Regional Law No. 444-ZRT “On natural healthcare, therapeutic resources, and recreational areas and spas”.

This Regional Law establishes that natural healthcare resources, healthcare and recreational areas and spas shall be classified as protected areas. It establishes the principles of state policy in the sphere of management, development and protection thereof. Natural healthcare resources, healthcare and recreational areas and spas shall be classified as federal, regional and local ones. Regional natural healthcare resources include mineral waters, including mineral waters from underground sources and salt lakes, fresh underground waters, fresh groundwater sources, therapeutic muds, salt water of estuaries and lakes, therapeutic climate, other natural objects and conditions used for the treatment and prevention of diseases and recreational activities. Recognition of the territory as a healthcare, therapeutic and recreational area or resort (spa) is performed according to its evaluation by an authority of the authorized regional executive body in the field of public health protection or by local government body on the basis of special balneological, hydrogeological and other studies. Natural healthcare resources, healthcare and recreational areas and spas shall be subject to mandatory state registration.