Decision No. 171/2007/QĐ-TTg On the establishment of the River Basin Environmental Protection Committee for the Ca River

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the establishment of the River Cuu Environmental Protection Committee

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PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Law on Environmental Protection dated November 29, 2005;

Pursuant to Decision No. 174/2006/QD-TTg dated July 28, 2006 of the Government approving the Comprehensive Plan for the protection and sustainable development of the ecological environment and landscape of the River Cuu basin;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and the Chairmen of the People's Committees of Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, and Hai Duong provinces within the River Cuu basin,

DECISION:

Article 1. Establishment and functions

1. Establish the River Cuu Environmental Protection Committee (hereinafter referred to as the River Cuu Committee).

2. The River Cuu Committee is an inter-sectoral and inter-regional coordinating organization aimed at unifying the implementation of the contents of the Comprehensive Plan for the protection and sustainable development of the ecological environment and landscape of the River Cuu basin (hereinafter referred to as the Comprehensive Plan for the River Cuu) approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 174/2006/QD-TTg dated July 28, 2006.

Article 2. Tasks and powers of the River Cuu Committee

1. Organize and guide the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for the River Cuu.

2. Coordinate and resolve issues of an inter-sectoral and inter-regional nature in activities related to the protection and sustainable development of the ecological environment and landscape of the River Cuu basin.

3. Approve and direct the implementation of programs, projects, and five-year and annual action plans according to the principle of coordination among the provinces within the basin.

4. Recommend relevant ministries and sectors to direct and guide the implementation of programs and projects aimed at realizing the Comprehensive Plan for the River Cuu and other environmental protection programs and projects in the River Cuu basin.

5. Recommend the formulation, amendment, and supplementation of mechanisms, policies, and regulatory legal documents on environmental protection to effectively implement the Comprehensive Plan for the River Cuu.

6. Direct the construction of databases and provide information on the environment in the implementation of the Comprehensive Plan for the River Cuu.

7. Mobilize domestic and international resources to support the implementation of tasks under the Comprehensive Plan for the River Cuu and the protection of the environment and sustainable development of the River Cuu basin.

8. Regularly inspect and evaluate the implementation of approved programs, projects, and plans.

9. Recommend the Prime Minister to resolve disputes and difficulties between localities in the exploitation and utilization of natural resources and environmental protection in the basin that exceed the authority of the River Cuu Committee.

10. Recommend amendments and supplements to the contents of the Comprehensive Plan for the River Cuu.

Article 3. Organizational Structure

The members of the River Cuu Committee include:

a) Chairman of the River Cuu Committee: is the Chairman of the People's Committee of one of the six provinces in the basin, assuming the position in rotation according to alphabetical order with a three-year term for the first term and a two-year term for subsequent terms. The first-term Chairman of the River Cuu Committee is the Chairman of the People's Committee of Thai Nguyen Province.

b) Vice-Chairman: is the Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

c) Members: are representatives of the leadership of the People's Committees of the provinces in the River Cuu basin; representatives of the leadership of the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Agriculture and Rural Development, Finance, Science and Technology, Industry and Trade, Fisheries, Construction, Transportation, and the Government Office.

2. The Secretariat of the River Cuu Committee assists the Committee.

Article 4. Activities of the Cau River Committee

1. The Cau River Committee operates under the principle of democratic centralism; decisions are made by majority vote.

2. The Cau River Committee convenes regularly every six months. When necessary, the Chairperson may call for extraordinary meetings.

3. The Cau River Committee uses the seal of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Article 5. Duties and Authorities of Members, Chairperson, and Deputy Chairpersons of the Cau River Committee

1. Members of the Cau River Committee (including the Chairperson and Deputy Chairpersons) have the following duties and authorities:

a) Direct the implementation and organization of the overall Cau River Program related to ministries, sectors, and localities under their management.

b) Direct the establishment and proposal of five-year and annual plans related to the implementation of the overall Cau River Program within their management scope.

c) Fully participate in all meetings of the Cau River Committee.

d) Implement conclusions adopted by the Cau River Committee regarding tasks and responsibilities within the jurisdiction of ministries, sectors, or localities.

2. The Chairperson of the Cau River Committee has the following duties and authorities:

a) Lead the Cau River Committee in performing tasks as stipulated in Article 2 of this Decision.

b) Chair regular and extraordinary meetings of the Cau River Committee.

3. The Deputy Chairperson of the Cau River Committee has the following duties and authorities:

a) Assist the Chairperson of the Cau River Committee in leading the implementation of the overall Cau River Program; chair meetings of the Cau River Committee when authorized by the Chairperson.

b) Direct the activities of the Office of the Cau River Committee.

c) Coordinate among ministries and sectors in developing mechanisms, policies, and mobilizing domestic and international resources to support the implementation of the overall Cau River Program.

Article 6. Office of the Cau River Committee

1. The Office of the Cau River Committee has the duty to assist the Cau River Committee in performing the following tasks:

a) Coordinate inter-ministerial and inter-regional activities between ministries, sectors, and localities within the river basin to address issues arising during the implementation of the overall Cau River Program.

b) Aggregate, develop, and propose to the Cau River Committee for approval the program and annual activity plan of the Cau River Committee, and monitor and urge the implementation after approval.

c) Organize services for regular and extraordinary meetings of the Cau River Committee.

d) Report periodically on the implementation of the overall Cau River Program.

e) Perform other tasks assigned by the Cau River Committee or the Chairperson.

2. The Office of the Cau River Committee is located at the Environmental Protection Department under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; it uses the seal of the Environmental Protection Department; its operational budget is allocated and distributed annually in the Environmental Protection Department's budget estimate.

3. The organizational regulations and operations of the Office of the Cau River Committee are prescribed by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

Article 7. Effectiveness and Responsibility for Implementation

This Decision takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

The Minister of Science and Technology, the People's Committee Chairpersons of Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen, Vinh Phuc, Bac Giang, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong provinces within the Cau River Basin; the Ministers, Heads of Ministries equivalent to Ministries, Heads of Government Agencies, People's Committee Chairpersons of provinces and centrally-administered cities, and relevant organizations and individuals are responsible for implementing this Decision./.