STRATEGIC ACTION STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAM PROGRAM

For the Binational Basin of the Bermejo River

General CharacteristicsGeneral Characteristics

Location: – Bolivia: Departament of Tarija– Argentina: Provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Chaco and

Formosa Watershed area: 123,162 Km2 River length: 1,300 Km Population: 1.2 million inhabitants Sediment charge: 8kg/m3 Total Discharge: 100 million tons/year (80% of the

sediment load of the Plata River)

Eco-regiones Cuenca del Río Bermejo

Institutional FrameworkInstitutional Framework

Binational Commission

Project Steering Committee

UNEPGS/OAS•BC Rep. Argentina

•BC Rep. Bolivia

•Nat. Director Argentina

•Nat. Director Bolivia

Executing Unit

Nat. DirectorsTech.CoordinatorsOAS, UNEP Spec.

Local & Intl. ConsultantsSupport Personnel

StakeholdersNGOsAcademic comm.

ObjectivesObjectives

To promote the sustainable development of the binacional basin of the Bermejo river

Incorporating the environmental concerns into the national policies, plans and programs.

Establishing a basin vision and integrated management of the natural resources,

Impelling the establishment of regional coordination mechanisms and public participation

and consultation

FORMULATION PHASE FORMULATION PHASE (august/1997 to october/2000)(august/1997 to october/2000)

The first phase of the Bermejo SAP, called FORMULATION, was outlined to identify priority transboundary environmental problems and formulate a Strategic Action Program, with a focus based on the concept of basin binacional.

In function to it, a work plan was designed centered in five main areas: – 1. Elaboration of specific Basic Studies (22) – 2. Formulation of punctual projects (6) – 3. implementation of Projects Demonstrative Pilot (8) – 4. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis – 5. Formulation of the Strategic Action Program

Finals Documents of the Formulation Finals Documents of the Formulation PhasePhase

The technical teams of Bolivia and Argentina formulated three documents that are basic for the next stage of implementation of Bermejo SAP: – Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis

(TDA) – Strategic Action Program, long term – Project Document (Project Brief), short

term

Transboundery Diagnostic AnalysisTransboundery Diagnostic Analysis

The Transboundary Diagnosis presents an identification and characterization of the main Transboundary Environmental Problems of the basin

Each Environmental Problem has been characterized and evaluated, taking into account the following aspects: – · Symptoms and Effects – · Transboudary Manifestations – · Causes: Direct and Basic

Soil Degradation

Floods and Other Natural Hazard Events

Water Scarcity and Availability Restrictions

Loss of Biodiversity and Biotic Resources

Diminished Quality of Life and Endangered Cultural

Resources

Destruction of vegetative cover by deforestation and overgrazingClearing of land for agricultural activities

Contamination by industrial and urban wastesWater misuse and contamination by agricultural and livestock activities

Over-exploitation of forest resourcesUncontrolled fishing and hunting activitiesClearing of land for agricultureInadequate agricultural practicesOvergrazingPollution of water sources

Urban expansion in flood-susceptible areasAgricultural activities in areas prone to flooding eventsDestruction of vegetative cover

Unemployment and seasonal sub-employmentDeficient health, sanitation and education services.

Deficient political, legal, and institutional frameworkPoor inter-jurisdictional planning and coordinationInadequate community awareness, knowledge, and participation in sustainable resource managementDeficient financial and support mechanismsInadequate access to and application of sustainable technologies

Figure 1. CAUSAL CHAIN RELATIONSHIP FOR PRIORITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

Direct Causes(human origin)

EnvironmentalProblems

Water Resource Degradation

Rainfall seasonalityReduced water availability in the dry seasonHigh sediment load and fluviomorfologic dynamicsHigh groundwater salinity contents

Adverse natural conditions (soil, topography, geology, climate)

Extreme river highflowsExtreme climatic events

Inadequate water infrastructureDepletion of groundwater supplies

Common Basic Causes

Direct Causes(natural origin)

Strategic Action Program - Long Strategic Action Program - Long TermTerm This document is the main product of the SAP first phase; it

describes the group of high-priority actions that both countries have coincided in identifying as necessary to address the main environmental problems and their transboundary manifestations.

It also establishes the institutional framework and it determines the financing necessities for the selected projects.

Through diverse mechanisms, the proposals, demands and perceptions of the different regions were collect, those were

integrated at each country level and then at the basin level.

ENVIRONMENTALPRIORITIES STRATEGIC ACTIONS ACTIVITIES

COSTS($x000)

v InstitutionalDevelopment AndStrengthening ForIntegratedPlanning AndManagement

§ Strengthening of the Binational Commission§ Development, harmonization and enforcement of the legal framework§ Sectoral and jurisdictional coordination and articulation.§ Development of an Environmental Information System for the Basin§ Formulation and implementation of integrated basin management plans,

environmental and land use zoning§ Institutional strengthening.§ Development of economic instruments and financial mechanisms

720.0714.0195.0

1,840.0

1,100.01,900.0

558.0

v EnvironmentalProtection AndRehabilitation

§ Biodiversity and natural heritage protection.§ Strengthening and consolidation of the system of protected natural areas§ Mitigation plans for flooding and other natural disasters.§ Contamination prevention and control, rehabilitation of water bodies.§ Prevention and control of erosion and sedimentation

2,936.028,258.0

41,925.018,387.06,790.0

v SustainableDevelopment OfNatural Resources

§ Development and implementation of integrated water management plans.§ Sustainable management programs of natural resources at basin level.§ Appropriate technologies, management practices and production methods.§ Sustainable water resources development and utilization projects§ Research for natural resources development and management.

20,090.0

250.07,260.0

331,872.02,030.0

Soil Degradation

Water Scarcity andUse Restrictions

Water ResourceDegradation

Loss Of BiodiversityAnd BioticResources

Floods And OtherNatural HazardEvents

Diminished QualityOf Life andEndangeredCultural Resources

v Public AwarenessAnd Participation

§ Strengthening of public participation in planning and implementation ofactions for the development and management of natural resources.

§ Environmental education and training programs for citizens.§ Dissemination of sustainable technologies for production.§ Access to and public dissemination of information to support decision

making processes

1,190.0

1,160.0970.0150.0

TOTAL COSTS 470,295.0

Table 1. Strategic Action Program for the Binational Basin Of The Bermejo River (Long-Term)

EFFECTS/SYMPTOMS

ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

TRANSBOUNDARYMANIFESTATIONS

DIRECTCAUSES

COMMON BASICCAUSES

SPECIFIC BASICCAUSES

STRATEGIC

ACTIONS

PROJECTS

TDA SAP

IDENTIFICATION OF CAUSE-CHAIN RELATIONSHIPS

Project Document (project brief), Project Document (project brief), short termshort term The Project Brief is the beginning of the SAP implementation phase, it is conformed by

studies, demonstrative projects and institutional actions, of short term, that on the whole represent the catalytic instrument for the implementation of the long term Strategic Action Program.

The financing requested was approved by the GEF Council at the beginning of November/2000.

Financing: – FMAM: $US 11.04 millions – Governments: $US 8.43 millions

This Implementation Phase began on June, it will have a 4.5 year duration.

The components of the project have been selected to develop incremental activities and they have support character to the efforts of the regional, national and binationals institutions and in the implementation of the long term SAP

Table 2. Proposed Short-Term Action Program (4 Years)

TRANSBOUNDARYDIAGNOSTIC

ANALYSISSAP

SHORT-TERMSAP

LONG-TERM (20 years)136 PROJECTS$US 470 MILLION

SHORT TERM(4,5 years)35 PROJECTS$US 11.05 MILLION(w/GEF financing)

catalyzes

- ENDORSED/ W/STAKEHOLDER SUPPORT- ORIENTED TO RESOLVE PRIORITY PROBLEMS- CATALYZES IMPLEMENTATION OF LONG- TERM SAP

LONG-TERMSAP

SAP LOGIC STRUCTURE

Development of Basin Institution

InstitutionalStrenghthening of

the Binational Commission

Legal framework and implementation of economic instruments

Donor Roundtable Meeting

Planning System

Int. Mgmt. Program of

Water Resources

InformationSystem

Environmental Education and Awareness

Public Participation

Pilot Projects• Soil management and Erosion Control• Sustainable Development of Natural Resources• Consolidation of Protected Areas• Protection and rehabilitation of water quality.• Carbon Fixation.

Basic Studies - Land-use planning.– Studies on Nat.Res.,– Biodiverity and Water Resources.–Consolidation of Protected Areas.

IMPLEMENTATIONOF LONG-TERM SAP

$us. 470 million 136 projects

SHORT-TERM SAP STRATEGIC FRAMEWORKSHORT-TERM SAP STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

Public ParticipationPublic Participation

Besides being a specific activity of the program, the Public Participation is a work philosophy and an important component that gives support to the Bermejo SAP.

Diversity of social actors: government's institutions (national, subnationals and municipal), academic,NGOs, producers organizations and the projects beneficiaries.

In the elaboration of the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis participated more than 30 institutions and 260 specialists of different disciplines

More than a thousand people have contributed with their time and ideas during the different phases of the program

Participation Mechanisms: seminars and workshops, intergovernmental working group, work meetings, modern mechanism of communication

(electronic mail, WEB page), interviews, surveys and community works

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

TDA/SAP process proved vital in the determination of priorities, identification of needed actions, and establishment of basin-wide, cross-sectoral support.

Active stakeholder participation and information sharing are critical elements for sustainable natural resource management (pilot demonstration projects as essential component)

Multi-institutional approach during project formulation key for promoting policy reform and coordinated management frameworks

Early participation and commitment from financial institutions, goverments and private sector is needed to mobilize and secure adequate financing for implementation of investments

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned

Because it is a pilot program on international waters, its experiences in the Formulation Phase, the focuses, methodologies and processes of the Bermejo SAP will help to the new transboundery projects on continental waters

The combined work carried out among technical teams, in 2.000 km. of distance, with divergent points of view and priorities, and the coordination with Washington DC and Nairobi

The wide public participation Incorporation of the Bermejo SAP projects in the plans

and programs of the regional institutions

Proyecto Demostrativo Cuenca del TolomosaProyecto Demostrativo Cuenca del TolomosaQuebrada La Tablada 2 Diques de Gaviones construidos en 1998Quebrada La Tablada 2 Diques de Gaviones construidos en 1998

QUEBRADA LA TABLADA DIQUE DE TIERRA CON PROTECCIÓN DE QUEBRADA LA TABLADA DIQUE DE TIERRA CON PROTECCIÓN DE GRAVA CONSTRUIDO EN 1998.GRAVA CONSTRUIDO EN 1998.

QUEBRADA LA TABLADA - EMBALSE CUYAS AGUAS SON QUEBRADA LA TABLADA - EMBALSE CUYAS AGUAS SON UTILIZADAS PARCIALMENTE EN MICRORIEGOUTILIZADAS PARCIALMENTE EN MICRORIEGO

Explicación del contenido del componente, a los integrantes de lacomunidad. Plan Manejo Integral de la Cuenca del Río Santa Ana

IV Seminario Taller para la formulación del PEA (13/05/99).