Circular No. 13/2021/TT-BTNMT on the establishment, relocation, and dissolution of national meteorological and hydrological stations

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the establishment, relocation, and dissolution of national meteorological and hydrological stations

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Pursuant to the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology dated November 23, 2015;

Pursuant to Decree No. 38/2016/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2016 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology; Decree No. 48/2020/NĐ-CP dated April 15, 2020 of the Government amending and supplementing certain provisions of Decree No. 38/2016/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2016 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology;

Pursuant to Decree No. 36/2017/NĐ-CP dated April 4, 2017 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the proposal of the Director General of the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and the Head of the Legal Department;

The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment issues this Circular regulating the establishment, relocation, and dissolution of national meteorological and hydrological stations.

PART I

GENERAL PROVISIONS

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular regulates the establishment, relocation, and dissolution of national meteorological and hydrological stations.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to agencies, organizations, and individuals related to the establishment, relocation, and dissolution of national meteorological and hydrological stations.

Chapter II
ESTABLISHMENT OF NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL STATIONS

Article 3. Establishment and commencement of formal operation of the station

1. Establishment of the station:

a) Conduct technical surveys for establishing the station; prepare and approve reports on the results of technical surveys for establishing the station;

b) Seek approval from competent authorities or organizations and individuals regarding the use of land for constructing and installing station facilities;

c) Conduct surveys, design, prepare, submit, and approve investment project plans for construction;

d) Decide to establish the station.

2. Construction and commencement of station operations:

a) Construct facilities, infrastructure, technical boundary markers for meteorological and hydrological works; install measuring equipment and instruments; prepare and submit for approval maintenance operation plans in accordance with regulations;

b) Test run, monitor, check, evaluate data quality; inspect and accept completion of works, equipment, and measuring instruments;

c) Decide to commence formal operation of the station.

Article 4. Contents of technical surveys for establishing the station

1. Investigation and survey to collect information:

a) Current status, planning, socio-economic development situation of the locality in the proposed station area;

b) Natural conditions, representativeness in meteorology and hydrology, and feasibility of building the station at the proposed location;

c) Conditions regarding infrastructure, transportation, communication; power and water supply sources.

2. Survey of station placement conditions:

a) Survey the technical boundary area for meteorological and hydrological works according to Article 15 of the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology and Clauses 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Article 7 of Decree No. 38/2016/NĐ-CP dated May 15, 2016 of the Government detailing certain provisions of the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology;

b) Detailed survey for various types of meteorological and hydrological stations as prescribed in Appendix I attached hereto;

c) Determine the coordinates and elevation of specialized meteorological and hydrological base points in accordance with laws on surveying and mapping.

3. Prepare a technical survey report for establishing the station according to Model No. 1, Appendix II attached hereto.

Article 5. Trial operation, monitoring, inspection, and quality assessment of data

1. After completing the installation of equipment and measuring instruments, trial operation, monitoring, inspection, and quality assessment must be conducted.

2. The minimum duration for conducting trial operation, monitoring, inspection, and assessing results shall be three months.

3. Quality assessment of monitoring data and preparation of reports according to Form No. 2, Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

Article 6. Documents for establishing and officially operating the station

1. Documents for establishing the station:

a) Proposal from the agency or unit implementing the project;

b) Decision approving the technical survey report on establishing the station and the technical survey report on establishing the station;

c) Approval document from the competent authority or organization or individual regarding the location and area of land for constructing specialized works, station buildings, and installing equipment and measuring instruments;

d) Copy of the Decision approving the investment project or the resolution on establishing the station by the competent authority.

2. Documents for officially operating the station:

a) Proposal from the agency or unit implementing the project;

b) Copy of the Decision establishing the station;

c) Land allocation decision by the competent authority or copy of the Land Use Right Certificate (if applicable); Confirmation letter from local authorities, organizations, or individuals regarding leased land areas or land not eligible for issuance of a Land Use Right Certificate;

d) Acceptance record of construction works, equipment, and measuring instruments;

đ) Copy of the Decision approving the maintenance operation plan;

e) Copy of calibration and verification certificates for meteorological and hydrological measuring instruments, technical documents; user manuals, operation, maintenance, and repair instructions for measuring instruments;

g) Report on the results of trial operation, monitoring, and inspection according to Form No. 2, Appendix II issued together with this Circular;

h) Written opinion of the specialized agency under the National Hydro-Meteorological Service.

Article 7. Supplementing and reducing observation factors

1. Basis for supplementing and reducing observation factors:

a) National network planning for meteorological and hydrological stations;

b) Requirements for utilizing observation data for basic investigation, forecasting, and warning of meteorological and hydrological conditions to serve disaster prevention and mitigation, economic and social development, national defense, and security.

2. Implementation of supplementing observation factors:

a) Report on the necessity to supplement observation factors;

b) Decision to supplement observation factors;

c) Technical survey design, construction of works (if necessary), and installation of measuring instruments in accordance with regulations;

d) Decision to put works (if necessary) and measuring instruments into operation.

3. Implementation of reducing observation factors:

a) Report on reasons for reducing observation factors;

b) Decision to reduce observation factors;

c) Recovery of measuring instruments for reduced factors in accordance with regulations.

Chapter III
MOVING NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL STATIONS

Article 8. Technical requirements for moving stations

1. The new location of the station must ensure similarity in meteorological and hydrological conditions compared to the current station.

2. Simultaneous observation data at both locations must ensure strong correlation.

3. In cases where the new location of the station does not meet the requirements stipulated in Clause 1 or Clause 2 of this Article, the currently operating station will be dissolved and a new station will be established to replace the dissolved station.

Article 9. Implementation of station relocation

1. The current status report of the station to be relocated must be prepared according to Model No. 3, Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

2. Request for approval to relocate the station.

3. Conduct a survey at the proposed relocation site; approve the station relocation survey report.

4. Construct temporary works, install measuring equipment and monitoring instruments simultaneously at two locations for high-altitude meteorological stations and weather radars that only monitor at the relocation site.

5. Evaluate the quality of the monitoring data series and prepare a report according to Model No. 2, Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

6. Prepare the dossier and submit it to the competent authority for a decision on relocating the station if all technical requirements stipulated in Clause 1 and Clause 2, Article 8 of this Circular are met.

7. Construct the station and works at the relocation site.

8. Make a decision to put the station and works at the relocation site into official operation.

Article 10. Station Relocation Survey

1. Conduct a comprehensive station relocation survey in accordance with the provisions of Article 4 of this Circular.

2. In cases where some construction projects are relocated, a technical survey of the new construction site must be carried out in accordance with the regulations.

Article 11. Simultaneous Monitoring

1. Carry out simultaneous monitoring at the current monitoring location and the relocation location in accordance with the relevant monitoring regulations.

2. The duration of simultaneous monitoring in each case shall be reviewed and decided by the Director of the National Hydro-Meteorological Service.

3. Prepare a report on the results of simultaneous monitoring.

4. Evaluate the correlation between the two data series:

a) If the two data series have a strong correlation, proceed with putting the relocated station or facility into operation;

b) If the correlation between the two data series is not strong, proceed with dissolving the old station and establishing a replacement station.

5. Simultaneous monitoring materials must be submitted and stored in accordance with the regulations.

Article 12. Dossier for Station Relocation and Putting the Station into Operation

1. Dossier for station relocation:

a) A request from the agency or unit responsible for implementing the station relocation;

b) Approval document for the station relocation proposal;

c) Report on the station and facility relocation survey, specialized reports;

d) Report on the evaluation of trial operation and simultaneous monitoring results;

đ) Approval document from the competent authority or organization or individual regarding the location and area of land for constructing facilities and installing measuring equipment;

e) Written opinion of the specialized agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

2. Documents for officially operating the station:

a) A request from the agency or unit responsible for implementing the station relocation;

b) Copy of the Decision on station relocation;

c) Land allocation decision by the competent authority or copy of the Land Use Right Certificate (if applicable); Confirmation letter from local authorities, organizations, or individuals regarding leased land areas or land not eligible for issuance of a Land Use Right Certificate;

d) Acceptance record of construction works, equipment, and measuring instruments;

đ) Copy of calibration and verification certificates for hydro-meteorological measuring instruments, technical documents; user guides, operation, maintenance, and repair instructions for measuring instruments;

e) Written opinion of the specialized agency under the National Hydro-Meteorological Service;

Chapter IV
DISSOLUTION OF NATIONAL HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS

Article 13. Implementation of Station Dissolution

1. Prepare a station dissolution report according to Model No. 4, Appendix II issued together with this Circular.

2. Decision on station dissolution by the competent authority.

3. Implement station dissolution and recover measuring instruments in accordance with the regulations.

4. Handle other related issues arising from station dissolution in accordance with the regulations.

5. Store the technical dossier of the station.

Article 14. Documents for station dissolution

1. Petition from the agency or unit proposing station dissolution.

2. Report on station dissolution.

3. Related documents.

4. Written opinion of the specialized agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Chapter V IMPLEMENTATION PROVISIONS

Article 15. Responsibilities for Implementation

1. General Department of Hydrology and Meteorology:

a) Organize the review and submit to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment for decision on establishment, relocation, and dissolution of national meteorological and hydrological stations in accordance with regulations;

b) Approve technical survey reports for station establishment as the basis for project investment approval;

c) Decide on supplementing or reducing observation factors; relocating some construction projects; putting stations, facilities, equipment, and measuring instruments into formal operation.

2. Agencies or units assigned to implement projects or tasks:

Implement related tasks concerning the establishment, relocation, and dissolution of national meteorological and hydrological stations and the supplementation or reduction of observation factors, and submit them for examination and approval by competent authorities in accordance with this Circular.

Article 16. Transitional Provisions

For stations that have submitted applications for establishment, relocation, or dissolution before the effective date of this Circular, continue to implement according to Decision No. 03/2006/QD-BTNMT dated March 17, 2006, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment regarding the Regulations on Establishment, Relocation, Upgrading, Downgrading, and Dissolution of Meteorological and Hydrological Stations.

Article 17. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from October 21, 2021

2. This Circular replaces:

a) Decision No. 03/2006/QD-BTNMT dated March 17, 2006, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment promulgating the Regulations on Establishment, Relocation, Upgrading, Downgrading, and Dissolution of Meteorological and Hydrological Stations;

b) Circular No. 11/2007/TT-BTNMT dated December 25, 2007, issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment guiding the issuance of permits for the operation of dedicated meteorological and hydrological works.

Article 18. Organization of Implementation

1. Ministries, agencies at the level of ministries, provincial People's Committees directly under the Central Government, Provincial Departments of Natural Resources and Environment directly under the Central Government, and relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Circular.

2. The Director of the General Department of Hydrology and Meteorology is responsible for organizing inspections of the implementation of this Circular./.

Appendix I

CONTENTS OF DETAILED SURVEYS
FOR TYPES OF NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL STATIONS

1. Rainfall Station

- Determine the position, height, and distance of obstacles relative to the station location within a radius of 20 meters from the base of the pole.

- Determine the place name, elevation, and coordinates of the station location.

- Draw a layout map of the station area within a radius of 100 meters.

2. Surface Meteorological Station, Agricultural Meteorological Station

a) Survey and investigation of the characteristics of the station location area

Determine information about: Average height of the station location area above sea level; prevailing wind direction; distribution of major mountain peaks and high hills; transportation, communication, and living conditions within a radius of 10 kilometers; draw a diagram showing these contents on a topographic map at a scale of 1:50,000.

b) Detailed survey of the station location area

- Determine the place name, location (coordinates, elevation) of the station.

- Determine the height and distance of obstacles; industrial centers, residential areas, construction projects, ponds, lakes; horizon obscuration angle, horizontal field of view, and flooding potential at the station location; draw a topographic map of the station location area within a radius of 300 meters at a scale of 1:2,000.

3. Upper Air Station, Weather Radar Station

a) Survey and investigation of the characteristics of the station location area

Determine information about: Average height of the station location area above sea level; distribution of major mountain peaks; industrial zones, residential areas, high-rise buildings, airports, and other architectural structures that may affect the observation process; transportation, communication, and living conditions within a radius of 10 kilometers; draw a diagram showing these contents on a topographic map at a scale of 1:50,000.

b) Detailed survey of the station location area

- Determine the place name, location (coordinates, elevation) of the station.

- Determine the height and distance of obstacles, horizon obscuration angle, and obstructions in the radar shadow zone; obstacles appearing at large scanning angles above the horizon; draw a topographic map of the station location area within a radius of 300 meters at a scale of 1:2,000.

4. Hydrological Station

a) Survey and investigation of the characteristics of the river section where the station is located

- Determine information about: Main features of the river section planned for station placement, upstream and downstream tributary positions of the station, dam, reservoir, and hydrological stations currently operating upstream and downstream (if any); infrastructure, communication conditions within a radius of 10 kilometers.

- Assess the impact of economic and social activities on observation at the planned station location.

- Draw a layout map of the river section where the station is located on a topographic map at a scale of 1:50,000 showing: Upstream and downstream tributary positions of the station, dam, reservoir, and hydrological stations currently operating upstream and downstream.

b) Detailed survey of the river section where the station is located

- Determine the place name, location (coordinates, elevation) of the station.

- Determine topography, geomorphology; geology, hydrology; flow regime, water influence; riverbed morphology, channel characteristics, bank, and overflow bar within a 500-meter radius upstream and downstream.

- Investigate and calculate the maximum water level control.

- Evaluate the stability of the riverbank, especially at the measurement line and construction site locations.

- Survey the distribution of flow velocity across the cross-section of the flow measurement line and draw a flow direction contour map.

- Survey and draw the riverbed topography within a 500-meter radius upstream and downstream on a map at a scale of 1:2,000; draw cross-sectional profiles of the river at measurement line locations for water level and flow rate, and two locations 100 meters away upstream and downstream at scales of 1:500 to 1:1,000. For stations not measuring flow rate, survey and draw the riverbed topography within a 200-meter radius upstream and downstream and draw cross-sectional profiles of the river at water level measurement line locations.

5. Marine Station

a) Survey and investigation of the characteristics of the station location area

Determine the contents and information on: prevailing wind direction; distribution orientation of islands, floating sandbars, marine structures, and maritime obstacles; coastline shape; horizon obscuration angle; transportation infrastructure, communication, and living conditions within a 10-kilometer radius; create a diagram representing these contents based on a topographic map with a scale of 1:50,000.

b) Detailed survey of the station location area

- Determine the place name, location (coordinates, elevation) of the station.

- Determine tidal regime and characteristic values; sea depth at wave observation areas; current direction; highest high tide and lowest low tide; create a topographic map of the station installation area within a 300-meter radius with a scale of 1:2,000.

Seal Registration Certificate

REPORT FORMS

(Annexed to Circular number: /2021/TT-BTNMT dated month day year 2021 issued by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment)

Form No. 1: Technical Survey Report for Establishing a National Meteorological and Hydrological Station.

Form No. 2: Report on Trial Operation Results and Observation Testing.

Form No. 3: Report on Evaluating the Current Status of a National Meteorological and Hydrological Station that Needs Relocation.

Form No. 4: Report on Dissolving a National Meteorological and Hydrological Station.

Model No. 1

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

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REPORT
TECHNICAL SURVEY FOR STATION ESTABLISHMENT
NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL STATION

Station Name: ... Reporting Agency: ...

I. Purpose and Requirements for Setting Up the Station

1. Explanation of the Need to Establish the Station.

2. Reference to Relevant Documents Such As Approved National Meteorological and Hydrological Station Network Planning; Resolution on Establishing the Station and Approving Its Location Issued by the Competent Authority...

3. Observation Tasks of the Station: Observed Factors, Anticipated Observation Period.

4. Survey Objectives and Tasks: Clearly State the Survey Objectives and Tasks; Special Issues That Require Attention and Handling.

II. Organization of Survey Work

1. Survey Team Composition: Specify the Survey Team Composition, Names, and Professional Qualifications of Each Member.

2. Equipment Used for Survey: Describe Types and Technical Features of Survey Equipment.

3. Survey Technical Plan.

4. Survey Time Frame: Start and End Dates of the Survey.

III. Survey Content

1. Explanation of Survey Content:

Detailed survey contents as stipulated in Article 4 of this Circular.

2. Various Diagrams, Drawings, Maps (Printed and Digital).

IV. Comments and Recommendations

1. Evaluation and Comments on the Survey Area and Survey Work.

2. Assessment of Technical Standards Compliance for the Station.

3. Conclusions and Recommendations.

Form No. 2

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

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REPORT

Station Name: ... Reporting Agency: ...

Implementing Decision on Establishment/Movement...; Decision Approving Investment and Construction Project for the Station.

Based on regulations regarding observation (trial observation factors)...

The reporting agency...reports and evaluates trial observation results at the...station as follows:

1. Station Location;

2. Observational Factors at the Station;

3. Coordinates and Elevation at the Station;

4. Structures and Equipment for Observation at the Station;

5. Technical Corridor Condition of Meteorological and Hydrological Engineering Structures (Detailed Description; Assessment of Impact Level and Compliance with Technical Standards);

6. Inspection and Calibration Results of Measuring Instruments;

7. Quality Assessment of Installation, Stability of Structures, Equipment, and Measuring Instruments;

8. Quality Assessment of Trial Observation Data;

9. Conclusion and Recommendation for Official Operation Approval by the Competent Authority.

..., Date..., Month..., Year...

REPORTING AGENCY (Signature, Stamp)

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

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REPORT
EVALUATION OF THE CURRENT STATUS OF NATIONAL METEOROLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL STATIONS
THAT NEED TO BE MOVED

I. Reasons for Moving the Station

II. Current Operational Status of the Station

1. Report on the Station's Operational Status

2. Technical Corridor Condition of the Station

3. Assessment of Impact on Observation Conditions and Data Accuracy

………………………………………………………………………….......

III. Station Relocation Plan

..., Date..., Month..., Year...

REPORTING AGENCY

(Signature, stamp)

Model No. 4

SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM

Independence - Freedom - Happiness

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REPORT
DISSOLUTION OF NATIONAL HYDRO-METEOROLOGICAL STATIONS

Station Name: ... Reporting Agency: ...

1. Legal basis

2. Station Dissolution Plan

a) Staff Arrangement and Deployment for Station Personnel

b) Handling of Station Assets, Equipment, Measuring Instruments, and Land According to Regulations

c) Archiving of Station Technical Documentation

………………………………………………………………………….......

..., Date..., Month..., Year...

REPORTING AGENCY (Signature, Stamp)