Core Points - The Ministry of Water Resources has approved the "Technical Specifications for the Delimitation of River and Lake Management Areas," which will be implemented starting January 28, 2026 [1] - The specification aims to strengthen river and lake management and protection, ensuring national water security [1] Group 1: Specifications Overview - The specification consists of 7 chapters and 3 appendices, covering basic regulations, data collection and base map production, delineation of management boundaries, management area identification, and archiving of delineation results [1] - It is applicable to the management area delineation of rivers and lakes [1] Group 2: Management Area Delineation - The management area is defined to maintain flood storage space and flood safety, balancing water supply and ecological functions [1] - Delineation should be based on comprehensive planning, flood control planning, and the basic laws of flood evolution and river and lake changes, ensuring that flood storage space is not reduced [1] Group 3: Ecological Considerations - The specification allows for the extension of management areas to land, considering biodiversity protection, ecological restoration, and the delineation of drinking water source protection areas [1] - The results of the management area delineation will be integrated into the "National Water Resources One Map" for digital management [1] Group 4: Specific Regulations - The specification includes specific regulations for both river and lake areas with and without embankments [1]

Group 1 - The core viewpoint emphasizes the need for strict regulation of river sand mining to ensure flood safety, river stability, and ecological protection [1] - The provincial government has issued two directives focusing on managing river sand mining and construction activities within river management areas [1][2] - The directives call for a comprehensive regulatory framework, including administrative accountability for river management officials and enhanced inter-departmental cooperation [1][2] Group 2 - The second directive specifically targets illegal sand mining activities, mandating strict adherence to planning and licensing processes for sand extraction [1] - It highlights the importance of a smart regulatory system for sand mining and ongoing special actions to combat illegal activities [1] - The third directive focuses on managing construction projects near water bodies, enforcing compliance with environmental regulations, and establishing a closed-loop management system for project oversight [2] Group 3 - Both directives stress the need for accountability and responsibility among river management officials, with mechanisms for tracking and addressing non-compliance [2] - They advocate for a collaborative approach among various governmental departments to enhance the effectiveness of river management and protection efforts [1][2] - Continuous monitoring and rectification of issues related to river management and construction projects are emphasized to ensure ecological restoration [2]