The State Duma, together with the Government of the Russian Federation, has been recommended, when preparing to consider the draft federal law On Amending Article 671 of the Water Code of the Russian Federation, to include additional measures preventing the development of flooded and waterlogged areas before engineering and other forms of protection are in place. Where necessary, corresponding amendments to urban planning and land legislation should also be introduced.
The Government has been instructed to expedite its consideration of legislative amendments that would classify structures designed to protect territories and facilities from flooding, waterlogging and bank erosion as structures of increased critical importance.
Further instructions to the Government, in cooperation with regional executive bodies, relate to improving the maintenance and safety mechanisms for hydraulic structures that have been transferred to municipal ownership.
The Prosecutor General’s Office has been instructed to carry out an inspection of regional executive bodies and local governments to ensure compliance with statutory prohibitions and restrictions aimed at protecting territories and facilities from flooding, waterlogging and bank erosion. This includes the requirement to put in place the necessary engineering and other protection measures against the harmful effects of water.