Application of Environmental Flows in River Basin Management
IW:LEARN Regional Training Workshop for Latin America/Caribbean
How can river basin management meet the needs of people and economic development alongside protection of the environment? This is the main challenge facing sustainable development in river basins today where dams or surface water abstraction have modified flows.
Environmental flows are being applied in an expanding number of basins worldwide to meet this challenge. Environmental flows entails setting allocations of water between uses, whether for agriculture, hydropower, cities or sustaining wetlands and fisheries. Amounts allocated and the timing of flows are set using participatory processes, based on assessments of the social, economic and environmental impacts of alternate flow regimes.
The World Conservation Union (IUCN) and GEF-IW:LEARN, in partnership with the World Bank Institute, are holding a training workshop.
| What | Workshop |
|---|---|
| When |
Feb 10, 2008 10:00 AM
to
Feb 14, 2008 06:00 PM |
| Where | Iguaçu, Brazil |
| Contact Name | Mark Smith |
| Contact Phone | +41 22 999 0117 |
| Add event to calendar |
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Workshop Report
Participant List
Environmental Flows Workshop Website: http://www.eflownet.org/viewinfo.cfm?linkcategoryid=6&linkid=74&siteid=1&FuseAction=display
2.Introduce methods for flow assessment and options for modifying flows
3.Review requirements for enabling implementation of environmentalflows
4.Synthesis of components into practical designs for application of environmental flows
Compose follow-up plans and decide how to use the Environmental Flows Network in the LAC Region
SESSION 1 Welcome & Introduction
09.15-11.00
Chair: Janot Mendler de Suarez, GEF IW:LEARN
1.1 Opening ceremony (30 mins)
1.2 Introduction of participants
1.3 Presentation: Workshop overview and goals (15 mins)
Speaker: Mark Smith
1.4 Presentation: Introduction to Itaipu dam and the Plata basin: Cultivating Good Water (40 mins)
Speaker: Dr Nelton Friedrich, Itaipu Binacional
1.5 Questions
SESSION 2 Principles of environmental flows
11.15-13.00
Chair: Mark Smith
2.1 Presentation: Principles of environmental flows (40 mins)
Speaker: Prof. Marcelo Gavino Novillo, University of Buenos Aries, La Plata
2.2 Discussion: questions and exchange of experiences from other basins, including upstream and downstream perspectives
SESSION 3 Goals for flow management
14.00-15.45
Chair: Mark Smith
3.1 Presentation: Introduction to session (10 mins)
Speaker: Mario Aguirre, IUCN
3.2 Breakout exercise on goals for flow management: social, economic, ecological, hydrological goals for environmental flows from the perspectives of different stakeholder groups
3.3 Discussion: report back to plenary
1. facilitation highlights framework for workshop: flow assessment, managing the dam, economics, policy and law, equity and empowerment, social learning and change management. Review plan for rest of workshop.
3.4 Introduction to Framework Action Plan
SESSION 4 Introduction to Methods of Environmental Flow Assessment
16.15-18.00
Chair: Mario Aguirre
4.1 Presentation: Overview of methods of flow assessment (30 mins)
Speaker: Glauco de Freitas, TNC Brazil
4.2 Discussion & questions
SESSION 5 Case Studies of Environmental Flow Assessment
09.15-11.00
Chair: Jorge Rucks
5.1 Presentations: Case study examples (15 mins each)
1. Honduras – presented by Glauco de Freitas
2. Costa Rica – presented by Marcelo Gavino Novillo
3. Pangani Basin, Tanzania – presented by Mark Smith
4. Potential for Environmental Flows in Brazilian River Systems - presented by Joaquim Gondim, ANA (tbc)
5.2 Discussion
1. questions
2. lessons-learned
3. how to ensure results can be used by decision makers
SESSION 6 Design of Environmental Flow Assessments
11.15-13.00
Chair: Mark Smith
6.1 Introduction and output of session (Marcelo Gavino Novillo & Glauco de Freitas)
6.2 Group exercise: assessment programme design. Identification of data needs for hydrology, ecology, social and economic components
6.3 Discussion
1. groups report back to plenary
2. consolidate recommendations
6.4 Checklist
SESSION 7 Setting Flow Objectives and Using Scenarios
14.00-15.45
Chair: Mark Smith
7.1 Presentation: Setting flow objectives using flow scenarios (30 mins)
Speaker: Marcelo Gavino Novillo
7.2 Presentation: Scenarios for the Plata River – Insights from the Plata TDA (20')
Speaker: Jorge Rucks, OAS
7.3 Dialogue on scenarios for the Plata & discussion
1. what are possible scenarios for flow management in the Plata?
2. scenarios and lessons from other basins
3. identifying and managing trade-offs among priorities
7.4 Checklist
SESSION 8 Management Options for Infrastructure
16.15-18.00
Chair: Glauco de Freitas
8.1 Presentation: Options for managing water infrastructure (30 mins)
Speaker: [Itaipu Binacional, TBC]
8.2 Presentation: Regulation of flow for the Rio Uruguay Plata system (30 mins)
Speaker: Ing. Alejandro Arcelus, CARU
8.3 Discussion
8.4 Checklist
SESSION 9 Enabling Conditions for Implementing Environmental Flows
09.15-11.00
Chair: Jorge Rucks
9.1 Presentation: Enabling Environment for Environmental Flows (10 mins)
Speaker: Mark Smith
9.2 Presentation: Valuation of ecosystems – principles
Speaker: Robert Crowley, GEF-UNDP
9.3 Presentation: Incentives for environmental flows
Speaker: Mark Smith
9.4 Discussion
9.5 Checklist
SESSION 10 Policy & Legal Frameworks
11.15-13.00
Chair: Mark Smith
10.1 Presentation: Enabling policy and law for environmental flows (30 mins)
Speaker: Dr Alejandro Iza, IUCN Environmental Law Centre
10.2 Presentation: Water policy and law in Brazil: implications for environmental flows implementation (30 mins)
Speaker: Luciano Meneses Cardoso da Silva, ANA
10.4 Discussion
SESSION 11 Reform of Governance & Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
14.00-15.45
Chair: Alejandro Iza & Rocio Cordoba
1.1 Introduction to group exercise and roles for participants (Alejandro Iza and Rocio Cordoba)
1.2 Group exercise: enabling implementation of environmental flows
SESSION 12 Reform of Governance & Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
16.15-18.00
Chair: Alejandro Iza & Rocio Cordoba
SESSION 13 Reform of Governance & Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
09.15-11.00
Chair: Alejandro Iza & Rocio Cordoba
SESSION 14 Reform of Governance & Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
11.15-13.00
Chair: Alejandro Iza & Rocio Cordoba
Exercise Continued
Discussion and feedback
SESSION 15 Synthesis
14.00-15.45
Chair: Mark Smith
15.1 Synthesis of components and checklists
15.2 Framework action plans by participants
15.3 Consultations with resource team
SESSION 16 Closing
16.15-18.00
Chair: Janot Mendler de Suarez
16.1 Review of goals and expectations
16.2 Follow-up actions
16.3 Evaluation
16.4 Closing ceremony
Sessions 1-4
Participant List
Environmental Flows Workshop Website: http://www.eflownet.org/viewinfo.cfm?linkcategoryid=6&linkid=74&siteid=1&FuseAction=display
Learning Objectives
1.Understanding the links between river flow regimes and economic,social and ecological impacts2.Introduce methods for flow assessment and options for modifying flows
3.Review requirements for enabling implementation of environmentalflows
4.Synthesis of components into practical designs for application of environmental flows
Compose follow-up plans and decide how to use the Environmental Flows Network in the LAC Region
Agenda
Agenda for workshop - Most Recent version on IUCN site11 February 2008
SESSION 1 Welcome & Introduction
09.15-11.00
Chair: Janot Mendler de Suarez, GEF IW:LEARN
1.1 Opening ceremony (30 mins)
1.2 Introduction of participants
1.3 Presentation: Workshop overview and goals (15 mins)
Speaker: Mark Smith
1.4 Presentation: Introduction to Itaipu dam and the Plata basin: Cultivating Good Water (40 mins)
Speaker: Dr Nelton Friedrich, Itaipu Binacional
1.5 Questions
SESSION 2 Principles of environmental flows
11.15-13.00
Chair: Mark Smith
2.1 Presentation: Principles of environmental flows (40 mins)
Speaker: Prof. Marcelo Gavino Novillo, University of Buenos Aries, La Plata
2.2 Discussion: questions and exchange of experiences from other basins, including upstream and downstream perspectives
SESSION 3 Goals for flow management
14.00-15.45
Chair: Mark Smith
3.1 Presentation: Introduction to session (10 mins)
Speaker: Mario Aguirre, IUCN
3.2 Breakout exercise on goals for flow management: social, economic, ecological, hydrological goals for environmental flows from the perspectives of different stakeholder groups
3.3 Discussion: report back to plenary
1. facilitation highlights framework for workshop: flow assessment, managing the dam, economics, policy and law, equity and empowerment, social learning and change management. Review plan for rest of workshop.
3.4 Introduction to Framework Action Plan
SESSION 4 Introduction to Methods of Environmental Flow Assessment
16.15-18.00
Chair: Mario Aguirre
4.1 Presentation: Overview of methods of flow assessment (30 mins)
Speaker: Glauco de Freitas, TNC Brazil
4.2 Discussion & questions
12 February 2008
SESSION 5 Case Studies of Environmental Flow Assessment
09.15-11.00
Chair: Jorge Rucks
5.1 Presentations: Case study examples (15 mins each)
1. Honduras – presented by Glauco de Freitas
2. Costa Rica – presented by Marcelo Gavino Novillo
3. Pangani Basin, Tanzania – presented by Mark Smith
4. Potential for Environmental Flows in Brazilian River Systems - presented by Joaquim Gondim, ANA (tbc)
5.2 Discussion
1. questions
2. lessons-learned
3. how to ensure results can be used by decision makers
SESSION 6 Design of Environmental Flow Assessments
11.15-13.00
Chair: Mark Smith
6.1 Introduction and output of session (Marcelo Gavino Novillo & Glauco de Freitas)
6.2 Group exercise: assessment programme design. Identification of data needs for hydrology, ecology, social and economic components
6.3 Discussion
1. groups report back to plenary
2. consolidate recommendations
6.4 Checklist
SESSION 7 Setting Flow Objectives and Using Scenarios
14.00-15.45
Chair: Mark Smith
7.1 Presentation: Setting flow objectives using flow scenarios (30 mins)
Speaker: Marcelo Gavino Novillo
7.2 Presentation: Scenarios for the Plata River – Insights from the Plata TDA (20')
Speaker: Jorge Rucks, OAS
7.3 Dialogue on scenarios for the Plata & discussion
1. what are possible scenarios for flow management in the Plata?
2. scenarios and lessons from other basins
3. identifying and managing trade-offs among priorities
7.4 Checklist
SESSION 8 Management Options for Infrastructure
16.15-18.00
Chair: Glauco de Freitas
8.1 Presentation: Options for managing water infrastructure (30 mins)
Speaker: [Itaipu Binacional, TBC]
8.2 Presentation: Regulation of flow for the Rio Uruguay Plata system (30 mins)
Speaker: Ing. Alejandro Arcelus, CARU
8.3 Discussion
8.4 Checklist
13 February 2008 - Technical Visit
14 February 2008
SESSION 9 Enabling Conditions for Implementing Environmental Flows
09.15-11.00
Chair: Jorge Rucks
9.1 Presentation: Enabling Environment for Environmental Flows (10 mins)
Speaker: Mark Smith
9.2 Presentation: Valuation of ecosystems – principles
Speaker: Robert Crowley, GEF-UNDP
9.3 Presentation: Incentives for environmental flows
Speaker: Mark Smith
9.4 Discussion
9.5 Checklist
SESSION 10 Policy & Legal Frameworks
11.15-13.00
Chair: Mark Smith
10.1 Presentation: Enabling policy and law for environmental flows (30 mins)
Speaker: Dr Alejandro Iza, IUCN Environmental Law Centre
10.2 Presentation: Water policy and law in Brazil: implications for environmental flows implementation (30 mins)
Speaker: Luciano Meneses Cardoso da Silva, ANA
10.4 Discussion
SESSION 11 Reform of Governance & Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
14.00-15.45
Chair: Alejandro Iza & Rocio Cordoba
1.1 Introduction to group exercise and roles for participants (Alejandro Iza and Rocio Cordoba)
1.2 Group exercise: enabling implementation of environmental flows
SESSION 12 Reform of Governance & Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
16.15-18.00
Chair: Alejandro Iza & Rocio Cordoba
15 February 2008
SESSION 13 Reform of Governance & Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
09.15-11.00
Chair: Alejandro Iza & Rocio Cordoba
SESSION 14 Reform of Governance & Multi-Stakeholder Platforms
11.15-13.00
Chair: Alejandro Iza & Rocio Cordoba
Exercise Continued
Discussion and feedback
SESSION 15 Synthesis
14.00-15.45
Chair: Mark Smith
15.1 Synthesis of components and checklists
15.2 Framework action plans by participants
15.3 Consultations with resource team
SESSION 16 Closing
16.15-18.00
Chair: Janot Mendler de Suarez
16.1 Review of goals and expectations
16.2 Follow-up actions
16.3 Evaluation
16.4 Closing ceremony
Additional References
The reading list contains a few key papers that we suggest you look at before the workshop, as they will help strengthen your participation. The suggested readings include chapters from the IUCN Toolbook FLOW in 3 languages: English, Portuguese and Spanish. Note that hard copies of the book will be distributed at the workshop in your preferred language.
Sessions 1-4
Katz – Going with the flow
FLOW – Chapter 1 & 2, Fluxo - Capitulo 1 & 2, Caudal - Capitulo 1 & 2
Acreman and Dunbar – review of methods
Collischonn et al. - Searching for an Ecological Hydrograph
Sessions 5-8
World Bank – case studies
IUCN Tempisque case study (English and Espanol)
Pangani river system: State of the Basin Report
King and Brown – Striking a balance
FLOW – Chapter 3, Fluxo - Capitulo 3, Caudal - Capitulo 3
Sessions 9-16
FLOW – Chapter 4,5 & 6, Fluxo- Capitulo 4,5 & 6, Caudal- Capitulo 4,5 & 6
Scanlon & Iza – legal basis
The Environmental Flows Network was launched by IUCN and a consortium of partners in 2007. The Network features a website – www.eflownet.org – which provides access information, literature and most importantly a network of environmental flow practitioners and specialists around the world.
