Participação pública na gestão de recursos hídricos no Brasil e em Portugal.

Abstract

Public participation can be defined as a process by which different actors pose problems and solutions and methodologies and tools, able to promote the creation of collective spaces for reflection and dialogue, aimed at building and common knowledge. This approach takes into account the specific scenario where the process and alternatives occur in a political context, social and economic. Access to information on participation is essential to building public awareness, especially on issues related to water. The information is necessary, as they are able to provide those involved the opportunity to express its concerns and enable public authorities are aware of such concerns, ensuring that decisions are implemented in a more equitable manner possible. With the implementation of Federal Law 9433/1997, which established the National Water Resources Policy (PNRH) was a big boost to the water management process in Brazil. Federal Law introduced a new paradigm for water management, especially the principle of decentralization of water management, with the participation of governments, users and communities in the decision-making process. Committees of Watershed (CBHs) were created with the objective of coordinating issues related to water resources management highlighting the role of the entities involved in watershed level. In the state of Paraíba, the State Water Resources Policy (PERH), established by Law 6.308/96 (as amended in 2007 by Law 8.446/07, in compliance with the guidelines of PNRH) also adopts participatory management as the foundation. In Portugal, Law 58/2005 adapted into national law Directive 2000/60 / EC of the European Union. In 2009, following this law, the government has decentralized its management creating eight river basin districts, in charge of autonomous bodies entitled Regional Hydrographic Administration (ARH). They were also created five Councils River Basin, with advisory bodies functions of their administrations. In this context, the present study evaluates and compares the performance of the Basin of the Paraíba River Committee and the Board of Water Resources of Alentejo, in discussions of management tools, highlighting the similarities and difficulties inherent to the implementation of participatory political process. In Portugal, water management features centralization features, the River Basin Councils served largely as spaces to provide management information to the other represented segments. The gaps observed in the Portuguese case are reflected by the model of top-down management, where rare issues can be inserted into the discussions. For Brazil, are still necessary adjustments in the water management model to promote the more active participation of members, the strengthening of local bases through social learning and hence the independence of these public spaces making, management the decentralized and participatory resources.