Truong Linh Private Enterprise Blocking Hieu River: Part of the Flow Has Been Reopened!

The request of the People's Committee of Quy Chau district for Truong Linh Private Enterprise to dredge and restore the flow of Hieu River is stated in Document No. 78/UBND-TNMT dated February 6, 2020.

Document No. 78/UBND-TNMT of Quy Chau District People's Committee. Photo: Nhat Lan

Document No. 78/UBND-TNMT stated: On January 16, 2020, Nghe An Newspaper published an article "Who allowed Truong Linh Private Enterprise to herd the Hieu River?". After receiving the newspaper's feedback, the District People's Committee directed the Department of Natural Resources and Environment to coordinate with the People's Committee of Tan Lac town and the People's Committee of Chau Hanh commune to inspect and verify on the field.

Through inspection, it was found that the earthworks blocking a small branch of the Hieu River were real, but this was the company's exploitation plan to bring machinery to clear the alluvial plain in the middle of the river, dividing the Hieu River into two streams (due to the previous gold mining to restore the river to its original state). However, the company's exploitation plan has not been approved by the competent authority, allowing additional regulations, posing a potential risk of insecurity and landslides when floods come.

To ensure proper implementation of legal regulations on sand and gravel exploitation in Hieu River according to the 2010 Mineral Law, Decree No. 158/ND-CP dated November 29, 2016 of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Mineral Law, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district requests the People's Committee of Tan Lac town and Truong Linh Private Enterprise to strictly implement the following contents:

Assign the People's Committee of Tan Lac town to direct and urge Truong Linh Private Enterprise to urgently develop an exploitation plan according to the enterprise's plan and submit it to competent authorities for consideration and approval according to regulations, and at the same time clear and restore the flow of Hieu River on the small branch of the left bank (the area where the enterprise has blocked the flow) before February 15, 2020.

Excavators of Truong Linh Private Enterprise dredged Hieu River on February 7, 2020. Photo: Contributor

Regularly inspect and supervise all sand and gravel mining activities of Truong Linh Private Enterprise. If any violations of the law are detected, they must be suspended and strictly handled according to decentralized regulations.

Request Truong Linh Private Enterprise to concentrate machinery, equipment and human resources to clear the flow of Hieu River which the enterprise had previously blocked to ensure the above time. Correctly implement the exploitation procedures, correct boundaries, landmarks, the area of ​​the exploitation area handed over to the field mine and the capacity that the Provincial People's Committee has allowed to exploit in Exploitation License No. 5501/GP-UBND dated November 13, 2017.

For mine renovation plans and new exploitation plans of enterprises that change the flow of Hieu River in the mining area without being appraised and permitted by competent authorities, enterprises are absolutely not allowed to implement them. The mining process of enterprises must ensure technical safety, mine construction safety, take measures to prevent and combat incidents, ensure labor safety, and other relevant regulations on mining safety.

After receiving Document No. 78/UBND-TNMT of the People's Committee of Quy Chau District, Nghe An Newspaper reporters requested the People's Committee of Chau Hanh Commune to inspect the area of ​​Hieu River that had been blocked. Through the inspection, the People's Committee of Chau Hanh Commune informed that Truong Linh Private Enterprise had brought equipment and human resources to the branch of Hieu River that had been blocked by this enterprise to clear it and restore the original natural flow.

The section of the Hieu River branch blocked by a dam was partially opened on February 7, 2020. Photo: Contributor

On the afternoon of February 7, 2020, a citizen of Ke Bang village also confirmed with Nghe An Newspaper reporter that Truong Linh Private Enterprise had organized to clear the flow. This person said: “They have partially cleared the flow. Today, the hydropower plant also released more water. The water of Hieu River flows stronger than previous times, so it erodes that side (on the left branch of Hieu River, in Tan Huong block, Tan Lac town - reporter), so the side of Ke Bang village is much better now...”.

Previously, on February 5, 2020, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment issued Document No. 456/STNMT-KS affirming that during the exploitation process, the enterprise arbitrarily built a dike to block a branch of the Hieu River in Tan Huong block, Tan Lac town, Quy Chau district, affecting the flow of the Hieu River, causing riverbank erosion, which is inconsistent with the licensing documents and legal regulations.

Thereby, requesting Truong Linh Private Enterprise to restore the original state, clear the natural flow of Hieu River branch through Tan Huong block, Quy Chau town which has been dug up in the past.

At the same time, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district is requested to direct relevant departments, units and the People's Committee of Tan Lac town to regularly inspect, urge and supervise Truong Linh Private Enterprise to restore the current status, clear the natural flow of the embanked area; strictly handle according to the law if Truong Linh Private Enterprise does not comply...