1. STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAM For the Binational Basin of the Bermejo River

2. General 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)

4. Eco-regiones Cuenca del Río Bermejo

5. Institutional Framework Binational Commission Project Steering Committee UNEPGS/OASBC Rep. Argentina BC Rep. Bolivia Nat. Director Argentina Nat. Director Bolivia Executing Unit Nat. Directors Tech.Coordinators OAS, UNEP Spec. Local & Intl. Consultants Support Personnel Stakeholders NGOs Academic comm.

6. Objectives 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

7. FORMULATION PHASE (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

8. Finals Documents of the Formulation Phase 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

9. Transboundery 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

10. 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 overgrazing  Clearing of land for agricultural activities  Contamination by industrial and urban wastes  Water misuse and contamination by agricultural and livestock activities  Over-exploitation of forest resources  Uncontrolled fishing and hunting activities  Clearing of land for agriculture  Inadequate agricultural practices  Overgrazing  Pollution of water sources  Urban expansion in flood-susceptible areas  Agricultural activities in areas prone to flooding events  Destruction of vegetative cover  Unemployment and seasonal sub-employment  Deficient health, sanitation and education services.  Deficient political, legal, and institutional framework  Poor inter- jurisdictional planning and coordination  Inadequate community awareness, knowledge, and participation in sustainable resource management  Deficient financial and support mechanisms  Inadequate access to and application of sustainable technologies Figure 1. CAUSAL CHAIN RELATIONSHIP FOR PRIORITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS Direct Causes (human origin) Environmental Problems Water Resource Degradation  Rainfall seasonality  Reduced water availability in the dry season  High sediment load and fluviomorfologic dynamics  High groundwater salinity contents Adverse natural conditions (soil, topography, geology, climate)  Extreme river highflows  Extreme climatic events  Inadequate water infrastructure  Depletion of groundwater supplies Common Basic Causes Direct Causes (natural origin)

11. Strategic Action Program - Long Term 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.

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

13. EFFECTS/ SYMPTOMS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS TRANSBOUNDARY MANIFESTATIONS DIRECT CAUSES COMMON BASIC CAUSES SPECIFIC BASIC CAUSES STRATEGICACTIONSSTRATEGICACTIONS PROJECTSPROJECTS TDA SAP IDENTIFICATION OF CAUSE-CHAIN RELATIONSHIPS

14. Project Document (project brief), short 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

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

17. TRANSBOUNDARY DIAGNOSTIC ANALYSIS SAP SHORT- TERM SAP 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-TERM SAP SAP LOGIC STRUCTURE

18. Development of Basin Institution Institutional Strenghthening of the Binational Commission Legal framework and implementation of economic instruments Donor Roundtable Meeting Planning System Int. Mgmt. Program of Water Resources Information System 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. IMPLEMENTATION OF LONG-TERM SAP $us. 470 million 136 projects SHORT-TERM SAP STRATEGIC FRAMEWORK

19. Public 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

20. Lessons 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

21. Lessons 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

22. Proyecto Demostrativo Cuenca del Tolomosa Quebrada La Tablada 2 Diques de Gaviones construidos en 1998

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

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

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

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