Planning as a Tool to Deal with Extreme Events

Abstract

This paper describes the recent changes in the Water Resources Management System of Brazil and its proposed approach on how to be more effective when dealing with extreme events. The geographic extent of the country, its regional differences, and the difficult economic conditions lead to a comprehensive reform in the water resources sector in order to increase efficiency of the water uses, to reduce costs, and to promote development. The major change occurred in 1997, with the promulgation of the National Water Resources Management Act, which established the National Water Resources Policy and the National Water Resources Management System. A primary strength of the new system is its decentralization. Different geographical regions of the country must cope with different extreme events. The developed South suffers with frequent flood events due to large urbanized areas and impervious floodplain areas and with water scarcity due to excessive use. The rural Northeast is frequently devastated by severe drought periods with consequences such as migration and poverty. In both cases, the decentralized decision process is a powerful tool to better manage such problematic areas. In fact, to help controlling extreme events is one of the major objectives of the new system, as stated in the law. In intermittent rivers of the Brazilian Northeast, participation of users associations can help finding the best water allocation scheme. When it comes to flood control, community participation in the selection of solutions is essential. Flood protection is a community rather than individual benefit. Decision on the land use will only be accomplished with the participation of different government levels together with the community.