Directive No. 447/CT-TTg On Strengthening the Handling of Violations of Law Regarding Dikes and Management of Sand and Gravel Extraction and Transportation Affecting the Safety of Dikes

DIRECTIVE

On Strengthening the Handling of Violations of Law on Dikes and Management of Sand and Gravel Extraction, Transportation, and Business Affecting the Safety of Dikes

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After three years of implementing the Law on Dikes, management, investment, and protection of dike systems have shown positive changes; many sections of dikes have been reinforced firmly, combined to form transportation routes, contributing to economic and social development; functional forces have conducted inspections and discovered numerous violations of the law on dike systems, but the number of violations handled remains very limited (only 15% of violations were resolved); planning and adjusting detailed flood prevention plans for rivers with dike systems and dike system planning have been slow; coordination between management agencies and local authorities has not been tight enough, leading to complex situations of violations and illegal construction within dike protection zones and riverbeds; illegal and unauthorized sand and gravel extraction, stockpiling, and business operations have caused changes in riverbeds and affected the safety of dike systems.

To strengthen state management, address shortcomings in handling violations of the law on dike systems, and manage sand and gravel extraction, transportation, and business operations, the Prime Minister requests the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Public Security, Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, and People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities to implement the following tasks:

1. People's Committees of provinces and centrally-administered municipalities:

a) Strengthen management, direct local authorities at all levels to closely cooperate with related units to thoroughly review and inspect violations of the law on dike systems in their areas, take decisive measures to resolve each violation (do not allow prolonged or repeated violations); issue regulations linking the responsibility of heads of agencies and units for violations that occur and the handling of violations of the law on dike systems.

b) Proactively coordinate with the Ministries of Public Security, Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, Agriculture and Rural Development, and relevant localities to direct inspections and handling of illegal and unauthorized activities of sand and gravel exploration, extraction, stockpiling, transportation, and business operations; revoke improperly issued permits; suspend activities of exploration, extraction, stockpiling, business operations, and transportation of sand and gravel affecting the safety of dike systems, bank erosion, and lack of safety conditions.

c) Direct inspections and reviews of sand and gravel stockpile and construction material sites along rivers; suspend operations of illegal sites; arrange and plan a suitable system of sites to minimize impacts on the safety of dike systems and reduce environmental pollution.

2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development:

a) Strengthen inspection and supervision of the implementation of laws on dike systems, promptly identify violations, and recommend local authorities to handle them according to the law.

b) Lead and coordinate with the Ministries of Public Security, Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, and localities to develop mechanisms for coordination in directing, inspecting, and handling violations of the law on dike systems, illegal and unauthorized sand and gravel extraction, stockpiling, and transportation affecting the safety of dike systems.

c) Direct and guide localities to quickly complete the work of establishing and approving plans for flood prevention along rivers with dike systems and dike system planning in accordance with the Law on Dikes and Decree No. 04/2011/NĐ-CP dated January 14, 2011 of the Government, creating a basis for the implementation of other related plans.

3. The Ministry of Public Security directs subordinate units and public security agencies in localities to closely cooperate with functional agencies, develop specific plans and programs for inspecting and handling violations of the law on dike systems, illegal and unauthorized sand and gravel extraction, stockpiling, and transportation that do not ensure safety.

The Prime Minister requests the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities, the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Public Security, Construction, Natural Resources and Environment, and related agencies to strictly organize the implementation of this Directive.