IWRM GUIDELINES AT RIVER BASIN LEVEL Negro River Basin (Argentina) Víctor Pochat Istanbul, 16 March 2009

NEGRO RIVER BASIN Atlantic Ocean Colorado River r Basin Location Atlantic Ocean Pacific Ocean Neuquén River Area: 30,000 km 2 Mean annual discharge: 280 m3/s Negro River Area: 116,000 km 2 Mean annual discharge: 930 m 3 /s Limay River Area: 56,000 km 2 Mean annual discharge: 650 m 3 /s

NEGRO RIVER BASIN Dams Limay River Neuquén River Negro River Alicurá Cerros Colorados Complex Piedra del Águila El Chocón FLOOD CONTROL URBAN AND INDUSTRIAL USE IRRIGATION HYDROPOWER

1985.Treaty for the creation of the Interjurisdictional Authority of the Limay, Neuquén and Negro River Basins (AIC) Ratification by provincial laws Ratification by national law Formal establishment of AIC Reinforcement of AIC at the time of concession of the operation of hydroelectric power plants to private companies. AUTORIDAD INTERJURISDICCIONAL DE LAS CUENCAS DE LOS RÍOS LIMAY, NEUQUÉN Y NEGRO (AIC)

AIC FUNCTIONS  Centralise the existing and future information related to the resource –meteorological, …, hydrometric, hydrogeologic- or any other ne- cessary data. Carry out studies … that evaluate the resource … and allow an adequate distribution that satisfies the needs of regional development. Carry out studies on the ecosystems of the basin. Propose to the signing states the adoption of regulations and actions aimed to prevent, void and correct polluting processes. Propose to the parties taxes and other revenue raising measures. AUTORIDAD INTERJURISDICCIONAL DE LAS CUENCAS DE LOS RÍOS LIMAY, NEUQUÉN Y NEGRO (AIC) AIC was defined as the Authority of Application of the concession contracts in matters dealing with water management and environmental protection.

Initial funding for AIC’s activities was raised from compulsory contribu- tions from the concessionaires of the hydroelectric power plants. The amount was spent on systematising and defence works in several reaches of the rivers. The contracts also stipulate another permanent contribution, proportional to the value of the total energy generated. AUTORIDAD INTERJURISDICCIONAL DE LAS CUENCAS DE LOS RÍOS LIMAY, NEUQUÉN Y NEGRO (AIC) AIC has been playing an important role in facilitating integrated water management. Although so far it has been working mainly within the inter- governmental sector, it is now fostering a greater participation of other stakeholders of the basin, such as users organisations, NGOs, universities, etc., through the representatives from the three provincial governments.

The size of the dams and reservoirs constructed in the area, as well as the major increase in population living downstream, has made dam safety a prime concern of the community. In 1993, on the basis of an agreement between the Federal Government and the Provincial Governments, the Dam Safety Regional Bureau Comahue (ORSEP Comahue) was created. This institution, first of its kind in Argentina, is responsible for the technical regulatory functions and the supervision of the structural safety of the dams and reservoirs in the region. In 1999 it became a Regional Directorate within the national Dam Safety Regulating Bureau (ORSEP).

The Comahue Regional Directorate of ORSEP has developed a wide-ranging public relations programme addressed to all the communities in the region, which involves, inter alia, holding of public meetings, briefings for the press and for educators, maintenance of permanent contacts with the media. ORSEP also takes part in meetings of Civil Defence organisations, university seminars, and is present in every kind of formal gather- ing where dam safety-related topics are broached. The new system, with a State regulatory entity and private concessions, has shown a significant improvement in dam safety supervision, implementation of remedial works and emergency action plans. Sign indicating evacuation di- rection at a dam break (Toyama) Booklet “Learning how to live together with dams”(ORSEP )

NEGRO RIVER BASIN

Extracted Key for Success (Strategy level) Strategy To secure funding for coordination activities [Common strategy]  Public financial resource is an important source of funding for coordination. It is desirable for governments to contribute the funds for coor- dination particularly at the initial stage. [Conditions to apply the KfS and its limitation]. Setting up of an institutional mechanism for funding including compulsory contributions. At the initial stage, main users or richest sectors has a role to give a strong financial support. [Ideas to make application of the KfS easier]. After implementation has some progress, there area several options for financing, such as sharing a part of the cost among stakeholders themselves or establishing a fund. Securing a sustainable fund is crucial in any case.

NEGRO RIVER BASIN Extracted Key for Success (Strategy level) Strategy To broadly share information with the public [Common strategy]  Disclosure of information is a fundamental activity in IWRM.  Introduce educational activities on water and IWRM, focusing particu- larly on women and children. Sharing information facilitates IWRM activi- ties through raising awareness and promoting participation of stakeholders and the public. [Conditions to apply the KfS and its limitation]. Promoting information dis- closure and educational activities to facilitate public awareness needs funding at a certain level. [Ideas to make application of the KfS easier]. Prepare a funding mechanism to secure continuity and sustainability.

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