Ministerial Decree No. 1403 regarding keeping of water register of the Russian Federation.

The Government decrees that the Ministry of Natural Resources and Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring are the authorized institution for keeping state water register. Water users and the organizations that carry out supervision of the regime, resources and quality of surface water and groundwater must provide for handing-in of the entry data for state water register. The Government decrees that water register data is official and serve for: 1) valuation and forecast of changes of hydrological and hydro-geological conditions, resources of water basins and water quality; 2) elaboration of Federal and basin schemes of complex water use and protection of water resources; 3) preparation and issuing of licenses for water uses; 4) carrying out state control over the use and the protection of water basins; 5) determination of water charges, fining and charging for the infringement of water legislation; 6) provision of water users with the information regarding water basins; 7) dispute settlement originating from the use of water resources.