Amendment to the Water Code of the Republic of Belarus

Alexander Lukashenko signed the Law "On Amendments to the Water Code of the Republic of Belarus". The document, in particular, provides for granting the Government the authority to establish procedures for leasing surface water bodies for recreation, physical culture, sports, and tourism. Issues related to the use of surface water bodies for swimming on structures not classified as small vessels have been regulated at the legislative level. The possibility for local executive and administrative bodies to impose prohibitions and restrictions on general water use (including swimming, and operating small vessels) is enshrined, but only in cases of danger to the life and health of the population, in accordance with criteria determined by the Government. The obligation for a lessee to ensure free access for citizens to the leased water body is stipulated (with the exception of fishing in water bodies leased for fish farming). A ban is introduced on leasing parts of water bodies for recreation, physical culture, sports, and tourism if there is no other well-equipped access for citizens. The Law establishes requirements for small artificial reservoirs (dug ponds) that are constructed by land users on their plots. Citizens are granted the right to extract and take underground water using water intake wells on their land plots without a special permit (this water use right will be confirmed by the land document).