Implementing
United Nations Environment Programme
Agency
Country
Brazil
Focal Area
International Waters
Project Title
Integrated Management of Land-Based Activities in the São Francisco Basin
GEF Allocation
US$4.771 million
Cofinancing
US$17.443 million
US$175,000 (United Nations Environment Programme)
US$8,625,000 (World Bank loan for PROAGUA)
US$100,000 (Organization of American States)
US$8,543,000 (Government of Brazil)
Total Financing
US$22.214 million
Dates
May 1999­April 2002
Environmental
· Contamination and degradation of large river basin system from human activities
Problem

Project Goals
· Develop a watershed management program for the basin that addresses root causes of its degradation




In South America, the Rio São Francisco Basin extends over an area the size of the Colorado or Columbia
rivers in North America. The river traverses diverse climatic zones, from humid to arid, and five states in
northeastern Brazil before discharging into the Southwest Atlantic Large Marine Ecosystem and Brazil
Current. Mining, agricultural, urban, and industrial activities contribute contaminants to this riverine system
and, from there, into the coastal zone. Of chief concern are organic and heavy metal pollution and soil loss.
Estuarine wetlands at the river mouth, which form particularly important and environmentally sensitive
habitat, are threatened by unsustainable hydrological management and land use practices within the basin.
Development in the area has historically been haphazard with little planning and within a relatively weak
institutional framework. This has resulted in less than optimal use of its water resources and degradation of
the coastal zone. Large stretches of river have been regulated, altering natural river flows. Significant
modification of freshwater, estuarine, and marine flora and fauna has occurred.


The Project

This project is being executed by the Organization of American States and the Secretaria de Recursos Hidricos
do Ministerio do Meio Ambiente, dos Recursos Hidricos e da Amazonia Legal do Brasil. Its primary objective
is to conduct planning and feasibility studies necessary to formulate an integrated watershed management plan
that will promote environmentally sustainable development of the basin as a means to manage degradation of
the coastal zone.


Activities
· River basin and coastal zone environmental analysis. This component is working to provide a sound
scientific and technical basis for strategic remedial actions that protect the marine environment from
land-based activities.
· Public and stakeholder participation. This component is working to involve communities in identifying
and field testing remedial measures and establish a dialogue process among persons and agencies with
economic interests in the basin.

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· Organizational structure development. This component is equipping and training institutions and
individuals in implementing new laws, regulations, and procedures.
· Watershed management program formulation. This component is synthesizing data and experiences,
feasibility assessments, and cost analyses developed in the other three components.
Benefits
· Reduce contamination and pollution of associated wetlands, coastal areas, and riverine systems
· Reduce contaminating discharges into the South West Atlantic Large Marine Ecosystem and Brazil
Current
· Reduce soil loss, improve flood forecasting, increase effective and sustainable use of available water
resources
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is a financial mechanism that provides grants and concessional funds to developing countries for projects and
activities designed to protect the global environment. GEF resources address climate change, biological diversity, international waters, and depletion of the
ozone layer. Activities concerning land degradation, primarily desertification and deforestation as they relate to the four focal areas, are also eligible for funding.
GEF is a joint venture of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and the World Bank.
These three agencies implement GEF projects.
For more information on this project, contact:
For more information on GEF:
Organization of American States
GEF Headquarters
1818 H Street NW
Secretaria de Recursos Hidricos
Washington DC 20433 USA
Ministerio do Meio Ambiente dos Recursos Hidricos e da Amazonia Legal
Tel: (202) 473-0508 Fax: (202) 522-3240/522-3245
do Brasil
www.gefweb.org
Government of Brazil
Chief Executive Officer:
UNEP GEF Coordination Office
Mohamed T. El-Ashry
Isabelle Vanderbeck
P. O. Box 30552
Senior External Relations Coordinator:
Nairobi, Kenya
Hutton G. Archer
Tel: (2542) 624339 Fax: (2542) 624249
E-mail: harcher@worldbank.org
E-mail: isabelle.vanderbeck@unep.org

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