Recently, the Ministry of Water Resources, the Ministry of Natural Resources, and the Ministry of Transport jointly issued the “Notice on Further Strengthening the Management of Sand Mining in River Channels” (hereinafter referred to as the “Notice”), which requires all localities and relevant authorities to further enhance the management of sand mining in river channels, consistently maintain a high-pressure crackdown on illegal and non-compliant sand-mining activities in river channels, and promote the rational development and utilization of sand and gravel resources. The Notice explicitly states that the three ministries will jointly launch a special inspection campaign targeting illegal sand mining in river channels.

　　The Notice emphasizes that water resources, land and resources, and transportation authorities in all localities must fully recognize the importance and complexity of strengthening the management of river sand mining in accordance with the law. Under the unified leadership of the local people's governments, they should earnestly implement and effectively carry out the task of strengthening the management of river sand mining as a crucial political mission for governing the country according to law, building an ecological civilization, and safeguarding public safety.

　　The Notice requires integrated planning and scientific, law-based management. The three ministries are currently drafting the “National Plan for the Management of Sand Mining in Major Rivers and Waterways.” For other rivers and waterways, local authorities, under the unified leadership of their respective people's governments, should as soon as possible establish and improve a comprehensive planning system for sand-mining management. Recently, for rivers and waterways where sand-mining issues are particularly prominent, the management tasks are heavy, and sand mining could significantly impact river dynamics, flood control, water supply, navigation, and the ecological environment, local water resources departments, in coordination with departments of natural resources and transportation, should, according to their respective administrative powers, promptly prepare and issue plans for the management of sand mining in these waterways. The management plan for sand mining in the main stream of the Yangtze River below Yibin shall be implemented in accordance with the provisions of the “Regulations on the Management of Sand Mining in the Yangtze River Waterways.”

　　The Notice emphasizes the need to assign responsibilities and intensify regulatory oversight. The Ministry of Water Resources, together with the Ministry of Natural Resources, the Ministry of Transport, and other relevant departments, is responsible for the supervision and management of sand mining activities in river channels nationwide—except for the main stream channels of the Yangtze River below Yibin. The Ministry of Water Resources is accountable for ensuring that sand mining activities do not compromise flood control safety, river course stability, or the integrity of embankments. The Ministry of Natural Resources is responsible for guaranteeing the rational development and utilization of sand and gravel resources within river channels. The Ministry of Transport is responsible for ensuring that sand mining activities do not jeopardize navigation safety. Local authorities must strictly standardize the licensing process for sand mining, adhering to the principle that, in line with their respective departmental responsibilities, only one license should be issued for any given matter. It is essential to strengthen daily patrols and supervision of sand mining activities, stepping up inspections in key rivers, critical river sections, high-priority areas, and sensitive time periods. Enhanced oversight should be applied to no-mining zones, prohibited mining periods, total allowable mining volumes, and specific mining methods. Moreover, vessels and equipment involved in sand mining must be rigorously regulated, and vessels operating without proper documentation—commonly referred to as “three-no” vessels—must be severely cracked down upon. The three ministries should organize joint law enforcement operations in a timely manner to effectively combat illegal sand mining activities.

　　The Notice clarifies that the three ministries have established a cooperative mechanism for managing sand mining in rivers. A leading group for this cooperative mechanism has been set up, responsible for making major decisions and arrangements for the management of river sand mining nationwide—except for the main stream channels of the Yangtze River below Yibin. The group will also coordinate to resolve significant issues and promote legislative efforts related to river sand mining management. At all levels, the departments of water resources, land and resources, and transportation shall, under the unified leadership of their respective local people's governments, identify, based on local conditions, the lead departments and collaborating departments for sand mining management, and clearly assign responsibilities to specific entities. They are required to establish joint supervision mechanisms, joint law enforcement mechanisms, regular consultation mechanisms, mechanisms for coordinating major issues, and mechanisms for sharing information resources. By adopting a variety of effective measures, they must maintain a consistently strong and stringent crackdown on illegal and non-compliant sand mining activities in rivers.