Wetland planning system
4.1 Wetland planning system
4.1.1 Concept and significance Wetland planning refers to the system that defines the use of wetland resources and provides protection to wetland environment through the development of wetland use and conservation plans by the wetland management authority that regulates the different approaches to use wetland resources by taking into considerations of the characteristics of wetland resources and ecology, the social, economic and ecological implications to wetlands, and the development needs of society, economy, ecology and environment at different phases.
Through the wetland planning system, the efficiency of wetland use can be put into full play, and comprehensive protection of wetland ecosystem can be implemented to effectively mitigate wasting of wetland resources and wetland ecological damage.
4.1.2 Suggested provisions related to wetland planning in Wetland Conservation Regulation Article n: People’s Governments at various levels shall organize the compilation and implementation of wetland plans. The national wetland plans shall be developed by the administrative department on forestry under the State
General analysis and recommendations on China’s legal implementation mechanism for wetland biodiversity conservation
Council in conjunction with departments on land and resources, water resources, environmental protection, and agriculture (fishery). Plans shall be subject to approval by the State Council before implementation.
Local wetland plans shall be developed by the forestry department of the People’s Government at and above the county level in conjunction with departments on land and resources, water resources, environmental protection, and agriculture (fishery). Plans shall be subject to approval by the people’s government at the same level before implementation.
The administrative department on forestry in people’s governments at and above the county level shall in the development of wetland plans shall solicit comments from relevant specialists and stakeholders, and conduct environmental impact assessment and ecological risk assessment of wetlands. The environmental impact assessment report and ecological risk assessment report shall be submitted to the relevant supervision agencies for approval.
Wetland plans shall be developed on a scientific basis and based on wetland types, distribution, ecological functions, land resources, water resources, vegetation and wildlife resources. Wetland plans shall include guiding principles, protection objectives and implementation timeframe, implementation measures etc.
Wetland planning shall be linked with integrated planning on land, water, sea and environmental protection. Plans for development and utilization of various nature resources shall be linked with wetland protection plans. Article n+1: Wetland plans, approved in accordance with the legal procedure, shall have legal effects and must be implemented by relevant administrative authorities to jointly achieve the objects and measures prescribed in the plans.
The administrative department on forestry in people’s governments at and above the county level shall develop implement plans for wetland conservation based on the approved wetland plans. The implementation plan shall clarify wetland conservation priority projects and enabling environment and shall be implemented after the approval of the people’s governments of the same level. Where a wetland plan needs to be revised due to changes in the scale, distribution and condition of wetland, the amendment and revision shall be submitted and approved by the original authority that approves the plan. Where approval is not issued, any units and individual shall not change the wetland plan.