Law of the People's Republic of China on Water and Soil Conservation.

This Law is formulated for the purpose of the prevention and control of soil erosion, the protection and rational utilisation of water and soil resources, the mitigation of disasters of flood, drought and sandstorm, the improvement of ecological environment and the development of production. "Water and soil conservation" means preventive and rehabilitative measures taken against soil erosion, which is caused by natural factors or human activities.Chapter I General Provisions, includes the procedures of the water and soil conservation work. Chapter II Prevention, provisions include the limitation and standard of reclamation of hillsides, felling of forest trees, and preparations for afforestation. Further provisions concern the construction of a railway, highway or a water project, and mining or electrical power enterprises in relation to the work of water and soil conservation. Chapter III Rehabilitation, it says that a comprehensive system for the prevention and control of soil erosion shall be set up on the basis of overall planning and comprehensive rehabilitation for water-eroded region, wind-eroded region and soil-eroded regions. The rehabilitation of soil erosion on barren hills, waste valleys, barren hillocks and desolated beaches may be contracted to agricultural collective economic organizations, individual farmers or leaseholding household groups. The state shall protect the lawful rights and interests of the parties to a contract for rehabilitation. Chapter IV Supervision, the department of water administration under the State Council shall establish a monitoring network for water and soil conservation, so as to conduct monitoring and prediction of the nation- wide soil erosion developments and publicly announce the results thereof. Chapter V Legal Responsibility, provisions regarding offences and penalties. Chapter VI Supplementary Provision, the standing committees of the people's congresses of the provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government may, in accordance with this Law and in the light of the respective actual conditions, formulate measures of implementation.