The La Plata River Basin CE 397 – Transboundary Water Resources Tina Stanard March 6, 2008

La Plata River Basin 5 countries share the basin: Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina 5 countries share the basin: Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Argentina Area: 3.1 million km 2 Area: 3.1 million km 2 Argentina Uruguay Paraguay Brazil Bolivia

Climate La Plata

Population

History Long history of mutual distrust Long history of mutual distrust 1967 – Ministers of Foreign Affairs from all 5 countries formed Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee (CIC) 1967 – Ministers of Foreign Affairs from all 5 countries formed Intergovernmental Coordinating Committee (CIC) 1969 – CIC forms the La Plata Basin Treaty which establishes the framework for integrated development of the basin 1969 – CIC forms the La Plata Basin Treaty which establishes the framework for integrated development of the basin Increasing cooperation, still not integrated management Increasing cooperation, still not integrated management

Hydropower Cooperation and success of treaty attributed to desire to harness huge hydropower potential in the basin Cooperation and success of treaty attributed to desire to harness huge hydropower potential in the basin Bilateral agreements: Bilateral agreements: 1973 – Itaipu Dam (Brazil and Paraguay) 1973 – Itaipu Dam (Brazil and Paraguay) 1979 – Yacyretá Dam (Argentina and Paraguay) 1979 – Yacyretá Dam (Argentina and Paraguay) Top-level agreements did not consider local people or environment Top-level agreements did not consider local people or environment

Itaipu Dam

Yacyretá Dam

Hydrovia Project 1989 – proposed to create 3,400 km long waterway 1989 – proposed to create 3,400 km long waterway Year-around barge transportation for cheaper transport of goods Year-around barge transportation for cheaper transport of goods Ocean access from land- locked countries Ocean access from land- locked countries Controversial due to size and environmental impacts Controversial due to size and environmental impacts

Threats Water pollution Water pollution Due to: Due to: Industrial waste Industrial waste Lack of sewage treatment Lack of sewage treatment Agriculture Agriculture Livestock Livestock Mining operations Mining operations Soil erosion Soil erosion The occasional oil spill The occasional oil spill Un-useable water creates water shortages Un-useable water creates water shortages Severe economic impacts Severe economic impacts Adverse health affects Adverse health affects

Threats Infrastructure Infrastructure Navigation – hydrological alterations Navigation – hydrological alterations Dams – 27 more proposed dams Dams – 27 more proposed dams Climate change Climate change Over-fishing Over-fishing

Conflicts Potential and actual conflicts arising from: Potential and actual conflicts arising from: Incompatibility between major water works Incompatibility between major water works Energy production vs. river navigation Energy production vs. river navigation Exploitation of resources Exploitation of resources Lack of environmental protection Lack of environmental protection

Discussion Among countries with a long history of distrust, how do you inspire cooperation? Among countries with a long history of distrust, how do you inspire cooperation?

Discussion The WWF proposed solution for the basin: The WWF proposed solution for the basin: “Assessing whether new infrastructure is the best means of delivering the required service is the first step. If infrastructure is the best option, it should be planned to minimize impacts by: sitting off the river’s main stem and floodplains, mimicking natural water flows, allowing fish passage, controlling thermal pollution, and maintaining sediment and nutrient flows critical to sustaining the health of the rivers. Effective treaties between riparian nations to support integrated river basin management are essential for good governance.” What incentive do the countries have to follow these environmentally-friendly ideas? What incentive do the countries have to follow these environmentally-friendly ideas?

Discussion What do you think would be the best outcome of the Hydrovia project? What do you think would be the best outcome of the Hydrovia project?