EcoLur
The functions of the National Water Council will be transferred to the Ministry of Environment.
On October 2, the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia adopted in the first reading the draft laws on making amendments to RA Water Code and RA Law on National Water Program of the Republic of Armenia, which envisage the dissolution of the National Water Council adjunct to Prime Minister. The ground for the elaboration of RA draft laws was the recommendation of Deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan N04 / 03.13 / 8905 dated on February 25, 2019 on dissolving the National Water Council and transferring its powers to the Ministry of Environment.
According to the bill, the National Water Council gives its opinion on the construction, operation of small hydropower plants in the Ararat Valley without basin management plans and groundwater use permits in Ararat Valley.
It has lost its relevance as the Government of Armenia Decision 218-N dated on 7 March 2003 already regulates the arrangements for agreeing with certain stakeholders on water use permit applications, as well as basin management plans for the Ararat, South and Akhuryan basins, Sevan and Hrazdan Basin Management Plans are currently under development, and the North Basin Management Plan is foreseen to be developed by 2023.
“By the liquidation of the National Water Council and making amendments to resolution N218 of the Government of the Republic of Armenia dated on March 7, 2003 the calculation of the deadline for applying for water permit will not be suspended and the deadline for applying for a water use permit will not be extended," the justification of the bill says.
After the adoption of the bills, it will be necessary to amend 6 legal acts.
October 02, 2019 at 16:19