Require Truong Linh enterprise to return the natural flow to Hieu river!

Department of Natural Resources and Environment takes action

On January 16, 2020, Nghe An Electronic Newspaper published an article "Who allowed Truong Linh Private Enterprise to block Hieu River?" reflecting the fact that Truong Linh Private Enterprise arbitrarily used an excavator to block a branch of Hieu River.

This action caused the Hieu River to be diverted, causing landslides and affecting the lives and safety of people in Ke Bang village, Chau Hanh commune.

On February 5, 2020, after inspection and review, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment issued Document No. 456/STNMT-KS on handling the information reflected by Nghe An Newspaper.

Document No. 456/STNMT-KS of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment on handling information reported by the Newspaper about Truong Linh Private Enterprise building a dike to block the flow of Hieu River. Photo: Nhat Lan

The content of the document clearly states: Truong Linh Private Enterprise was granted a license by the Provincial People's Committee to exploit sand and gravel for common construction materials in the alluvial area of ​​Song Hieu, Tan Lac town, Quy Chau district according to License No. 5501/GP-UBND dated November 13, 2017, area of ​​3 hectares, term of 18 years. After being granted a mineral exploitation license, the Enterprise was leased land by the Provincial People's Committee for the purpose of mineral exploitation (in Decision No. 335/QD-UBND dated May 31, 2018) and has deployed mineral exploitation activities according to the granted license.

According to the reflection of Nghe An Newspaper, during the exploitation process, the enterprise arbitrarily built a dike to block a branch of Hieu River in Tan Huong block, Tan Lac town, Quy Chau district, affecting the flow of Hieu River, causing riverbank erosion, which is not in accordance with the licensing documents and legal regulations.

People of Ke Bang village, Chau Hanh commune took Nghe An Newspaper reporters to inspect the actual situation where a business arbitrarily built a dike to block Hieu river. Photo: Nhat Lan

Department of Natural Resources and Environment requests Truong Linh Private Enterprise to restore the original state, dredging the natural flow of the Hieu River branch through Tan Huong block, Quy Chau town that has been dug up in the past. The deadline for handling is before February 28, 2020; organizing mineral exploitation and environmental protection during operations in accordance with the design documents and environmental protection approved by competent authorities.

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 and clear the natural flow of the above-mentioned embankment area; strictly handle according to the law if Truong Linh Private Enterprise does not clear the water within the above-mentioned deadline; regularly inspect and supervise the law enforcement of mineral enterprises in the area, strictly handle according to its authority with organizations that violate the law. As a result, the People's Committee of Quy Chau district is requested to report to the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and respond to Nghe An Newspaper before February 29, 2020.

Location of Hieu River branch where the dike was built by a business to block the flow. Photo: Nhat Lan

Serious violations

Previously, on January 15, 2020, citizens of Chau Hanh commune (Quy Chau) called the Nghe An Newspaper Hotline to report that Truong Linh Private Enterprise arbitrarily used a rock and soil excavator to block a branch of Hieu River. This action caused the Hieu River to be diverted, causing landslides in production land and affecting the safety of the lives of people in Ke Bang village, Chau Hanh commune.

Verifying the reality, there was an incident as informed by the people. The Hieu River branch in Tan Huong block, Tan Lac town was blocked by a small dike that was built not long ago. The Hieu River was therefore bent, the water flowed rapidly to Ke Bang village, and there was a landslide in the people's production area. Also in this area (in Tan Huong block), there is a sand wharf of Truong Linh Private Enterprise operating. From the sand wharf, there is a path down to the river that has been connected to the sandbank in the middle of the river. From this reality, it can be concluded that the reason the enterprise blocked a river branch was to create a transportation route from the mining points to the sand wharf.

The fact that a business arbitrarily blocked the Hieu River has had a negative impact on the production land of the people of Ke Bang village, Chau Hanh commune. Photo: Nhat Lan

Working with the People's Committee of Chau Hanh Commune, Nghe An Newspaper reporters were informed that on December 24, 2019, this commune had sent Report No. 298/BC-UBND to the People's Committee of Quy Chau District to report the incident of an enterprise arbitrarily blocking the Hieu River. In Report No. 298/BC-UBND, it stated: "Blocking the river will cause landslides when the hydropower plant discharges water daily and during the rainy season, posing a risk to the production land and the safety of people's lives, making people worried and upset."

Chairman of Chau Hanh Commune People's Committee, Mr. Cao Hoang Hai, also said that he had requested Tan Lac Town People's Committee to request the enterprise to return the flow of Hieu River, but this unit stated that it was busy with work so it would have to wait until after Lunar New Year to do so.

However, through inspection, up to now, Truong Linh Private Enterprise has not yet removed or relocated the objects that obstruct the flow to restore the natural flow of Hieu River. On February 3, 2020, when Chau Thang Hydropower Plant operated the machine, the water level of Hieu River rose, and the people of Ke Bang village continued to send their opinions to Nghe An Newspaper Hotline.

Regarding the act of arbitrarily building dikes on rivers, causing blockages and narrowing the river flow, it is a violation of the provisions of the law. Clause 5, Article 24, Decree No. 33/2017/ND-CP dated April 3, 2017 of the Government on administrative sanctions for violations in the field of water resources and minerals clearly stipulates the levels of sanctions for organizations and individuals that violate the law.

Local authorities need to promptly and legally handle information and feedback from the people. Only then can we avoid the situation of petitions going beyond the level. In the photo: Citizens of Ke Bang village report the situation of businesses arbitrarily blocking the Hieu River to reporters of Nghe An Newspaper. Photo: Nhat Lan

That is, a fine of VND 40,000,000 to VND 50,000,000 for acts causing narrowing of less than 20% of the cross-section of rivers, streams, canals, and ditches; a fine of VND 50,000,000 to VND 60,000,000 for acts causing narrowing of from 20% to less than 40% of the cross-section of rivers, streams, canals, and ditches; a fine of VND 60,000,000 to VND 70,000,000 for acts causing narrowing of from 40% to less than 50% of the cross-section of rivers, streams, canals, and ditches; a fine of VND 70,000,000 to VND 100,000,000 for acts causing narrowing of 50% or more of the cross-section of rivers, streams, canals, and ditches.

At the same time, it is required to restore the original state that was changed due to the violation; to dismantle the construction, remove and relocate objects that obstruct the flow. Therefore, the competent authorities must strictly handle the violations of Truong Linh Private Enterprise to ensure the strictness of the law.

At the same time, the people of Ke Bang village, Chau Hanh commune are guaranteed a stable life, without complaints or denunciations.