Water Code (No. 74-FZ).

The rules governing relations on the use and protection of waterbodies (water relations) and contained in other federal laws and laws of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation must comply with this Code. Surface waterbodies that are in state or municipal ownership are waterbodies of public use, that is, publicly accessible waterbodies, unless otherwise provided by this Code. Every citizen has the right to have access to public waterbodies and use them free of charge for personal and domestic needs, unless otherwise provided by this Code and other federal laws. The Water Code shall be applicable to surface water and groundwater, and it shall be based upon the following principles: (a) priority of water protection and prevention of negative environmental impact resulting from waterbodies management; (b) conservation of protected waterbodies; (c) purposeful use and priority of potable water supply; (d) equal access to purchase of waterbodies; (e) basin-related regulation of water relations; (f) charged water management; (g) traditional water management of scanty indigenous population of the North, Siberia and Far East. The Act consists of seven Chapters divided into 69 articles dealing with the following matters: (1) general provisions; (2) water ownership and water rights; (3) water uses contract; (4) management of waterbodies; (5) water use; (6) protection of waterbodies; (7) liability. The Act establishes that all waterbodies shall be public property (federal ownership) granting the citizens access to public and municipal waterbodies and free use thereof for personal and domestic needs. Waterbodies can be granted in use in accordance with water uses contract for: (a) water abstraction; (b) recreational water use; (c) hydropower generation. The period of validity of water uses contract shall not exceed 20 years and it must envisage charged water management. In the Russian Federation shall be constituted 20 basin management institutions responsible for rational management, protection and monitoring of waterbodies. Regarding discharge of waste and drainage water it shall be prohibited into waterbodies for medicinal uses, protected waterbodies and fish protection waterbodies. Waterbodies that are natural habitats of game can be used for hunting in accordance with water- and wildlife legislation.