From: Dr Christopher George IAHR To: Subject: Rivers-List: Fw: rivers-list: World Water Forum Date: dinsdag 23 november 1999 15:38 >Dear Chris, >Thanks for the message to The Hague. >It has the advantage of compactness. I suppose this is by purpose, so, any suggestions for addition should be short/compact as well. > >Bearing this in mind I have only two basic suggestions for additions/clarifications: >1. Understand and raising awareness. > >Since the focus of Rivermanagement more and more is on River restoration to its "natural" behaviour, the general public (and politicians for that matter) is inclined to think that you could "leave the river alone and it will solve its own problem" without the riverbasin manager needing to know how it "works". >This is FUNDAMENTALLY UNTRUE: the more you leave a river basin free to its "natural" behaviour, the more you should know about this behaviour to anticipate on how the river will act. This means that the new focus on natural behaviour demands MORE basic research on natural river processes, to understand this behaviour, and NOT LESS ! Monitoring is indispensible for such research, but it is not enough. The monitoring should be integrated in a research methodology making use of all research tools available (i.e. field test (monitoring), experimental laboratory research, (numerical)modelling and theoretical analysis, including risk analysis). This is the only feasible approach to understand the behaviour of natural rivers and to be able to anticipate accordingly. >This is the more so, since in the densely populated riverdelta areas river restoration (room for rivers) and spatial planning are issues that are closely linked, and multiple area use an increasingly important issue. > > >2. Use an integrated approach to river basins. > >Although it may be generally acknowledged that the whole riverbasin should be considered, the research and rivermanagement world at large is still not acting accordingly. So, here an initiative for transnational approaches (f.i. by an European section of IAHR as far as the European rivers are concerned) could be instrumental. > >Finally a small addition under 4.: "River water is used for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes, as well as for salt water repulsion and as transportation environment (shipping)." >This addition seems to be necessary in my view, since both addtional uses pose restrictions to the other uses and they only can be overcome by large civil infrastructural works (closures, canals, riviertraining (which is not very natural) etc.). > >I hope it is useful for you, >greetings, >Ad van Os >programming secretary NCR (Netherlands Centre for River Studies) >P.O.Box 177 >2600 MH Delft >the Netherlands >tel: +31 15 2858577 >fax: +31 15 2858582 >e-mail: ad.vanos@wldelft.nl > ncr@wldelft.nl >-----Original Message----- >From: Dr Christopher George IAHR <> >To: rivers-list@iahr.org >Date: vrijdag 19 november 1999 16:41 >Subject: rivers-list: World Water Forum > > >|Dear Colleagues, >|I have received this following the recent Japanese Government sponsored meeting on a Vision for Water in Rivers - this summary will be presented at the Hague World Water Forum meeting in March. >| >|Please let me have your comments and suggestion! >|Chris George, IAHR Secretariat >| >|- - - - >| >|MESSAGE TO THE HAGUE >|>From the Sector Consultation "Water in Rivers" >|November 1999 >| >| >| MESSAGE TO THE HAGUE >|>From the Sector Consultation "Water in Rivers", November 1999 >|Water, it is the basic element of human activity and man draws water mainly from the rivers for his activities. The results of the diverse human activities taking place in the river basin are reflected in the river. Therefore we consider that the river basin must be taken as the basic unit in solving water problems. >| >| >|1. UNDERSTAND AND RAISE AWARENESS IN OUR RIVERS >| >|If we are to manage our rivers wisely we must be diligent in monitoring their condition. Freshwater is a scarce resource and we must understand consumptive patterns within the hydrological cycle and make soundly based predictions of future changes. >|This calls for continuing study, not only of the natural processes involved (including the likely impact of climate change), but also of the complex links between human society and the freshwater environment. This must be based on the regular collection of a broad range of good quality data, information and knowledge which should be widely available. Accumulated knowledge should be used actively in assessing river behavior and also in raising awareness among the general public. >|Government action is required to ensure that this public sector activity is adequately financed and that knowledge is promulgated widely. >| >| >|2. USE AN INTEGRATED APPROACH TO RIVER BASINS >| >|In many countries developments along rivers happen in a relatively haphazard way. This is because there is no overall vision for the whole river system and no agency with overall control. It is generally acknowledged that the whole river basin should be considered and that respect for the diversity of the river environment is required to achieve better river basin management. >|Government action is required to set up agencies, or coordinating bodies, which are responsible to all the stakeholders within the river basin and which are adequately financed so that they can achieve their remit. This remit should include balancing the aspirations of all stakeholders and will include responsibility for flood mitigation, water resources, environmental conservation, public health (water quality), navigation, amenity, etc. These agencies, or coordinating bodies, should promote a general understanding of all the issues and should encourage dialogue and participation. >| >|3. RESPECT OUR RIVER ENVIRONMENT >| >|Many rivers are being stressed to their limits because of the activities of man. This is partly because of population growth but mainly because of the powerful technologies now available to mankind and a general migration of the population towards large cities. The results can be changes in river flows (increased floods and / or reduced low water conditions), damage to ecosystems and degradation of water quality standards. >|Government action is required to stem this trend. Realistic values must be placed on environmental issues, including the maintenance of ecosystems, and these should be weighed against the benefits which accrue from development. To harmonize with the river environment, it is also important to learn to live with floods and drought. >| >| >|4. HELP OUR RIVERS BY TAKING IMMEDIATE ACTION TO PROMOTE MORE EFFICIENT MANAGEMENT OF WATER AND LAND USE >| >|River water is used for agricultural, domestic and industrial purposes. If this water were to be used more efficiently, then some pressure could be taken off the water environment. >|Human activities have enlarged flood potential by reducing the water retention function in river basins, and rapid growth in population and its concentration in flood prone areas have made flood damage more serious. >|Government action is required to promote both demand and supply management of water and to implement measures so as to keep or recover the water retention function, including suitable land use management. Water charges should be set at levels which would fund conservation measures, always taking into account the social needs of the poor. Cities should be encouraged to store local rainwater for domestic and industrial uses, and to infiltrate rainwater to the soil for flood mitigation and groundwater recharge. More efficient irrigation systems should be introduced so that less water is required for food production. >| >| >| >|Dr. Christopher George tel. +31 15 2858879 >|Executive Director fax +31 15 285 8417 >|chris.george@iahr.org >|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- >|Interested in Rivers? 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