The La Plata River The La Plata River BasinBasin

CE 397 – Transboundary Water CE 397 – Transboundary Water ResourcesResources

Tina StanardTina StanardMarch 6, 2008March 6, 2008

La Plata River BasinLa Plata River Basin

5 countries 5 countries share the basin: share the basin: Brazil, Bolivia, Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Uruguay, and ArgentinaArgentina

Area: 3.1 Area: 3.1 million kmmillion km22

ArgentinaUruguay

Paraguay

BrazilBolivia

ClimateClimate

La Plata

PopulationPopulation

HistoryHistory Long history of mutual distrust Long history of mutual distrust 1967 – Ministers of Foreign Affairs from 1967 – Ministers of Foreign Affairs from

all 5 countries formed all 5 countries formed Intergovernmental Coordinating Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee (Committee (CICCIC))

1969 – CIC forms the 1969 – CIC forms the La Plata Basin La Plata Basin TreatyTreaty which establishes the which establishes the framework for integrated development framework for integrated development of the basinof the basin

Increasing cooperation, still not Increasing cooperation, still not integrated management integrated management

HydropowerHydropower

Cooperation and success of treaty Cooperation and success of treaty attributed to desire to harness huge attributed to desire to harness huge hydropower potential in the basinhydropower potential in the basin

Bilateral agreements:Bilateral agreements: 1973 – Itaipu Dam (Brazil and Paraguay)1973 – Itaipu Dam (Brazil and Paraguay) 1979 – Yacyretá Dam (Argentina and 1979 – Yacyretá Dam (Argentina and

Paraguay)Paraguay) Top-level agreements did not consider Top-level agreements did not consider

local people or environment local people or environment

Itaipu DamItaipu Dam

Yacyretá DamYacyretá Dam

Hydrovia ProjectHydrovia Project

1989 – proposed to 1989 – proposed to create 3,400 km long create 3,400 km long waterwaywaterway

Year-around barge Year-around barge transportation for transportation for cheaper transport of cheaper transport of goodsgoods

Ocean access from land-Ocean access from land-locked countries locked countries

Controversial due to size Controversial due to size and environmental and environmental impactsimpacts

ThreatsThreats Water pollution Water pollution

Due to:Due to: Industrial waste Industrial waste Lack of sewage treatmentLack of sewage treatment AgricultureAgriculture LivestockLivestock Mining operationsMining operations Soil erosionSoil erosion The occasional oil spillThe occasional oil spill

Un-useable water creates water Un-useable water creates water shortages shortages

Severe economic impactsSevere economic impacts Adverse health affectsAdverse health affects

ThreatsThreats

Infrastructure Infrastructure Navigation – hydrological alterationsNavigation – hydrological alterations Dams – 27 more proposed dams Dams – 27 more proposed dams

Climate changeClimate change

Over-fishing Over-fishing

ConflictsConflicts

Potential and actual conflicts arising Potential and actual conflicts arising from:from: Incompatibility between major water Incompatibility between major water

worksworks Energy production vs. river navigationEnergy production vs. river navigation Exploitation of resourcesExploitation of resources Lack of environmental protectionLack of environmental protection

DiscussionDiscussion

Among countries with a long Among countries with a long history of distrust, how do you history of distrust, how do you inspire cooperation?inspire cooperation?

DiscussionDiscussion The WWF proposed solution for the basin: The WWF proposed solution for the basin:

““Assessing whether new infrastructure is the Assessing whether new infrastructure is the best means of delivering the required service is best means of delivering the required service is the first step. If infrastructure is the best the first step. If infrastructure is the best option, it should be planned to minimize impacts option, it should be planned to minimize impacts by: sitting off the river’s main stem and by: sitting off the river’s main stem and floodplains, mimicking natural water flows, floodplains, mimicking natural water flows, allowing fish passage, controlling thermal allowing fish passage, controlling thermal pollution, and maintaining sediment and pollution, and maintaining sediment and nutrient flows critical to sustaining the health of nutrient flows critical to sustaining the health of the rivers. Effective treaties between riparian the rivers. Effective treaties between riparian nations to support integrated river basin nations to support integrated river basin management are essential for good management are essential for good governance.”governance.”

What incentive do the countries have to What incentive do the countries have to follow these environmentally-friendly ideas?follow these environmentally-friendly ideas?

DiscussionDiscussion

What do you think would be the best What do you think would be the best outcome of the Hydrovia project?outcome of the Hydrovia project?