Cogovernança e segurança hídrica: em busca de um modelo para o baixo São Francisco

Abstract

The main goal of this study is to investigate actions, policies and collaborative governance programs for water security in the Lower São Francisco, which can support the development of an integrated model. The main justification for the chosen theme lies in the water crisis experienced by the São Francisco Basin in recent years, especially in the lower course area, which, due to anthropic actions and ineffective public management, in particular involving political issues, presents higher risk of water scarcity. Despite governance being incorporated in an emerging way in the concept of Water Security, there are few studies dedicated to analyzing aspects of collaborative governance in the investigated region. Thus, in this case study, it was sought to carry out a descriptive analysis, using as sources documents and in-depth interviews with nine representatives of fishermen's associations from municipalities in Alagoas and Sergipe, in addition to public managers of institutions involved with water safety at Lower São Francisco, using the Content Analysis technique to examine the data obtained. As main results, the Water Law (Lei das Águas) and the Basin Plan were identified as the main regulatory antecedents, which allow the participation of users, as well as different collaborative actions related to the repopulation of the ichthyofauna promoted in particular by the São Francisco and Parnaíba Valley Development Company – CODEVASF. Regarding barriers, mention should be made of the lack of technical expertise of those involved, the distancing of riverside municipalities from water management and the vertical performance of institutions and hegemonic economic groups, as well as the reduced effectiveness of the Technical Chamber of Institutional Articulation – CTAI of CBHSF. Finally, as main suggestions, the strengthening of municipalities in water management and a technical-environmental training program within the scope of municipal management emerged from the study.