Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed amendments to the Water Code, the Kremlin press office said.
The Federal law was passed by the State Duma on July 14, 2017 and approved by the Federation Council July 19, 2017.
The Federal law aims to improve the legal regulation of relations arising in connection the use of surface water facilities or their parts. The law provides for the right to utilize surface water facilities or parts purchased by individuals and legal entities on the basis of agreements and decisions on granting of water facilities for use, but can also be implemented without provision of water facilities. For example, the right can be exercised in cases of use of water bodies for the purposes of maritime, inland waterway and air transport, the use of water bodies for the purpose of fishing and aquaculture (fish farming) and in some other cases provided for by federal laws.
The Federal law defines the cases and the procedure for the conclusion of the contract of use of waterways both through tendering processes and without them, establishes the requirements for the use of surface waters for the purposes of maritime, inland waterway and air transport, operation of bridges, subways, and underwater pipelines, underwater communications, other lines, as well as for recreational purposes.
In particular, it is envisaged that the use of basins of water facilities, required for the operation of the beaches by land plots proprietors, being in state or municipal ownership and located within the boundaries of coastal water body of general use, as well as for recreational purposes, are carried out on the basis of an agreement concluded without bidding process. It is established that the use of water bodies for the purpose of operation of bridges, subways, and underwater pipelines, underwater communications lines and other lines is carried out in accordance with the legislation of the Russian Federation without provision of water facilities in use.