Transjurisdictional Water Pollution Disputes and Measures of Resolution -Taking the Yellow River Basin as an Example

Transjurisdictional water pollution problems are becoming more and more noticeable in China. A number of transjurisdictional water pollution incidents with important transjurisdictional effects have already occurred. A large number of transjurisdictional water pollution disputes which have far - reaching social effects have also occurred between Provinces, including the Yellow River Basin. Furthermore, within provinces, various transjurisdictional water pollution disputes are also frequent between municipalities, counties towns and villages. In this paper, the authors introduced and analyzed several transjurisdictional water pollution cases in China, especially in the Yellow River Basin. The problems and causes for transjurisdictional water pollution were addressed in the paper. It was pointed out that there are many causes for transjurisdictional water pollution problems although the key reasons are the rapid economic development, the failure of local authorities to enforce the existing laws and to implement administrative decisions, as well as the lack of a feasible legal system. Other factors were also recognized such as the poor technology, shortage of funds, the contrast between the division of jurisdiction and the continuity of water resources in space, the unreasonable division of water quantity and quality, both administratively and legally, the lack of transparency in the decision - making process, insufficient public participation and information disclosure I poor communication, and lack of involvement of stakeholders in basin or sub - basin organizations. Measures for resolution of transjurisdictional water pollution problems were also raised in the paper.EcologyEnvironmental SciencesWater ResourcesCPCI-S(ISTP)