quality, renovate and restore degraded, depleted and polluted water sources, giving priority to Cau, Ngu Huyen Khe, Nhue, Day, and Bac Hung Hai rivers. To formulate a sustainable and feasible roadmap and technical solutions for adding water sources to Bac Hung Hai, Nhue, Day and Ngu Huyen Khe rivers.
l/ To assess the capacity of receiving wastewater and the carrying capacity of inter-country and inter-provincial water sources, giving priority to rivers flowing through urban areas and concentrated residential areas in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin.
m/ To establish water source protection corridors and organize the implementation of measures to protect, prevent and control landslides and erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks, alluvial grounds, and inter-provincial water source protection corridors in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin according to regulations, giving priority to rivers with dangerous levels of erosion such as the Red River and Da, Lo, Thuong, Day, and Ninh Co rivers. To expeditiously issue a list of lakes, ponds and lagoons that must not be leveled according to regulations.
n/ To organize survey, assessment, observation and monitoring of flows, sedimentation, landslides, and erosion of riverbeds, riverbanks and alluvial grounds with regard to inter-provincial rivers.
o/ To delimit and manage areas where groundwater exploitation is restricted according to regulations.
p/ To draw inundation maps of downstream areas of dams and reservoirs to respond to, prevent, control and overcome harms caused by water.
q/ To carry out conversion in production and apply economical irrigation models, especially in areas frequently prone to drought and water shortage. To balance and adjust the exploitation flows as appropriate in conformity with actual conditions in areas suffering water shortage and areas suffering decline of river water level and aquifers.
r/ To strengthen municipal wastewater collection and treatment.
3. Science, technology and international cooperation
a/ To apply advanced, modern and smart sciences, techniques and technologies for circular and economical use of water and reuse of water, manage and protect water sources, develop water sources, and link water sources.
b/ To strengthen international cooperation in exchanging and providing information on transboundary water sources, researching and transferring science and technology for circular and economical use of water and reuse of water.
Article 2. Organization of implementation
1. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment shall
a/ Organize the publicization of the Master Plan and coordinate with related agencies and localities in conducting public communication about key contents of the Master Plan.
b/ Assume the prime responsibilities for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, organizing the implementation of the Master Plan according to their assigned state management functions; examine and supervise the implementation of the Master Plan; and periodically assess the implementation of, and review and adjust, the Master Plan according to regulations.
c/ Assume the prime responsibility for formulating and completing the information system and digital model for information and data connection, supervise the exploitation and use of water resources, and support the making of decision on regulation and distribution of water sources in the river basin according to regulations.
d/ Manage activities of water exploitation and use and discharge of wastewater into water sources according to its competence and in conformity with the water sources’ functions, water quality targets and minimum flows specified in this Decision; inspect and examine water exploitation and use and discharge of wastewater into water sources, ensuring the water sources’ functions, minimum flows and other requirements set in the Master Plan.
dd/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in deciding on plans on regulation and distribution of water sources on inter-provincial river basins; carry out the measurement and monitoring of water flows and quality.
e/ Organize the sharing, regulation and distribution of water sources among entities exploiting and using water in a region and between the Northern midland and mountainous area and the Red River Delta under this Master Plan based on annual forecasts of the hydrometeorological situation, water sources, the total regulatable volume of water stored in important reservoirs at the end of the flooding season and the beginning of the dry season, inter-reservoir operation processes promulgated by the Prime Minister, and relevant information and data on inter-provincial, transnational and intra-provincial rivers, ensuring the coordination among ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in the river basin.
g/ Coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in formulating plans on coordination in the operation of hydropower reservoirs and irrigation reservoirs in upstream areas so as to share water sources with downstream areas and propose the Government or Prime Minister to direct the negotiation with, or making request to, upstream countries to guarantee Vietnam’s rights and interests in case the volume of water from transboundary sources in January and February of a year is 50% or more lower than the average volume of many years over the same period.
h/ When necessary, review and propose amendments and supplementations to the list of irrigation reservoirs and hydropower reservoirs in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin for which inter-reservoir operation processes must be formulated.
i/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and provincial-level People’s Committees of localities in the river basin in, formulating plans on improving and rehabilitating Nhue, Day, Bac Hung Hai, and seriously degraded or polluted rivers; formulate a pilot scheme on participation of non-state sectors in the investment in improving and rehabilitating water sources from Nhue, Day, Bac Hung Hai, and other important rivers.
k/ Assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial-level agencies and localities in, promptly synthesizing, reporting, and proposing the removal of, unreasonable obstacles in reality (if any); appraise, synthsize, adjust and supplement, and remove water resource exploitation and use facilities from, the list of water resource exploitation and use facilities at the request of ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and localities in the course of implementation of this Master Plan, and propose thereof to the Prime Minister for direction or decision.
l/ Review and supplement regulations on management of lakes and ponds which must not be leveled and encroached.
2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall
a/ Review and adjust, or propose to competent authorities for adjustment and supplementation, the master plan on hydraulic work and other specialized technical master plans involving water exploitation and use in conformity with this Master Plan.
b/ Direct, urge, and organize the implementation of solutions for ensuring safety and increasing the designed water storage capacity of irrigation reservoirs; protect, develop and rehabilitate watershed protection forests in the river basin; formulate and adjust operation processes of irrigation reservoirs and hydraulic structures in the Red River-Thai Binh river Basin according to its competence, ensuring the conformity with this Master Plan and other relevant master plans.
c/ Direct the implementation of measures on prevention and control of negative impacts caused by water in case of disasters in accordance with the laws on dikes and disaster prevention and control.
d/ Study and apply technologies in the management and operation of hydraulic works, advanced water-efficient irrigation technologies and production transformation to use water economically and efficiently.
dd/ To research into solutions and apply advanced, modern and sustainable technologies to exploit water sources in an economical and efficient manner under the circumstances of lower water and riverbed levels of rivers in the Red River Delta.
e/ Coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in directing entities exploiting and using water under its management in implementing plans on regulation and distribution of water sources in the river basin according to regulations.
g/ Improve the capacity of and efficiently use existing facilities, increase the efficiency of water use, and reduce damage caused by water-related disasters; complete the repair and upgrading of reservoirs which are damaged or degraded, or lack the capacity for water storage and flood control; invest in, repair, and upgrade focal facilities, the systems of irrigation canals and drains, and existing scattered water storage facilities in tandem with building of a new countryside, so as to serve multiple purposes.
h/ Formulate a scheme on modernization of the irrigation system, ensuring proactiveness in taking water without depending on the discharge of water from hydropower reservoirs in the winter-spring crop and in regulating water in the irrigation system for concentrated rice and crop cultivation and aquacultural production area, in combination with advanced and water-conservation cultivation methods.
i/ Direct specialized agencies in studying and proposing solutions for responding to the decline of river water levels in the Red River Delta; work out plans on taking water without dependence on the discharge of water from hydropower reservoirs, renovating, upgrading and dredging water intakes of pumping stations and culverts, and installing and operating field pumping stations; carry out mass and concentrated sowing in each region and locality suitable to the crop calendar.
k/ Formulate a scheme on payments for forest services, contributing to hunger eradication, poverty reduction and improvement of people’s livelihoods.
l/ Implement policies on irrigation product and service prices under the market mechanism and a roadmap on gradual reduction of the State subsidy in a synchronous manner.
m/ Review and formulate mechanisms and policies to support and encourage the building of facilities for on-site water storage and small-scale water supply for residential use based on water source capacity and the volume of water distributed at the village-, hamlet-, commune-, district-, sub-regional and regional scale, especially areas frequently suffering drought, water shortage or saltwater intrusion.
n/ Formulate and submit for promulgation regulations on rural clean water management and documents guiding the creation of a legal environment for promoting the participation of non-state sectors in supply of water for residential use in rural areas, review and supplement clean water suppliers for the purpose of ensuring social security and equality.
o/ Organize basic surveys of the exploitation and use of water resources in the systems of hydraulic structures and water supply in rural areas, and annually synthesize and send results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for updating, and concurrently, develop a database of the survey results for integration and sharing with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and localities according to regulations.
p/ Study for improving forest environment service policies, and protecting and developing watershed protection forests in conformity with the practical management; identify the effectiveness of watershed protection forests in protecting water sources and soil, preventing erosion, landslides, flash floods and desertification, mitigating disasters, regulating climate, combining eco-tourism, wellness tourism and entertainment, and providing forest environmental services in the basins of Da, Thao, and Lo-Gam rivers.
q/ Review and adjust the operation processes of hydraulic structures suitable to water sources’ capacity, ensuring water replenishment, new water source generation, multiple purposes and smooth water flow, avoiding water stagnation and water source pollution; by 2025, focus on improving the operation processes of the systems of hydraulic structures in Bac Hung Hai, Nhue, Day and Ngu Huyen Khe rivers.
3. The Ministry of Construction shall
a/ Review, adjust and supplement master plans on water supply and wastewater drainage in urban areas in the river basin in conformity with the Mater Plan; direct the formulation and implementation of solutions for economical and efficient water use, mitigating the rate of water loss in urban water supply systems according to its competence.
b/ Organize basic surveys of the exploitation and use of water resources in urban water supply facility systems, and annually synthesize and send the results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for updating, and concurrently, develop a database of the survey results for integration and sharing with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and localities according to regulations.
c/ Review and supplement regulations, standards and technical regulations on construction works and facilities to ensure rainwater storage and enhance water drainage capacity.
4. The Ministry of Industry and Trade shall
a/ Organize the formulation and adjustment of general master plans on energy and power development involving water exploitation and use, which must consider, assess, and ensure their conformity with the water source capacity in the Red River-Thai Binh river basin; formulate a pilot scheme on the participation of non-state sectors in investment in improving and upgrading focal water supply facilities for sectors in downstream areas.
b/ Organize basic surveys of the exploitation and use of water resources in the industrial and hydropower sectors, and annually synthesize and send results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for updating, and concurrently, develop a database of the survey results for integration and sharing with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and localities according to regulations.
c/ Direct the Vietnam Electricity and owners of hydropower reservoirs and dikes, especially big hydropower reservoirs, in applying science and technology, and organizing the formulation and operation of specialized hydrometeorological monitoring networks, investing in synchronous technical infrastructure solutions to meet the requirement for real-time regulation and operation of inter-reservoirs and effective exploitation of water resources.
5. The Ministry of Planning and Investment shall assume the prime responsibility for synthesizing and submiting to the Government and Prime Minister medium-term and annual public investment plans to implement programs and projects approved by competent agencies in accordance with the law on public investment to implement the Master Plan.
6. The Ministry of Finance shall, based on the proposals of ministries and central agencies and the state budget’s fund-balancing capacity, synthesize and submit to competent authorities the allocation of the central budget’s recurrent expenditures to ministries and central agencies for performing tasks assigned under the Master Plan.
7. The Ministry of Science and technology shall
a/ Study and propose mechanisms and policies to encourage and promote science and technology solutions, contributing to ensuring water source security.
b/ Study, develop and apply science and technology solutions to proactively respond to water-related disasters, focusing on advanced, modern and smart science and technology solutions serving the monitoring, forecasting, warning and supervision; study and apply advanced modern technologies and propose solutions for development and creation of new water sources (including solutions for development and protection of forests and creation of on-spot water generation sources), water collection, storage and conveyance, connection of water sources, replenishment and exploitation of underground water, and economical, efficient and safe use of water.
8. The Ministry of Public Security shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with related ministries, ministerial level agencies and localities in, implementing the law on protection of water environment in activities of the People’s Public Security forces, particularly for especially important water exploitation and use facilities.
9. Related ministries and ministerial-level agencies shall, within the ambit of their functions, tasks and powers, coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and provincial-level People’s Committees in the river basin in exploiting, using and protecting water, and preventing, controlling, and remediate consequences and negative impacts caused by water.
10. Provincial-level People’s Committees in the river basin shall
a/ Direct specialized agencies of water resources in organizing the formulation of plans on exploitation, use and protection of water resources, and remediate consequences and negative impacts caused by water; propose and include water exploitation and use works and water resource development works to their provincial master plans according to regulations.
b/ Based on the practical conditions and demands for socio-economic development in each region and river section, provincial-level People’s Committees shall assume the prime responsibility for, and coordinate with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment in, deciding to supplement the basic functions of water sources specified in Clause 1, Section III, Article 1 of this Decision in line with reality and environmental protection tasks.
c/ Direct functional agencies in organizing the assessment of wastewater receiving capacity and carrying capacity of intra-provincial water sources, zoning of areas restricted for exploitation of underground water, establishment of water source protection corridors, and formulation of plans on collection and treatment of urban wastewater in the localities for submitting to competent authorities for approval according to regulations.
d/ Strictly manage activities of water exploitation and use and discharge of wastewater into water sources in the river basin according to their competence suitable to water sources’ functions, ensuring water quality and minimum flows according to regulations.
dd/ Organize the supervision of entities exploiting and using water in the river basin under their management scope regarding their implementation of plans on regulation and distribution of water sources according to regulations.
e/ Direct the formulation and adjustment of the operation processes of hydropower and irrigation reservoirs, and promulgate the list of lakes and ponds in the localities which must not be leveled according to their competence in conformity with the Master Plan.
g/ Formulate plans on exploitation and use of backup water sources for supply of water for residential use upon the occurrence of incidents of water source pollution, drought or water shortage. Chairpersons of provincial-level People’s Committees shall decide on the use of existing water sources in localities, including also the dead volume of reservoirs, to supply water for responding to, and mitigating damage upon, occurrence of drought or water shortage.
h/ Implement measures to protect, prevent, control and remediate consequences and negative impacts caused by water according to regulations.
i/ Strictly manage the exploitation of riverbed sand and gravel, especially in big river routes, that leads to degrading of riverbed flows, increase of the risks of landslides in the river banks and saltwater intrusion, and restricts the taking of water of water intakes in conformity with this Mater Plan.
k/ Submit to provincial-level People’s Councils plans on allocation of local budget funds for implementation of the Master Plan’s tasks to be performed by localities in accordance with the law on the state budget.
l/ Carry out basic surveys of water resources in the localities as delegated by the Government and submit results to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for synthesis.
m/ Make annual reports on the implementation results of the Master Plan in their localities, and submit them to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment for monitoring and summarization.
Article 3. Implementation provision
This Decision takes effect on the date of its signing.
Article 4. The Ministers of Natural Resources and Environment; Agriculture and Rural Development; Industry and Trade; Transport; Construction; Science and Technology; Culture, Sports and Tourism; Planning and Investment; and Finance, chairpersons of the People’s Committees of the provinces and centrally run cities of Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Son La, Hoa Binh, Lao Cai, Ha Giang, Tuyen Quang, Yen Bai, Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Bac Giang, Phu Tho, Quang Ninh, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Hung Yen, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh and Nam Dinh, and heads of related agencies and units shall implement this Decision.-
For the Prime Minister
Deputy Prime Minister
TRAN HONG HA
* The Appendices to this Decision are not translated.
[1] Công Báo Nos 551-552 (23/02/2023)
Vietnamese
Decision 50/QĐ-TTg DOC (Word)
Decision 50/QĐ-TTg PDF (Original)
