On November 28, 2018, the Government issued Decree No. 159/2018/ND-CP on the management of dredging activities in seaport waters and inland waterways. This Decree takes effect from January 11, 2019
– Basic dredging projects in seaport waters and inland waterways must be evaluated for environmental impacts in accordance with the law on environmental protection;
– For maintenance projects and dredging works with the annual implemented volume, the assessment of environmental impacts or environmental protection plans is carried out on a yearly or seasonal basis period up to 5 years;
– The determination of the location of dumping ashore for dredging activities in the seaport waters must be reported to the provincial People’s Committee and approved;
– Basic dredging projects on inland waterways must be approved by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment or provincial-level People’s Committees according to the provisions of the law on water resources. In the case of basic dredging projects on inland waterways, dikes must also be consulted by provincial-level People’s Committees; for basic dredging projects in inland waterways with dykes from grade III to special grade or in areas from 02 or more provinces, to consult the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development before being approved browse the project.
It can be seen, Decree No. 159/2018/ND-CP has detailed instructions on the assessment of environmental impacts when implementing dredging activities in seaport waters, thereby contributing to ensuring security. all marine, maritime security, inland waterway order and safety, prevention of environmental pollution, safety of residential communities, dike, irrigation, and disaster prevention systems.