Regulation amending the Regulation on the Protection of Wetlands.

Article 5(3) of the Principal Regulation is amended as "the wetlands which are not registered as Ramsar Area, Nationally Important Wetland or Locally Important Wetland are defined as Other Wetlands and the provisions of this Regulation are applied to them". This Regulation amends the Article 11(1) regarding the prohibition of burning of reeds and other plants and removing and destroying reeds in wetlands. Furthermore, this Regulation amends the Article 18 regarding the determination of locally important wetlands. According to the amended articles 22 and 24, water projects for drinking, utilization and irrigation purposes and organized industrial zones based on agricultural production shall only be carried out with the approval of the General Directorate for Ramsar Area and Nationally Important Wetland and with the approval of the Regional Directorate for Locally Important Wetland and other wetlands. Wetlands that would be included into the Ramsar List shall be determined by the National Committee pursuant to the amended Article 27. Moreover, this Regulation amends Article 29 regarding wetlands management plan, Article 31 regarding the composition of the National Committee, Article 35 regarding the composition of the Local Committee, Article 36 regarding the protection and monitoring of permanent and seasonal water courses, and Article 39 regarding permit fees for the activities in wetlands.