PROJECT BRIEF
IDENTIFIERS
PROJECT NUMBER:
Project number not yet assigned (GF/8400-00-#)
PROJECT NAME:
Regional (Argentina, Bolivia): Implementation of the
Strategic Action Program for the Bermejo River
Binational Basin
PROJECT DURATION:
4.5 years
IMPLEMENTING AGENCY:
UNEP
EXECUTING AGENCY:
Binational Commission for the Development of the Upper
Bermejo and Grande de Tarija Rivers Basins
GS/OAS
Inter-American Development Bank
REQUESTING COUNTRY:
Argentina and Bolivia
COUNTRY ELIGIBILITY:
Eligible under paragraph 9(b) of the Instrument.
FOCAL AREAS:
International waters with relevance to the cross-cutting area
of Land Degradation
GEF PROGRAMMING FRAMEWORK: OP 9 Integrated Land-Water Multiple Focal Area
SUMMARY
This project catalyzes the implementation of the Strategic Action Program for the Bermejo River
Binational Basin. The Project will implement specific strategic activities, identified in the GEF-
financed strategic action program (SAP), that address the principal root causes of soil degradation
as set forth in the transboundary diagnostic analysis (TDA) and, in doing so, will provide the
necessary institutional, legal, and informational basis to enhance and restore the environmental
functioning of the system, and provide protection to endemic species within the five component
ecosystems-- montane, humid forest, arid Chaco/savannah, sub-humid Chaco, and humid Chaco.
These actions, with incremental costs, will complement Basin-scale interventions by the Binational
Commission, and the governments of Argentina and Bolivia, financed in part from national and
provincial/prefectural sources and by international loan funding, many of which address expected
baseline activities. Strengthening of Basin institutions, building of agency and organizational
capacity, and integration of environmental concerns into economic development activities on a
sustainable basis, and the promotion of the public awareness and participation are key elements of
this project.

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COSTS AND FINANCING (MILLION US $)
GEF:
Project
US $ 10.40
Administrative Fees
US $ 0.64
PDF
US $ 0
Subtotal GEF US $ 11.04
Co-financing:
UNEP
US $ 0.15 (in kind)
OAS
US $ 0.15 (in kind)
Governments
US $ 8.43
Subtotal US $ 8.73
Total Project Costs:
US $ 19.77
ASSOCIATED FINANCING TO STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Inter-American Development Bank
US $ 160.75
The World Bank
US $ 159.52
Other
US $ 23.18
Government
US$ 187.29
TOTAL ASSOCIATED FINANCING:
US $ 530.74
OPERATIONAL FOCAL POINT ENDORSEMENT
Argentina: Name: Embajadora Elsa Kelly, Title: Directora de Asuntos Medioambientales,
Organization: Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto, Date:
28/06/00
Bolivia: Name: Embajador Jorge Soruco Villanueva, Title: Primer Delegado ante la Commission
Binacional para el Desarrollo de la Alta Cuenca del Rio Bermejo y Rio Grande de Tarija, Vice
Ministro de Politica Exterior, Organization: Commission Binacional, Date: 21/06/00
IA Contact:
Mr Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Co-ordinator, UNEP/GEF Co-ordination Office, UNEP, Nairobi,
Tel: 254 2 624153; Fax: 254 2 520825; Email: ahmed.djoghlaf@unep.org.

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LIST OF ACRONYMS
BRBB
Bermejo River Binational Basin
BC
Binational Commission for the
Development of the Upper Bermejo River
and Grande de Tarija River Basins
GEF
Global Environment Facility
IWRN
Inter-American Water Resources Network
OAS
General Secretariat of the Organization of
American States
OTN
National Technical Office for the
Pilcomayo and Bermejo Rivers (Bolivia)
UNEP
United Nations Environment Programme
COREBE
Regional Commission for the Development
of the Bermejo River Basin (Argentina).
IWRMP
Integrated Water Resources Management
Program

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PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT
1.
The development of a Strategic Action Program (SAP) for the Binational Basin of the
Bermejo River (hereinafter the BRBB) was the outcome of an highly transparent public
interaction process that has identified community-based mechanisms for the protection of the
water resources of this Plata Basin tributary river system.1 The process of formulating the SAP
involved the active participation and input of over 750 persons representing governmental, non-
governmental, civic, and community interests throughout the Basin. As a result of this process,
an expectancy has been created among the riparian communities of greater citizen involvement
in the management of the land and water resources of the Basin. While this expectancy differs in
quality between the Bolivian portions of the Basin-- where public participation has been an
element of governmental planning for some time, under the law for popular participation and
the Argentine portions, the basic concept is one of public involvement in the sustainable use and
protection of the Basin's land and water resources through a process of dialogue between
decision-makers and local communities. This project is proposed as a means of creating the
necessary institutional, legal, and informational bases to implement this concept.
2.
The BRBB extends over some 123,000 km2, originating in the Andes Mountains of
northwestern Argentina and southern Bolivia. The river, which flows some 1,300 km, crosses
the Chaco Plains, forming an important ecological corridor linking the Andean ecosystem with
the Atlantic ecosystem. Because the Bermejo River is the only major river spanning the Chaco,
the river system contributes the largest mass of Andean sediment to the Plata River system. The
origin and behavior of the sediment has the potential to dramatically condition water uses in the
Bermejo and Plata river systems, not only with respect to river-based and river-dependent activities
but also with respect to the structure and dynamics of the riverine ecosystems.
3.
Combining the foregoing demographic and geographic imperatives implies that
community-level interventions to enhance the management of the land surface can contribute to
the maintenance of the structure and function of the waterway, whilst preserving the economic
benefits derived from the watercourse for local communities. The accuracy of this statement was
borne out through the success of localized, community-level demonstration projects conducted
during the period of SAP formulation. These projects reinforced local ownership and local
leadership roles, while facilitating changes in historic and traditional land-use practices from
unsustainable to sustainable practices. In facilitating such changes, the project encouraged the
integration of governmental, non-governmental, and private sector interests for the economic
benefit of entire community groups and lessened their environmental impacts on the river and its
watershed.

1 Comisión Binacional para el Desarrollo de la Alta Cuenca del Río Bermejo y el Río Grande de Tarija, Programa de
las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente, Organización de los Estados Americanos, y Fondo para el Medio
Ambiente Mundial (1999) Programa Estratégico de Acción para la Cuenca del Río Bermejo, Volumen I.
Programa Estratégico de Acción para la Cuenca del Río Bermejo, Buenos Aires-Tarija, Septiembre 1999.
1

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4.
A hallmark of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), under whose auspices the SAP
was formulated, is the emphasis on the potential of projects for replication. The GEF, through
Operational Program # 9-- the International Waters Integrated Land-Water Multiple Focal Area
Project component (paragraph 9.21 of the Operational Program)-- encourages the conduct of
projects that successfully integrate divergent socio-economic interests in an environmentally
sustainable manner. For this reason, the completion of the diagnostic and strategic programming
phase of the BRBB project marks the starting point in the sustainable management of the BRBB.
This initial phase identified, implemented, and tested sustainable land management practices on
the local level, and created a basin-wide expectation for greater civic involvement in resource
management and economic development issues. The next phase of GEF programming in the
BRBB must identify, develop, and implement mechanisms for the replication of those practices
and measures that have been demonstrated to be successful throughout the BRBB and
throughout the Plata River Basin. In so doing, the BRBB project can continue to refine and
demonstrate the means for, and benefits of, country ownership and community participation in
river basin management.2 This integrated approach to river basin management is wholly
consistent with UNEP's EMINWA process.3
5.
National Programming Context. The governments of Argentina and Bolivia initiated
the BRBB project in 1997 through the Binational Commission for the Development of the Upper
Bermejo and Grande de Tarija Rivers Basins (Binational Commission).4 With the support of the
GEF, UNEP, and the General Secretariat of the Organization of American States (OAS), the
Binational Commission, in cooperation with the National Secretariat of Environment of Bolivia
and the Secretariat of Natural Resources and Human Environment of Argentina,5 and in
consultation with the relevant prefectural and provincial governments, conducted the
Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) that led to the preparation of the SAP. Using an
environmental zoning approach, the Basin countries identified general and site-specific needs
and priorities for the conservation, rehabilitation, and preservation of degraded lands; initiated
the creation of a shared geographic information system to facilitate dissemination of available
physical, biological, social, legal, and economic information; and field-tested specific
management mechanisms designed to prevent negative impacts in urban and rural areas,
especially as related to land degradation insofar as it affects on the water resources in the region.
6.
Six priority problems for ecosystem-level conservation, rehabilitation, and preservation
were identified in the TDA:6 (1) degradation of soils and intense erosion and desertification
processes; (2) scarcity of water resources and limitations on their management; (3) degradation
of water quality; (4) habitat and biodiversity losses and deterioration of terrestrial and aquatic
biotic resources; (5) losses due to the occurrence of flood-related and other natural disasters; and

2 See the GEF 1999 Project Implementation Review, International Waters Portfolio Overview and Issues Paper,
published by the GEF Secretariat in November 1999.
3 The United Nations Environment Programme's (UNEP) Environmentally Sound Management of Inland Waters
(EMINWA) integrated watershed management planning process.
4 The implementation of the BRBB project was preceded by a Project Development period that was initiated during
1995.
5 With the recent installation of a new constitutional government in Argentina, on 10/12/99, this agency has been
modified and its powers and functions reassigned within the new ministerial structure.
6 Comisión Binacional para el Desarollo de la Alta Cuenca del Río Bermejo y el Río Grande de Tarija, Programa de
las Naciones Unidas para el Medio Ambiente, Organización de los Estados Americanos, y Fondo para el Medio
Ambiente Mundial (1999) Diagnóstico Ambiental Transfronterizo de la Cuenca del Río Bermejo. Programa
Estratégico de Acción para la Cuenca del Río Bermejo, Buenos Aires-Tarija, enero 2000.
2

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(6) deterioration of the quality of life of the population living in the Basin and loss of cultural
resources. These problems are endemic throughout the Basin, and most are both natural and
anthropogenic in origin.
7.
The analysis of their basic and direct causes was the subject of an extensive public
consultation process, the results of which defined the strategic actions included in the SAP. As
envisioned by Basin stakeholders, the SAP was prepared as a long-term action plan, designed not
only to address the root causes of the critical environmental degradation affecting the basin, but
also to promote the sustainable development of Basin communities. It is composed of four sets
of priority actions: (1) prevention of environmental degradation, and rehabilitation and protection
of degraded environments; (2) sustainable development of natural resources in the Basin; (3)
institutional strengthening and implementation of an effective legal and institutional framework
for integrated water resources planning and management within the Basin; and (4)
implementation of a program of consultation, public awareness and participation for
environmental protection and management, and replication of project activities in other regions
of the Plata Basin. A SAP summary is presented in Annex J.
8.
From each of the four strategic areas of the SAP, a restricted number of priority actions,
with particular emphasis on erosion and sedimentation issues, have been selected to address the
priority transboundary environmental problems affecting the Basin. These actions are considered
of immediate priority, and include the execution of specific preventive and remedial activities,
the consolidation of participatory mechanisms, and the provision of the necessary legal and
institutional framework for the entire program. Each of these activities is being described in
greater detail in Annex I and is also summarized in Table 1 hereafter.
RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES
9.
Building upon the priority actions set forth in the SAP, the primary objective of this GEF
International Waters project is to assist the governments of Argentina and Bolivia in addressing
the root causes of the principal environmental problems affecting the Bermejo River Basin, with
a focus on their main transboundary manifestations-- namely, sediment erosion, transport, and
deposition-- and to promote the sustainable development of the BRBB. Activities for the
control of land degradation due to agricultural activities, prevention of erosion, and sediment
control-- including the creation, restoration and protection of natural vegetated areas,
conservation of aquatic and terrestrial habitat, and support to popular participation in the
management of natural resources through improved access to information and enhancement of
public awareness, control of water-borne contaminants, and related measures-- have been
selected in order to catalyze implementation of specific actions as recommended in the SAP. A
key feature of this project will be the replication and extension, throughout the Bermejo and
Plata basins, of the localized activities of the SAP formulation project that were determined to be
feasible measures for the integration of the geographic and demographic aspects of watershed
management within the BRBB. The set of actions programmed for this purpose is described in
Annex I, Activity 4.4.
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Table 1. List of Priority Actions for Addressing Transboundary Environmental Problems
in the Binational Basin of the Bermejo River 7
COSTS
STRATEGIES/ACTIVITIES
(US$ millions)
Sub-ACTIVITIES
Total
GEF
I. INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
§ Strengthening of the Binational Commission
§
1.Development/strengthening of the
Strengthening of COREBE
institutional framework
1.91
§
1.10
Strengthening of government and civil society orgs.
§ Harmonization of regional and jurisdictional legal
frameworks
§ Environmental zoning for land-use regulation in
2. Development of a holistic regional
1.84
0.79
legislative, economic, and
selected areas
environmental framework
§ Economic instruments for sustainable water use
§ Incorporation of environmental and social costs in
project evaluation
II. ENVIRONMENTAL
§ Sediment control in the Tolomosa River basin
PROTECTION AND
§ Integral management of natural resources in the
REHABILITATION
Santa Ana River basin
§ Integrated management of the Iruya River basin
1. Soil management and erosion control
2.13
1.32
§ Soil-loss prevention in the Huasamayo sub-basin
in critical areas
§ Ecotourism activities in piedmont transition forests
§ Carbon fixation in the Yungas
§ Implementation of the Baritú-Tariquía biological
corridor
2. Consolidating protected areas and
1.79
1.30
§ Management plan for Sama and Tariquía biological
protecting biodiversity
reserves
§ Evaluation of sub-Andean rangelands
§ Study and implementation of the Teuco National
Park (Chaco region)
§ Biodiversity study
§ Environmental clean-up of the Guadalquivir River
(pilot-scale waste-water treatment plants in rural
3. Protection and restoration of water
0.33
0.20
communities)
quality
§ Assessment and design of water-pollution control
strategies in the Bermejo Triangle
III. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOP-
MENT OF NATURAL
RESOURCES
1. Implementation of a planning
2.67
1.53
§ Regional integrated program for natural resource
framework for integrated water
management, erosion and pollution control, and
resource management and
sustainable development in the Bermejo Basin
sustainable development

7 The set of actions listed focuses primarily on erosion and sediment control. Other environmental and
developmental issues identified in the TDA which will benefit from implementation of proposed activities, include
water-resource degradation; water scarcity and availability restrictions; and loss of biodiversity and biotic resources.
4

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Table 1 (Cont.) List of Priority Actions for Addressing Transboundary Environmental
Problems in the Binational Basin of the Bermejo River
COSTS
(US$ millions)
STRATEGIES/ACTIVITIES
Sub-ACTIVITIES
Total
GEF
§ Training and promotion of sustainable resource
2. Sustainable practices for
management techniques in the humid and
rehabilitation of degraded areas in
2.40
0.85
subhumid Chaco
the Chaco and Yungas regions
§ Diversification of production alternatives to reduce
human pressure on natural forest resources in the
Yungas region
§ Survey, assessment, validation, and extension of
3. Community extension programs for
traditional natural-resource management practices
sustainable production and natural-
0.34
0.19
in representative areas of the Bermejo River basin
resource management
§ Promotion of sustainable production activities and
natural-resource management in indigenous and
native communities
·
4. Sustainable agriculture and soil
Pilot project for testing and dissemination of soil
conservation practices along the San
and water management techniques in irrigated
0.24
0.16
Jacinto project area
farming along the San Jacinto water reservoir area
(Upper Bermejo)
· Donor roundtable meeting for the procurement of
financial resources to support implementation of
5. Procurement of financial resources
SAP activities and other complementary actions
for the Bermejo River Basin
0.35
0.30
oriented to the sustainable development of the
Bermejo River Basin
IV. PUBLIC AWARENESS,
PARTICIPATION, AND
REPLICATION OF PROJECT
· Implementation of environmental awareness and
ACTIVITIES
training programs on sustainable resource use for
different ecological regions of the Bermejo basin
1. Environmental education programs
1.17
0.51
§ Information dissemination, consultation workshops,
and establishment of suitable mechanisms for
2. Public participation program
0.53
0.31
public participation in the Bermejo river basin
· Access to information for public participation
· Developing networks and articulation mechanisms
3. Information system for the Bermejo
2.28
1.14
§ Creation and implementation of an environmental
River Basin
information and monitoring system
§ Definition and adoption of IW indicators
· Dissemination and replication of the Bermejo
4. Replication of project activities
0.85
0.70
project into the broader context of the Plata Basin
TOTAL COSTS
18.83
10.4

8 The set of actions listed focus primarily on erosion and sediment control. Other environmental and developmental
issues identified in the TDA which will benefit from implementation of proposed activities include water-resource
degradation; water scarcity and availability restrictions; and loss of biodiversity and biotic resources.
5

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10. This project proposal is being compiled at a time when the Bermejo River Binational
Commission, the provinces of Jujuy, Salta, Chaco, and Formosa (in Argentina), and the
governments of Argentina and Bolivia are implementing measures to integrate stakeholder
participation and grassroots-level involvement into water resources management. Such measures
have been in place in Bolivia for some time through an established law for popular participation.
These measures provide opportunities for the creation, strengthening, and/or implementation of
effective organizations, and of control and fiscal instruments, to mitigate and prevent land and
water management practices that enhance soil erosion and sediment transport, degrade water
quality, modify hydrological and hydraulic characteristics of the Basin, and/or adversely affect
the biological integrity of the Chaco and BRBB. In addition, the SAP provides a relevant and
appropriate regional planning context for site-specific interventions to be designed and catalyzed
under the activities set forth in this proposal. The net result of these actions will be the initiation
and development of a program for the environmentally sustainable development of the land and
water resources of the BRBB, including those of the Chaco plains. The strengthening of the
Binational Commission, and the inter-ministerial articulation of governmental agencies involved
in water resources and environmental management within and among the various jurisdictions,
are anticipated to be a specific result of these actions. Thus, the sustainability of SAP
implementation after GEF intervention and the incorporation of project findings into the
institutional and legal frameworks will be ensured.
11.
Complementary Interventions. Activities proposed for implementation during the
project period would be conducted in a parallel, but active relationship, with numerous ongoing
and proposed planning and development activities in the Plata River Basin. Some of these
activities are within the various GEF focal areas of interest. In the International Waters focal
area, other ongoing GEF-financed projects are being conducted within the Plata Basin, including
the Upper Paraguay River and Pantanal project in Brazil, the Maritime Front of the Plata River
project in Argentina-Uruguay, and several others under consideration. Among these latter
projects, a medium-sized project has been proposed to create an information system for the
Upper Paraguay River Basin (SIAP), providing opportunities for regional cooperation at basin
level. In addition, infrastructural investments for water supply, wastewater, storm and flood
water, and water quality management are being financed or considered for financing from
national and international sources within the BRBB.
12. These projects are being conducted, or are proposed to be conducted, with funds provided
by the World Bank, the Inter-American Development Bank, FONPLATA, and CAF, and through
bilateral cooperation agreements. Integration of these activities within the regional planning
context created by the BRBB SAP will provide opportunities for further involvement and
coordination of investments within the framework of this project. Within the Plata River Basin,
all of these projects, including the proposed activities within the BRBB, will contribute to the
knowledge base for the sustainable management and development of natural resources of the
Plata River Basin, and provide complementary information on appropriate environmental
management measures for sustainable economic development throughout the multiple
ecosystems that comprise the Plata River system. In an effort to better integrate these efforts, a
comprehensive framework plan for the management of the Plata River Basin is currently being
prepared by the Basin countries.
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PROJECT COMPONENTS AND EXPECTED RESULTS
13. The proposed project activities are designed to catalyze the implementation of actions
necessary to address the root causes of priority transboundary problems identified during SAP
formulation, with a focus on soil degradation and sediment transport. These problems are shown,
in summary form, in Annex E. The project activities are designed to implement an integrated
program of river basin management in the BRBB, and are concentrated in four principal
components as set forth below. The schedule of expenditure of GEF funds is presented in Table
1.3 of the incremental cost analysis presented in Annex A. Detailed information on each
component is presented in Annex I.
COMPONENT I: INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING FOR
INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT.
14. Component I is designed to provide a broadly based, participatory institutional framework,
likewise developing and strengthening the legal basis underlying the regulation, planning, and
environmental and social evaluation, environmental zoning, and economic and financial
arrangements that are indispensable for effectively implementing sustainable measures for
prevention, restoration, planning, and development of the natural resources identified in the SAP.
The two clusters of activities that make up this component are aimed explicitly at creating an
effective and integrated organizational base that will involve both the public and private sectors
in implementing a multisectoral and holistic approach to the environmental management and
economic development of the basin, as proposed in Chapter 18 of Agenda 21. This framework is
fundamental to support the extension and subsequent implementation of the specific strategic
activities in the basin that will address the basic causes of transboundary environmental problems
namely, land degradation and sediment transport that form the framework for the other
components of the project. Activities undertaken within this component specifically address
weaknesses within the current organizational base, identified during SAP formulation, that
hinder the effective, holistic management of the water resources of the BRBB. This will ensure
institutional capacity to implement the new laws, regulations, and procedures necessary for the
longer-term success of the watershed management measures by helping to increase participation
in decision-making within the Basin, and enhance and underpin the ability of the Binational
Commission not only to carry out its current mandate but also to assume additional
responsibilities relating to information sharing and coordination among stakeholders. The two
clusters of activities to be conducted within the component will include:
· Development and strengthening of the institutional framework designed to (i) to deepen and
broaden activities initiated during the SAP formulation stage with respect to implementation of
the project and the coordination role of the Binational Commission, (ii) to promote regional
coordination and programming, and (iii) to address weaknesses in the complex institutional
framework that currently impede a comprehensive vision of the basin and the integrated and
sustainable management of its resources. These activities are also intended to develop and
broaden the participatory framework, including mechanisms for specific participation by
provincial governments, the Prefecture and municipalities of Tarija, and to strengthen the
capacities of the institutions that represent them. This will be done through the following
specific activities; 1) institutional development and strengthening of the Binational
Commission and regional entities within the two countries (COREBE and OTN), and 2) the
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institutional strengthening and capacity building of local governmental and civil society
organizations.
· Development of a holistic regional legislative, economic and environmental framework. By
designing and implementing legal and financial instruments and harmonizing standards for
water quality management and land use in the basin, these activities will help establish a
framework in which dialogue between the public and the agencies responsible for
implementing integrated management programs for the basin can be translated into a
comprehensive legislative program aimed at strengthening their legal and political
foundations. It includes the following specific actions: 1) Development and harmonization
of regional and jurisdictional political and legal frameworks; 2) Environmental zoning for
land-use regulation in selected areas; 3) Development of economic instruments for
sustainable water use; and 4) Incorporation of environmental and social costs into project
evaluation.
15. The results of this component will be a documented framework for addressing
transboundary problems inherent in the management of the Bermejo River basin, including the
articulation of formal and informal mechanisms for participation by government units at the
provincial and prefecture level in determining and implementing an integrated water resources
management program (IWRMP). This will take the form of fully operational coordination and
programming mechanisms within the Binational Commission, with participation by provincial
governments and the prefecture of Tarija. These mechanisms will analyze and integrate agreed
strategic guidelines for a regional institutional framework into an appropriate and effective
binational, inter-jurisdictional entity for the basin, under which national­, provincial/prefectural-
and municipal­level institutions can be strengthened in terms of their capacities and abilities to
manage natural resources on a sustainable basis. This component will also provide specific
support, through the regional entities of the two countries (COREBE and OTN), to provincial
entities, the prefecture and municipalities of Tarija, academic organizations, NGOs, and
governmental institutions involved in implementing the SAP, in order to develop their
institutional, technical, and administrative bases. In addition, it will make substantive progress in
the introduction of environmental zoning and land-use planning as management and planning
tools, in the form of strategic methodological guidelines validated at the regional level, and
concrete environmental management actions at the local level, in particularly critical areas of the
Basin. The results of this component will help to optimize policies, practices, and programs for
preventing land degradation and sediment transport, and managing water resources, thereby
creating the economic and legal foundations for the sustainable development of the basin.
16. The output of this activity will include a documented context for establishing a regional
regulatory framework for the use and protection of shared water resources; the determination of
water­use charges, including a restructuring of fiscal, financial and legal mechanisms for
managing the quantity and quality of water within the basin; and proposed legislation to put this
framework into effect. A further explicit output of this activity will be legislative proposals for
implementing the IWRMP at all levels of government and civil society as well as developed
institutional, technical, and administrative bases.
17. It is anticipated that the execution of these activities will be undertaken by the Binational
Commission, relevant governmental agencies at the national and prefectural/provincial levels,
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universities, and NGOs. The coordination and supervision of the activities will be ensured by the
Technical Coordinators at the Binational Commission. Component I is anticipated to be initiated
during the first quarter of the project period and continue throughout the project period. GEF:
US$1.89 millions; co-funding: US$1.86 millions; total: US$3.75 millions.
COMPONENT II: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION
18. Component II is designed to extend the implementation of feasible measures of basin
management identified during formulation of the SAP. Within the regional coordination and
planning framework progressively provided by the institutional initiatives to be undertaken as
part of Component I, the activities programmed for this component will deal with specific
transboundary aspects identified in the TDA. In particular, planned actions focus on soil
management and sediment­transport control, either by means of feasible specific prevention and
control measures or by preserving the natural landscape in critical, erosion­prone areas through
the consolidation of protected areas. Complementary basic natural resource studies and the
maintenance of the quality of the Basin's water resources are parts of this Component. The
cluster of activities to be conducted under this component include:
§ Extension and implementation of feasible measures for erosion control in the Upper Rio
Basin identified and proved effective during the SAP formulation phase, to promote greater
use of soil management practices that minimize degradation and the risk of destabilization
§ Establishment of buffer zones and environmental corridors, and sponsorship of basic studies
on natural resources, including pilot demonstration projects that promote effective ways of
restoring degraded environments, preserving environments adjacent to nature conservation
areas, and protecting biodiversity, while at the same time promoting the sustainable
economic development of local communities
§ Protection and restoration of the quality of water in those critical stretches identified during
SAP formulation, including implementation of the cleanup of the Guadalquivir River, and the
initiation of planning studies of watercourses in the vicinity of the city of Bermejo, another
critical point of pollution of the water resources in the Upper Basin.
19. The results of these efforts will encourage broader application of the feasible and proven
management practices and thereby contribute to sustainable land use (essentially for farming)
and the conservation of areas that, although not yet significantly altered, are at risk from land
degradation. A key feature of this component will include the mitigation of erosion in critical
zones of the basin.
20. The output of this component will include the application of recommended soil
conservation and erosion control measures to limit the loss of soil in the upper basin. By
demonstrating the utility of a community-based approach to the management, this component
will catalyze the further adoption of community-based management techniques to restore
degraded environments.
21. It is anticipated that the execution of these activities will be undertaken by the relevant
governmental agencies at the national, prefectural/provincial, and municipal levels; research
institutes; universities; and NGOs in the region. The coordination and supervision will be
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ensured by the Technical Coordinators at the Binational Commission. Component II is
anticipated to be initiated during the second quarter of the project period. GEF: US$2.82
million; co-funding: US$1. 43 million; total: US$4.25 million.
22. Additional funding for the structural development aspects of this component is indicated
under existing Inter-American Development Bank and World Bank programs. While these
programs are independent of the GEF-financed initiatives, the Technical Coordinators at the
Binational Commission will endeavor to integrate and coordinate their activities with these
development activities to the fullest extent possible and in such manner as may be determined
under Component I. Their actions would also involve the participation of, and coordination with,
private sector stakeholders as provided under Components III and IV below.
COMPONENT III: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
23. Component III will encourage the implementation of alternative production modes that will
be environmentally friendly or will at least minimize environmental degradation, with focus on
land degradation and soil erosion, while at the same time providing greater economic
opportunities for the local population, in a context of integrated management of water resources
and sustainable development planning for the basin as a whole. The initial action under this
component will be to formulate an Integrated Management and Sustainable Development
Program for the Basin, which will draw upon, and at the same time establish, a regional
framework for execution of the remaining activities. The five activities to be conducted under
this component are the following:
· Formulation and development of an Integrated Water Resource Management and Sustainable
Development Plan (IWRMP) comprising information gathering and dissemination, studies,
analyses, sharing of experiences, demonstrations, and evaluations conducted to date or to be
undertaken as part of the first stage of implementing the SAP to guide the development and
implementation of a programming framework for the integrated management of the basin's
resources, to place development initiatives in the context of preventing erosion and pollution
and conserving nature, and to serve as a basis for decision-making, and the establishment of a
threshold of sustainability for development projects undertaken by the various jurisdictions,
either alone or jointly. The design of this planning framework will include funding
requirements and will also take in account financing opportunities available from local,
regional, and international sources.
§ Extension and transfer of feasible approaches to sustainable economic development, resulting
from experience during the SAP formulation stage, to the mitigation of environmental
problems arising from the degradation of forests and soils by human activities in the form of
pilot projects in order to promote diffusion of sustainable resource management techniques to
the private sector, at the level of the local community, in order to encourage the restoration of
degraded environments in the lower basin, management of forage in humid and sub-humid
areas, productive restoration of vinalares, sustainable management of the agro-silvo-pastoral
potential of subtropical zones, sustainable soil management and conservation, and
management of excessive and deficient water flows.
§ Identification of current subsistence practices in these communities and the introduction of
programs designed to encourage the adoption of sustainable water and soil management
10

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practices to protect water and soil resources, including native fauna, particularly fish, in the
natural ecosystems of the Bermejo river, while at the same time helping to satisfy the demand
for food, fuel and shelter in rural communities.
§ Optimization of soil and water use, controlling soil loss in and around areas under
cultivation, and at the same time enhancing productivity through the development and
implementation of technological packages for soil and water management in irrigated
farming areas and the management of marginal lands particularly within the San Jacinto
Project's area of influence.
· Securing of financial support for the sustainable development of the Bermejo Basin. Actions
will be taken to help catalyze funding for the implementation of SAP project proposals, both
those of immediate and long-term priority, as well as other complementary actions related to
inter alia life quality improvement, poverty alleviation, health improvement, and the
preservation of indigenous cultural heritage considered as important by both Governments
for the sustainable development of the Binational basin. Specifically, donor roundtable
meetings with representatives of local, regional, and international financing agencies will be
convened to explore the possibilities of funds allocation to support development in the
Bermejo basin. Both governments have initiated actions at the national level with the Inter-
American Development Bank, seeking to obtain its participation as lead agency in the
organization and conduct of the meetings planned to be held in the region within the first
year of project activities.
24.
The results of this activity will provide an agreed planning framework for sustainable
management of water and other natural resources, within a regional regulatory context negotiated
and supported through a broad process of public participation. It will serve as the basis for
extending and deepening strategic efforts within both the public and private sectors at the
community level, and will imply a concrete step toward the accomplishment of the objectives of
the strategic program.
25.
The output of this component will be the implementation of structural and non-structural
practices of agricultural development that will also help to mitigate the impact of agriculture on
more than 3000 degraded hectares within the humid and dry Chaco zones, and 77 sites where, in
addition, other practices will be applied to rehabilitate degraded areas, in relation to specific
public and private economic sectors. To this end, the output of the component also will include
implementation of appropriate pasture and livestock management practices and the development
of traditional, small-scale crops in the Yungas zones, implementing and/or improving traditional
productive systems on a basis that is sustainable from an ecological, economic, and social
viewpoint, and address land management in typical farm and pasture sites in the humid and sub-
humid Chaco region of the lower basin, and undertake complementary actions to restore soil
productivity. These outputs will include documented information on the extent of subsistence
farming and fishing activities in the basin, a documented program of information dissemination
for improving local understanding of sustainable farming and fishing practices, and community
extension projects in selected places within the basin.

26.
It is anticipated that the execution of these activities will be undertaken by the relevant
governmental agencies at the national, prefectural/provincial, and municipal levels; research
institutes; universities; NGOs; and private agricultural operations in the region. The coordination
and supervision will be ensured by the Technical Coordinators at the Binational Commission.
Component III is anticipated to be initiated during the first quarter of the project period. GEF:
11

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US$3.03 million; co-funding: US$2.97 million; total: US$6.00 million. Funding provided for
this activity will also be used to establish the Project Coordination Unit and to support the
Binational Commission for implementation of the IWRMP.


COMPONENT IV: PUBLIC AWARENESS, PARTICIPATION, AND REPLICATION
OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
27.
Component IV embraces activities to identify and coordinate the interests of people and
organizations with economic and/or institutional responsibilities in the basin, including the
agricultural and industrial private sectors. Access to information is an essential part of the
process of encouraging local stakeholders to take an interest in sound management of the basin's
natural resources. To this end, a central theme of this component will be to inform the citizenry,
including corporate citizens, within the basin through an integrated program of environmental
education, institutional transparency, and exchange of information among communities,
organizations, and government entities. Building on the achievements of the SAP formulation
phase, further development of identified participatory mechanisms during the implementation
phase, will set the grounds for extension of Project findings into the Plata River Basin. Actions
are considered in this component to share experiences and promote international and regional
cooperation seeking for mechanisms that will enhance positive synergies at the broader level
within the Plata River Basin. The four clusters of activities to be conducted under this component
will include.
§ Implementation of environmental education programs (awareness, training, and formal and
informal educational programs), including the development and distribution of curricula and
materials for use in training teachers, and involving both community and private-sector
initiatives in the scope of educational programming, specifically designed to improve
educational opportunities in the most vulnerable communities, and promotion of awareness
and understanding among the various stakeholder groups social, political and
economic about the environmental consequences of improper use of natural resources and
the impact of human activities, through workshops, seminars, meetings, bibliographies,
manuals, brochures, the mass media, etc.
§ Stimulation of public participation in environmental management of the BRBB by
disseminating information to communities, corporations, and organizations through a variety
of means including public hearings, community-based legislative initiatives, environmental
education courses, consultation and mobilization workshops, capacity strengthening
programs, and use of the mass media (radio, television, Internet, newspapers) to build a
basic awareness so that individuals, organizations, and businesses will become engaged in
the decision-making process.
§ Acquisition and dissemination of technical information among water-resource professionals
at all governmental levels involved in the use and management of waters of the Bermejo
River including data on weather and rainfall, water quality and sediments, hydrogeology,
land use, environment, law, demography, economic development, specific development sites,
finance, other types of information useful for professional monitoring, and information of
more general interest for the public and other interested entities in the basin and beyond the
basin within the broader context of the Plata River Basin. The information to be disseminated
will stimulate informed participation in community decision-making, foster institutional
transparency, and help standardize practices among professionals and jurisdictions. The
dissemination system is also planned to provide the grounds for defining and monitoring
12

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specific indicators related to sustainable development and the environmental status of the
BRBB, including land use and natural resources degradation and restoration trends in the
Basin, and to help monitor project achievements. The actual definition and adoption of
indicators will be done by means of a series of technical regional workshops, and will include
(1) process indicators (focusing on the processes that will lead to desirable results), (2) stress-
reduction indicators (focusing on actions with defined targets that will reduce the
environmental stress on the water body), and (3) environmental status indicators (focusing on
the actual improvement of the ecosystem quality).
§ Replication of the methodological approach, findings, and recommendations of the Bermejo
project to areas with similar problems within the Plata basin, in order to contribute to the
promotion of a larger-scale and basin-wide strategic framework to address main
environmental degradation processes, the identification of critical transboundary issues, and
the definition of priority actions at the national and multinational level. This will be done
inter alia by means of seminars, workshops, and information dissemination through various
media.
28.
The outputs of this component will include preparation of appropriate curricula at the
different educational levels, publicity materials for promoting public awareness, and materials
and manuals for use in teaching and teacher training. They will also provide a documented
system of public participation, supported by suitable course materials and general information
brochures, that will also benefit the regional public audience beyond the Bermejo Basin
boundaries and build acceptance of public participation as a working methodology and
philosophy in implementing SAP; documented user groups including a catalogue of information
needs and environmental monitoring sites with suitable links to the information system; a
regional information system within a GIS environment; and, one or more pilot-scale satellite
information systems accessible to water management professionals, industry, and the community
are key elements in this component.
29.
It is anticipated that the execution of these activities will be undertaken by the relevant
governmental agencies at the national, prefectural/provincial, and municipal levels; research
institutes; universities; NGOs; and corporations in the region. The coordination and supervision
will be ensured by the Technical Coordinators at the Binational Commission. Component IV is
anticipated to be initiated during the first quarter of the project period. GEF: US$2.66 million;
co-funding: US$2.17 million; total: US$4.83 million. This activity will complement and
coordinate with a proposed medium-scale project to be financed by the GEF for the Upper
Paraguay River Basin (SIAP, Environmental Information System for the Upper Paraguay) to be
developed by Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay, in order to create compatible and interactive
information systems within and throughout the Plata River Basin.
RISKS AND SUSTAINABILITY
30.
This project is designed to address priority environmental matters concerned with
sustainable development, and the protection and preservation of the various ecosystems extant
within the BRBB. To effect this, it is necessary to formulate a comprehensive program of
coordinated actions by the governments of Argentina and Bolivia, the riparian provinces of
Argentina (Jujuy, Salta, Chaco, and Formosa), and the riparian prefecture of Bolivia (Tarija).
This program is set forth in the SAP for the BRBB. The principal risk facing development in the
BRBB is that environmental considerations are not properly included in projects, programs,
13

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policies, and actions in such a way as to ensure sustainability. Serious undesirable environmental
side effects, such as increased degradation of erosion-prone areas, damage to the underlying
natural-resource base, flooding, and pollution of downstream ecosystems, including economic
units of production, may result from this failure. Notwithstanding this, opportunities exist for the
protection and rehabilitation of the BRBB by strategically introducing effective and adequate
environmental management practices and procedures. These opportunities can be given effect
by the adoption by the provincial and prefectural governments of complementary legislation
consistent with the principles set forth in the SAP, and reinforced by the complementary program
of information and education supported by schools, universities, NGOs, and private corporations.
The implementation of comprehensive programs of environmental and land-use zoning at the
regional and local levels is an initial step in this process. There is a risk that
prefectural/provincial and local governments may fail to recognize the need for complementary
legislation, and that such legislation, necessary to give effect to a comprehensive strategic action
program, will not be adopted. The effect would be a failure to overcome parochialism among
governmental units that would hinder the full accomplishment of the sustainable management of
the system. Likewise, there is a risk that the complementary program of public participation,
including participation by private corporate entities, will not fully develop due to inadequate
local resources or staff. Even so, significant improvement in the maintenance of environmental
quality and sustainable economic development currently is being, and can continue to be,
achieved in the absence of a comprehensive management regime, which suggests that, in any
event, the net outcome of conducting this project will be a positive influence on the Basin.
31.
There is a further risk that, while the Binational Commission has adopted an active
posture that will catalyze and encourage an effective cross-sectoral role for the Commission in
the sustainable management of the river basin, lack of adequate levels of financial or human
resources could curtail the potential for this posture to result in significant economic and
environmental benefit in the Basin. Incremental GEF funding is intended to be catalytic in
reversing the unsustainable development trends in this region by, inter alia, helping to popularize
sustainable practices among the population, provide the institutional, legal and financial
structures necessary for implementation of sustainable practices, and promote mechanisms for
continued economic growth, with minimal negative environmental impacts, within the Basin.
32.
Project activities (including the participation process) and their implementation are
designed to achieve sustainability. Components have been proposed for the purposes of
addressing the root causes and effects of degradation of water and natural resources in the Basin,
and of reclaiming once-productive areas and keeping them productive. Such components relate
directly to the information gathered during SAP formulation to structure appropriate and
sustainable responses, both structural and non-structural within the Basin. The extension of
demonstration projects, the feasibilities of which were identified as an outcome of SAP
formulation, is predicated upon their sustainability, both from the ecological and economic point
of view and from the point of view of further evaluating the impact of those practices. Wherever
possible, the projects will develop opportunities for the establishment of financial incentives,
private-sector investment, and cost recovery in environmental management (e.g., in reclamation
of eroded lands, pastures and forests, rational management of natural forests, and exploitation of
newly forested or newly irrigated areas), and result in actual, working examples of new or
refined land-management actions necessary for the sustainable development of the watershed.
Activities on this scale will highlight issues affecting the sustainable implementation of practices
allowing refinements or modifications to be made prior to further large-scale use.
14

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33.
To minimize risk, the national and local governments have active, ongoing programs of
environmental management and are seeking more effective ways to manage and conserve their
natural-resource bases, including reviewing legal and administrative practices, operational
procedures, and human-resource needs. Innovative approaches have been proposed by
governmental agencies during the public participation process. Incremental financing provided
through this GEF project is intended to allow more extensive implementation of these
approaches as a means of determining their longer-term effectiveness and thereby catalyzing the
more widespread adoption of innovative methods by communities and corporations throughout
the Basin. Government support of these actions proposed to be implemented in part with GEF
funding includes a financial commitment of almost US$8.43 million over a period of four years,
with additional funds proposed to be allocated to the implementation of specific demonstration
projects under NGO-funded initiatives and international loan-financed programs, including
investment programs totaling in excess of US$530 million. These national counterpart
contributions, composed of municipal, provincial and prefectural, federal, and international funds
from domestic and loan sources, will help to minimize risks during project implementation, help
to create support for the watershed-management process, and assist in the development of
practicable approaches to environmental resource management in the Basin. In addition, other
nationally and internationally funded investment projects in the areas of natural hazard
management, wastewater, stormwater, and water quality management infrastructure are being
considered. Resource development plans and programs being executed by various governmental
units within the Basin, as of mid-1999, are tabulated in Annex H.
34.
Furthermore, to ensure sustainability of the Project's results, both countries have taken
steps to create an Inter-ministerial Committee, which will help mobilize support for the
investments identified, and catalyze the translation of project findings and recommendations into
policy, institutional, and legal reforms at the country level. The members of the Committee will
be established by the respective governments and will include, among others, ministerial
representatives from the areas of economy/finance, water resources, environment, health,
sanitation, culture, and tourism, who will participate as observers in the meetings of the Regional
Coordination Committee.
STAKEHOLDER PARTICIPATION AND IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS
35.
Participation (Annex F). Public participation in the management of the water resources
of Argentina and Bolivia is an integral feature of the project. More than 750 persons,
representing in excess of 80 civil, corporate, nongovernmental, and governmental entities
(having municipal, prefectural/provincial, federal, and international interests) participated in the
consultation process that led to the identification and definition of some 250 detailed project
documents. Consultation included, among many other activities, public and stakeholder meetings
convened during the SAP formulation process within the Basin. These meetings were held in
each of the major prefectural and provincial centers between December 1995 and July 1999. The
full proceedings of these meetings, and the supporting documentation listed in Annex G, are
available from the Binational Commission. These meetings represented the continuation of
contacts with the agencies, as well as with private sector representatives, academic institutions,
and NGOs, initiated during SAP formulation, and improved and clarified specific issues arising
from component proposals and other observations made during the project preparation period.
Additional communications, including more than 700 letters and 500 sets of workshop
documents received from and distributed to some 550 individuals and institutions on the
15

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program's mailing lists, ensured an highly transparent project preparation effort.
36.
Private sector involvement. Community-based activities carried out during the SAP
formulation phase resulted in the active participation of the private sector, in terms of
participation by individuals as well as by producer and user associations. Pilot project
demonstrations provided the grounds for active involvement of small- to medium-sized farmers,
land owners, and specialized corporations which participated in the development and evaluation
of sustainable management practices concerning forest conservation and restoration, forage
management, sustainable practices for subsistence farming, and erosion and sediment transport
control. Project activities will promote and enhance further participation of the private sector in
replicating sustainable management practices and technologies, and provide opportunities and
guidelines to offset risks associated with investments in the expansion of such practices. The
project seeks to provide a planning framework to promote and catalyze the conduct of actions
identified in the SAP, by articulating specific target investment areas comprised of
governmental, nongovernmental, and private groups that could productively interact with
regional and international banking and investment agencies.
37.
The GEF project preparation steering committee met in Washington, D.C., during April
and November 1997; in Nairobi, Kenya, during September 1998; and again in Washington,
during September 1999. During these meetings, several consultations were held with
representatives of the GEF Implementing Agencies, particularly The World Bank. During the
SAP formulation, more than 250 individuals representing in excess of 25 institutions (both
governmental and nongovernmental) were engaged as consultants in the conduct of
demonstration projects, data acquisition and analysis, and needs assessments relating to the
preparation of the TDA and SAP documents. Copies of all of the consultants' reports are
available for consultation from UNEP and the OAS. The principle findings identified by the
public, government officials, and consultants, as well as the experiences of the agencies and
public in the conduct of the demonstration projects, are contained within the SAP and given
effect by this proposal. This proposal has been prepared by the Binational Commission of
Argentina and Bolivia with the support of UNEP and OAS specialists.
38.
Popular participation was built into the demonstration projects and implementation
project formulation. This high level of public and stakeholder participation will be continued
during the development and implementation of the IWRMP for the BRBB. As noted above,
overall stakeholder participation in the project, including community- and corporate-based
environmental information and education campaigns, training courses and symposia, and actions,
continues to be designed to increase the capacity and future participation of institutions,
personnel, and individuals to undertake activities in support of the IWRMP. Further, specific
actions are proposed to be conducted under the project which address issues related to public and
stakeholder participation in the planning and implementation process, and/or which provide
support for the further development of a sound public participation and involvement strategy as
one of the strategic actions of the SAP implementation.
39.
Implementation Arrangements. The organizational structure for the implementation of
the SAP builds upon and improves that adopted during the formulation project, incorporating
binational regional governmental and nongovernmental participatory bodies to provide for
regional coordination and general project stewardship. Three functional levels are envisioned.
At the highest level, the Binational Commission will be responsible for the execution of the
project under the auspices of the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee will be
composed of two representatives of the Binational Commission, one from Argentina and one
16

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from Bolivia, a representative from UNEP as the GEF Implementing Agency, a representative of
the OAS and of IDB as GEF co-Executing Agencies9, and the national directors of the project
from Argentina and Bolivia. The other GEF Implementing Agencies will be informed of, and
may participate in, meetings of the Steering Committee in an ex officio capacity. Also,
representatives of bilateral and multilateral donors as well as regional entities such as CIC may be
invited to participate to the meetings of the Steering Committee in an ex officio capacity. The
Steering Committee will approve the work program, oversee technical and financial arrangements
relating to the project, and generally manage the progress of the project at regularly scheduled
meetings of the Committee.
40.
Coordination of the project at the regional level will be provided through a Regional
Coordinating Committee composed by representatives of the provincial administrations of
Argentina, and the Prefecture and Municipality of Tarija of Bolivia. This Committee will
provide coordination, program support, and general supervision of project activities within their
jurisdictions, and ensure articulations between and among governmental departments assigned to
the management of the BRBB at the subregional level, including encouraging public
participation in project activities. In coordination and with the support of the Inter-ministerial
Committee, the Regional Coordinating Committee will seek incorporation of project findings
and recommendations into the institutional and legal frameworks of the different jurisdictions.
In addition, a Regional Advisory Committee, composed of representatives of NGOs, academic
institutions, scientific and technical organizations, the private sector, citizens, and corporations
with interests in the management of the natural resources of the BRBB, will contribute to the
implementation of the project activities by encouraging public participation and providing
coordination between nongovernmental organizations. The Regional Advisory Committee will
also provide a conduit for public input to the project management.
41.
At the operational level, within each country, two Project Executing Units will conduct
the day-to-day operations of the project. A National Director will be responsible for exercising
administrative oversight for the day-to-day implementation of project activities in each country.
A Technical Coordinator, based in each country, will have the responsibility for the coordination
and execution of project tasks, administering the financial and human resources required,
refining and evaluating the outputs of the component activities of the project, preparing periodic
financial and technical reports on project progress for the Steering Committee, and providing
information on the progress and results of the project activities to interested parties. In addition
to this administrative organization, it is envisioned that project activities will be carried out by
community-based entities including governmental agencies, academic institutions, NGOs, and
private enterprises (contractors and consultants) who will execute specific portions of the
activities set forth in the Work Program in accordance with their specific mandates and in
cooperation with other interested parties and the general public under the guidance and direction
of the National Director and Technical Coordinator. The National Director for each country will
be confirmed at the first meeting of the Steering Committee. The Technical Coordinator for each
country, to be contracted with GEF Funds by OAS as the Executing Agency in consultation with
UNEP, will also be confirmed at this inaugural meeting of the Steering Committee.
42.
Administrative and reporting procedures consistent with UNEP standards and OAS
requirements for financial reporting will be established by the Steering Committee at its inaugural

9 IDB in its capacity of co-Executing Agency being in charge of the organization of donor roundtables (see
component III) will be integral part of the Steering Committee. Nevertheless, the OAS remains the main Executing
Agency and as such will be in charge of all project administrative matters.
17

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meeting. The program of work will be elaborated jointly by the Executing Units prior to the second
meeting of the Steering Committee and inauguration of project activities. Finally, the Steering
Committee, at its inaugural meeting, shall conduct any other such business as maybe required to
initiate project activities, and set a date for the second meeting of the Committee. Subsequent
meetings of the Committee shall be scheduled by the Committee but shall be at least every six
months during the project period. The activities of the Steering Committee will be supported by the
Binational Commission, with funds provided by GEF through the Implementing Agency. UNEP
and OAS will support Project Execution. OAS, due to its historic involvement in the Basin,
traditional partnership with UNEP in similar projects within the region, and its role in
implementing activities under related projects, will act as Executing Agency and manager of the
funds provided to the project by UNEP on behalf of GEF, consistent with UNEP financial
reporting requirements.
43.
Activities of national personnel, with the support of the international agencies, will be
based upon preparatory work and Terms of Reference prepared at the Coordinating Committee
level, agreed with and approved by the Binational Commission, in consultation with UNEP and
OAS. To the extent possible, all activities will be executed by national agencies of Argentina
and Bolivia, and/or by consultants from Argentina and Bolivia.
44.
The main coordination activities will be implemented from the headquarters of COREBE,
in Argentina, and of the OTN, in Bolivia. All project activities will be conducted within the
Basin.
INCREMENTAL COSTS AND PROJECT FINANCING
45.
Incremental Costs are presented in Tables 2 and 3, and in Annex A. Recognizing the
domestic benefits that will accrue from this project (e.g., identification of techniques and strategies
for the prevention and control of erosion, land degradation, sediment control, flood control, and
water supply for drinking and agricultural uses), the Governments of Argentina and Bolivia, the
riparian provinces, prefectures and municipal governmental units, and other parties participating in
the GEF project activities defined herein have proposed both loan-funding for the major
infrastructural improvements required for the implementation of mitigation measures
recommended under SAP and counterpart contributions for the cost-sharing of work program
activity costs under this GEF project proposal. The Governments and other participating
organizations are contributing or underwriting a substantial percentage of the total funds required,
thereby demonstrating their full support and interest in this program. This investment is assumed
to account for the full value of national benefits gained under this project, and will be applied
specifically to costs associated with issues such as waste disposal and flood management. Further,
the Governments of Argentina and Bolivia are contributing additional co-funding under
internationally-financed programs, including the FONPLATA-PROSOFA program, the Inter-
American Development Bank-PRISE program, and The World Bank-PROSAP and -PASMA
projects (see Annex H). Incremental GEF financing will be applied specifically to catalyze
activities such as mitigation and prevention of land degradation, wetland protection, biodiversity
preservation, and control and minimization of persistent contaminants, institutional development at
basin level for enhancing regional programming and coordination, public access to information and
participation.
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Table 2. Incremental Cost Analysis (US$ millions)
Baseline
Alternative
Increment
Global Environmental Benefits
I. Institutional Development and Strengthening for
1.86
3.75
1.89
Integrated Water Resources Planning and
Management
II. Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation
1.43
4.25
2.82
II. Sustainable Development of Natural Resources
2.97
6.00
3.03
IV. Awareness, Participation and Replication of Project
2.17
4.83
2.66
Activities
Sub-total
8.43
18.83
10.40
Administrative Fees
0
0.64
0.64
TOTAL
8.43
19.47
11.04
Table 3. Component Financing (US$ millions)
ACTIVITY
GEF
Co-financing
TOTAL
Government
UNEP
OAS
I. Institutional Development and
Strengthening for Integrated
1.89
1.86
0.15
0.15
4.05
Water Resources Planning and
Management
II. Environmental Protection and
2.82
1.43
4.25
Rehabilitation
III. Sustainable Development of
3.03
2.97
Natural Resources
6.00
IV. Awareness, Participation and
2.66
2.17
4.83
Replication of Project Activities
TOTAL (Project Costs)
10.40
8.43
0.15
0.15 19.1319.13
Administrative Fees
0.64
0.64
GRAND TOTAL
11.04
8.43
0.15
0.15
19.77
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MONITORING, EVALUATION AND DISSEMINATION
46.
Monitoring and Evaluation. The administrative, technical, and financial reporting
framework will be provided by the Implementing Agency through the Executing Agency and
Steering Committee using standard UNEP reporting protocols. Utilizing key process and status
indicators will be an intrinsic part of the project. These indicators will be implemented through the
establishment and integration of monitoring tools into project components, as agreed by the
Steering Committee at their second meeting, as set forth above. A monitoring and evaluation plan,
based upon GEF monitoring and evaluation indicators (process, stress reduction, and
environmental status), will be prepared by the Project Executing Units and Binational Commission
in close consultation with UNEP and the OAS, and will be approved by the Steering Committee.
The objective of this monitoring is to contribute to improving, and, if needed, adapting the
management of work program activities as well as creating the basis for project evaluation.
Implementing Agency supervision will be exercised through the project Executing Units and the
Executing Agency and by participation in the regular meetings of the Steering Committee,
especially at the first and second meetings of the Steering Committee wherein the work plan will
be discussed and agreed. A project implementation review consistent with GEF procedures will be
undertaken jointly by the governments and UNEP within two years after the end of the project.
47.
STAP review. (Annex C) This project proposal was reviewed by Dr Williams, Professor
Emeritus, Adelaide University, Australia, an International Waters Expert included in the STAP
Roster of Experts. Comments made by Dr Williams have been addressed in Annex C but did not
require any specific modification to the Brief. In general, the comments of the STAP reviewer
were strongly supportive of the project approach, methodology and design.
48.
Dissemination. Incorporated into this project are specific activities which explicitly aim to
promote and disseminate the experiences obtained during the SAP implementation process to the
water resources professionals and to communities within the BRBB and Plata River Basin through
a program of public information and education. Further, the project is explicitly designed to
encourage the integration of basin actors in various project activities, including transboundary
pollutant transport and similar issue identification activities. As previously noted, all project
activities will encourage and facilitate technology transfer and information dissemination through
programs of public participation, stakeholder involvement, and professional and community-based
education and information dissemination. Prefectural/provincial and municipal governmental,
NGO, private sector, and citizen involvement in project execution will contribute to the
dissemination of information on specific technologies and techniques that contribute to the
sustainable environmental management and economic development of the watershed. This
emphasis on public participation in the SAP implementation process for the BRBB will facilitate
communication with all concerned organizations, agencies and citizens, and the adoption of a
comprehensive strategic approach for the management of this critical drainage basin.
20

---

LIST OF ANNEXES
Included in this Document :
Annex A: Incremental Costs. This Annex presents a discussion of incremental cost
determination by project component, including tables of baseline and incremental costs,
component financing, indicative schedule of expenditures, and financing by expenditure category.
Annex B: Logical Framework Matrix. This Annex presents and summary of the project
including a summary, statement of outcomes, summary of components and activities, and
statement of expected results.
Annex C: STAP Review and Response. This Annex presents the full text of the project review
conducted by an International Waters Expert, and the response of the Implementing Agency staff,
as appropriate.
Annex D: Letters of Endorsement. This Annex presents the letters of endorsement of the project
provided by the GEF focal points within the BRBB.
To be Provided by Implementing Agency Upon Request:
Annex E: Root Causes Analysis and Strategic Actions. This Annex presents an analysis of the
root causes of priority environmental problems and strategic actions within the BRBB as set forth
in TDA.
Annex F: Public Involvement Plan Summary. This Annex summarizes the agencies involved in
project preparation and likely to be involved in the execution of the project by type of agency or
organization.
Annex G: Available Reference Documents. This Annex presents a list of those documents,
consulted during the PDF-B Phase and prepared during the formulation of the TDA and SAP, that
provide detailed information used to develop project components and activities, including a list of
documents produced as part of the SAP process.
Annex H: Plans and Development Programs within the Binational Basin of the Bermejo
River Providing Associated Financial Support to Specific Priority Strategic Actions
Identified in the SAP. This Annex presents the pro-rated estimated investment for riparian
provinces in Argentina and riparian prefecture and municipalities in Bolivia, in direct support of
specific priority actions of the SAP.
Annex I: Proposed Work Program. This Annex presents a detailed breakdown of the project
components and activities, including tables of project implementation, incremental cost by activity,
and component financing by activity.
Annex J: SAP Summary. This Annex contains a summary of the findings and
recommendations of the TDA and SAP for the BRBB. These recommendations form the basis
for the implementation of the local IWRMP in the Basin.
21

---

ANNEX A
INCREMENTAL COSTS
1. Broad Development Goals. The goal of the Strategic Action Program (SAP) for the
binational basin of the Bermejo River (BRBB) is to promote environmentally sustainable
development within the entire Bermejo Basin, taking into consideration the programs of
investments of the governments of Argentina and Bolivia, the provinces and prefectures,
municipalities, and local authorities as well as NGOs and private sector corporations.
2. Baseline Situation. The baseline situation consists of: (1) long-term development programs
for the Basin, comprising investments in sanitation, agriculture, and other infrastructure such as
river regulation and power generation; (2) environmentally-related activities (e.g., those activities
indicated under SAP and ongoing, government-supported investments); and (3) relatively
uncoordinated activities being planned or executed by many government agencies and/or private
parties in the basin.
3. The baseline activities in category (1) include investments contained within the proposed
development programs, many of which are summarized in Annex H. These activities may also
include the components of category (2) activities described below, that will be executed primarily
by the public sector with the support of external development agencies and the governments of
Argentina and Bolivia, as well as other, additional investments required for the general
development of agriculture, industry, and urban infrastructure within the basin. The costs of these
general development programs have not been considered in the calculations presented in Table
A.1. However, because such investments may be subject to modification as a result of the GEF
project (i.e., in order to take into consideration sustainable development techniques and
technologies), a modest GEF project contribution might have a substantial leverage effect in
redefining those projects that might not, otherwise, be environmentally-sustainable.
4. Baseline activities in category (2) include environmental monitoring and remediation works
being conducted by governments within the basin. These activities are contained in the above
mentioned investment programs being undertaken by the governments of Argentina and Bolivia,
and the prefectures and provinces, as well as in activities being conducted by the private sector,
such as nature conservation and alternative means of sustainable production initiatives being
funded through NGOs. Other, additional investments of the governments in routine
environmental monitoring within the basin were not estimated. Although data gathered under
these programs will be available to, and used in, the implementation of the SAP for the BRBB,
no additional efforts will be undertaken under this project. As a consequence, the costs of these
general programs have not been considered in the calculations presented in Table A.1.
5. The baseline activities in category (3) include activities presently being executed by some
government agencies, having an indirect relationship to specific SAP activities. Baseline costs
are, in each case, the amount that those government agencies are planning to spend in the next
four years, in the absence of the GEF program. As noted above, this project will have access to,
A - 1

---

and make use of, data gathered under ongoing environmental investigations, but will not
supplement current investments by the governments in this area. Notwithstanding, some
proposed monitoring activities that form part of the ongoing programs, but which have not yet
been initiated, will be financed in part through the GEF project (e.g., partial funding to extend
preliminary analyses of environmental contamination in the basin, and to create human and
institutional capacity for monitoring and information management which forms elements of
Component IV). Hence, the activities proposed herein represent new activities not previously
supported by governmental agencies. Investments represented by existing monitoring programs,
therefore, have not been considered in the calculations presented in Table A.1.
6. In summary, the estimated baseline investment upon which this GEF project is being
developed is limited to operational and maintenance costs associated with current operating costs
of the Binational Commission and its national counterparts (COREBE and OTN) estimated at
about US $ 1,000,000 including support for ongoing consultations with local government staff;
the operational and maintenance costs of existing remedial measures, and ongoing extension
services provided by regional universities and governmental agencies, estimated at about US $
2,250,000; the operational and maintenance costs of the national park and reserve systems and
related costs associated with the operations of regional universities and national NGOs, estimated
at about US $ 3,000,000; and the annual costs of supporting the existing hydrometeorological
information network and public informational programming, estimated at about US $ 2,000,000
per year. In general, the additional activities proposed under the work program for this project
would not be undertaken in the absence of GEF intervention.
7. GEF Alternative Scenario. The alternative scenario consists of the implementation of those
actions needed to both introduce sustainable development into development projects in the
BRBB, and achieve the resulting global environmental benefits embodied in the mitigation of
transboundary environmental problems. In the first instance, these actions will focus on the
control of erosion and sediment transport, and the prevention, and rehabilitation and protection,
of land degradation. The costs of these actions are the costs necessary to include sustainable
development considerations in the development projects within the basin, over and above the
requirements of the regular environmental impact assessments and mitigation measures required
to be completed under existing Argentina and Bolivian national and provincial/ prefectural
environmental laws and regulations.
8. Water resources in the BRBB are currently managed by a variety of local,
provincial/ prefectural, and national government agencies, with a degree of integration provided
by the Binational Commission and its corresponding regional counterpart agencies.
Strengthening of the Binational Commission is a means of bringing additional coordination to the
local execution of governmental and community-level responsibilities within the basin. Support
for the evolution of a basin organization within the BRBB is to be provided through GEF support.
The incremental cost of this activity is estimated to be about US $ 2,000,000.
9. Several global and domestic benefits have been identified as being promoted by the GEF
intervention; namely, decreased transboundary transport of contaminants, increased riverine
biodiversity, decreased degradation of soils, increased knowledge of river behavior, improved
coordination of actions for river basin management and planning, and dissemination of
knowledge. The incremental costs of these activities are estimated to be about US $ 8,000,000.
A - 2

---

The benefits arising from these activities are reflected in the project activities presented in Table
A.2. These benefits are:
Component I (Activities 1.1 and 1.2 in Annex I). The baseline cost of this component is about
US $ 1.86 millions, and is comprised of the current operational costs incurred by the Binational
Commission and its partner agencies, COREBE and OTN. Improvement of knowledge about
natural and anthropogenic influences on water flow and quality is expected to result in better use
of water and natural resources in the basin, thus generating additional global and domestic
benefits. In addition, benefits arising from the development of an effective basin organization
within the BRBB, working in partnership with relevant provincial/ prefectural authorities, would
significantly improve the ability of communities to develop socially and economically in a
sustainable manner. The alternative cost is about US $ 3.75 millions: GEF funding in the amount
of about US $ 1.89 millions is requested to conduct various activities designed to promote or
facilitate the formulation and implementation of an effective environmental and water resources
management framework within the basin. The governments of Argentina and Bolivia and local
governmental and non-governmental organizations will contribute the sum of US $ 1.86 to cover
reinforcement of institutions working in the basin, and additional operational costs.
Table 3. Component Financing (Million US $).
ACTIVITY
GEF
Co-financing
TOTAL
Government
UNEP
OAS
I. Institutional Development and
1.89
1.86
0.15
0.15
4.05
Strengthening for Integrated
Water Resources Planning and
Management
II. Environmental Protection and
2.82
1.43
4.25
Rehabilitation
III. Sustainable Development of
3.03
2.97
6.00
Natural Resources
IV. Awareness, Participation and
2.66
2.17
4.83
Replication of Project Activities
TOTAL (Project Costs)
10.40
8.43
0.15
0.15
!Syntax
Error,
(!Syntax
Error, (
Administrative Fees
0.64
0.64
GRAND TOTAL
11.04
8.43
0.15
0.15
19.77
Component II (Activities 2.1 to 2.3 in Annex I). The baseline cost of this component is about US
$ 1.43 millions, and is comprised of the cost associated with existing university- and government-
based extension services, local NGOs in establishing buffer strips around nature reserves and
A - 3

---

preparing ecoregional plans for the basin. The global benefit to be obtained through the
implementation of selected activities effecting the rehabilitation of natural vegetative cover, use
of appropriate agricultural practices and land use regulations, erosion control, water quality
enhancement and the mitigation of degraded lands may also result in domestic benefits arising
from increased agricultural productivity and health improvements. The alternative project cost is
about US $ 4.25 millions: GEF funding in the amount of about US $ 2.82 millions is requested
for extension of feasible demonstration projects and other activities. The governments of
Argentina and Bolivia and local governmental and non-governmental organizations will
contribute about US $ 1.43 millions to cover the strengthening of human resources capacity, and
additional operation costs.
Component III (Activities 3.1 and 3.4 in Annex I). The baseline cost of this component is about
US $ 2.97 millions, and is comprised of the cost associated with water resources planning, and
allocation, technology development and extension activities carried out by governmental
agencies, user organizations, and local NGOs, operating in certain communities. The global
benefits of improving water availability and expanding efficient and sustainable water and land
utilization practices, based on comprehensive water and natural resource management programs
at basin level, and on land use zoning will derive from increased income at community level and
enhanced health and living standards, particularly in most vulnerable communities, including
indigenous people. The alternative project cost is about US $ 6.0 millions. GEF funding in the
amount of about US $ 3.03 millions is requested to conduct various activities designed to
promote or facilitate the introduction of planning and sustainable development techniques within
the basin. The governments of Argentina and Bolivia and local governmental and
nongovernmental organizations will contribute a sum of about US $ 2.97 millions to implement
demonstration projects and to cover the strengthening of human resources capacity,
reinforcement of institutions working in the basin, and additional operation costs.
Component IV (Activities 4.1 through 4.3 in Annex I). The baseline cost of this component is US
$ 2.17 millions, and is comprised of the current operational costs associated with the operation of
the hydrometeorological network, processing and dissemination of the information and
environmental education activities carried out by government based organization, universities,
and regional and national NGOs. Improvement of knowledge about natural and anthropogenic
influences on water flow and quality is expected to result in more effective participation in the
decision-making process affecting resource management in the basin, at both the professional and
community levels, thus generating additional global and domestic benefits. The alternative cost is
about US $ 4.83 millions: GEF funding in the amount of about US $ 2.66 millions is requested to
conduct various activities designed to promote or facilitate environmental education and water
resources training, information acquisition and dissemination, and development of an
environmental information system in the basin. The governments of Argentina and Bolivia and
local governmental and nongovernmental organizations will contribute a sum of about US $ 2.17
millions in support of training and environmental education programs at all levels within in
critical communities and agencies throughout the basin; and, the costs of implementation of
information acquisition and dissemination projects at both the professional and community levels
throughout the BRBB.
A - 4

---

10. Additional Domestic Benefits and Costs. Reduced soil loss, improved flood forecasting,
improved water quality, retained biodiversity and biological structure and functioning, and more
effective and sustainable use of available water resources are local benefits to be expected as a
result of the activities of the Project. Additional local costs are unknown at this stage. Hence,
any additional benefits to be derived from these environmental improvements cannot be
estimated. Nevertheless, it is assumed that the domestic funding provided will compensate for
the domestic benefits achieved.
11. Table A.3 presents an indicative financial plan under which this 4.5 year project will be
implemented. It should be noted that specific expenditures for Components may be initiated at
any time during the six-month period preceding the indicated date, as human and financial
resources, and prerequisite information availability, warrant. Further, it is anticipated that each
component within the four principal Components is likely to be executed over the period of at
least one year. Project expenditures are summarized by budget category in Table A.4.
A - 5

---

Table A.1. Incremental Cost Analysis (Million US $)
Baseline
Alternative
Increment
Global Environmental Benefits
I. Institutional Development and Strengthening for
1.86
3.75
1.89
Integrated Water Resources Planning and
Management
II. Environmental Protection and Rehabilitation
1.43
4.25
2.82
II. Sustainable Development of Natural Resources
2.97
6.00
3.03
IV. Awareness, Participation and Replication of Project
2.17
4.83
2.66
Activities
Sub-total
8.43
18.83
10.40
Administrative Fees
0
0.64
0.64
TOTAL
8.43
19.47
11.04
Table A.2. Component Financing (Million US $).
ACTIVITY
GEF
Co-financing
TOTAL
Government
UNEP
OAS
I. Institutional Development and
1.89
1.86
0.15
0.15
4.05
Strengthening for Integrated
Water Resources Planning and
Management
II. Environmental Protection and
2.82
1.43
4.25
Rehabilitation
III. Sustainable Development of
3.03
2.97
6.00
Natural Resources
IV. Awareness, Participation and
2.66
2.17
4.83
Replication of Project Activities
TOTAL (Project Costs)
10.40
8.43
0.15
0.15
!Syntax
Error,
(!Syntax
Error, (
Administrative Fees
0.64
0.64
GRAND TOTAL
11.04
8.43
0.15
0.15
19.77
A - 6

---

Table A. 3. Indicative Schedule of Expenditures (Million US $).
March
March
March
March
March
Component
Total
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
UNEP:
UNEP:
UNEP:
UNEP:
UNEP:
UNEP:
Steering
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.03
0.15
Committee
OAS:
OAS:
OAS:
OAS:
OAS:
OAS:
0.04
0.03
0.02
0.03
0.03
0.15
GEF
1.45
3.15
2.65
2.15
1.0
10.40
Non-GEF
0.88
1.60
2.60
2.50
0.85
8.43
Administrative
0.04
0.15
0.15
0.15
0.15
0.64
Fees
Total
2.44
4.96
5.45
4.86
2.06
19.77
Table A.4. Project Financing per Expenditure Category (Million US $).
DESCRIPTION
GEF
NON-GEF
TOTAL
Personnel
0.30
4.69
4.99
Consultants
3.43
0.06
3.49
Administrative Support Staff
0.10
0.10
Sub-total Personnel
3.83
4.75
8.58
Support Activities
3.08
1.65
4.73
Workshops and Training
1.36
0.53
1.89
Travel
0.99
0.38
1.37
Expendable Equipment
0.59
0.39
0.98
Non-Expendable Equipment
0.85
0.73
1.58
Administrative Fees
0.64
0.64
Total (Project Cost)
11.34
8.43
19.77
A - 7

---

MATRIX OF THE LOGICAL FRAMEWORK
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE
VERIFICATION
CRITICAL POINTS
INDICATORS
METHODS
AND RISKS
GOAL
To promote the sustainable development of the Río Bermejo Basin by
Strategic Action Program for the Binational Río
- Reports from the
- The governments provide the
implementing the Strategic Action Program for the Binational Río Bermejo
Bermejo Basin (SAP) is being implemented in full, with
Regional Coordinating
Regional Coordinating
Basin (SAP)
verifiable progress made in the following areas:
Commission that is to be
Commission with effective
- Inclusion of environmental concerns into the region's
set up under the SAP.
support, and the Commission
policies, plans, and programs.
- Final reports, progress
actively interconnects all the
- Establishment of mechanisms for regional
reports, and assessments
social stakeholders in the basin.
coordination and interconnection and public
of completed and
- The financial commitments of the
participation.
ongoing projects.
agencies in charge of executing
- Implementation of the corrective and preventive
the SAP's different projects are
environmental programs, projects, and actions, and
maintained.
those for the sustainable development of natural
- External funding is channeled into
resources, that were given priority in the SAP.
the implementation of the SAP's
projects
PURPOSE:
To promote and reestablish the correct environmental functioning of the system, Institutional, financial, organizational, and legal
- Final assessment report
The participating agencies
by executing selected strategic actions that complement and facilitate the efforts mechanisms in operation in the basin; pilot
on the project.
coordinate actions and maintain the
of the Argentine and Bolivian governments and institutions in implementing the
demonstration studies and actions have been carried out; - Report of the Steering
priority of the projects within the
SAP.
SAP implementation process is underway.
Committee.
institutional structure of the SAP.
RESULTS:
I) INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING:
The working program has been implemented and
- Final assessment report
- Environmental considerations are
Establishing a participatory institutional and legal framework, including both the significant goals have been achieved, over a period of
on the project.
duly incorporated into the
public and private sectors, and providing a multisectoral and integral approach to four years, through 31 projects and four components.
- Reports from the
projects, programs, policies, and
environmental management and economic development in the basin.
Achievements:
Regional Coordinating
actions of the agencies involved in
I)
Institutional and legal framework for
Commission that is to be
managing the basin's natural
II) ENVIRONMENTAL PREVENTION, PROTECTION, AND
integrated basin management is being consolidated and
set up under the SAP.
resources, thus ensuring their
REHABILITATION:
is functioning efficiently.
sustainability.
Implementation of basin management measures aimed at priority transboundary
issues related to the prevention and control of sediment production and
II) Actions, pilot demonstrations, and complementary
transport, water quality pollution and degradation , nature conservation, and
basic studies have been carried out, setting the technical
protection of biodiversity.
grounds for prevention and the environmental
III) SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES:
rehabilitation of ecosystems.
Promoting the use of alternative sustainable methods of production that are
III) (a) Integrated basin planning system, procedures, or
environmentally friendly, minimize environmental degradation , and provide the
actions have been agreed upon, consolidated, and
population with better economic opportunities.
operating, (b) Sustainable natural resource usage
ANNEX B
IV) PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND AWARENESS:
practices have been developed and disseminated.
Coordinating and supporting the interests of the basin's different stakeholders,
IV) Representative sectors of the population that are
through environmental education, institutional transparency, social participation, sufficiently informed, aware, and actively participating
and the generation and exchanging of information.
in the basin's natural resource management programs,
projects, and actions.
B - 1

---

ACTIVITIES UNDER COMPONENT I: INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING1
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE
START & END
VERIFICATION
CRITICAL POINTS
INDICATORS
DATES
METHODS
AND RISKS
1.1 DEVELOPMENT OF AN INSTITUTIONAL P.1 (a) Interjurisdictional mechanism for coordination, programming,
Start: 07/year1
- Interjurisdictional
- The governments of the two
FRAMEWORK:
and control, with authority throughout the entire basin, has been
End: 06/year4
Binational Agreement
countries, the provincial
Consolidated institutional framework for integrated designed, agreed upon, implemented, and operating. (b) Strategies for
formalizing the
governments, the prefecture,
basin management, through the Binational
the institutionalization of the functions of basin agency at the
implementation of the
and the municipalities agree
Commission, with participation by the institutions
binational level have been designed and agreed upon. (c) Binational
coordination, programming,
to adopt the institutional
and political districts of both countries, through the Commission and regional and jurisdictional institutions, private
and control mechanism.
and legal recommendations
implementation of the following actions:
institutions, and NGOs have been strengthened and trained to actively
- Final reports on work
developed in the project.
participate in this organizational structure and in the implementation
element.
P.1. Institutional development and strengthening of of programs and projects.
the Binational Commission.
- Final reports on the project.
P.2. Basin-wide institutional development in
P.2. Interjurisdictional basin agency in Argentina has been designed,
- Statutes of the COREBE
Political acceptance in the
Argentina.
agreed upon, consolidated, and is operating. Regional Commission of
functioning as the basin
COREBE area.
P.8. Strengthening of institutions and of the
the Río Bermejo (COREBE) and the jurisdictional representatives
Start: 07/year1
agency.
capabilities of governmental and civil society
have been strengthened.
End: 06/year3
organizations.
- Inventory of supplied
P.8. The technical capacities and equipment resources of
equipment.
governmental and civil society organizations responsible for or
Start: 07/year 1
Assessment reports on
Governments and
participating in the management of the basin's natural resources have
End: 06/year4
courses taught.
organizations facilitate the
been strengthened.
right personnel for training.
1.2 DEVELOPMENT OF A LEGISLATIVE
P.3. Actions to promote and implement regional and district legal
Start: 01/year2
- Final reports on work
- National, provincial, and
FRAMEWORK:
frameworks have been developed and harmonized, particularly as
End: 12/year3
elements.
prefectural authorities
Strengthened regulatory framework for the use and regards environmental laws, water codes, environmental impact
- Regulations, guides, and
recognize the need for and
preservation of the basin's natural resources,
assessments, public participation, and access to information.
manuals drawn up.
promote the furtherance of
through the following actions:
- Rules for implementing
environmental legislation.
P.3 Development and harmonization of regional
P.7. Territorial zoning has been applied and promoted as a basic
management instruments.
- The proposed rules are duly
legal framework.
planning instrument. In Argentina, application to pilot demonstration
Start: 01/year2
- Territorial zoning plan for
approved on time.
P.7 Environmental and territorial zoning.
cases to provide common technical and methodological guidelines; in
End: 12/year3
the Upper Basin in Bolivia. - The participating
P.9 Strengthening and development of economic
Bolivia, preparation of a territorial zoning plan for the entire basin.
- Final report on the work
institutions and
instruments.
element.
communities coordinate
P.10 Inclusion of environmental and social costs in P.9. Economic instruments have been designed, agreed on by
actions and maintain the
development projects.
consensus, and included as mechanisms for assessing economic value
Start: 01/year2
priorities of the projects
of water, and the generation of funds for managing water resources.
End: 06/year3
- Final report on the work
within their institutional
element.
structures.
P.10. Methodological guidelines and implementation strategies have
been designed and agreed on for the inclusion of environmental and
Start: 06/year2
social costs in the assessment of development projects, using methods End: 12/year3
that place value on the resources and services of nature. Methodology
applied to pilot case studies and result assessments.

1 Numbers refer to project identification in SAP
B - 2

---

ACTIVITIES UNDER COMPONENT II: ENVIRONMENTAL PREVENTION, PROTECTION, AND REHABILITATION
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE
START & END
VERIFICATION
CRITICAL POINTS
INDICATORS
DATES
METHODS
AND RISKS
2.1 SOIL MANAGEMENT AND EROSION
P.51. Sediment in transit and soil erosion has been controlled, with a
Start: 04/year1
- Final report on the work
- Local people accept and
CONTROL:
25% fall in silting at the San Jacinto dam and losses of agricultural
End: 09/year2
element.
participate in the planned
Application of appropriate structural and
soils. Practices applied in the Río Mena subbasin: construction of 5
- On-site inspection.
actions.
nonstructural measures for soil conservation and
soil dikes and 10 gabion dikes; 160 ha closed off for natural
erosion control, through a basin management
regeneration; reforestation of 80 ha; soil management on 600 ha;
approach, in selected critical areas of the basin.
technical assistance and training.
The following actions will be carried out:
P.51. Sediment control in the Río Tolomosa Basin. P.55. Integrated natural resource management plan in the Río
Start: 01/year2
- Final report on the work
- Local people accept and
P.55. Integral management of the natural resources Gamoneda subbasin has been implemented, through irrigation stream
End: 06/year3
element.
participate in the planned
of the Río Santa Ana Basin.
regulation work, agricultural soil conservation, and reducing erosion.
- On-site inspection.
actions.
P.58. Integrated management of the Río Iruya
Involving the sustainable management of 200 ha of land used for dry
Basin.
farming, 50 ha of irrigated land, and 500 ha of sylvo-pastoral land.
P.59. Management of the Río Grande Basin.
Systematization of the Río Huasamayo Subbasin.
P.58. Management plan or practices for soil conservation and the
prevention and control of sediment production and transportation in
Start: 07/year1
- Progress reports and final
- Municipalities and local
the Río Iruya Basin have been designed, applied, and assessed. Pilot
End: 06/year4
report on the work element.
communities participate
demonstration project to reduce erosion on farm terrace rills has been
- Works inspection reports.
actively in the planned
carried out. Structural actions implemented in the Colanzulí pilot
- Reports from meetings and
actions.
project. Results transferred to the community. Land use regulation
workshops involving the
- No exceptional
plan designed and adopted. Participatory follow-up actions designed
community.
meteorological events will
and implemented.
take place.
P.59 Structural actions and management measures have been
designed, agreed on by consensus, and carried out, in order to: (a)
Start: 01/year2
- Final report on the work
- Municipalities and local
reduce torrential erosion in the Río Huasamayo Subbasin; (b)
End:
element.
communities participate
practices to be implemented throughout the Río Grande Basin assessed 06/year4
- Works inspection reports.
actively.
and selected.
- Reports from community
- No exceptional
workshops and meetings.
meteorological events will
take place.
2.2 CONSOLIDATION OF PROTECTED
P.14. Ecotourism activities have been introduced in the mountain
Start: 07/year1
- Final report on the work
- The national and provincial
AREAS AND PROTECTION OF
forests, including the monitoring and assessment of ecotourism
End: 06/year4
element.
tourism authorities
BIODIVERSITY:
alternatives in El Rey National Park, and the identification, design,
- Agreements with owners in
encourage and adopt the
Protection of biodiversity and promotion of the
and implementation of ecotourism alternatives in the buffer zone of the
the buffer zones.
initiatives.
sustainable development of local communities
Calilegua National Park.
- Reports on improvements
- Tourism providers
through the consolidation and development of
and investments made.
incorporate ecotourism
protected areas, the creation of buffer zones, the
P.16 (a) Studies into the current status of natural resources in the sub- Start: 07/year2
activities into their tours.
execution of basic studies into natural resources,
Andean region have been carried out. (b) A pilot plan for the
End: 06/year4
- Final report on the work
- Owners actively participate
and the execution of pilot carbon fixation actions.
management and conservation of natural resources has been designed
element.
in and promote the
The following activities are involved:
and executed, focusing on increased fixation of carbon through
- On-site inspection.
initiatives
P.14 Implementation of ecotourism alternatives in
sustainable productive practices, the ordered use of natural resources,
El Rey and Calilegua National Parks.
and the application of techniques to protect, conserve, manage, and
- Final report on the work
P.16 Carbon fixation in the sub-Andean region.
rehabilitate habitats that have deteriorated.
element.
P.17 Study of biodiversity.
P.20 Creation of the Baritú­Tariquía Biological
P.17. Studies have been conducted into the current status of
Start: 01/year2
- Final report on the work
B - 3

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OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE
START & END
VERIFICATION
CRITICAL POINTS
INDICATORS
DATES
METHODS
AND RISKS
Corridor.
biodiversity in the Upper Bermejo Basin and the levels of ecosystem
End: 12/year2
element.
- Local people accept and
P.19 Zoning and management plan for the Sama
conservation, and action lines for conserving and managing them have
- Report from executing
participate in the planned
and Tariquía reserves.
been proposed.
agencies
actions.
P.18 Evaluation of pastureland in the sub-Andean
Start: 10/year1
- Reports from meetings and
region.
P.20. The interconnection of the Baritú Park (Argentina) and Tariquía End: 06/year4
workshops with the
P.22 Zoning for the planned Teuco National Park. Reserve (Bolivia) protected areas has been assured through the legal
community.
- The agencies responsible for
and administrative consolidation of the corridor and the adoption of an
managing protected areas
integral management plan for natural resources and for administrating
respond appropriately to the
these areas.
programmed actions.
- Local people accept and
P.19. (a) Proposal for the redefining, recategorization, and zoning of
Start: 07/year1
- Final report on the work
participate in the planned
the Sama and Tariquía biological reserves has been drawn up. (b)
End: 06/year2
element.
actions.
Management plan for the two reserves has been designed.
- Report from PROMETA.
P.18. Zoning study and description of natural pastureland in the sub-
- The responsible agencies
Andean ecoregion has been drawn up, its management status has been Start: 01/year3
- Final report on the work
and owners actively
surveyed, and a sustainable management plan for these natural
End: 10/year3
element.
participate in and promote
pasturelands has been prepared.
the initiatives.
P.22 The sector's real potential as a protected area has been defined,
Start: 10/year1
- Final report on the work
- The responsible agencies
with the establishment of conservation goals, the zoning of the area
End: 09/year2
element.
and owners actively
(250,000 ha), and recommendations for its management and the
participate in and promote
creation of a protected area.
the initiatives.
2.3 PROTECTION AND RESTORATION OF
P.43 Two waste water treatment systems (pilot plants) built in small
Start: 10/year1
- Final report on the work
- Tarija prefecture and the
WATER QUALITY:
rural towns; underground aquifer pollution control system created; and End: 12/year2
element.
municipalities prioritize and
Restoration of water quality in water courses along waste water monitoring plan drawn up.
- On-site inspection.
implement the Río
preestablished critical stretches, by implementing
- Measurements of the quality
Guadalquivir cleanup
the following actions:
P.44 A study to assess pollution levels, their main causes, and
Start: 01/year3
of surface and ground
project.
P.43 Environmental cleanup of the Río
proposed solutions for the environmental cleanup and sustainability of End: 09/year3
water.
Guadalquivir.
the waters of El Nueve and El Cinco gorges, the Río Grande de Tarija,
- Final report on the work
P.44 Study for the environmental cleanup of water and the Río Bermejo has been completed. The results to be attained
element.
courses in the Bermejo Triangle.
are final versions of the analysis of the situation and the environmental
cleanup plan.
ACTIVITIES UNDER COMPONENT III: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE
START &
VERIFICATION
CRITICAL POINTS
INDICATORS
END DATES
METHODS
AND RISKS
3.1 PROGRAMMING AND PLANNING:
P.53. (a) Program for the integrated management of water resources
Start: 01/year1 - Final report on the work
- The individuals and
Regional policies, procedures, and capabilities for
has been drawn up, integrating development initiatives in the context
End: 12/year4
element.
agencies involved fully
programming and planning to be developed and
of preventing erosion and sediment transport, water quality
- Minutes of the meetings of the
participate in the planning
strengthened, by means of:
degradation and conserving nature. (b) Activities vis-à-vis the
Regional Coordinating
processes and accept them.
P.53 Program for the integrated management of
coordination and administration of the project, follow-up and oversight
Commission.
water resources in the Río Bermejo Basin.
of contracts have been carried out, including the creation of a basic
- Reports from meetings and
technical team.
workshops with stakeholders
and the community.
B - 4

---

OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE
START &
VERIFICATION
CRITICAL POINTS
INDICATORS
END DATES
METHODS
AND RISKS
3.2 SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT
P.62. Sustainable resource management practices disseminated among Start: 07/year1 - Progress reports and final
- Local owners and
PRACTICES FOR THE REHABILITATION OF and adopted by producers, covering: the recovery of degraded
End: 06/year4
report on the work element.
communities participate in
DEGRADED AREAS:
environments in the lower basin; the handling of forage in humid and
- Systematic measurements of
and adopt the programmed
Sustainable practices for productive development
semihumid areas; the productive recovery of vinalares; the
biogeophysical indicators and
actions.
to be implemented and disseminated, thus helping
management of agricultural, sylvicultural, and pastureland potential in
economic and financial
- No exceptional
mitigate the environmental problems that arise
subtropical areas; the management and conservation of soils; and the
indicators.
meteorological events take
from the degradation of forests and soils as a result agronomic management of water shortages and surpluses.
- Reports from meetings and
place.
of human activity. The following actions are to be
workshops with producers and
carried out:
the community.
P.62 Alternatives for the sustainable management
of natural resources in the Humid and Semihumid
P.70. (a) Productive systems based on the sustainable use of natural
Start: 07/year1 - Progress reports and final
Chaco.
resources have been implemented in the communities of Victoria and
End: 06/year4
report on the work element.
- Local owners and
Orán, including the development and diversification of small-scale
- On-site inspection.
communities participate in
cash crops, forestry usage, management of woods and pastureland, and
- Survey of participating
and adopt the programmed
P.70 Diversification of sustainable production
the development of small-scale industries and artisanship. (b) The
families.
actions.
practices in the Yungas.
quality of life among local populations has improved, and
- Assessment of improvements
environmental degradation has been reduced.
in the communities' living
standards and income levels.
3.3 TRADITIONAL COMMUNITY
P.72. (a) Traditional culture has been surveyed and assessed vis-à-vis
Start: 01/year2 - Progress reports and final
- Local communities
SUBSISTENCE PRACTICES BASED ON
the management of water and other natural resources in subsistence
End: 12/year3
report on the work element.
participate in and accept the
FARMING AND FISHING:
communities. (b) Application in pilot demonstrations has been
- Reports from meetings and
programmed actions.
Traditional water and natural resource
assessed. (c) A program of actions for promoting and applying the
workshops with the
management practices to be validated and extended most appropriate traditional practices has been designed.
community.
into communities with subsistence economies. The
actions comprising this activity are the following:
P.133. (a) Agricultural, sylvicultural, and pastureland systems are
Start: 01/year2 - Final report on the work
P.72 Traditional management practices for water
being managed sustainably by Wichi and native communities. (b)
End: 06/year3
element.
- Local communities
and natural resources.
Standards of living in these subsistence communities have improved.
- Survey of participating
participate in and accept the
P.133 Sustainable rural development for
communities.
programmed actions.
indigenous and native communities.
3.4 SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF
P.115. (a) Technological packages for soil and water management
Start: 01/year2 - Final report on the work
- Local people participate in
NATURAL RESOURCES:
have been designed and implemented in the irrigated areas and
End:
element.
the project..
Sustainable use to be made of natural resources by marginal zones of the San Jacinto Project. (b) Soil and water use has
12/year3
- Report from the San Jacinto
- The San Jacinto Association
means of the following action:
been optimized. (c) Crop productivity has increased. (d) Erosion of
Association.
is involved in project
P.115 Systematization of land ­ areas under
farmland has been brought under control.
- On-site inspection.
execution.
irrigation of the San Jacinto Project.
ACTIVITIES UNDER COMPONENT IV: PUBLIC PARTICIPATION AND AWARENESS
OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE
START &
VERIFICATION
CRITICAL POINTS
INDICATORS
END DATES
METHODS
AND RISKS
4.1 IMPLEMENTATION OF
P.129. (a) Teachers, pupils, parents, and the community in general
Start: 07/year1 - Progress reports and final
The educational institutions,
ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
and pilot cases in particular have been trained in and made aware of
End: 06/year4
report on the work element.
civil society organizations,
PROGRAMS:
the need for conservation and sustainable management of natural
- Surveys and assessments of
and the community
Environmental education and awareness programs resources in general and water resources in particular (b) Progress has
teachers, pupils, and the
understand and actively
to be implemented as a key element in sustainable
been made in making native communities aware of sustainable forest
community.
participate in the project.
development, through the following strategic
management.
- Reports from workshops,
B - 5

---

OBJECTIVES
OBJECTIVELY VERIFIABLE
START &
VERIFICATION
CRITICAL POINTS
INDICATORS
END DATES
METHODS
AND RISKS
action:
meetings, courses, and training
P.129 Promotion of environmental education
modules.
activities in the basin.
4.2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROGRAM:
P.126. (a) Public participation actions and system have been designed Start: 07/year1 - Progress reports and final
- The public institutions,
Public participation in environmental management
and implemented, involving the population in management and
End: 12/year4
report on the work element.
nongovernmental
to be promoted and strengthened, by means of
decision-making processes through workshops, meetings, enquiries,
- Reports from workshops and
organizations, and civil
information, environmental education, and the
surveys, webpages, discussion forums, etc. (b) Procedures and
meetings.
society respond adequately
establishment of appropriate mechanisms for
guidelines for consultation and public participation have been drawn
to the public participation
public consultation and participation. The strategic up, promoted, and launched. (c) Promotion of citizen participation as a
processes.
action to be executed is the following:
working method included for the implementation of the SAP's
P.126 Public participation program.
projects.
4.3 CREATION OF AN INFORMATION
P.136. a) Appropriate mechanisms for access to information by civil
Start: 01/year3 - Progress reports and final
- The individuals and
SYSTEM FOR THE BASIN:
society have been identified. (b) Technical, institutional, and legal
End: 06/year4
report on the work element.
institutions involved in
Environmental information and monitoring system evaluation for their implementation has been carried out, based on the
managing the basin's water
in the basin to be created and brought on line, as a results of selected pilot projects. (c) Recommendations on
and other natural resources
mechanism for supplying information about water
implementation strategies have been drawn up.
fully participate in and
and natural resources to the basin's social
- Progress reports and final
accept the information
stakeholders. The following strategic actions will
P.5. Networks and other sectoral and district interconnection
Start: 07/year1
report on the work element.
systems being introduced.
be implemented:
mechanisms have been designed, developed, and put into operation, as End: 12/year4 - Reports from meetings and
- The agencies and
P.136 Mechanisms to access information for
an instrument for coordinating sustainable management actions among
workshops.
institutions that generate
participation.
the different sectors and different district authorities in the basin.
and supply information
P.5 Development of networks and interconnections
- Progress reports and final
participate actively in the
among the different economic sectors and district
P.6. (a) An integrated, geo-referenced environmental information
report on the work element.
system, keeping their
authorities.
system covering the basin's environmental variables has been
Start: 07/year1
commitments to information
P.6 Environmental information and monitoring
designed, established, and put into operation. (b) The following
End: 12/year4
flows and quality.
system for the Río Bermejo Basin.
components have been launched: hydrometeorology and
sedimentology, water quality monitoring, follow-up and assessment of
water quality and usage, biodiversity, legal and institutional
information, socioeconomic indicators, human and institutional
resources, documentation center, guides and technological guidelines
for information.
B - 6

---

ANNEX C
STAP ROSTER Technical Review GEF Project: Implementation
of the Strategic Action Program for the Bermejo River Binational Basin
By W.D Williams
Professor emeritus
Adelaide University - Australia
Introduction
· This review responds to a request from UNEP to provide a technical review of the
Implementation of the Strategic Action Program for the Bermejo River Binational
Basin.
· In responding, I note that I provided a review of the UNEP/OAS Bermejo River
Proposal in April 1996. This review gave me some initial familiarity with this
important program.
· I further note that I am a designated expert for the STAP Roster of Experts with
particular experience and knowledge concerning dryland (arid and semi-arid)
regions. Of direct relevance has been my chairmanship of the Research Advisory
Committee of the Murray-Darling Freshwater Research Centre and my membership
(as the Independent Scientist appointed by the Government) of the Barwon-Darling
River Management Committee. Both the Barwon-Darling and Murray rivers are
Australian river systems with considerable similarity to the Bermejo River Basin.
· In preparing the review, I have had available and read with care the following
documents:
1. The full text of the Final Draft for the Strategic Action Program for the
Binational Bermejo River Basin (51pp).
2. A summary document describing the project, rationale and objectives,
project components and expected results, risks and sustainability,
stakeholder participation and implementation arrangements, and costs and
financing (22pp).
3. Annexes A, B, E, F, G, H &I.
4. Annexes I (Work Program elements, 4pp), II (Basin Environmental Data,
48pp), III (Determination of Ecological Regions), 17pp), IV (Environmental
Zoning, 6pp) and V (Quantification and location of Environmental
problems, 8pp).
5. Annex I (lists of Government agencies, Non-governmental organizations,
other participant organizations).

---

6. Annex IV (Summary of Strategic Priority Actions proposed in the Strategic
Action Plan: scope and location).
· In preparing the technical review, I have also had available the documents detailed
in my previous (1996) review as well as material made available to me at the
Second World Water Forum (The Hague, March 2000) where water development
projects in South America were discussed. Of particular interest are (1) Executive
Summary March 2000. Strategic Action Program for the Bermejo Binational River
Basin (19pp), and (2) Water for the 21st Century: Vision to Action (South America)
(78pp).
· The brevity of this technical report does not reflect the perceived importance of the
Project.
Scope of the Review
In the interests of standardization, and as requested, the review addresses, seriatim,
issues outlined in the terms of reference.
· Key issue 1. Scientific and technical soundness of the project. Overall, the project
is scientifically and technically sound in those areas in which I am professionally
competent to judge. Of some concern, however, is the lack of information on the
biodiversity resources of the region (acknowledged in the report itself), and the
paucity of planned comprehensive investigations to obtain this information. Also
lacking are explicit guidelines on how to monitor the extent to which biodiversity
will be affected by the implementation of the Bermejo River Binational project, and
how sustainability is to be judged as effective. Moreover, although salinisation is
already a problem in certain catchments of the basin, it seems likely that its extent
will expand. Salinisation has become a major problem in dryland regions which
have been developed - especially when irrigation is part of the development. It
would be advisable to put in place procedures to monitor and manage salinisation
before it has an effect since such effects are often irreversible and significantly
degrade habitats affected. The final document makes no reference to such
procedures although frequent reference is made to the associated phenomenon,
erosion.
· Key issue 2. Identification of global environmental benefits and/or drawbacks of
the project. A major benefit of the program is that development will proceed
predicated on the concept of environmental sustainability rather than, as is usually
the case, on ad hoc concepts of local benefit irrespective of wider and longer term
environmental responsibilities. Since no part of the biosphere is an independent

---

entity, the global implications are obvious. The major drawback is that, faced with
the inevitable growth of local populations in the area and the need to upgrade their
living conditions, yet further changes to the natural environment will occur; that is,
the project remains focussed on development - albeit sustainable development -
rather than on restoration and rehabilitation of already degraded environments
within a steady state local population.
· Key issue 3. How the project fits within the context of the goals of GEF. In so far
as the goals of the GEF are "to help developing nations and countries with
economies in transition assess and determine priorities among their international
water problems, find ways to work together, and take concerted action to
overcome those problems" [The role of the Global Environmental Facility in GEF
Projects related to Water Resources. The Hague, March 2000], the Bermejo River
Basin project is in accord with GEF goals.
· Key issue 4. Regional context. The project comprehensively addresses key regional
issues.
· Key issue 5. Replicability. None of the issues involved in the Bermejo River Basin
project is unique to the region: all issues, in one form or another, occur elsewhere.
And certainly the central issue of how to develop water resources in a sustainable
way is the core issue throughout the world. Thus, problems, resolutions and issues
dealt with by the Bermejo River Basin project are for the most part transferable
(either directly or indirectly) to all river basins in developing countries attempting to
develop their water resources. In this context, reference is made to "Towards
Sustainable River Basin Management: Recommendations and Guidelines on Best
Management Practices" Anon (2000), The Hague.
· Key issue 6. Sustainability of the project. [This is taken to mean: is the
development proposed likely to be environmentally sustainable?] It is clear that the
proponents of the project are keenly aware that the principal risk in the project
is that environmental considerations will not be adequately incorporated into
projects, programs, policies and activities in the manner needed to ensure
sustainability (page 49 of final draft document). This clear sighted awareness
provides considerable optimism that the project will be implemented in a way which
ensures that environmental considerations will be adequately taken account of. If
the project is implemented as planned, it is likely to be environmentally sustainable.

---

· Key issue 7. Targeted Research Projects. It is not clear if any of the identified
research projects will specifically address improved definition and implementation
of GEF strategies and policies. More details are required to respond to this issue.
· Secondary issue 1. Linkage to other focal areas. It is clear from documentation
provided by the Ministerio de Infraestructura y Vivendi (Subsecretario de Recursos
Hidricos) and available to me that the Bermejo River Basin project is linked to
other water development projects in Argentina. At the bilateral level, Argentina
and Bolivia formed a Bipartite Subcommittee for the Use of the Resources of the
Upper Basin of the Bermejo River and Rio Grande de Tarija in 1992. More
recently, Argentina founded the Bermejo River Regional Commision (COREBE)
which has surveyed the basin's resources, with particular reference to regulation in
the upper reaches of the river, sediment control, environmental impact assessment
and sediment movement.
· Secondary issue 2. Linkages to other proposals. See above.
· Secondary issue 3. Other beneficial or damaging environmental effects. In
addition to the general benefits outlined in Key issue 2 (see above), there are
several particular benefits that are likely to accrue if the project is fully and properly
implemented. Not the least of these will be an increase in knowledge concerning
the biodiversity resources of the region itself (already acknowledged as
inadequate), an increase in the environmental awareness of the local human
population, and, perhaps, once the benefits of sustainable development become
more widely recognized, the spread to other river basins of policies, structures and
processes used in the Bermejo River Project. With regard to damaging
environmental effects, mention is again made of salinisation as a possible issue and
threat. The threat of salinisation has been grossly underestimated in past water
resource developments, with considerable cost to the environments involved. Once
damaged by salinisation, catchment `health' is difficult if not impossible to restore.
· Secondary issue 4. Degree of involvement of stakeholders in the project. Wide-
ranging plans are presented which indicate that considerable effort will be made to
involve stakeholders at all stages in the implementation of the project. Experience
indicates that such involvement is both necessary for the success of projects of this
sort and has a wider integrative social function (it provides a mechanism for social
cohesion).

---

· Secondary issue 5. Capacity building aspects. Although the final draft indicates
that some attention is to be given to capacity building, the relatively low budget
allocated to this issue (and the lack of explicit plans) suggests that suitable staff and
support personnel to educate the local population and, indeed, to ensure that
development will be undertaken in a sustainable way, will be either too few, too
poorly trained, or both. This is identified as an important risk (page 50).
Particular attention should be paid to the need to have available adequately
trained staff to manage and monitor the project and educate the local
population and stakeholders. The project overall will succeed or fail on the basis
of the caliber of those responsible for its implementation.
· Secondary issue 6. Innovativeness. The issues and problems related to the
development of river basins worldwide are to a considerable extent specific or
unique to the basin involved by virtue of differences in history, climate, social
context and biogeography. All river basin development projects, therefore, can be
seen to be innovative to some extent: all break new ground and need innovative and
original management approaches. An additional factor in the present project,
however, is its comprehensiveness and the range of issues to be considered.
General conclusions
In agreement with the first report on this project (1996), the present technical review
provides further approval of both the over-arching objectives of the project and their
rationale. It also offers approval of the proposed implementation of the project.

---

RESPONSE TO THE STAP REVIEWER'S COMMENTS.
In general, the comments of Prof. W. D. Williams are quite supportive of this project,
which initiates the implementation of the Strategic Action Plan (SAP) for the Bermejo
River Basin. Notwithstanding, Prof. Williams has indicated some issues that, in his
opinion, require further consideration in the formulation of this project. The following
paragraphs provide a detailed response to the principal queries raised by Prof.
Williams; no response is provided to those issues, identified by Prof. Williams, as being
adequately addressed by the current project brief.
Key Issue 1: Biodiversity:
The Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) identified the loss of biodiversity and
the need for the protection of biodiversity as one of the six main problems identified in
the Bermejo River Basin. Information on biodiversity and biotic resources in the region
are set forth in the TDA. Actions addressing the root causes underlying biodiversity
problems have been incorporated into the SAP and selected priority issues form part of
the present project. These actions emanate from the survey of environmental and
developmental projects and initiatives carried out as a part of the SAP formulation
process. Over 120 proposals in the field of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity
Protection (103 provincial, 6 national, 9 private, and 3 international) were submitted
during the SAP formulation process.
Because the primary objective of the Bermejo Project is "Integrated Water and Land
Management", nature conservation, including biodiversity protection, forms a
substantial part of this project, not only addressing the GEF policy of encouraging
cross-sectoral issues within the GEF focal areas, but also aiming at strengthening
preventive actions within non-degraded, vegetated landscapes in areas prone to erosion
and mass removal movements in the upper basin. These actions seek to control and
mitigate sediment production and transport, which is the main transboundary problem
facing the entire Bermejo Basin. Activities to be undertaken through this project
include the consolidation of protected areas in order to preserve the natural landscape
in critical erosion prone areas, the establishment of buffer zones and biological
corridors, the initiation of alternative sustainable management practices in the Montane
and remaining piedmont forests. These measures not only address water management
issues but also enhance nature conservation and biodiversity protection.
With respect to monitoring the degradation of biodiversity in the Basin, the SAP seeks
to develop an environmental information system designed to monitor selected
indicators related to land use, deforestation, and habitat loss or degradation. The GIS

---

environment that will support this information system is already in place as a
subproduct of the SAP formulation project.
Furthermore, the SAP will provide the basis for coordination of ongoing and future
national and regional programs, some of which are being funded by the GEF and
address the biodiversity issue. For instance, GEF-UNDP ARG96/G31 led to the
formulation of a National Biodiversity Strategy for Argentina during the period
between 1996 and 1998. Some of the key activities identified in this program were
incorporated into the SAP. Similarly, the ongoing GEF-WB Project on Biodiversity
Conservation, being executed by the National Parks Administration of Argentina, has a
component on biodiversity information management that will be linked to this project.
These activities, being conducted in Argentina, have equivalent undertakings in
Bolivia.
Thus, the implementation of the SAP inherently and explicitly includes and
incorporates specific actions related to biodiversity information and protection, nature
and habitat conservation, and coordination between regional and national activities in
these fields.
Salinization:
Although currently not viewed as an issue of concern within the Bermejo River Basin,
the TDA did identify salinization as a relevant, currently localized and potentially
widespread, issue in many areas of Bermejo Basin. The TDA also evaluated its
geographic distribution and intensity. This evaluation was based on soil type (soil
mapping being an element within the GIS database), the best professional judgement of
local and regional experts, analysis of various layers within the digital thematic
cartographic data base, satellite imagery, and bibliographic reviews. Water quality
monitoring also provided insight into salinization problems and risks associated with
water use. As a consequence measures have been considered in the SAP to address
the root causes that may enhance or trigger salinization problems. These causes
include land usage and the failure of past environmental zoning, development and
extension of inappropriate agricultural practices, lack of effective monitoring and
information dissemination mechanisms (e.g., an environmental information system), the
paucity of local capacities, and poor public awareness, participation and involvement in
decision making at the local and regional levels. As rightly pointed out by Prof.
Williams, sound land management (erosion control) will have beneficial effects on soil
loss as well as on other soil problems. Component II of the project extends and
implements feasible measures for erosion control, especially in the Upper Bermejo
River Basin, that were identified and proven to be effective during SAP formulation, in

---

order to promote greater use of soil management practices that minimize degradation
through erosion and salinization, and the risk of destabilization.
Key Issue 7: Targeted Research
The SAP, both as a whole as well as in terms of its objectives, components and
activities, addresses the effective implementation of GEF strategies and policies.
Support to research activities, consistent with SAP priorities, is embodied both directly
as specific academic activities and embedded in pilot demonstration projects, or
indirectly through strengthening capacities and enhancing cooperation amongst
research institutions, governmental agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs),
and the private sector, within the current project's component activities.
Secondary Issue 5: Capacity Building
Of the four major components of the SAP, one is devoted to enhancing and
encouraging public awareness and participation. A major part of the activities and
projects included within this Component deal with education, access to information,
and participation of stakeholders in decision-making with the aim of enhancing
awareness and involvement, as well as strengthening capacities to participate at all
levels.
Component I is specifically devoted to institutional strengthening, involving both
binational and regional bodies, including the provincial and prefectural organizations
which participate in them as well as representative organizations of the civil society and
the private sector. In particular, specific project elements seek to increase the technical
and managerial capabilities of the organizations and their staff that will integrate
regional governmental and nongovernmental bodies in a manner that will enable them
to collectively steer, coordinate, and monitor the next implementation phase. Further,
most of the SAP projects in each of the four components, in considering community-
based participation and extension activities, contribute to strengthening institutional
and local community capacities to implement and maintain the programs initiated
within the context of the SAP.
Thus, a significant share of the total SAP budget is directly or indirectly allocated to
capacity building, and, hence, to ensuring the continuity and success of the actions to
be set into motion as a result of the conduct of this project.

---

ANNEX D
COUNTRIES ENDORSEMENT LETTERS
Letter of Endorsement from Bolivia
Comision Nacional de los Rios
Pilcomayo y Bermejo
La Paz, 21 de junio de 2000
CNRPB - OTN Of. No.115/00
De nuestra mayor consideracion:
Los delegados por Bolivia ante la Comision Binacional para el Dessarrollo de la
Alta Cuenca del Rio Bermejo y el Rio Grande de Tarija presentan sus atentos
saludos al Fondo Para El Medio Ambiente Mundial y tienen el agrado de presentar
a su consideracion la propuesta de financiamiento para la etapa de implementacion
del "Programma Estrategico de Accion para le Cuenca Binacional del Rio Bermejo,
PEA"; similar nota les sera enviada par los puntos focales de la Replublica
Argentina En este sentido, forman parte de esta solicitud de los siguientes
documentos:
· Diagnostico Ambiental Transzfronterizo de la Cuenca del rio Bermejo
· Programa Estrategico de Accion para la Cuenca Binacional del rio
Bermejo
· Documento del Proyecto, el cual describe la solicitud de financiamiento
para la siguiente etapa del PEA
Con este particular, hacemos propleia la oportunidad para reiterar al FONDO
PARA EL MEDIO AMBIENTE MUNDIAL las seguridades de nuestras mas alta y
distinguida consideracion.
Atentamente,
D - 1

---

Emb. Jorge Soruco Villanueva
Ing. Jorge O'Connor d'Ariaph M.
Primer Delgado ante la Comison
Segundo Delegado ante la Comision
Binacional y Vice Ministro de Politicos
y Director Ejecutivo de la OTN
Exterior
cc: PNUMA y USDM de la OEA
A Los Senores
FONDO PARA EL MEDIO AMBIENTE MUNDIAL (FMAM)
Washington D.C., Estados Unidos de America
___________________________________________________________________
OFICINA TECNICA NACIONAL
Telefone +591-66-48819 - Fax +591-66-48248 Buzon Postal 5186 - TARIJA ­
BOLIVIA
D - 2

---

Letter of Endorsement from Argentina
Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores,
Comercio Internacional y Culto
Buenos Aires, June 28th, 2000
Mr. AIfred Duda
GEF Operations
18 18 H Street, N W Room G6035,
Washington DC, 20433
Fax: 001202 47-31-077
Ref: Argentina/Bolivia - Implementation of the Strategic Action Program for the
Bermejo River Binational Basin: Phase I
Dear Mr. Duda.
As the GEF Political Focal Point, the Argentine Ministry of Foreign
Affairs, fully endorses the above mentioned project.
This project will help to provide the necessary institutional, legal, and
informational basis to enhance and restore de environmental funtioning of the
binational basin.
We look forward to continue collaborating with GEF's activities.
Yours faithfully,
Elsa Kelly
Ambassador
Special Representative for
International Environmental Affairs
D - 3

---

CAUSAL CHAIN RELATIONSHIP FOR PRIORITY ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS
Specific Basic
Direct Causes
Environmental
Direct Causes
Causeses
(natural origin)
Problems
(human origin)
Adverse natu-
. Improper soil use
ral conditions
§ Destruction of vegetative cover by
. Unsustainable agroforestry
(soil, topogra-
practices
Soil Degradation
deforestation and overgrazing
phy, geology,
§ Clearing of land for agricultural ac-
climate)
tivities
Common Basic
. Insufficient use of water re-
sources
Causes
§ Inadequate water infrastructure
. Insufficient infrastructure for
Water Scarcity and
§ Low utilization of the current water
water regulation
§ Deficient political,
Availability Re-
potential
. Limited knowledge of the poten-
legal, and institu-
- Rainfall season-
strictions
§ Depletion of groundwater supplies
tially usable nat. resources
tional framework
ality
- Reduced water
§ Poor inter-
§ Contamination by industrial and ur-
availability in the
. Inadequate sanitation infra-
jurisdictional
ban wastes
dry season
structure
planning and co-
- High sediment
Water Resource
§ Water misuse and contamination by
. Deficient information on moni-
ordination
load and fluvio-
Degradation
agricultural and livestock activities
toring of water quality
§ Inadequate
§ Soil degradation and erosion
morphologic dy-
community
namics
awareness,
- High groundwa-
. Lack of land-use regulation plan
knowledge, and
ter salinity con-
· Over-exploitation of forest resources
. Lack of biodiversity manage-
participation in
tents
· Uncontrolled fishing and hunting ac-
ment plans
sustainable re-
Loss of Biodiver-
tivities
. Unsustainable agricultural, for-
source manage-
sity and Biotic Re-
§ Clearing of land for agriculture
estry and animal husbandry
ment
sources
§ Inadequate agricultural practices
practices
§ Deficient financial
§ Overgrazing
. Insufficient knowledge of the
and support
§ Pollution of water sources
native flora and fauna
mechanisms
§ Inadequate ac-
- Extreme river
§ Urban expansion in flood-susceptible
. Unplanned urban and rural de-
cess to and ap-
highflows
areas
velopment
plication of sus-
- Extreme cli-
Floods and Other
§ Agricultural activities in areas prone
. Limited infrastructure for hazard
tainable tech-
matic events
Natural Hazard
to flooding events
reduction, control and protection
nologies
Events
§ Destruction of vegetation along river
. Lack and inadequate application
banks and waterheads
of emergency plans
. Inadequate infrastructure to
Annex E -
support production
Diminished Quality
§ Unemployment and seasonal sub-
. Insufficient utilization of the
ANNEX E
of Life and Endan-
employment
natural resources potentialities
gered Cultural Re-
§ Deficient health, sanitation and edu-
cation services.
. Limitations and deterioration of
1
sources
§ Low income
natural resources
. Insufficient sanitation and water-
supply infrastructure

---

-
ANNEX F
PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT PLAN SUMMARY
1. Public participation in the management of the water resources of Argentina and Bolivia is an
integral feature of the project. More than 750 persons, representing in excess of 80 civil,
corporate, nongovernmental, and governmental entities (having municipal, prefectural/provincial,
federal, and international interests) participated in the consultation process that led to the
formulation of this project. Participating organizations are set forth below. Their participation led
to the identification and definition of some 250 detailed project proposals that were conveyed to
the project team during public and stakeholder meetings convened during the SAP formulation
process within the Basin. The project concepts were used by the project team to formulate the
proposed implementation program set forth in this project document.
2. Public meetings were held during the SAP formulation period in each of the major prefectural
and provincial centers in the Bermejo River basin between December 1995 and July 1999. The
full proceedings of these meetings are available from the Binational Commission. These meetings
represented a continuation of the contacts with the agencies, private sector organizations,
academic institutions, and NGOs, initiated during SAP formulation, and improved and clarified
specific issues arising from component proposals and other observations made during the project
preparation period. Additional communications, including more than 700 letters and 500 sets of
workshop documents received from and distributed to some 550 individuals and institutions on the
program's mailing lists, ensured an highly transparent project preparation effort.
3. This high level of public and stakeholder participation will be continued during the
development and implementation of the IWRMP for the BRBB. Stakeholder participation in the
project, including community- and corporate-based environmental information and education
campaigns, training courses and symposia, and actions, continues to be designed to increase the
capacity and future participation of institutions, personnel, and individuals to undertake activities
in support of the IWRMP. Specific actions are proposed to be conducted under the project which
address issues related to public and stakeholder participation in the implementation process, and/or
which provide support for the further development of a sound public participation and
involvement strategy as one of the strategic actions of the SAP implementation.
BINATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTIONS
1.
Binational Commission for the Development of the Upper Basin of the Río Bermejo and the Río
Grande de Tarija
2.
Organization of American States (OAS)
3.
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
4.
Global Environmental Facility (GEF)
F - 1

---

GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS
IN ARGENTINA
1.
National Parks Administration, SRNDS
2.
Center for Population Studies (CENEP)
3.
Regional Commission for the Río Bermejo (COREBE)
4.
CHACO, Provincial Water Administration, Directorate of Basic Studies
5.
CHACO, Provincial Water Administration
6.
CHACO, Directorate of Soils, Secretariat of Natural Resources and the Environment
7.
CHACO, Total Environment Foundation
8.
CHACO, Institute for Social Development and Human Promotion (INDES)
9.
CHACO, Provincial Settlement Institute
10. NW Argentina Regional Technical Delegation, National Parks Administration
11. EVARSA, Evaluación de Recursos, S.A.
12. FORMOSA, Forestry Directorate, Secretariat of Natural Resources and Ecology
13. FORMOSA, School No. 109, El Zapallito neighborhood
14. FORMOSA, School No. 404
15. FORMOSA, School No. 43
16. FORMOSA, Federation of NGOs / CIRENOR
17. FORMOSA, Ministry of Education, General Directorate of Basic Education
18. FORMOSA, Ministry of Production
19. FORMOSA, Ministry of Production, Directorate of Water and Soil
20. FORMOSA, Gral. Lucio V. Mansilla Municipality
21. FORMOSA, Mayor Villafañe Municipality
22. FORMOSA, Pozo del Tigre Municipality
23. FORMOSA, Central Program Administration Unit
24. Environment and Natural Resources Foundation (FARN)
25. Argentine National Gendarmes, Environmental Division, Salta Group
26. National Water and Environment Institute, Hydraulics and Environmental Laboratory
27. National Water and Environment Institute, National Toxic Waste and Water Pollution Program
28. National Water and Environment Institute, Hydrology Center
29. INTA Ibarreta Agricultural Extension Center, Formosa
30. INTA Chaco Regional Center ­ Formosa
31. INTA Salta Regional Center, Salta Station
32. INTA Colonia Benítez Agricultural Experimental Station
33. INTA El Colorado Agricultural Experimental Station, Formosa
34. INTA Saénz Peña Agricultural Experimental Station
35. INTA Climate and Water Institute, Castelar
36. INTA Soil Institute, Castelar
37. JUJUY, Aguas de los Andes S.A.
38. JUJUY, General Directorate of Renewable Natural Resources
39. JUJUY, Provincial Directorate of Hydraulics
40. JUJUY, Superintendency of Public Services (SUSEPU)
41. Las Yungas Ecological Research Laboratory (LIEY), Tucumán University
42. Argentine Ecological Movement (El Colorado Base), Formosa
43. SALTA, former General Water Administration of Salta (AGAS)
44. SALTA, Association of Alternative Tourism Operators of Salta (ADOPTAS)
F - 2

---

45. SALTA, Environment Directorate, Ministry of Public Health
46. SALTA, Directorate of the Environment and Natural Resources
47. SALTA, Los Toldos Municipality
48. SALTA, Provincial Tourism Secretariat
49. University of Buenos Aires, Landscape and Environment Study Group (GEPAMA)
50. University of Buenos Aires, Regional Ecology Study Group (GESER)
51. National University of Formosa
52. National University of Formosa, Sylviculture Institute
53. National University of Jujuy
54. National University of Jujuy, Geology and Mining Institute
55. National University of Salta, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Soils Department
56. National University of Salta, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Geomorphology Department
57. National University of Salta, Sociodemographic Study Group (GREDES)
58. National University of the Northeast, Faculties of Engineering and Humanities, Applied Geoscience
Institute
59. National University of the Northeast, Engineering Faculty, Hydraulics Department
GOVERNMENTAL AND NONGOVERNMENTAL INSTITUTIONS
IN BOLIVIA
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS
1.
Prefecture of Tarija Department:
Directorate of Economic Development
Basic Clean-up Unit
Agricultural Development Unit
Strategic Food Security Program
Directorate of Sustainable Development and the Environment
Forestry Development Unit
Social Development Directorate
Prefecture Action Program
National Governance Program
Subprefecture of Méndez province
Subprefecture of Avilés province
Subprefecture of Arce province
Bermejo town council
Tarija department council
2.
General Directorate of Biodiversity, Vice Ministry of Sustainable Development and the
Environment
3.
ZONISIG
4.
Tarija Executive Program for Land Recovery, PERTT
5.
San Jacinto Association
6.
National Meteorology and Hydrology Service, SENAMHI
7.
National Irrigation Program, PRONAR
8.
Bolivian Agricultural Technology Institute, IBTA
9.
Cercado municipal mayor's office
Cercado province municipal council
Technical Unit for Planning
F - 3

---

Technical Unit for Urban Development
Tarija municipal sanitation corporation
10.
San Lorenzo municipal mayor's office
11.
Padcaya municipal mayor's office
12.
Bermejo municipal mayor's office
13.
Uriondo municipal mayor's office
14.
Entre Ríos municipal mayor's office
15.
Juan Misael Saracho Autonomous University
Research Directorate
Faculty of Science and Technology
Civil engineering school
Faculty of Forestry and Agronomic Science
Agronomic engineering school
Forestry engineering school
Faculty of Social and Legal Science
Law school
Bolivian Inter-University Water Resource Institute, INIBREH
16.
Social Investment Fund, FIS
17.
Campesino Development Fund, FDC
18.
National Agrarian Reform Institute, INRA
19.
Tarija Parliamentary Brigade
20.
Tarija district court
PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS:
21.
Drinking Water and Drainage Cooperative of Tarija, COSAAL
22.
Tarija Civic Committee
23.
Sole Union Federation of Campesino Workers of Tarija
24.
Sole Union Federation of Campesino Workers of Bermejo
25.
Volunteers of the Peace Corps
26.
Federation of Neighborhood Committees of Tarija
27.
College of Agronomic Engineers
NONGOVERNMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS
28.
Tarija Regional Development Study Center, CERDET
29.
Agricultural Research and Training Center, CICA
30.
Development and Environment Information Center, CIRDEMA
31.
Vida Verde
32.
Tarija Environmental Protection, PROMETA
33.
Loyola Cultural Action, ACLO
34.
Tarija Social Pastoral
35.
Tarija International Plan
36.
Church Social Assistance Office, OASI
37.
Tarija Environmental and Development Forum
38.
Peasant Research and Support Center, CIAC
39.
Peasant Research and Training Institute, IICCA
F - 4

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ANNEX G
AVAILABLE REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
1. PEA El. 1.1. 1999a. Instituto de Suelos. INTA (Coord.). Universidad Nacional de Jujuy, Universidad
Nacional de Salta, EEA Cerrillos- INTA. Digital Thematic Cartography of Argentine Territory in the
Upper Bermejo River Basin; (base map, geology, geomorphology, hydrology, soils, vegetation,
population and infrastructure, land use). Elemento 1.1: Movimiento Transfronterizo de
Contaminantes. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2. PEA El. 1.1. 1999b. Brea, D., et al. Analysis of the Sediment Production and Transport in the Upper
Bermejo River Basin and its Impact in the Paraná Waterway, Delta del Paraná and Río de la Plata.
Instituto Nacional del Agua y del Ambiente. Elemento 1.1.: Movimiento Transfronterizo de
Contaminantes. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
3. PEA El. 1.1. 1999c. Hopwood, H.J. Sediment Load of the Bermejo River and the Evolution of the
Delta del Paraná and Río de la Plata. Danish Hydraulic Institute. Elemento 1.1: Movimiento
Transfronterizo de Contaminantes. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
4. PEA El. 1.1. 1999d. Peviani, M. Morphological Model of the Upper Bermejo River. Elemento 1.1:
Movimiento Transfronterizo de Contaminantes. Italia.
5. PEA El. 1.1. 1999e. Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho (UJMS); Study of environmental
clean-up of the Guadalquivir River. Elemento 1.1 Movimiento Transfronterizo de Contaminantes.
Volúmenes 4.110.1 a 4.110.5. Tarija, Bolivia.
6. PEA El. 1.1. 1999f. Zonificación Agroecológica y Socioeconómica con Sistemas de Información
Geográfica (ZONISIG). Digital Thematic Cartography of the Bermejo River Basin (Bolivia). Maps
and Report. Elemento 1.1 Movimiento Transfronterizo de Contaminantes. Tarija, , Bolivia.
7. PEA El. 2.1. 1999. Benítez A. Criteria and Parameters for the Classification of Water Courses. El.
2.1. Classification of water courses. Volúmenes 4.11.1 a 4.11.6. Tarija, Bolivia.
8. PEA El. 2.2. 1999b. Integrated Management Plan of the Nature Resources of the Camacho River
Basin. Elemento 2.2. Control de Erosión, Santa Ana / Camacho. Volúmenes 4.90.1 a 4.90.11. Tarija,
Bolivia.
9. PEA El. 2.2. 1999c. Integrated Management Plan of the Nature Resources of the Santa Ana River
Basin. Elemento 2.2. Control de Erosión, Santa Ana / Camacho.Volúmenes 4.80.1 a 4.80.17. Tarija,
Bolivia.
10. PEA El. 2.3 1999. IICCA. Soils Use, Legal Status and Land Ownership in the Central Valley of
Tarija and its relationship with the erosion. Elemento. 2.3 Tenencia de la Tierra, Valle Central de
Tarija. Volúmenes 4.60.1 a 4.60.6. Tarija, Bolivia.
11. PEA 2.4. 1999. Alzérreca, H. Study of pasture lands (CANAPAS) of the Central Valley of Tarija.
Elemento 2.4 Manejo de Pasturas, Valle Central de Tarija. Volúmenes 4.70.1 a 4.11.6. Tarija, Bolivia.
G - 1

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12. PEA El. 2.5. 1998. Arrieta, J.; Pastor, C. Socio-economic and Environmental Survey of the
Communities along the Middle and Lower reaches of the Bermejo River. Informe y Anexos. Elemento:
2.5: Uso del Suelo en la Cuenca del Río Inferior. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
13. PEA El. 2.5. 1999. Administración Provincial del Agua (Coord.), Centro de Geociencias Aplicadas
(UNNE), Departamento de Hidraúlica (UNNE), INTA E.E.R.A. Saénz Peña, INTA E.E.R.A. C.
Benítez, Dirección de Suelos y Agua Rural de la Subsecretaría de Recursos Naturales y Medio
Ambiente de la Pcia. del Chaco. Digital Thematic Cartography of the Lower Bermejo River Basin.
Elemento 2.5: Uso de la Tierra en la Cuenca del Río Bermejo. Chaco, Argentina.
14. PEA El. 2.5. 1999b. Brea, D., et al. Study of fluvio-morphological dynamics in the lower reach of the
Bermejo River. Instituto Nacional del Agua y del Ambiente. Elemento 2.5: Uso del Suelo en la Cuenca
Inferior del Río Bermejo. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
15. PEA El. 2.6. 1999. Cardozo, J. et al. Increase of Forage Yields through Water Management in
Marshlands and Swamplands, and Productive Recovery of Land Infested with Vinal. Elemento 2.6:
Manejo de Forrajes. Chaco Húmedo. Formosa, Argentina.
16. PEA El. 3.1. 1999. Marconi, P. et al. Transition Forest in the Province of Salta: Identification of
Sustainable Alternative Practices of Ecotourism-type and Implementation of the Pilot Demonstration
Project. Administración de Parques Nacionales. Elemento 3.1. : Bosques de Transición Salta,
Argentina.
17. PEA El. 3.2. 1999a. Sediment Control in the Tolomosa River Basin - Pilot Demonstration Project.
Elemento 3.2 Manejo de la Cuenca del río Tolomosa. Volúmenes 4.86.1 a 4.86.6. Documentos de
Construcción. Tarija, Bolivia.
18. PEA El. 3.2. 1999b. Sediment Control in the Tolomosa River Basin - Pilot Demonstration Project.
Elemento 3.2. Manejo de la Cuenca del río Tolomosa. Volúmenes 4.87.1 a 4.87.7. Documentos de
Prácticas Biológicas. Tarija, Bolivia.
19. PEA El. 3.3. 1999. Brown, A.; Grau, A. Strengthening of Sustainable Production Diversity
(Community of Los Toldos, Salta). Laboratorio de Investigaciones Ecológicas de las Yungas (LIEY).
Elemento 3.3: Desarrollo Sustentable en las Yungas. Tucumán, Argentina.
20. PEA El. 3.4. 1999. Vargas R. (coord.) et al. Socioeconomic and Environmental Constraints
Restricting Sustainable Development. Elemento 3.4: Remoción de Barreras Chaco Húmedo y Seco.
Chaco, Argentina.
21. PEA El. 4.1. 1997. Rehabilitation and Improvement of the Hydrometeorological Network of the
Upper Bermejo River and Grande de Tarija River Basin. Elemento 4.1. Red Hidromeorológica.
Volúmenes 3.13.1 y 4.13.2. Tarija, Bolivia.
22. PEA El. 4.1. 1999a. Carrizo, R. Proposal for the Water Quality Component. Environment
Information System of the Bermejo River Basin. Elemento 4.1: Red Hidrometeorológica. Buenos Aires,
Argentina.
G - 2

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23. PEA El. 4.1. 1999b. Malinow, G. Proposal for the Hydrometeorological and Hydrosedimentological
Network of the Environment Information System of the Bermejo River Basin. Elemento 4.1: Red
Hidrometeorológica. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
24. PEA El. 4.2. 1998. Gabay, M; De Donatis, T. Analysis of legal environmental framework the
Bermejo River Basin in Argentine Territory. Elemento 4.2: Legislación Ambiental, COREBE. Buenos
Aires, Argentina.
25. PEA El. 4.2. 1999. Rovere, M.; Cabrera, M. Strengthening and Harmonization of the Legal and
Institutional Framework for Environmental Management in the Bermejo River Basin. Elemento. 4.2:
Legislación Ambiental . Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
26. PEA El. 4.2. 1999. Darwich, E. Collection and Proposal of Environmental Laws in Bolivia. Elemento
4.2: Legislación Ambiental, Volúmenes 4.95.1 a 4.95.2.. Tarija, Bolivia.
27. PEA El. 4.3. 1999. Protección del Medio Ambiente Tarija (PROMETA ). Baritú - Tariquía
Environmental Corridor Proposal. Elemento 4.3 Corredor Biológico Baritú Tariquía. Volúmenes
4.100.1 a 4.100.6. Tarija, Bolivia.
28. PEA El. 5.1. 1999a. Lattes, A. Boleda, M. et al. Transboundary Migrations in the Bermejo River
Basin. Volúmen I y II. Elemento 5.1: Migraciones Transfronterizas. CENEP y GREDES. Buenos
Aires- Salta, Argentina.
29. PEA El. 5.1. 1999b. Guevara J. OASI; Study of Transboundary Migration. Elemento 5.1 Migraciones
Transfronterizas. Volúmenes 4.110.1 a 4.110.5. Tarija, Bolivia.
30. PEA El. 5.2. 1999. Pérez, V. et al. Promoting Forestry Awareness in the Community through Schools
and Municipalities. Informe y Anexos. Elemento 5.2: Educación Ambiental. Formosa, Argentina.
31. PEA El. 6.1 1999a. Adámoli, J; Morello, J. et al. Ecological and Environmental Zoning of the
Bermejo River Basin. Elemento 6.1: Formulación del Programa Estratégico de Acción. Buenos Aires,
Argentina.
32. PEA El. 6.1. 1999b. Laurelli E; Vaghi A. The Bermejo River Basin into the Regional Framework.
Elemento 6.1: Formulación del Programa Estratégico de Acción. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
33. PEA El. 6.1. 1999c. Manzanal M, Arrieta J. Socio-economic Analysis of the Bermejo River Basin in
Argentine Territory. Elemento 6.1: Formulación del Programa Estratégico de Acción. Buenos Aires,
Argentina.
34. PEA El. 6.1. 1999d.. Regional Survey of Environmental and Development Projects and Initiatives.
Elemento 6.1: Formulación del Programa Estratégico de Acción. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
35. PEA El. 6.1. 1999e. Seoane, R.S.; Moyano, M.C. Analysis of the Impact of Climate Change on the
Hydrology of the Bermejo River Basin. Elemento 6.1 Formulación del Programa Estratégico de Acción
para la Cuenca del Río Bermejo. Instituto Nacional del Agua y del Ambiente. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
G - 3

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36. PEA El. 6.1. 1999f. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Bermejo River Basin in Argentina. El.
6.1 Formulación del Programa Estratégico de Acción Ambiental. Buenos Aires, Argentina.
37. PEA El. 6.1. 1999g. Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis of the Bermejo River Basin in Bolivia. El.
6.1 Formulación del Programa Estratégico de Acción Ambiental. Informe y Mapas. Tarija, Bolivia.
38. PEA El. 6.1. 1999h. Universidad Autónoma Juan Misael Saracho (UJMS). Flood Control in Tarija
City. Elemento 6.1 Formulación del Programa Estratégico de Acción. Volúmenes 4.110.6 a 4.110.8.
Tarija, Bolivia.
39. PEA El. 6.2. 1997. Programa Estratégico de Acción, First Regional Workshop for the Formulation of
the Strategic Action Program. Elemento 6.2: Participación Pública. Salta, Argentina.
40. PEA El. 6.2. 1998a. Programa Estratégico de Acción. Second Regional Workshop for the Formulation
of the Strategic Action Program. Elemento 6.2: Participación Pública. Formosa, Argentina.
41. PEA El. 6.2. 1998b. Programa Estratégico de Acción. Third Regional Workshop for the Formulation
of the Strategic Action Program. Elemento 6.2: Participación Pública. Jujuy, Argentina .
G - 4

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ANNEX H
Plans And Development Programs Within The Bermejo River Binational Basin Providing Associated Financial Support
To Specific Priority Strategic Actions Identified in the SAP
Pro-rated estimated investment for
Riparian Provinces in Argentina
PRIORITY STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Riparian Prefecture and Municipalities in TOTAL
Bolivia
Million US $
Other
Govern
Plans and Programs1
IDB
WB
Foreign
-ment
A. INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
a.4
Implementation and Strengthening of the Basin Environmental Information System
PASMA I & II ­ Technical assistance mining sector development (Arg.)
10.44
2.55
12.99
Formulation and Implementation of Integratedl Management Plans for Basins,
a.5
Environmental Zoning, and Territorial Ordering
2.00
Land use planning/GIS ZONISIG (Bol.)
0.40
2.40
Holland
a.6
Institutional Strengthening for Integrated Natural Resource Management
Institutional development and social investment in municipalities (Arg)
42.00
18.00
60.00
Provincias II ­ Second provincial development program (Arg.)
45.00
19.20
64.20
Second loan for provincial reform (PRL II) (Arg.)
75.00
75.00
Civil society strengthening plan (Arg.)
1.38
1.38
PRODISM - Program of funding for municipalities (Arg.)
8.55
8.55
CENOC ­ National Center for Community Organizations (Arg.)
0.84
0.84
PFDJ ­ Youth Development strengthening plan (Arg.)
0.56
0.56
FOPAR ­ Participatory social investment fund
5.28
5.28
Participatory rural investment project (Bol)
1.00
0.20
1.20
2.00
AUTAPO ­ Support for Tarija and Potosi Universities (Bol)
0.10
2.10
Holland
SUB-TOTAL STRATEGIC ACTION "A"
42.00
131.44
4.00
57.06
234.5

1 Some plans and programs support various priority strategic actions.
H - 1

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Pro-rated estimated investment for
Riparian Provinces in Argentina
PRIORITY STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Riparian Prefecture and Municipalities in TOTAL
Bolivia
Million US $
Other
Govern
Plans and Programs1
IDB
WB
Foreign
-ment
B. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION
b.1
Protecting Biodiversity and Natural Heritage
1.50
Native Forests and Protected Areas Project
2.93
1.88
6.30
GEF
Implementation of Plans to Mitigate the Effects of Floods and other
Climatological
b.3
Disasters
PREI ­ Program for flood victims; house rebuilding subprogram (Arg.)
1.14
1.14
b.4
Prevention, Pollution Control, and Environmental Clean-up of Bodies of Water
National drinking water and clean-up program, stage VI (Arg.) (50%)
20.00
5.00
25.00
b.5
Prevention and Control of Erosion and Sedimentation
3.80
Erosion control project in the El Monte and San Pedro subbasins (Bol.)
1. 00
4.80
JICA
SUB-TOTAL STRATEGIC ACTION "B"
20.00
2.93
5.30
9.02
37.25
C. SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
Development, Validation, and Application of Appropriate Technologies and
c.3
Sustainable Productive Models
Forestry development project (Arg.)
2.40
1.50
3.00
PROSAP ­ Provincial agricultural services program (Arg.)
18.75
18.75
2.58
13.50
53.58
PRODERNEA ­ Program of credit & tech. support for small-scale farmers in NE
2.88
2.88
(Arg)
PROHUERTA ­ Orchards program (Arg.)
1.50
1.50
PSA - Social agricultural program (Arg.)
1.40
1.40
0.50
Natural resources and environment program (Bol.)
0.10
0.60
KWF
Implementation of Projects for the Sustainable Development
c.4
and Use of Water Resources
H - 2

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Pro-rated estimated investment for
Riparian Provinces in Argentina
PRIORITY STRATEGIC ACTIONS
Riparian Prefecture and Municipalities in TOTAL
Bolivia
Million US $
Other
Govern
Plans and Programs1
IDB
WB
Foreign
-ment
8.80
PROSOFA (Arg)
1.20
10.00
FonPlata
National drinking water and clean-up program, stage VI (Arg.) (50%)
20.00
5.00
25.00
PROPASA (Arg)
13.60
13.60
2.00
Water resources program, Phase 3 (Bol.)
0.80
2.80
China
Water supply program (Bol.)
4.00
2.00
6.00
SUB-TOTAL STRATEGIC ACTION "C"
38.75
25.15
13.88
43.48
121.26
D. PARTICIPATION, AWARENESS AND REPLICATION OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
d.1
Strengthening Public Participation in Action Planning and Implementation
INAI ­ Actions by the National Aborigine Affairs Institute (Arg.)
1.00
1.00
d.2
Environmental Education and Training Programs for Civil Society
PRISE ­ Primary education reform and investment program (Arg.)
60.00
60.00
120.00
Social educational plan ­ PSE I & II (Arg.)
15.60
15.60
Public Access and Dissemination of Information for Supporting Decision-Making
d.4
Processes
SIEMPRO ­Social programs information, monitoring, and assessment system (Arg.)
1.13
1.13
(*)
SUB-TOTAL STRATEGIC ACTION "D"
60.00
0.0
0.0
77.73
137.73
TOTAL
160.75
159.52
23.18
187.29
530.74
(*) Estimated program budgets based on 1997 figures. Source: SIEMPRO
H - 3

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ANNEX I
WORK PROGRAM
Project number:
not yet assigned (GF/8400-00-#)
Project name:
Argentina/Bolivia - Implementation of the Strategic Action
Program for the Bermejo River Binational Basin: Phase I
Duration of project:
4.5 years
Implementing Agency:
UNEP
Executing Agency:
General Secretariat of the OAS
Binational Commission for the Development of the Bermejo
River and Rio Grande de Tarija Upper Basins
Requesting Countries:
Argentina and Bolivia
Country Eligibility:
Eligible pursuant to paragraph 9(b) of the instrument.
Focal Area:
International Waters with relevance to the cross-cutting area
of Land Degradation
GEF Programming Framework:
OP 9 Integrated Land-Water Multiple Focal Area
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1. The Project. The purpose of this project, Implementation of the Strategic Action Program for
the Bermejo River Binational Basin, is to promote and restore proper environmental functioning of
the Bermejo River Basin ecosystems, by undertaking strategic actions to address the basic and
direct causes of environmental degradation as identified in the Strategic Action Program (SAP) for
the Bermejo River Binational Basin (BRBB). These actions will supplement activities currently
underway or programmed by the governments of Argentina and Bolivia, and by the provincial
governments in Argentina and the Prefecture of Tarija in Bolivia, with funding from local sources
and international loans. The key elements of the project will involve developing and strengthening
the institutions of the basin, including improving institutional capacities and organizational abilities
and their sectoral and regional coordination, integrating environmental concerns into economic
development activities through effective management and handling of water and other natural
resources, and promoting public awareness and participation in the process of managing the land
and water resources of the Bermejo River Basin.
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2. The Bermejo River is a tributary of the Paraguay River, which, together with the Paraná and
Uruguay rivers, forms the system known as the Cuenca del Plata, or Plata River Basin. This
system drains an area of some 3 million km2, or nearly one-fifth of the South American continent,
to the Atlantic Ocean. Within this system, which extends along either side of the Tropic of
Capricorn, the Bermejo River watershed is approximately 123,162 km2 in areal extent and has a
length of about 1,300 km from its origin in the Andes Mountains to its confluence with the
Paraguay River. A key feature of this watercourse is the fact that it is the only river that actually
crosses the huge expanse of the Chaco plain. Other major rivers in the region, such as the Timani
and the Pilcomayo, infiltrate into the subterranean water system of the plain and do not retain their
identity as surface watercourses. For this reason, the Bermejo River Basin is an "exporter" of
sediments, and has a great influence on the content of sediments in the Paraguay-Parana river
system. The Bermejo River Basin also provides exceptional diversity of habitat and opportunities
to maximize biological diversity along its course. A principal feature of this continuous
watercourse is that it creates a biological corridor connecting the biotic elements of the
ecosystems of the Andean Region and of the Chaco Plain, and these with those of the Atlantic
ecosystems.
3. Drawing upon the results of studies and pilot demonstration projects completed prior to and
during the process of completing the Transboundary Diagnostic Analysis (TDA) and developing
the SAP, this project will facilitate actions by the governments of Argentina and Bolivia to
promote sustainable development in the BRBB. This project is designed to begin the process of
implementing the developmental and environmental guidelines of the SAP and, through a broad
and participatory action program, to address the principal causes of environmental degradation
within the BRBB. The proposed components of the project are consistent with the globally
important concerns and priority actions identified in the SAP. These actions, however, constitute
only a small part of the total program included in the overall strategic action program set forth in
the SAP. This subset of actions has been selected because they comprise a specific set of priority,
incremental activities that will facilitate execution of the remaining strategic actions. Successful
implementation of these actions will provide support to the efforts of regional, national and
binational institutions in implementing the balance of the program of action identified in the SAP
during subsequent phases of this project. The four components that together embrace all the
project activities are detailed below. These priority components have been identified through a
process of broad-based public participation and have been designed to permit the formulation and
implementation of a program for integrated management of the basin's water resources (IWRMP).
4. UNEP, in its role as implementing agency, in consultation with the OAS, the Binational
Commission and the governments of Argentina and Bolivia, has prepared preliminary descriptions
and budgets for the activities that are proposed within each of these four components. These are
summarized in the following paragraphs. It should be noted that, because of the diversity of these
activities, each of the four components is multifaceted in nature and includes not only activities
directly related to specific outcomes, but also opportunities for the active involvement of different
social stakeholders, for environmental education of local inhabitants and technical staff, for
institutional strengthening, etc. Nevertheless, for the sake of brevity and clarity, each activity has
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been categorized within one specific component, and is not repeated under the remaining areas to
which it may be related. One of the first activities to be undertaken by the project executing units,
in consultation with UNEP and the OAS, will be to prepare for each component a detailed work
program establishing the terms of reference for each strategic activity and the objectives to be
achieved during the period of implementation of the project.
A. COMPONENT I: INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND STRENGTHENING
FOR INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT
5. Component I is designed to provide a broadly participatory institutional framework by
developing and strengthening the legal basis underlying the regulation, planning, and
environmental and social evaluation of the environmental, economic, and financial arrangements
that are indispensable for implementing the activities of prevention, restoration, planning, and
development of the natural resources identified in the SAP. The two activities that make up this
first component are aimed explicitly at creating an effective and integrated organizational base that
will involve both the public and private sectors in implementing a multisectoral and holistic
approach to the environmental management and economic development of the Basin, as proposed
in Chapter 18 of Agenda 21. This framework is fundamental to support the extension and
subsequent implementation of the specific strategic activities in the Basin that will address the
basic causes of transboundary environmental problems-- namely, land degradation and sediment
transport-- that form the remaining components of the project.
Activity 1.1. Development and strengthening of the institutional framework
This activity is intended (i) to deepen and broaden activities initiated during the SAP formulation
stage with respect to the implementation of the project and the coordination role of the Binational
Commission, including its institutional development as binational- interjurisdictional basin
organization, (ii) to promote regional coordination and programming, and (iii) to address
weaknesses in the complex institutional framework that currently impede a comprehensive vision
of the Basin and the integrated and sustainable management of its resources. This activity is
intended to develop and broaden the participatory framework, including mechanisms for specific
participation by provincial governments, the prefecture and municipalities of Tarija, and to
strengthen the capacities of the institutions that represent them. This will result in a greater
institutional capacity at the regional level and will help to place management of the Basin's water
resources on a sustainable footing. It will also ensure proper articulation and commitment among
the institutional stakeholders that have primary responsibility for implementing the actions, so that
they can serve as part of a regional coordination and programming process conducted by the
Binational Commission and other existing regional agencies in each country. The results of this
activity will be a documented framework for addressing transboundary problems inherent in the
management of the Bermejo River Basin, including formal and informal mechanisms for
participation by government units at the provincial and prefecture level in determining and
implementing the IWRMP. This will take the form of fully operational coordination and
programming mechanisms within the Binational Commission for the Development of the Bermejo
River and Rio Grande de Tarija Upper Basin, with participation by provincial governments and the
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Prefecture of Tarija. These mechanisms will analyze and integrate agreed strategic guidelines for a
regional institutional framework into an appropriate and effective binational, interjurisdictional
entity for the Basin, under which national-, provincial/prefectural- and municipal-level institutions
can be strengthened in terms of their capacities and abilities to manage natural resources on a
sustainable basis. This activity will also provide specific support to the regional entities of the two
countries (COREBE and OTN), to provincial entities, the prefecture and municipalities of Tarija,
academic organizations, NGOs, corporations, and governmental institutions involved in
implementing the SAP, in order to develop their institutional, technical and administrative base.
Consequently, this activity is designed to integrate the following specific actions, among others,
identified in the SAP:
· Institutional development and strengthening of the Binational Commission for the integrated
management of the Basin (SAP Project No. 1)
The purpose of this activity is to foster institutional development at the binational level in the
Bermejo River Basin that will permit integrated and participatory planning and management of
the basin's water resources. To this end, it includes actions to: (i) promote the establishment,
under the aegis of the Binational Commission, with participation by the provinces of Argentina
and the prefecture and municipalities of Tarija in Bolivia, of a coordination, programming, and
control mechanism that will have a mandate covering the entire Basin, to design a proposed
Basin-wide agency; (ii) agree on strategies for the implementation of such a mechanism; and
(iii) strengthen the institutions involved in this coordination mechanism with a view to
achieving the objectives of the SAP and of this project in particular.
· Institutional development for the integrated management of the Basin at the inter-jurisdictional
level in Argentina (SAP Project No. 2)
The purpose of this activity is to support the institutional development of the Regional
Commission for the Bermejo River with a view to establishing an interjurisdictional entity for
the Bermejo River Basin in Argentina. While this will primarily facilitate integrated and
participatory planning and management of the Basin's water resources within Argentine
territory, the creation of an interjurisdictional mechanism between the provinces and
municipalities within Argentina will contribute to the overall sustainable management of the
Basin's resources. To this end, it includes actions to promote the design and implementation of
an agency for the Basin, under the aegis of the Regional Commission for the Bermejo River,
and to strengthen this commission and other institutions involved in order to facilitate
achievement of the SAP objectives.
· Institutional strengthening and capacity building for governmental and civil society
organizations (SAP Project No. 8)
The purpose of this activity is to strengthen the capacities of governmental and civil society
organizations within the Bermejo River Basin that have responsibilities for, or involvement in,
the sustainable management of natural resources. This will result in a greater institutional
capacity at the regional level for placing the management of the Basin's water resources on a
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sustainable footing, and articulating and committing institutional stakeholders with primary
responsibility for implementing the activities, so as to integrate them into a process of regional
coordination and programming. In this context, the project includes actions to support the
equipping and training of technical and managerial personnel in these organizations.
The estimated cost of Activity 1.1 is US$1,824,500 (GEF: US$1,105,000; co-financing
US$809,500).
Activity 1.2. Development of a holistic regional legislative, economic, and environmental
framework
By designing and implementing legal and financial instruments and harmonizing standards for
water quality management and land use in the Basin within a strong and integrated institutional
framework, this activity will serve to inform and involve water resource professionals and others
in the diagnosis and correction of environmental problems identified in the Bermejo River Basin.
The results of this activity will produce a framework for addressing transboundary aspects inherent
in management of the Basin.
This activity, therefore, will seek to establish a framework in which dialogue between the public
and the agencies responsible for implementing integrated management programs for the Basin can
be translated into a comprehensive legislative program aimed at strengthening their legal and
political foundations. The nature and framework for these programs was developed during the
SAP formulation stage of this project. This activity will facilitate the introduction of Basin
management measures through a coordinated program of activities by both governments and
nongovernmental organizations at all levels of civil society, including the proposed development of
a legislative framework for strengthening and implementing the administrative mechanisms
necessary for successful and equitable implementation of the IWRMP. In addition, it will make
substantive progress in the introduction of environmental zoning and land-use planning as
management and planning tools, in the form of strategic methodological guidelines validated at the
regional level and concrete environmental actions at the local level, in particularly critical areas of
the Basin. The results of this activity will help to optimize policies, practices and programs for
managing water resources, thereby creating the economic and legal foundations for sustainable
development of the Basin. The output of this activity will include a documented context for
establishing a regional regulatory framework for the use and protection of shared water resources,
the determination of water-use charges, including a restructuring of fiscal, financial, and legal
mechanisms for managing the quantity and quality of water within the basin, as well as proposed
legislation to put this framework into effect. A further explicit output of this activity will be
legislative proposals for implementing the IWRMP at all levels of government and civil society.
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Consequently, the activity will include the following specific activities, among others, identified in
the SAP:
· Development and harmonization of political and legal frameworks for sustainable management
of water resources in the Basin (SAP Projects No. 3 and No. 4)
The purpose of this activity is to promote action to establish common environmental quality
objectives and policies, and to foster the participatory formulation and implementation of a
regional regulatory framework that will address basic aspects in the management of shared
water resources and make possible the integrated management of water and other natural
resources. It will also encourage the development and harmonization of jurisdictional
frameworks, particularly those relating to environmental legislation, water codes,
environmental impact assessment standards, public participation and access to information. To
this end, it will generate a process for developing and harmonizing regional and jurisdictional
legal frameworks based on the joint preparation of technical criteria and instrumental strategies
for their implementation.
· Environmental zoning and land-use regulation (SAP Project No. 7)
The purpose of this activity is to encourage land-use regulation as a basic tool of regional
planning that will contribute to sustainable management of natural resources. To this end, the
project will identify and assess the technical, institutional, legal, and political aspects that must
be taken into account in establishing the basic instruments governing land settlement and
economic activities as a function of the carrying capacity of natural resources. In Argentina,
demonstration projects will be carried out in various areas of the basin, and support will be
provided to initiatives now under way, in order to identify valid methodological and
instrumental criteria for the different regions of the Basin that can be extended for application
to the territory as a whole. In Bolivia, initiatives now under way in the prefecture of Tarija
under the ZONISIG program will be supported in order to optimize their technical and human
resources to ensure successful development of a land-use plan for the Upper Basin.
· Strengthening and developing economic instruments to promote sustainable use of water (SAP
Project No. 9)
The purpose of this activity is to design and achieve consensus on strategies, at the regional
level, for incorporating financial and economic instruments to reflect the economic value of
water. These strategies will be designed as complementary to other regulatory instruments
governing natural resources in the Bermejo River Basin region and will constitute genuine
sources of financing for integrated management of water and other natural resources.
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· Development of strategies for incorporating environmental and social costs into project
management and decision-making (SAP Project No. 10)
The purpose of this activity is to design, formulate, and validate regional criteria, instrumental
strategies, and recommendations for generalized incorporation of environmental and social
costs into the evaluation of development projects, using methodologies that will assign proper
value to natural resources and services. On the basis of an analysis of the current situation in
the region, methodological guidelines will be developed and applied to case studies embracing
the SAP portfolio, representative in terms of their characteristics and location, as a basis for
advancing the discussion and validation of criteria and formulation of recommendations for
implementation of such criteria throughout the Basin during subsequent phases of this project.
The estimated cost of Activity 1.2 is US$1,929,500 (GEF: US$882,400; co-financing
US$1,047,100).
B. COMPONENT II: ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION
6. Component II is designed to extend the implementation of feasible measures of Basin
management identified during formulation of the SAP. Together with the institutional initiatives to
be undertaken as part of Component I, the three activities programmed for this component will
deal with specific transboundary aspects identified in the TDA. In particular, the actions planned
focus on soil management and sediment-transport control, either by means of feasible specific
prevention and control measures or by preserving the natural landscape in critical erosion-prone
areas through the consolidation of protected areas. Complementary basic natural resource studies,
and the maintenance of the quality of the Basin's water resources, are part of this component.
Activity 2.1. Soil management and erosion control in critical areas
The TDA identified several regions and subbasins of the Bermejo River Basin, such as those in the
Central Valley of Tarija, the sub-Andean or Yungas region, and the Iruya River and Río Grande
watersheds in the Upper Basin, as critical areas in terms of current or threatened erosion, current
and potential contribution to the production and transport of sediments, and loss of productive
soils. The SAP calls for the adoption of appropriate measures, both structural and non-structural
(farming, ranching and forestry practices, regulatory frameworks, environmental regulation), to
control soil loss through a focus on watershed management. This activity, which will extend and
transfer the implementation of feasible measures for erosion control in the Upper Bermejo River
Basin, identified and proved effective during the SAP formulation phase, will promote greater use
of soil-management practices that minimize degradation and the risk of destabilization. The results
of these efforts will encourage broader application of these management practices and thereby
contribute to sustainable land use (essentially for farming) and to the conservation of areas that,
although not yet significantly altered, are at risk from land degradation. A key feature of this
activity will include the mitigation of erosion in critical zones of the Basin. The output of this
activity will include the application of recommended soil-conservation and erosion-control
measures to limit the loss of soil.
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Consequently, the activity includes the following specific actions, among others, identified in the
SAP:
· Sediment control in Tolomosa River Basin (SAP Project No. 51)
This activity consists of three components: (i) control of sediments in transit, through the
construction of five earthen dikes, 10 gabion dikes with riprap for bank protection, and 160 ha
of enclosed areas for natural vegetation regeneration; (ii) protective reforestation over an area
of 80 ha, and (iii) management and conservation of 600 ha of farmland and rehabilitation of
dry-land farming areas in the Rio Mena subbasin. This project is intended to control sediments
in transit and to apply erosion control techniques to reduce silting in the reservoir of San
Jacinto, the principal water resource in this area, and to reduce loss of arable soils in the Mena
River subbasin. It will draw upon experience with erosion control practices gained during the
formulation phase of the SAP.
· Integrated management of natural resources of Santa Ana River Basin (SAP Project No. 55)
This activity consists of a series of works and activities: (i) regulation of water flows in micro
basins tributary to, and in the main channel of, the Santa Ana River, for irrigation purposes; (ii)
soil management, conservation, and rehabilitation practices; (iii) restoration of vegetation; (iv)
livestock management; and (v) consolidation of grass-roots institutions through public
participation. The initial stage will see the execution of a project in the Gamoneda River
subbasin. Integrated basin-management techniques will be developed and applied with a view
to ensuring environmental sustainability and improving the living conditions of the local
population.
· Integrated management of the Iruya River Basin (SAP Project No. 58)
The valley of the Iruya River contributes nearly 50 percent of all sediments transported by the
Bermejo River into the Plata River system. Thus, it is in this valley that the implementation of
management measures and practices for controlling the production and transport of sediments
will have the greatest influence at the regional level. The objective of this activity is to
supplement developments already being undertaken by COREBE to identify, evaluate, and
implement methodological approaches and techniques for preserving ecosystems still in their
natural state, and for restoring those disrupted by human activity that have a determining
influence on the stability of the landscape and on the phenomena of surface erosion and
landslides that are characteristic of this region. The result will be a technical and economic
assessment, in local and regional terms, of the efficacy of direct interventions, some which
were undertaken in the Basin during the formulation stage of the SAP, as well as non-
structural measures, to establish criteria for their selection and application in controlling the
generation and transport of sediments.
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· Management of the Grande River Basin: mapping of the Huasamayo River subbasin (SAP
Project No. 59)
This is the first component of a program for the sustainable management of the Grande River
Basin, the purpose of which is to reduce the severe erosion from which it currently suffers.
This activity will consolidate a comprehensive plan to control soil loss and will comprise
structural actions and non-structural management measures, like the construction of small
gabion dikes, protective forested areas, and sustainable farmland practices.
The estimated cost of Activity 2.1 is US$2,134,200 (GEF: US$1,327,400; co-financing
US$806,800).
Activity 2.2. Consolidating protected areas and protecting biodiversity
This activity is intended to protect biodiversity through the consolidation and development of
protected areas, the conduct of basic studies on natural resources, and implementation of a pilot-
scale project on carbon fixation. The SAP concluded that the best way to preserve the remaining
areas of natural habitat in the region would be to create integrated, community-based units within
the Bermejo River Basin to serve the ecotourism market, both domestic and international. At the
same time, it called for the creation of a growing number of clearly defined areas where human
activity can be conducted in ways that will not damage natural resources. Previous experiments by
both governmental and nongovernmental agencies, including those carried out during the SAP
formulation phase, suggest the use of buffer zones as a means of reducing the human impact on
ecosystems. The creation of environmental corridors linking areas of significant habitat value has
also been shown to be successful in maintaining migratory routes that have been disrupted by
human activities. This activity, therefore, will encourage the establishment of buffer zones and
environmental corridors, and will sponsor basic studies on natural resources, including pilot
demonstration projects that promote effective ways of restoring degraded environments,
preserving environments adjacent to nature conservation areas and protecting biodiversity, while
at the same time promoting sustainable development for local communities. This activity will also
help to transfer experience gained in two other natural areas of the Yungas cloud-forest region of
Argentina and Bolivia and to design strategies for extending them to other natural areas of the
Lower Basin. The results of the project will be the introduction of management programs for the
development of protected areas and buffer zones in the vicinity of the national parks and reserves
of Calilegua, Campo El Rey, Baritú, Tariquia, and Sama, and will promote ecotourism as a form
of sustainable development in those areas, within a framework of sustainability and protection of
biodiversity. The output of the activity will include actions to enhance carbon fixation in cloud-
forest zones. This activity also will provide specific support for developing the Transboundary
Biological Corridor of Tariquia-Baritu. Consequently, the activity will include the following
specific activities, among others, identified in the SAP:
· Introducing alternative forms of ecotourism in piedmont transition forests in the vicinity of the
El Rey and Calilegua national parks (SAP Project No. 14)
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This activity consists of two elements, distinct but intimately linked. The first element includes
the monitoring and evaluation of alternative ecotourism uses in the area surrounding the El
Rey National Park, initially identified during the SAP formulation stage. The second element
consists of identifying, designing, and implementing alternatives for sustainable use of the
buffer zone surrounding the Calilegua National Park for ecotourism. Both of these elements
envision, among other things, the introduction of ecotourism as a sustainable alternative to
traditional productive practices, by incorporating the montane selvas, in particular the
transition forests, into the tourism market, and by encouraging conservation-oriented
management practices that will consolidate the buffer zones surrounding existing protected
areas.
· Carbon fixation in the Yungas (SAP Project No. 16)
The progressive reduction of green biomass in the Basin is reducing the photosynthetic
capacity of the area and hence the ability of plants to fix carbon, an element that is becoming
increasingly concentrated in the upper layers of the atmosphere and identified as causing
environmental imbalances that are well known to the international community. In addition, the
loss of biomass encourages land degradation more directly within the Bermejo River Basin by
diminishing the reserves of organic carbon and reducing vegetative land cover, thereby further
limiting the ability of the soils in the Basin to resist erosion.
During the first phase of the project, this activity will investigate the current ecological status
of natural habitats in the Yungas (in the Upper Basin of the Bermejo River) and the design of a
pilot project for protection, conservation, natural resource management, and rehabilitation of
degraded habitats in this ecologically sensitive portion of the Basin. A second and more
important element of this activity will implement this pilot plan in a selected representative
area. The project will be located in one of the major water-supply zones of the Basin and will
be aimed at increasing the carbon-fixation capacity of the area through the use of sustainable
production practices, the regulated use of natural resources, and the application of techniques
for the protection, conservation, management, and rehabilitation of natural habitats.
· Biodiversity study (SAP Project No. 17)
This activity is intended to improve the state of knowledge about biodiversity in the Upper
Bermejo Basin, to determine the conservation status of the principal ecosystems, to identify
problems affecting the biota, and to propose lines of action for its conservation and
management. The activity will be based on earlier studies conducted during the formulation
phase of the SAP, and on other existing studies in the region.
· Implementation of the Baritú-Tariquia biological corridor (SAP Project No. 20)
The purpose of this activity is to ensure the physical continuity of the protected areas currently
included in the Baritú Park in Argentina and the Tariquia Reserve in Bolivia. Through the
integrated management of the natural resources of these protected areas, a representative
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portion of the Tucumán-Bolivian selva will be protected. The activity includes the legal and
administrative consolidation of the biological corridor and the implementation of an integrated
management program for natural resources in the region surrounding the corridor through
actions of protection, economic support, education and environmental health education,
research, and institutional strengthening. The corridor area includes the Tariquia Reserve, the
Baritú Park, and the intervening zone on both sides of the border.
· Zoning and management plan for the Sama and Tariquia Reserves (SAP Project No. 19)
This activity consists of carring out the ecological and socioeconomic studies necessary to
establish core guidelines and concrete actions for managing the biological reserves of Sama
and Tariquia, in a manner consistent with their objectives and characteristics. The project will
develop a proposal for delimiting and reclassifying these reserves, dividing the territory into
zones according to their ecological, economic and social characteristics, and preparing a
management plan for both reserves. The activity implements lessons learned during the
formulation phase of the SAP, and extends the underlying technical and sociological concepts
initially identifed in the program with respect to the Tariquia-Baritu Ecological Corridor.
· Evaluation of sub-Andean rangelands (SAP Project No. 18)
This is a second and supplementary phase of the pastures study of the Central Valley of Tarija
that was initiated during the formulation stage of the SAP. The study extends zoning of the
natural pasturelands in the sub-Andean ecoregion (in the upper Bermejo River basin), on the
basis of ecological and socioeconomic criteria, quantifying their current condition, their
management, and their limitations and potential, and identifies possible sustainable
development strategies. Before such strategies, are developed and implemented, basic
information for developing sustainable management plans on the natural pasturelands in this
ecoregion is required.
· Zoning for the future Teuco National Park (SAP Project No. 22)
This initiative is intended to protect units of the dry Chaco (in the Middle Bermejo River
Basin), and is seen as a fundamental step towards establishing the Chaco Biological Corridor
identified in the regional biodiversity protection and management plan. The area to be zoned
covers 250,000 ha in the provinces of Formosa and Chaco. This area is bisected by the
Bermejo River (known as the Teuco River in this stretch). The project will attempt to define
the real potential of the sector as a protected natural area and to establish objectives for its
conservation, to provide appropriate zoning for the area, to establish recommendations for its
management, and to formulate and propose policies for establishing a protected area.
The estimated cost of Activity 2.2 is US$1,786,000 (GEF: US$1,295,000; co-financing US $
491,000).
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Activity 2.3. Protection and restoration of water quality
This activity is intended to restore the quality of water in those critical stretches identified in the
Watercourses Classification Study conducted during the SAP formulation phase, focusing on the
Guadalquivir River. The activity will implement actions identified during the formulation phase of
the SAP by providing support to the efforts of the local institutions responsible for carrying out
the core activities. It will be supplemented by the conduct of a planning study for the remediation
of watercourses in the vicinity of the city of Bermejo, another critical point of pollution of the
water resources in the Upper Basin identified in the SAP. In so doing, this activity will extend and
refine the lessons learned in the Guadalquivir River subbasin. It will ultimately have a beneficial
effect for the entire Bermejo River Basin. This activity will be complementary to the establishment
of a water-quality monitoring network for the Basin. Consequently, the activity includes the
following specific actions, among others, identified in the SAP:
· Environmental clean-up of the Guadalquivir River (SAP project No. 43)
This activity comprises the implementation of two pilot-scale wastewater treatment plants in
small rural settlements, including the adaptation and dissemination of feasible wastewater
treatment technologies, the establishment of a pollution-control system for aquifers, and the
formulation of a monitoring plan for wastewater. This activity will assist in the environmental
cleanup of the Guadalquivir River, within the context of an activity that takes an integrated
approach to this environmental problem identified during the TDA.
· Environmental cleanup study for watercourses in the Bermejo Triangle (SAP Project No. 44)
The activity will consist of analyzing the existing sewage and water treatment system,
evaluating the sources and degree of pollution imposed upon the receiving water bodies, and
proposing solutions for treating wastewater from the city and the sugar industry. In addition, it
will propose solutions for eliminating solid wastes and other pollutants that also degrade the
environment, and be accompanied by specific legal provisions relating to the application of
environmental controls. The expected outcomes are (i) a diagnosis of the environmental
situation of watercourses, primarily those of the El Nueve and El Cinco gorges and the
Bermejo River and the Grande de Tarija River, which are affected by industrial and organic
pollution; and (ii) the formulation of the final design of an environmental cleanup plan for these
watercourses.
The estimated cost of Activity 2.3 is US$326,500 (GEF: US$195,000; co-financing US$131,500).
C. COMPONENT III: SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
7. Component III will encourage the implementation of alternative production modes that will be
environmentally friendly, or that will at least minimize environmental degradation with a focus on
land degradation and soil erosion, while at the same time providing greater economic
opportunities for the local population, in a context of integrated management of water resources
and sustainable development planning for the Basin as a whole. The initial action under this
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component will be to formulate the IWRMP, which will establish, a regional framework for
execution of the remaining activities.
Activity 3.1. Implementation of a planning framework for integrated water resource
management and sustainable development in the Bermejo Basin
This activity is intended to incorporate and strengthen regional practices, procedures, and
capacities for programming and planning, thereby addressing one of the basic causes of
environmental problems in the Basin as identified by the SAP. In particular, it calls for the
formulation and development of an Integrated Water Resource Management and Sustainable
Development Plan (IWRMP); which will synthesize the information gathering and dissemination,
studies, analyses, sharing of experiences, demonstrations, and evaluations conducted to date or to
be undertaken as part of the first stage of implementing the SAP. The results of this activity will
provide an agreed planning framework for the sustainable management and development of
natural resources, within a regional regulatory context negotiated and supported through a broad
process of public participation. It will serve as the basis for extending and deepening strategic
efforts and will be a concrete step towards the objectives of the strategic program. The specific
output of this activity will be consistent with the IWRMP, structured on the basis of components
that address not only the fundamental transboundary issues related to the transport of sediments,
water pollution and nature conservation, but also priority actions related to human development
and the alleviation of poverty, particularly sustainable production activities for Basin communities.
Funding provided for this activity will also be used to establish the Project Executing Units and to
support the Binational Commission for the implementation of the IWRMP. The activity includes
the following specific actions, among others, identified in the SAP:
· Program for Integrated Management of Water Resources and Sustainable Development in the
Bermejo River Basin (SAP Project No. 53)
The purpose of this project is to integrate all the actions undertaken during the first stage of
the SAP within a programming framework for the integrated management of the Basin's
resources, and to place development initiatives in the context of preventing erosion and
pollution and conserving nature. This framework will serve as a basis for decision-making and
will establish a threshold of sustainability for development projects undertaken by the various
jurisdictions, either individually or jointly. It will serve as a basis of a programming context for
actions that will be included in other stages of the SAP, either subsequent or complementary.
Activities relating to project coordination and administration, contract monitoring and
supervision, and the formation of a basic technical team will use a substantial portion of the
financing provided for this project.
The estimated cost of Activity 3.1 is US$2,675,900 (GEF: US$1,528,900; co-financing
US$1,147,000).
Activity 3.2. Sustainable practices for rehabilitation of degraded areas
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The TDA identified human pressures on natural resources as a direct cause of the loss of habitat
and biodiversity in the montane systems of the Upper Basin. At the same time, the combination of
the tremendous fluvio-morphological dynamics resulting from the transport of sediments
originating in the Upper Basin and unsustainable approaches to the management of natural
resources in general, and of the land in particular, associated with farming activity have been
identified as immediate causes of the problems of lack of access to water resources and
degradation of soils in the Chaco, an area of great regional importance in terms of habitat and
biological diversity. The SAP recommended both structural and non-structural measures to
address erosion risks in the Upper Basin and to control the deposit of sediments, to moderate
excessive fluctuations in water flow, and to limit the negative impacts of the invasion of exotic
species in this part of the lower basin. The activity will extend and transfer feasible approaches to
sustainable economic development resulting from experience during the SAP formulation stage, in
the form of pilot projects. These will in turn help to mitigate environmental problems arising from
the degradation of forests and soils by human activity. The output of this activity will be the
implementation of structural and non-structural practices of agricultural development that will also
help to mitigate the impact of agriculture on more than 3,000 degraded hectares within the humid
and dry Chaco zones, and 77 sites where, in addition, other practices will be applied to rehabilitate
degraded areas, in relation to specific economic sectors. The output of the activity will include the
implementation of appropriate pasture and livestock management practices and the development
of traditional small-scale crops in the Yungas zones, implementing and/or improving traditional
productive systems on a basis that is sustainable from an ecological, economic, and social
viewpoint, and will also address land management in typical farm and pasture sites in the humid
and subhumid Chaco region of the lower basin, and undertake complementary actions to restore
soil productivity. Consequently, among other activities identified in the SAP, the activity includes
the following specific actions to implement community-based sustainable management alternatives
in these ecoregions of the Chaco:
· Sustainable management alternatives for natural resources in the humid and subhumid Chaco
(SAP Project No. 62)
On the basis of experience gained during the formulation stage of the SAP, several institutions
have decided to pool their efforts in a joint project, and thereby help to resolve a number of the
ecological problems in the humid and subhumid region of the Bermejo River Basin. These
actions are aimed at a broad range of producers and problems; they involve essentially the
dissemination of sustainable resource management techniques, demonstrating their application
in the expectation that the local community will gradually be persuaded to adopt them. Some
of the major issues to be addressed by the activity are the restoration of degraded
environments in the Lower Basin, the management of forage in humid and subhumid areas, the
productive restoration of vinalares, sustainable management of the agro-silvo-pastoral
potential of subtropical zones, sustainable soil management and conservation, and management
of excessive and deficient water flows.
· Productive diversification under conditions of sustainability in the Yungas (SAP Project No.
70)
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This activity is intended to take advantage of the pilot experiment in the community of Los
Toldos, conducted during the SAP formulation phase, by expanding its area of application and
by pursuing aspects that were passed over at that time. These latter aspects include sustainable
exploitation of the forest on an experimental scale; management of pasture lands and livestock
and the development of small-scale traditional crops, to supply a highly selective market; and
the generation of employment through existing activities or promising new ones, such as
ecotourism. These actions are intended to reduce human pressures on natural forest resources
by diversifying the productive options open to rural families in ways that will reduce their
transformation of the forest, integrate them into the regional market, generate local
employment opportunities, and promote sustainable land use techniques within the parameters
of multiple use of mountainous areas of the upper Bermejo River basin.
The estimated cost of Activity 3.2 is US$2,393,100 (GEF: US$846,000; co-financing
US$1,547,100).
Activity 3.3. Community extension programs for sustainable production and natural
resource management
The TDA found a high incidence of subsistence-level exploitation of natural resources in some
areas of the Bermejo River Basin. Given the high population growth rates and the vulnerability of
the natural resource base in these areas, these levels of exploitation are clearly unsustainable. The
SAP therefore recommended efforts to promote sustainable forms of production based upon a
community approach. This activity will identify current subsistence practices in these communities
and will introduce programs designed to encourage the adoption of sustainable water and soil
management practices. Using the knowledge gained during the formulation stage of the SAP, this
activity will contribute to the protection of water and soil resources, including native fauna,
particularly fish, in the natural ecosystems of the Bermejo River, while at the same time helping to
satisfy the demand for food, fuel, and shelter in rural communities. The output of this activity will
contribute to developing a basic understanding of the extent and impact (or lack thereof) of
subsistence farming and fishing activities in the Basin, identifying alternatives to unsustainable
exploitation of natural resources, and carrying out community extension programs in specific areas
of the Basin to introduce sustainable alternatives to the current practices of these subsistence
communities. The experience gained will lay the basis for future sustainable development of the
most vulnerable communities in the region. The outputs of this activity will include documented
information on the extent of subsistence farming and fishing activities in the basin, a documented
program of information dissemination for improving local understanding of sustainable farming
and fishing practices, and community extension projects in selected places within the basin.
Consequently, the activity will include the following specific actions, among others, identified in
the SAP:
· Implementing water and natural resource management practices that are consistent with
traditional practices in the basin (SAP Project No. 72)
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The purpose of this activity is to recognize the value of traditional cultural manifestations
typical of the region with respect to managing water and other natural resources so that
subsistence communities will adopt them as valid practices for sustainable management. To
this end, a cultural survey of the region will be undertaken. The most promising manifestations
will be applied in pilot projects, with the participation of the communities concerned, and an
action program will be prepared and implemented to promote the appreciation, dissemination,
and application of traditional practices and manifestations most suitable for the sustainable
management of natural resources.
· Sustainable rural development in indigenous and native communities (SAP Project No. 133)
This activity is intended to improve living conditions among indigenous Wichi and native
communities, through sound management of agro-silvo-pastoral systems and greater
awareness of sustainable resource management.
The estimated cost of Activity 3.3 is US$340,200 (GEF: US$194,200; co-financing US$146,000).
Activity 3.4. Sustainable agriculture and soil conservation practices along the San Jacinto
project area
This activity relates to the use of natural resources in a sustainable manner. A demonstration
project will be undertaken in areas recently brought under irrigation within the San Jacinto project
area in an effort to optimize soil and water use, control soil loss in and around areas under
cultivation, and at the same time enhance the productivity of economic activities. The results of
this experiment will be extrapolated to other zones with similar characteristics within the Upper
Basin. Consequently, the activity includes the following strategic actions:
· Systematization of irrigated areas of the San Jacinto project (SAP Project No. 150)
The Land Systematization component of the San Jacinto Project includes the development and
implementation of technological packages for soil and water management in irrigated farming
areas and the management of marginal lands within the project's area of influence. The project
calls for optimizing soil and water utilization in order to enhance the productivity of farming,
and to control erosion in lands next to cultivated areas. The experience gained will be
disseminated to other irrigated areas that are similarly vulnerable to soil loss.
The estimated cost of Activity 3.4 is US$243,000 (GEF: US$160,000, co-financing US$ 83,000).
Activity 3.5. Securing of financial resources for the Bermejo River Basin
The objective of this activity is to convene meetings with representatives of local, regional
and international financing agencies to explore jointly the possibilities of allocating funds to SAP
proposals and other complementary actions/initiatives oriented towards the sustainable
development of the Bermejo Basin, concerning the amelioration of quality of life, the alleviation of
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poverty, the improvement of health, and the preservation of indigenous cultural heritage, among
other aspects, and of promoting a progressively increasing and long-term involvement of these
agencies in the overall development of the Basin. Representatives of the agencies responsible for
technical and financial aspects of these proposals, actions, and initiatives will also participate in the
meetings. Both governments have initiated actions at the national level with the Inter-American
Development Bank, seeking to obtain its participation as lead agency in the organization and
implementation of the meetings, which is planned to be held in the region during the first year of
the project´s implementation.
The estimated cost of Activity 3.5 is US$350,000 (GEF: US$300,000, co-financing US$ 50,000).
D. COMPONENT IV: PUBLIC AWARENESS, PARTICIPATION, AND REPLICATION
OF PROJECT ACTIVITIES
8. This component embraces activities to identify and coordinate the interests of people and
organizations with economic and/or institutional responsibilities in the basin, including the
agricultural and industrial sectors. Access to information is an essential part of this process of
encouraging and effectively enhancing the interest of local stakeholders in sound management of
the basin's natural resources. To this end, a central element of this component will be to inform the
citizenry in the Basin through an integrated program of environmental education, institutional
transparency, and exchange of information among communities, organizations, and government
entities. Building on the achievements of the SAP formulation phase, further development of
identified participatory mechanisms during the implementation phase will lay the groundwork for
extending the Project findings into the entire Plata River Basin. Activities are considered within
this component that will identify mechanisms to promote the sharing of experiences, and engender
international and regional cooperation, in order to enhance synergies at the broader level of the
Plata River Basin.
Activity 4.1. Environmental education programs
The SAP identified the need for community-level environmental education programs as key
elements in the support of sustainable programs for protecting and rehabilitating the environment
and promoting economic development. This activity continues and extends this community focus
throughout the Bermejo River basin. It will also contribute to the development and distribution of
curricula and materials for use in training teachers, and will include community and private sector
initiatives in the scope of educational programming. One element of this activity is specifically
designed to improve educational opportunities in the most vulnerable communities. Results of this
activity will not only increase awareness among communities in the basin, but will also help them,
through the local schools, to understand ways of improving their living standards and bringing
about positive environmental change at the local level. The output of the activity will include the
preparation of appropriate curricula at the various educational levels, publicity materials for
promoting public awareness, and materials and manuals for use in teaching and teacher training.
Consequently, the activity includes the following specific actions, among others, identified in the
SAP:
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· Promotion of environmental education activities in the basin (SAP Project No. 129)
This activity will implement a comprehensive program of efforts to promote environmental
education (awareness, training, and formal and informal education) relating to the sustainable
use of water and other natural resources, geared to the different ecological regions of the
Bermejo River Basin, and also to promote awareness and understanding among the various
stakeholder groups-- social, political, and economic-- about the environmental consequences
of improper use of natural resources and the impact of human activities through workshops,
seminars, meetings, bibliographies, manuals, brochures, the mass media, etc. One of the
principal focuses of the program will be on teachers, because of the proven multiplying effect
they can have on students, parents, and the community as a whole. Another important focus is
on working jointly with local governments, grassroots organizations, and producers' groups, as
well as with private landowners. In Bolivia, the program will address issues of environmental
legislation, ecology, biology, erosion control, land clearing, fire, environmental pollution, and
low-impact practices in the agricultural, livestock, and forestry industries. In Argentina, the
program will address the development of environmental awareness, based on promoting a
sense of appreciation and protection of the native forest among teachers, students, and the
aboriginal community in different regions of the Basin. This portion of the activity will focus
on schools and producers' organizations to publicize experiences gained during the formulation
stage of the SAP. It will also foster discussion forums to enhance environmental awareness
about the rational and sustainable use of water, through interaction among the various
institutions involved in farming and irrigation activities and training for environmental
promoters, thereby incorporating elements of SAP Projects No. 128, No. 130, and No. 131.
The estimated cost of Activity 4.1 is US$1,166,000 (GEF: US$509,000; co-financing
US$657,000).
Activity 4.2. Public participation program
The formulation process for the SAP has generated expectations among stakeholders in the Basin,
who recognize that public participation in establishing priorities and implementing new practices is
essential for improving the management of water and environmental resources. The basic
elements for ensuring the commitment of local stakeholders are information, education, and the
establishment of suitable mechanisms for public participation. To this end, this activity will seek to
stimulate public participation in environmental management of the Bermejo River basin by
disseminating information to communities and organizations through a variety of means, including
public hearings, community-based legislative initiatives, environmental education courses,
consultation and mobilization workshops, capacity strengthening programs, and use of the mass
media (radio, television, Internet, newspapers). This information will help to build a basic
awareness so that individuals, organizations, and businesses will become engaged in the decision-
making process. This activity will develop guidance materials for implementing public participation
processes at different levels of government, to increase public awareness and to provide the means
for the public to contribute to environmental management. The results of this activity will enhance
general environmental management by involving a broad population base in the process. The
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outputs will include a documented system of public participation, supported by suitable course
materials and general information brochures, and acceptance of public participation as a working
methodology and philosophy in implementing SAP projects. The activity includes specific actions
identified in the SAP for undertaking a public participation program (SAP Project 126). The
estimated cost of Activity 4.2 is US$532,300 (GEF: US$307,300; co-financing US $ 225,000).
Activity 4.3. Information system for the Bermejo River basin
The SAP identified the need to acquire and disseminate information at two levels within the Basin:
technical information among water resource professionals at all governmental levels involved in
the use and management of the waters of the Bermejo River, and information of more general
interest for the public and other interested entities. Information of the first type includes data on
weather and rainfall, water quality and sediments, hydrogeological information, land use,
environmental data, legal information, socioeconomic data, information on economic development
indicators, local information on specific sites, financial data, and other types of information useful
for professional monitoring. Information of the second type includes aspects of community
interest, notices of events and activities and useful information for individuals, businesses and civil
society organizations, including NGOs. This information will foster institutional transparency,
stimulate informed participation in community decision-making, and help to standardize practices
among professionals and jurisdictions, within the Basin and beyond it in the broader context of the
Plata River system. A prerequisite for establishing this exchange of information is the creation of
an information system. The initial step in so doing will be to identify potential sources of
information, nodes, and users in the basin. This activity complements a proposed medium-scale
project to be financed by the GEF for the Upper Paraguay River Basin (SIAP, Environmental
Information System for the Upper Paraguay) to be developed by Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
The result of this activity will be to extend the SIAP or an equivalent information system to the
Bermejo River Basin. The output of the activity will include documented user groups including a
catalogue of information needs, environmental monitoring sites with suitable links to the
information system, a regional information system in GIS environment, and one or more pilot-
scale satellite information systems accessible to water management professionals and to the
community. An integral aspect of this latter output will be a negotiated operating protocol to
establish ownership over user rights, suitable levels of access to information, and associated
operational details. A further product of this activity will be to create a supervisory or
management committee to operate the information system within the context of the Binational
Commission.
Funding is required to create an environmental information and monitoring system, as a
mechanism for supplying a broad range of information on water and natural resources to a wide
variety of stakeholders, ranging from civil society to government agencies, within the Bermejo
River basin. The system is planned to provide the grounds for building and monitoring specific
indicators related to sustainable development and environmental status, including land use and
natural resources degradation and restoration trends in the Basin. The implementationof the SAP,
and project achievements, also will be subject to monitoring based on the indicators to be
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identified at the time this project is implemented. The activity includes the following specific
actions, among others identified in the SAP.
· Access to information in support of public participation (SAP Project No. 136)
The purpose of this activity is to prepare recommendations and strategies for establishing and
applying mechanisms to ensure that civil society has access to information on water, natural
resources, and development projects, including the identification of the necessary regulatory
frameworks and institutional structures. The current situation within the region will be
analyzed, and guidelines will be formulated to ensure the flow of information and to identify
focal points for providing that information. Case studies will be used to assess technical,
institutional, and legal possibilities and difficulties for establishing one or more selected
mechanisms, and on this basis general recommendations will be formulated and strategies will
be proposed for generalized implementation across the different jurisdictional levels of the
basin.
· Developing networks and mechanisms of articulation among the various economic sectors and
jurisdictional authorities in the basin (SAP Project No. 5)
The purpose of this activity is to promote the development of networks and other mechanisms
for sectoral and interjurisdictional articulation as instruments for coordinating efforts at
sustainable management among the different economic sectors and among the various
jurisdictional authorities in the basin. To this end, priority interest groups and appropriate
articulation mechanisms will be identified, examined and recommended. Selected activities of
articulation and coordination will be conducted in regional workshops.
· Developing and implementing an environmental information and monitoring system for the
Bermejo River basin (SAP Project No. 6)
This activity will implement an environmental information system for the basin as a whole,
embracing activities in the area of generating, acquiring, processing and storing information on
the status and use of the basin's natural resources. To this end, an environmental monitoring
network will be designed for the Bermejo River basin, to cover data on climate, sediments, the
volume and quality of water in the different rivers of the basin, the state and dynamics of
vegetation cover, the process of soil erosion, socioeconomic aspects and others. The GIS
database developed during the formulation phase of the SAP will be strengthened and
extended, and information will be made available to different users. Efforts will also be made
to strengthen and coordinate activities among the responsible entities.
· Definition and adoption of IW indicators
This activity includes the organization and implementation of five (5) regional technical
workshops for the definition and adoption of a set of (1) process indicators (focusing on the
processes that will lead to desirable results), (2) stress reduction indicators (focusing on
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actions with defined targets that will reduce the environmental stress on the waterbody), and
(3) environmental status indicators (focusing on the actual improvement of the ecosystem
quality). Two workshops would be held at the inception of the project to define and adopt the
indicators, two during project implementation to monitor the indicators, and one towards the
end of the project execution to conclude on the matter.
The estimated cost of Activity 4.3 is US$2,281,600 (GEF: US$1.143,400; co-financing
US$1,138,200).
Activity 4.4. Replication of project activities
Outputs, findings, and lessons learned during the SAP formulation process demonstrated the
feasibility of integrated and participatory approaches for strategic programming of water resources
and land-use management at the Basin level. Although different in scope and intensity, many of the
environmental problems, transboundary manifestations and basic root causes identified in the
Bermejo Basin are common in other regions of the Plata River Basin. Therefore, this activity will
seek to extend the methodological approach, findings, and recommendations of the Bermejo
project to these areas, contributing to promote a larger-scale and Basin-wide strategic framework
to address main environmental degradation processes, including the identification of critical
transboundary issues and definition of priority actions at the national and multi-national level. The
estimated cost of Activity 4.4 is US$850.000 (GEF: US$700,000; co-financing US$150,000).
· Dissemination and replication of the Bermejo Project into the broader context of the Plata
Basin
This incorporates activities to support the dissemination of SAP methodological approaches,
findings and outputs beyond the Bermejo region and into the broader context of La Plata River
Basin, as a means to promote the formulation of the Basin-wide strategic framework. For
dissemination activities in Argentina and Bolivia, the Binational Commission will directly
coordinate actions with national agencies. For activities involving other countries of the Plata
River Basin, the Binational Commission, through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both
countries, will coordinate actions with the Intergovernmental Committee of the Plata River
Basin (CIC) and with other bilateral or multilateral basin organizations, such as the Pilcomayo
Trinational Commission. The Activities include: (1) the preparation of Bermejo project
materials in various media (documents, CD, video, Internet Web sites) for wide distribution in
the region, with special consideration to materials that may be used in training courses,
seminars, workshops, specialized journals, and social-communication media; (2) the
presentation of Bermejo SAP Project in national and regional technical meetings related to
water resources and environmental management currently held in the Basin; (3) the
organization and conduct of seminars and workshops to present Bermejo SAP experience and
promote the replication of the project's methodology, leading to the identification of
environmental problems, transboundary manifestations, basic causes, strategic framework, and
priority actions, including the participatory approach to strategic programming of shared
waters resources. As long as this activity is carried out, criteria and guidelines for planning and
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implementing replication activities in the broader context of La Plata River Basin will be
identified.
9. Table I.1 presents an indicative work schedule, according to which the project will be
implemented over a period of four years. It should be noted that the specific activities can be
initiated at any time within the six months preceding, the date specified in the table provided that
the human and financial resources and the required information are available. Moreover, it is
expected that each activity can be executed within a period of at least one year.
10. The total cost of the project is estimated to be US$18,830,000. The total cost of the baseline
situation, without funding from the GEF, is US$8,430,000. In addition, an amount of more than
US$500 million is included for investment in the Bermejo River basin, in the form of various
reimbursable loans that are now administered by the Inter-American Development Bank, the
World Bank, and other bilateral governmental cooperation agencies (see Annex H). These funds
may be considered as part of the financial baseline, according to the present agreements. It is
assumed that these investments represent the total value of the national benefits produced by the
project and that they will be specifically applied to deal with such aspects as effluent treatment,
flood management and domestic water supply (see Annex A). For the alternative project, a total of
US$8,430,000 would be contributed by the governments of Argentina and Bolivia, local provinces
and prefectures, and other public and private sources in support of new initiatives to be
incrementally funded through the GEF. Financing by other international institutions amounts to
US$300,000, composed of funds administered by UNEP (US$150,000 in kind) and by the OAS
(US$150,000 in kind). The incremental contribution requested from the GEF is US$10,400,000.
Additional funding from the GEF will be applied specifically to catalyze such activities as
developing an effective organization for the basin, mitigating and preventing soil degradation, and
controlling and minimizing degradation of water quality. Table I.2 summarizes the application of
GEF funds in both countries. Table I.3 provides further breakdown for GEF funding and non
GEF funding per activity and per country.
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Table I.1 Indicative Work Schedule showing estimated execution periods for project
components
Activity/Semester
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Steering Committee meetings








1.1 Development and strengthening of
institutional framework
1.2 Regional legislative, economic, and
environmental framework
2.1 Soil management and erosion control in
critical areas
2.2 Consolidating protected areas and
protecting biodiversity
2.3 Protection and restoration of water
quality
3.1 Implementation of a planning framework
3.2 Sustainable practices for rehabilitation of
degraded areas in Chaco and Yungas regions
3.3 Community extention programs for
sustainable production and natural resource
management
3.4 Sustainable agriculture and soil
conservation practices along the San Jacinto
project area
3.5 Procurement of financial resources for

the Bermejo Basin
4.1 Environmental education programs
4.2 Public participation program
4.3 Information system
4.4 Replication of project activities
I-23

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Table I.2 Indicative distribution of project funding by country (Million US$)
ACTIVITY
GEF
GOVERNMENTS
TOTAL
Argentina Bolivia
Total
Argentina Bolivia Total
1.1 Development and
strengthening of institutional
0.52
0.49
1.01
0.67
0.14
0.81
1.82
framework
1.2 Regional legislative,
economic, and environmental
0.67
0.21
0.88
0.47
0.57
1.05
1.93
framework
2.1 Soil management and erosion
0.42
0.90
1.32
0.32
0.49
0.81
2.13
control in critical areas
2.2 Consolidating protected areas
0.30
1.00
1.30
0.21
0.28
0.49
1.79
and protecting biodiversity
2.3 Protection and restoration of
0.00
0.20
0.20
0.00
0.13
0.13
0.33
water quality
3.1 Implementation of a planning
0.93
0.60
1.53
0.63
0.51
1.14
2.67
framework
3.2 Sustainable practices for
rehabilitation of degraded areas in
0.85
0.00
0.85
1.55
0.00
1.55
2.40
Chaco and Yungas regions
3.3 Community extention
programs for sustainable
0.19
0.00
0.19
0.15
0.00
0.15
0.34
production and natural resource
management
3.4 Sustainable agriculture and
soil conservation practices along
0.00
0.16
0.16
0.00
0.08
0.08
0.24
the San Jacinto project area
3.5 Procurement of financial
0.15
0.15
0.30
0.025
0.025
0.05
0.35
resources for the Bermejo Basin
4.1 Environmental education
0.31
0.20
0.51
0.53
0.13
0.66
1.17
programs
4.2 Public participation program
0.21
0.10
0.31
0.15
0.07
0.22
0.53
4.3 Information system
0.89
0.25
1.14
1.00
0.14
1.14
2.28
4.4 Replication of project
0.35
0.35
0.70
0.075
0.075
0.15
0.85
activities
Total
5.80
4.60
10.40
5.79
2.64
8.43
18.83
I-24

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Table I.3 STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAM FOR THE BINATIONAL BERMEJO RIVER BASIN
PROJECT BUDGET AND FINANCING (Thousands US$)
COMPONENT
ACTIVITY
PROJECT
GEF
GOVERNMENT
TOTAL
ARG.
BOLIVIA TOTAL
ARG.
BOLIVIA TOTAL
PARTIAL
GLOBAL
1.1 Development and
P1 Institutional
269.59
100.00
369.59
194.80
58.40
253.20
622.79
strengthening of the
development and
institutional framework strengthening of the
Binational Commission
P.2 Institutional
0.00
0.00
0.00
148.10
0.00
148.10
148.10
development at basin level
in Argentina
P.8 Institutional
255.45
390.00
645.45
326.20
82.00
408.20
1,053.65
1,824.54
strengthening for gov. and
civil society organizations
I
1.2 Development of a
P.3 Development and
297.50
10.00
307.50
191.90
35.00
226.90
534.40
holistic regional
harmonization of political
legislative, economic
and legal frameworks
and environmental
P.7 Environmental zoning
218.80
200.00
418.80
140.20
539.00
679.20
1,098.00
AND MANAGEMENT
framework
and land-use regulation
P.9 Strengthening and
64.50
0.00
64.50
26.60
0.00
26.60
91.10
developing economic
instruments
P.10 Incorporation of
91.64
0.00
91.64
114.40
0.00
114.40
206.04
1,929.54
INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMET AND STRENGTHENING
FOR INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES PLANING
environmental and social
costs.
2.1 Soil management
P.51 Sediment control in
0.00
500.00
500.00
0.00
363.00
363.00
863.00
and Erosion control in
the Tolomosa river basin
cirtical areas
P.55 Integrated
0.00
400.00
400.00
0.00
120.00
120.00
520.00
management of natural
resources of Santa Ana
River basin
P58 Integrated manage-
277.40
0.00
277.40
223.80
0.00
223.80
501.20
ment of the Iruya river
basin
I-25

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Table I.3 STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAM FOR THE BINATIONAL BERMEJO RIVER BASIN
PROJECT BUDGET AND FINANCING (Thousands US$)
COMPONENT
ACTIVITY
PROJECT
GEF
GOVERNMENT
TOTAL
ARG.
BOLIVIA TOTAL
ARG.
BOLIVIA TOTAL
PARTIAL
GLOBAL
P59 Management of the
150.00
0.00
150.00
100.00
0.00
100.00
250.00
2,134.20
Grande river basin:
mapping of the Huasamayo
river sub-basin
2.2 Consolidating
P.19 Management plan for
0.00
100.00
100.00
0.00
43.00
43.00
143.00
protected areas and
the Sama and Tariquía
protecting biodiversity
Reserves
P.17 Biodiversity study
0.00
150.00
150.00
0.00
28.00
28.00
178.00
P.18 Evaluation of sub-
0.00
45.00
45.00
0.00
20.00
20.00
65.00
andean rangelands
P.14 Ecotourism activities
200.00
0.00
200.00
130.00
0.00
130.00
330.00
in piedmont transition
II
forest
P.16 Carbon fixation in the
0.00
400.00
400.00
0.00
103.00
103.00
503.00
Yungas
P.20 Implementation of the
76.00
300.00
376.00
55.00
90.00
145.00
521.00
Baritú-Tariquía biological
corridor
P22 Zoning for the future
24.00
0.00
24.00
22.00
0.00
22.00
46.00
1,786.00
Teuco National Park
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND REHABILITATION
2.3 Protection and
P.43 Environmental clean-
0.00
150.00
150.00
0.00
120.00
120.00
270.00
Restoration of water
up of the Guadalquivir
quality
River
P.44 Environmental clean-
0.00
45.00
45.00
0.00
11.50
11.50
56.50
326.50
up study in the Bermejo
Triangle
I-26

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Table I.3 STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAM FOR THE BINATIONAL BERMEJO RIVER BASIN
PROJECT BUDGET AND FINANCING (Thousands US$)
COMPONENT
ACTIVITY
PROJECT
GEF
GOVERNMENT
TOTAL
ARG.
BOLIVIA TOTAL
ARG.
BOLIVIA TOTAL
PARTIAL
GLOBAL
3.1 Implementation of a P.53: Program for
928.90
600.00 1,528.90
634.00
513.00 1,147.00
2,675.90
2,675.90
planning framework for integrated management of
integrated water
water resources and
resource management
Sustainable Development
3.2 Sustainable
P.62 Sustainable
606.00
0.00
606.00 1,129.10
0.00 1,129.10
1,735.10
practices for
management alternatives
rehabilitation of
for natural resources in the
degraded areas
humid and sub-humid
Chaco
P.70 Productive
240.00
0.00
240.00
418.00
0.00
418.00
658.00
2,393.10
diversification under
conditions of sustainability
in the Yungas
3.3 Community
P.72 Implementing water
164.20
0.00
164.20
116.00
0.00
116.00
280.20
III
extention programs for
and natural resource
sustainable production
management practices
and natural resource
management
P.133 Sustainable rural
30.00
0.00
30.00
30.00
0.00
30.00
60.00
340.20
OF NATURAL RESOURCES
development in indigenous
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
and native communities
3.4 Sustainable
P.115 Systematization of
0.00
160.00
160.00
0.00
83.00
83.00
243.00
243.00
agriculture and soil
irrigated areas of the San
conservation practices
Jacinto project
3.5 Procurement of
Donor/round table meeting
150.00
150.00
300.00
25.00
25.00
50.00
350.00
350.00
financial resources for
the Bermejo river basin
I-27

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Table I.3 STRATEGIC ACTION PROGRAM FOR THE BINATIONAL BERMEJO RIVER BASIN
PROJECT BUDGET AND FINANCING (Thousands US$)
COMPONENT
ACTIVITY
PROJECT
GEF
GOVERNMENT
TOTAL
ARG.
BOLIVIA TOTAL
ARG.
BOLIVIA TOTAL
PARTIAL
GLOBAL
4.1 Enviromental
P.129 Promotion of
309.00
200.00
509.00
530.50
126.50
657.00
1,166.00
1,166.00
education programs
environmental education
activities in the basin
4.2 Public participation P.126 Public participation
207.30
100.00
307.30
153.00
72.00
225.00
532.30
532.30
program
program
4.3 Information System P.136 Access to
58.00
5.00
63.00
20.20
4.50
24.70
87.70
for the Bermejo River
information in support of
Basin
public participation
P.5 Developing networks
110.50
5.00
115.50
76.60
3.90
80.50
196.00
IV
and mechanisms of
articulation
P.6 Environmental
624.90
140.00
764.90
905.00
128.00 1,033.00
1,797.90
Information System of the
Bermejo River Basin
P.138 Definition and
100.00
100.00
200.00
0.00
0.00
0.00
200.00
adoption of IW indicators
2,281.60
4.4 Replication of
Dissemination and
350.00
350.00
700.00
75.00
75.00
150.00
850.00
850.00
project activities
replication of the Bermejo
PUBLIC AWARENESS PARTICIPATION AND
REPLICATION
Project into the Plata Basin
5,803.60
4,600.00 10,403.60 5,785.40
2,643.80 8,429.20
18,832.80 18,832.80
I-28

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PROJECT REVIEW SHEET
Work Program Inclusion - UNEP International Waters
Project Title: "Implementation of the Strategic Action Programme for the Bermejo River Binational Basin" Argentina/Bolivia.
Date: September 5, 2000
Work Program Inclusion per criteria established in
Reference Paragraphs and
Draft # 8 of the project review criteria
Explanatory Notes:
1. Country Ownership
· Country Eligibility
· Countries are eligible under paragraph 9b of
the GEF Instrument ­ see cover page
· Country Drivenness
Clear description of Project's fit within:
· National and regional priorities were
· National reports/communications to Conventions
identified in the Transboundary Diagnostic
· National or sector development plans.
Analysis & the Strategic Action Programme
· Recommendations of appropriate regional intergovernmental
which were reviewed and later on endorsed
meetings or agreements.
during a series of public and stakeholders
meetings held between Dec. 95 and Dec 99
· Project brief was also reviewed and
endorsed during a series of public and
stakeholders, and steering committee
meetings held this year.
· Para 1, and 5 through 8 describe the
national programming context
· Endorsement
· Endorsement by national operational focal points
· See cover page & Annex D
2. Program & Policy Conformity
· Program Designation &
Describe how project objectives are consistent with Operational
· Consistency of project objectives with
Conformity
Program objectives or operational criteria
Operational Programme 9 is described in
para 4
· Project Design
Describe:
· Sector issues, root causes, threats, barriers etc affecting global
· Discussion on root causes, threats,... were
environment
the subject of the Transboundary Diagnostic
· Project logical framework, including a consistent strategy,
Analysis produced during the SAP
goals, objectives, outputs inputs/activities, measurable
formulation phase. A summary of the
performance indicators, risks and assumptions
analysis can be found in para 6 of the Brief
· Detailed description of goals, objectives, outputs and related
and in Annex E. The complete TDA is
available upon request.
1

---

Work Program Inclusion per criteria established in
Reference Paragraphs and
Draft # 8 of the project review criteria
Explanatory Notes:
assumptions, risks and performance indicators
· A complete project logical Framework is
· Brief description of project activities, including an explanation
presented in Annex B. Discussion on risk
how the activities would result in project outputs
and sustainability is presented in para 30 to
· Global environmental benefits of the project.
34 of the Brief
· Incremental cost estimation based on the project logical
· Description of project objectives, activities,
framework
outputs, is presented in para 9 to 27 of the
· Describe project outputs (and related activities & costs)
Brief. Detailed information can be found in
that result in global environmental benefits
Annex I.
· Describe project outputs (and related activities & costs)
· The Bermejo river is the major river
that result in global and national environmental benefits
spanning the Chaco and thus contributes the
· Describe project outputs (and related activities & costs)
largest mass of Andean sediment to the
that result in national environmental benefits
Plata River System. The origin and the
· Describe the process used to jointly estimate incremental
behavior of the sediment dramatically
cost with in-country project partner
conditions water uses in the Bermejo and
· Present the incremental cost estimate. If presented as a
the Plata system. Activities to control
range, then a brief explanation of the challenges and
erosion and address land degradation in the
constraints and how these would be addressed by the time
Bermejo basin will contribute to the
of CEO endorsement.
achievement of global benefits embodied in
the mitigation of transboundary
environmental problems.
· A complete incremental cost analysis is
presented in Annex A. A summary of the
discussion is presented in para 43 and table
2 and 3 of the Brief.
· Sustainability (including
Describe proposed approach to address factors influencing
Paras 30 to 34 of the Brief, discuss the risk and
financial sustainability)
sustainability, within and/or outside the project to deal with these
sustainability per se. Various mechanisms to
factors
ensure long-term sustainability of actions and
measures undertaken under this proposed project
are described in the activity section of the brief
that is para 14 through 27 and in particular in
para 23 fifth bullet which intends to secure
financial support for the SAP through donor
round tables, and para 27 which presents actions
to share experiences and promote international
and regional cooperation seeking for
2

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Work Program Inclusion per criteria established in
Reference Paragraphs and
Draft # 8 of the project review criteria
Explanatory Notes:
mechanisms that will enhance synergies at the
Plata Basin level. See also para 34 and 40
which discuss the creation and role of an inter-
ministerial committee that will help ensure even
greater sustainability of project results. Detailed
information can also be found in Annex I
· Replicability
Describe the proposed approach to replication (for e.g. dissemination of
Component IV of the Brief (para 27 ­29)
lessons, training workshops, information exchange, national and
discusses replicability as well as public
regional forum etc.) (could be within project description)
awareness and information dissemination.
Access to information at all level of the society
is recognized as an essential part of the process
of encouraging local stakeholders to take an
interest in sound management of the basin's
natural resources. Thus, the central theme of
this component will be to inform the citizenry of
the basin as well as areas with similar problems
within the Plata basin through an integrated
programme of environmental education,
institutional transparency, and information
exchange among communities, organizations
and government entities. Workshops and
technical seminars are planned with other
riparian countries of the Plata basin.
Overall, this project proposal also aims at
replicating those practices and measures that
proved to be successful throughout the basin.
Annex I provides detailed explanation on
activities to be carried out.
· Stakeholder Involvement
· Describe how stakeholders have been involved in project
Stakeholder participation and implementation
development
arrangements are described in para 33 to 42 of
· Describe the approach for stakeholder involvement in further
the Brief.
project development and implementation
Annex F of the Brief presents a public
involvement plan which summarizes the
agencies involved in the project preparation and
likely to be involved in the execution of the
project.
3

---

Work Program Inclusion per criteria established in
Reference Paragraphs and
Draft # 8 of the project review criteria
Explanatory Notes:
· Monitoring & Evaluation
· Describe how project design has incorporated lessons from similar
Monitoring, evaluation and dissemination issues
projects in the past
are discussed in para 46 and 48 of the brief.
· Describe approach for project M&E system, based on the project
Annex I presents a detailed project
logical framework, including the following elements:
workprogramme. Annex B constitutes as well
· Specifications of indicators for objectives and outputs,
an element of the M&E plan. Based on Annex
including alternate benchmarks, and means of measurement.
B and I, it is anticipated that a specific M&E
· Outline organisational arrangement for implementing M&E
plan will be prepared at the inception of the
· Indicative total cost of M&E (may be reflected in total project
project implementation.
cost).
Under component IV (para 27), a specific
activity with a budget of US$ 100,000 is
planned to look at the definition and adoption of
process, stress-reduction and environmental
status indicators.
Other Monitoring and Evaluation costs are built
into the IA agency fee.
3. Financing
· Financing Plan
· Estimate total project cost.
· Total project cost = US$ 19.77 M
· Estimate contribution by financing partners.
· Co-financing = US$ 8.73 M
· Propose type of financing instrument
· GEF cost = US$ 11.04 M
· Associated financing = US$ 530 M
· Annex H provides additional detailed
information on the co-financing
· Costing by activity and sub-activity is
presented in the brief component by
component in para 17,21, 26 and 29.
Details are presented in Annex I.
· Summary of the project financing is
presented in para 45 and table 2 and 3 of the
Brief
· Table 3 of Annex A (Incremental Cost) is
presenting the schedule of expenditures
Implementing Agency Fees
Propose IA fee
Standard fee plus premium of US$70,000 due to
the multi-country nature of the project, the high
cost of travel from Nairobi to Southern America,
4

---

Work Program Inclusion per criteria established in
Reference Paragraphs and
Draft # 8 of the project review criteria
Explanatory Notes:
additional cost for a mid-term evaluation, and
the duration (4.5) of the project. A formal
request is being officially sent under a separate
cover.
· Cost-effectiveness
· Estimate cost effectiveness, if feasible
A quantitative assessment of cost effectiveness
· Describe alternate project approaches considered and discarded
has not been attempted. However, the report of
the evaluation of the "previous phase" that is the
SAP formulation mentions that the most cost
effective approach is that of the short-term SAP
implementation i.e. the submitted proposal.
4. Institutional Coordination & Support
IA Coordination and Support
Describe how the proposed project is located within the IA's
· Linkage to IA'S programme is outlined in
· Core commitments &
· Country regional/global/sector programs
Para 4 of the Brief.
Linkages
· GEF activities with potential influence on the proposed project
· GEF activities with potential influence on
(design & implementation)
the proposed project are described in Para
11 of the Brief, which is outlining the
complementary interventions.
· Consultation, Coordination
· Describe how the proposed project relates to activities of other IAs
As mentioned above, as it is intended to
and Collaboration between
and 4 RDBs in the country/region.
replicate the Bermejo experience to other areas
IAs, and IAs and EAs, if
· Describe planned/agreed coordination, collaboration between IAs
of the Plata Basin with similar conditions,
appropriate.
in project implementation.
collaboration with other IA is anticipated.
Further, complementary activities are being
conducted, or are proposed to be conducted,
with funds provided by the World Bank, the
Inter-American Development Bank,.. and
through bilateral agreements. Integration of
these activities within the regional planning
context created by the Bermejo SAP will
provide opportunities for further involvement
and coordination of investments within the
framework of this project.,
While these programmes and activities are
independent of the GEF financed initiatives, the
Technical Coordinators at the Binational
Commission will endeavor to integrate and
coordinate activities.
5

---

Work Program Inclusion per criteria established in
Reference Paragraphs and
Draft # 8 of the project review criteria
Explanatory Notes:
Specific collaboration with the IDB for the
organization of donor roundtables for SAP
activities buy-in, is described in para 23 fifth
bullet.
The institutional arrangement is also described
in para 39-44. See also para 12 and 22.
5. Response to Reviews
Council
Respond to Council comments at pipeline entry
Comments not yet received
Convention Secretariat
Respond to comments from Convention Secretariat.
N.A
GEF Secretariat
Respond to comments from GEFSEC on draft project brief.
Comments from GEF SEC have been addressed
in this new version of the Brief inter alia in para
7,8, 9, 14, 23, 27, 34, 39, 40, and in the revised
Annex H and I. A detailed response is being
presented in Annex 1 hereafter.
Other IAs and 4 RDBs
Respond to comments from other IAs, 4RDBss on draft project brief.
Comments not yet received
STAP
Respond to comments by STAP at work program inclusion.
Comments not yet received
Review by expert from STAP
Respond to review by expert from STAP roster
Comments provided by the STAP expert were
Roster
addressed in Annex C and referred to in para 45
of the Brief.
6

---

Annex I:
Response to GEF Sec's comments presented at 13 July 2000 Bilateral meeting which
adjourned work programme inclusion pending re-submission of a revised text.
1.
Replicability
This new phase of GEF programming in the Bermejo basin will ensure the replication of those
practices and measures that have been demonstrated to be successful throughout the Basin and
throughout the Plata River Basin in areas with similar conditions. In so doing, the project can
continue to refine and demonstrate the means for, and benefits of, country ownership and
community participation in river basin management.
Component IV (para 27) will address specifically this issue of replication of the methodological
approach, findings, and recommendations of the Bermejo project to areas with similar problems
within the Plata basin, in order to contribute to the promotion of a larger-scale and basin-wide
strategic framework to address main environmental degradation processes, the identification of
critical transboundary issues, and the definition of priority actions at the national and
multinational level. This will be done inter alia by means of seminars, workshops, and
information dissemination through various media. For these activities in the Plata River Basin,
the Binational Commission, through the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of both countries, will
coordinate actions with the Intergovernmental Committee of the Plata River Basin (CIC) and
with other bilateral or multilateral basin organizations, such as the Pilcomayo Trinational
Commission. The amount allocated for this activity is US$850,000 with US$700,000 from the
GEF. Detailed information about this activity is presented in Annex I (page I-21).
2.
Sustainability
To ensure sustainability of the Project's results, both countries have taken steps to create an
Inter-ministerial Committee, which will help mobilize support for the investments identified,
and catalyze the translation of project findings and recommendations into policy, institutional,
and legal reforms at the country level. The members of the Committee will be established by
the respective governments and will include, among others, ministerial representatives from the
areas of economy/finance, water resources, environment, health, sanitation, culture, and tourism,
who will participate as observers in the meetings of the Regional Coordination Committee. (see
para 34 of the brief). The inter-ministerial committee will work jointly with the Regional
Coordinating Committee, composed of representatives of the provincial administrations of
Argentina and the Prefecture and Municipality of Tarija in Bolivia, in the general supervision of
project activities and will seek incorporation of project findings and recommendations into the
institutional and legal frameworks of the different jurisdictions. (See para 40 of the brief).

---

3.
Development Banks involvement.
As mentioned in Component III fifth bullet (para 23 of the brief), both governments have
initiated actions at the national level with the Inter-American Development Bank, seeking to
obtain its participation as lead agency in the organization and conduct of the meetings planned to
be held in the region within the first year of project activities.
Securing of financial support for the sustainable development of the Bermejo Basin will be done
through donor roundtable meetings under the leadership of the IDB, co-executing agency for the
project. Actions will be taken to help catalyze funding for the implementation of SAP project
proposals, both those of immediate and long-term priority, as well as other complementary
actions related to inter alia life quality improvement, poverty alleviation, health improvement,
and the preservation of indigenous cultural heritage considered as important by both
Governments for the sustainable development of the Binational basin. Specifically, donor
roundtable meetings with representatives of local, regional, and international financing agencies
will be convened to explore the possibilities of funds allocation to support development in the
Bermejo basin. The total budget allocated for this activity is US$350,000 with US$300,000
being GEF funding. Detailed information can be found in Annex I (page I-16, activity 3.5).
4.
Indicators
Component IV (para 27 third bullet in the brief), will look at the definition and adoption of
indicators by means of a series of 5 technical regional workshops, and will include (1) process
indicators (focusing on the processes that will lead to desirable results), (2) stress-reduction
indicators (focusing on actions with defined targets that will reduce the environmental stress on
the water body), and (3) environmental status indicators (focusing on the actual improvement of
the ecosystem quality). This activity is further described in Annex I activity 4.3 fourth bullet on
page I-20. A budget of US$100,000 entirely from GEF sources is allocated for this activity.
5.
Others
Finally, para 7 and 8 have been reworded to underline the emphasis placed in this project on the
main transboundary problems that is erosion and sedimentation issues affecting the basin.
Component I para 14 has also been reworded for the sake of clarity.
Annex H presenting the breakdown of the associate financing has been revised and is now
limited to environmental/land issue aspects within the Basin. The reduced amount (US$ 530
million) is also reflected on the cover page.

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