Order of the Minister of Water Resources and Irrigation No. 177-НК “On approval of the methodology for calculating the rates of payment for the use of surface water resources”.

This Order primarily addresses the adoption of a methodology for calculating rates for the use of surface water resources. It aims to regulate water resource usage fees in accordance with these laws. The policy goal is to formalize the calculation of water use rates, ensuring they are based on specific legal and economic principles, including the use of base ratios for river basins and economic sectors. Key measures include the approval of specific rates for surface water use, derived from formulas involving the monthly estimates, and sectoral and basin-specific base ratios. The methodology specifies that charges are to be set per unit volume of water extracted, with rates ranging from 0.2 to 2.0, and stipulates that total payments to local budgets should not be less than or more than twice the calculated amount. Annexes provide detailed rate values for various water basins with specific coefficients assigned to each basin. Implementation responsibilities are assigned to the Committee for the Regulation, Protection and Use of Water Resources, which must ensure registration of the order with the Ministry of Justice and its posting on official internet resources. The responsible Vice-Minister of Water and Irrigation is tasked with monitoring compliance. The document emphasizes procedural adherence, including registration, publication, and enforcement mechanisms, without detailing stakeholder engagement beyond institutional responsibilities.