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La Plata River Basin Raquel Flinker 88% shared water resources 77% hydroelectric power Climate Map (Source: http://splashman.phoenix.wikispaces.net) Amazon Rainforest Brazilian Sertão La Plata Basin (Source: Wikipedia / USGS) La Plata Basin • • • • Area of approximately 3,000,000 Km2 Fifth largest basin in the world Second largest basin in South America Basin is shared by five countries: – Argentina: 29.7%, – Bolivia: 6.6%, – Brazil: 45.7%, – Paraguay: 13.2% – Uruguay: 4.8% La Plata Basin • Important and varied ecosystems: Pantanal (most extensive wetland in the world), Atlantic Forest, Chaco and Savannah Pantanal • Guarani aquifer (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay & Uruguay) • 70% of the combined GDP of the five countries • Agriculture, livestock and fishing are the main economical activities in the region Hydroelectric Potential • Approximately 75 dams in the basin • Three of the main dams are: – Itaipú - largest dam in the world: Paraná river between Brazil and Paraguay – Salto Grande: Uruguay river on border between Argentina and Uruguay – Yacyretá: Paraná river on the border between Argentina and Paraguay • Paraguay: depends almost entirely on hydropower for its electricity • Brazil: 46% of the electricity comes from dams on the Paraná River • The hydroelectric potential in the basin is approximately 100,000 MW of which half is being utilized Itaipú Salto Grande Yacyretá Water Resources Legislation Country Water Resources Legislation No national water resources legislation - Provinces do not accept a federal regulation Argentina Provinces determine legislation locally Developing national guidelines regarding water resources No national water resources legislation Bolivia Several group conflicts regarding water rights and environmental impacts Has a water resources national policy Brazil Water agency created in 2000 Almost all states have water resources legislation Rivers/basins that extend through more than one state are classified as federal (does not specify sub basins conecting to federal rivers) Paraguay No water resources legislation Uruguay Federal water code exists since 1979 Public ownership of water in all five countries except Uruguay 1969 Treaty • In 1967, the Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee (CIC) was established by the five countries as the coordinating mechanism of the Basin • Two years later, in 1969, they signed the la Plata Basin Treaty, the main legal instrument of the Basin • After this treaty, several other treaties were signed by two or three countries -> weaknesses of the 1969 agreement Main International Treaties after the La Plata Basin Treaty Treaty Convention to Study the Use of the Rio Paraná's Resources Rio Paraná's Joint Commission Yacyretá Treaty Salto Grande Joint Technical Commission Creation Treaty "Itaipú Binacional" Creation Treaty Lagoa Mirim Basin Treaty Three Party Corpus and Itaipú Treaty Rio Uruguay and Peperi Guaçu Treaty Rio Quarai Natural Resources Use and Development Cooperation agreement Rio Pilcomayo Binational Commission Creation Treaty Rio Pilcomayo Trinational Commission Creation Treaty Rio Bermejo Binational Commission Creation Treaty Countries Involved Year Argentina and Paraguay Argentina and Paraguay Argentina and Paraguay 1971 1971 1973 Argentina and Uruguay Brazil and Paraguay Brazil and Uruguay Brazil, Argentina and Paraguay Brazil and Argentina 1973 1973 1978 Brazil and Uruguay 1992 Argentina and Paraguay Argentina, Bolivia and Paraguay Argentina and Bolivia 1993 1979 1983 1995 1995 80’s Brazil´s Position Direction of water flow in the Amazon and La Plata Basins Climate Change • Region is affected by El niño and La Niña • Increase in rainfall and river flow in certain regions causing: – – – – – Soil erosion Increase in water levels and flood frequency Change of river beds and riparian environmental conditions Increase in hydroelectric production Change in water quality due to suspension of sediments during floods • Studies indicate that in certain regions of the basin, increases of 16% in annual rainfall result in 35% increase in discharge. The trend is thought to be linked partly to changes in land use, such as deforestation and increased soybean cultivation. • 70% of the precipitation evaporates and only 30% reaches the rivers • Vulnerable region: highly dependent on agriculture, hydroelectric power and navigation. Future The revitalization of CIC, the Marco Project focused on the sustainable development of the natural resources in the La Plata Basin and the environmental protection and sustainable development project of the Guarani Aquifer are demonstrating a tendency in integrated basin management Questions??? 1. What is your opinion on the different country legislations? 2. What went wrong with the 1969 treaty? 3. After many years of bilateral agreements, how can we promote multilateral cooperation? 4. How should these countries prepare for climate change effects? Hidrovia Paraguai-Paraná • Hidrovia agreement was signed in 1992 • Can lead to erosion, flooding, loss of biodiversity and water contamination