This Law is enacted for the purpose of controlling floods, guarding against and mitigating damage done by floods and water-logging, and preserving the safety of people's lives and property. The Text consists of 8 Chapters: General provisions; Flood prevention and control planning; Governance and protection; Management of flood control regions and flood control engineering facilities; Flood control and rescue; Safeguards; Legal liability; Supplementary provisions.
The prevention plans for the main rivers and lakes which are decided by the state are to be drawn up by the Water Administration Department of the State Council, together with the Water Administration Department of related provinces, autonomous areas or municipalities. The plan shall be submitted to the State Council for approval. The local Water Administration Department shall be responsible for making the prevention plan for other rivers and lakes, and the plan shall be approved by the higher level government authority. The State Council shall establish the national flood control headquarters, responsible for leading and organizing the national flood prevention and control work. The State shall set up a water conservancy construction fund for the maintenance and construction of flood prevention and control engineering projects and water conservancy engineering projects.
The river channel or lake administration authorities shall arrange for the planting and tending of trees along the protection dikes or banks of the river or lake. No trees along the protection dikes or banks may be felled without authorization. Anyone who wishes to fell trees along the protection dikes or banks shall go through the formalities for a felling permit in accordance with law and fulfill the quotas for replanting the trees.