Published by ChinaMNC · Liandou

What Foreign Founders Need to Know About the Nanming Lake Protection and Management Regulations in Lishui

A practical guide for foreign founders operating in Lishui, summarizing the key obligations and restrictions under the Nanming Lake Protection and Management Regulations, based on the official government text.

Overview of the Nanming Lake Protection Regulations

Foreign founders establishing or operating a business in Lishui should be aware of local environmental regulations that may affect their operations. The Nanming Lake Protection and Management Regulations (丽水市南明湖保护管理条例) set out rules for the protection, management, and use of Nanming Lake and its surrounding areas. This article summarizes the key points from the official government publication to help foreign entrepreneurs understand potential compliance requirements.

Scope and Definition

The regulations define Nanming Lake as the artificial lake, islands, and connected land areas formed by the Kaitan Power Station dam. Specifically, it includes the water area between the Daxi Baiyan Bridge, Taipinggang Liancheng Bridge, the downstream of the Haoxi Weir, and the upstream of the Kaitan Power Station dam in Liandu District, as well as the flood embankments, protected land, and landscaped green areas along the shore. In areas without embankments, the lake includes the land within the river blue line planning area.

Administrative Framework

The Lishui Municipal People's Government has established a comprehensive management coordination mechanism for Nanming Lake to oversee major matters related to planning, construction, protection, management, and utilization. A designated Nanming Lake protection and management department is responsible for handling complaints and reports, persuading and stopping illegal activities, and notifying relevant authorities for legal processing.

Multiple government departments, including development and reform, natural resources, finance, housing and urban-rural development, ecology and environment, water administration, fisheries, transportation, culture and tourism, public security, agriculture and rural affairs, forestry, market supervision, and sports, as well as the Lishui Economic and Technological Development Zone Management Committee, must cooperate according to their respective responsibilities. The Liandu District Government and its relevant departments, township governments, and subdistrict offices are responsible for local management.

Planning Requirements for Construction Projects

For foreign founders planning construction or development projects within the Nanming Lake area, the regulations require that site selection, layout, and the height, volume, shape, style, and color of buildings and structures must comply with the Nanming Lake Protection Plan. The plan must align with Lishui's territorial spatial planning and coordinate with flood control, ecological protection, tourism, navigation, and cultural relic protection plans. The plan is jointly prepared by the Nanming Lake protection and management department along with relevant municipal departments, the Liandu District Government, and the Lishui Economic and Technological Development Zone Management Committee. It is reviewed for consistency by the municipal natural resources department, approved by the municipal government, and filed with the Standing Committee of the Municipal People's Congress.

Water Quality and Environmental Protection

Surface water quality in Nanming Lake must meet the requirements of water function zones and water environment functional zones, and must not be lower than the Class III (rivers) standard of the Environmental Quality Standards for Surface Water. The ecology and environment and water administration departments are responsible for monitoring water quality and quantity, setting up monitoring points, building automatic monitoring systems, and establishing information-sharing mechanisms.

Upstream county governments (Yunhe, Songyang, Jinyun) must protect and restore the water ecological environment in their jurisdictions to ensure that surface water at boundary sections meets the required standards. The Liandu District Government and the Lishui Economic and Technological Development Zone Management Committee must protect the water quality of streams, ditches, and canals flowing into Nanming Lake.

Emergency Preparedness and Pollution Control

The Nanming Lake protection and management department must organize the formulation of an emergency plan for sudden ecological and environmental incidents. In case of water quality abnormalities or pollution, the department must activate the plan, take measures, and report to the municipal government. Upstream counties must establish early warning systems for water ecological environment quality and notify the Nanming Lake department of any abnormalities.

Water resource utilization must prioritize flood control while balancing water resource, ecological, and environmental protection needs. Water conservancy hub operators must comply with the ecological scheduling requirements of the municipal flood and drought control command. For sewage outlets existing before the implementation of these regulations, if domestic and production sewage is not connected to the centralized urban sewage treatment system, the municipal government must organize interception and centralized treatment.

Navigation and Water Traffic Safety

The water administration and transportation departments are responsible for dredging rivers and navigation channels within Nanming Lake and establishing management systems. The transportation department must control the total number of vessels and floating facilities based on the protection plan and enhance water traffic safety management by designating or adjusting prohibited navigation areas, traffic control areas, berthing areas, and safe operation areas.

Vessels and floating facilities entering Nanming Lake must meet national seaworthiness conditions, complete legal operating procedures, and be equipped with garbage and sewage collection and disposal facilities. Vessels using diesel or gasoline must use low-sulfur fuel or equivalent measures such as exhaust gas after-treatment in accordance with national and provincial regulations.

Fishing and Water Activities

The fisheries department must scientifically carry out增殖放流 (stock enhancement) of aquatic organisms to ensure sustainable use of fishery resources and water ecological quality. The Nanming Lake protection and management department may designate no-swimming and no-angling areas based on actual needs, which are announced after approval by the municipal government.

Illegal fishing methods such as explosives, poisons, electricity, and the use of banned gear like ground cages and nets that destroy fishery resources are prohibited. Those swimming in designated prohibited areas will be ordered to correct by the Nanming Lake protection and management department; if they refuse, a fine of 50 to 200 yuan may be imposed.

Hosting Events

Foreign founders organizing cultural, sports, or other events within Nanming Lake must meet safety and environmental protection requirements and obtain necessary approvals according to law.

Compliance for Businesses

Foreign-invested enterprises operating in Lishui should ensure their activities do not violate these regulations. Any construction, discharge, or water-based activities must comply with the protection plan and environmental standards. Companies are encouraged to participate in public welfare activities for the protection of Nanming Lake, and village committees are encouraged to include environmental protection provisions in their local covenants.

For specific obligations, businesses should consult the full text of the regulations and relevant authorities. This summary provides a general overview to help foreign founders understand the regulatory landscape.

Call to Action: Foreign founders can contact ChinaMNC on WhatsApp / WeChat at +86 153 1898 8535 for help registering and operating a company in China.

This summary is based on information published by the relevant Chinese government website and is general information, not legal or tax advice.