Report on Public Participation Procedure and follow up plan for the Water Management Plan of Serchio River Pilot Basin

Transcript

1 Project cofinanced by European Regional Development Fund Project cofinancé par le Fonds européen de développement régional 1G-MED Sustainable Water Management through Common Responsibility enhancement in Mediterranean River Basins Report on Public Participation Procedure and follow up plan for the Water Management Plan of Serchio River Pilot Basin May 2012

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3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCEDURE INFORMATION AND MOTIVATION CAMPAING STAKEHOLDERS IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORIZATION STAKEHOLDERS MOTIVATION COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN SOCIAL DIALOGUE METHODOLOGY WM FORUMS THEMATIC ROUND TABLES RESULTS SOCIAL AGREEMENT COHERENCE/EVALUATION WITH PP PROJECTS METHODOLOGY CONCLUSIONS / LESSON LEARNED FOLLOW UP PLAN ANNEX OF REPORT ON PUBBLIC PARTICIPATION REPORT STAKEHOLDER S ANALISYS 35

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5 1. INTRODUCTION The present study was conducted in the framework of the 1G-MED WATERinCORE project for the Sustainable Water Management through Common Responsibility enhancement in Mediterranean River Basins. The WATERinCORE project is implemented under the transnational programme of European territorial cooperation MED ( Priority Axe 2: Environmental protection and promotion of a sustainable territorial development, Objective 2.1: Protection and enhancement of natural resources and cultural heritage. The project aims at the design, application and dissemination of a methodological frame for the integration of Local Agenda 21 principles in Water Resources Management in Mediterranean River Basins. It focuses on the identification of the water management practices and policies as well as of the actual state of Local Agenda application in the participants regions. Considering these and additionally the specific characteristics of the regions a public participation process will be designed and implemented at selected pilot river basins in order to motivate and actively involve the local key actors/stakeholders in the development and application of local actions in water management. Under the 4th component LA21 applications in the participants' regions phase 4.3 Design of Public Participation (PP) methodology in WM a tailor-made methodology for public participation was developed and will be applied in component 5 of the project Common responsibility enhancement in WM. The methodology was designed by ANATOLIKI S.A. Development Agency of Eastern Thessaloniki in cooperation with the Water Development Department of Cyprus. The public participation process activated by the Province of Lucca concerns a section of Serchio River Basin. In this section you want to start an incremental path to "River Contract". The "River Contract" is a concrete example of co-planning, implementation of participatory approaches, management of conflict between competing interests and government of situations of high complexity. It is a tool for improved planning and strategic management and sustainable use of river water and river area. 2. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION PROCEDURE A crucial point in working out the PP (Public Participation) process, was the identification of the social partners who participated in the thematic groups and to the opinion survey. In the case of PP the type of participants varies depending on the theme of the project and on the area of implementation and of the activity. Initially, the list of targets to reach was long and during the evolution of the process has become more specific. Bearing in mind the particular characteristics of local society were organized and implemented a campaign of motivation in the pilot river basin. The main objective was to choose the most appropriate and effective means of spreading among those included in the PP design methodology. 5

6 2.1 INFORMATION AND MOTIVATION CAMPAING The first step of the PP (phase 5.1) aims to motivate stakeholders to be more involved in the process of PP. First, we proceeded to identify those who may be more interested in the topic of the project. Was subsequently performed a prioritization of those that led to a reorganization of in the list and an identification of the subjects to actively involve in the path that leads to the "Contract of River." The information and motivation campaign has been adapted and customized to the situation of the Serchio River Basin through the application of a specific plan of communication and web interaction STAKEHOLDERS IDENTIFICATION AND PRIORIZATION Public Participation, as a means to decision-making, involves stakeholders and ensures that decisions are influenced by their views and experiences. Those stakeholders need to be managed throughout the PP procedure in order to produce a plausible result. The stakeholder are defined as any relevant person, group or organisation with an interest in the issue either because they will be affected by the subject (victim, gainer) or because they have influence, knowledge or experience with the subject. Stakeholder Analysis is the technique used to identify the key people who have to be won over. There are two basic steps to a successful stakeholder analysis: 1. Stakeholders identification; 2. Stakeholders prioritization (mapping). Stakeholders Identification The first step in stakeholders' analysis was to brainstorm who are the WM stakeholders in the pilot river basin. The working group though about all the people who are affected by the project, who have influence or power over it, or have an interest in its successful or unsuccessful conclusion. By answering the following questions have been identified stakeholders: 1. Who, in the community, is directly affected? 2. Who the internal, near or external to the Community, is indirectly affected? 3. Who can be affected, either positive or negative, depending on the plan? 4. Who care about the Plan to the point of being involved and provide help? 5. Who are the political representatives of those who probably will be affected? 6. Who are the technical representatives of those who probably will be affected? 7. Who has had the same experience in other communities or countries? 8. Who can be interested to know the plan? 9. Who is responsible of monitoring / to regulate the Plan? 10. Who has the power to give you what you need? 6

7 11. Who are your opponents? 12. To whom is of benefit to maintain the current status? 13. Who, presumably, it could mobilize in support of or against the initiative? 14. Who can help with financial or technical resources? 15. Such behaviour is necessary to implement the initiative to be successful? Stakeholders have been classified according to their characteristics: Public institutions - national and local authorities: Ministries, Basin Authority, Reclamation Pool, municipalities, provinces, regions, mountain communities, environmental agencies, universities. These may be national, regional and local level. Structured organizations and interest groups: chamber of commerce, trade unions, environmental groups on a national or regional non-governmental organizations, professional associations, residents associations, pro-site, groups of fishermen, farmers, canoeists, associations and consortiums category local and industry consortia. These may be national, regional and local level. Unstructured local actors: landowners, individual residents, people who may be interested by the implementation of some actions resulting from the process, and opinion leaders, usually belong to the local level. Once identified these have been divided according to the prevalence of interests represented: A (environment) E (economy) S (social) Stakeholders Prioritization (Mapping) The long list of people and organizations consists of subjects that may have the power either to block or advance the project. Some may be interested in what we are doing, others may not care. The prioritization is essential in order to clear up this long list. Image 1: Mapping the stakeholders 7

8 A strategic business tool for mapping stakeholders is an interest/power grid (Image 1), which identifies and assesses the effect of a different individual or group of stakeholder. It examines the power stakeholders can exert, the relative likelihood of them to use that power, and their level of interest regarding a given project. The goal of the analysis is to gauge which stakeholder or group of stakeholders has the greatest potential to affect the project and therefore decide which stakeholders will need particular attention. In other words, stakeholder influence mapping is a tool to examine and visually display the relative influence that different individuals and groups have over decision-making. Someone's position on the grid shows the actions we have to take with them: High power, interested people: these are the people you must fully engage with, and make the greatest efforts to satisfy. High power, less interested people: put enough work in with these people to keep them satisfied, but not so much that they become bored with your message. Low power, interested people: keep these people adequately informed, and talk to them to ensure that no major issues are arising. These people can often be very helpful with the detail of your project. Low power, less interested people: again, monitor these people, but do not bore them with excessive communication. Compared to the degree of involvement effective/potential in the project the stakeholders identified were further divided into 4 categories, shown in 4 colors: in red those with low locally relevance, they are not listed in the "short list" (79); in yellow those with medium importance, to inform it beacuse falling in the catchment area and who have carried out studies/research/investment within the territory of the river pilot (137); in green those with high importance, to be involved directly in the process of public participation (98); in gray the media: radio, television, newspapers and news agencies to keep constantly informed (43). To compile the list of Stakeholders to be involved in the meetings was drawn up an initial "long list" is very wide, which included individuals and organizations involved directly and indirectly. Once the stakeholders were identified we have a long list of 357 stakeholders that was ordered by identifying the degree of involvement of each actor (Annex). 8

9 Rilevanza degli STK Low local relevance Medium local relevance High Local relevance Media to be informed Image 2: Relevance of stakeholders Rilevanza delle categorie di STK University and Schools Television and newspapers Local actors non-organized Organizations and Interest Groups Public Institution 0 Low local relevance Medium local relevance High Local relevance Media to be informed Image 3: Relevance of stakeholders' categories. This first phase is followed by a subsequent in which the "long list" has been transformed into a "short list". This has led to the exclusion of some stakeholders is not deemed able to make an effective contribution. In the "short list", starting from 357 stakeholders has gone to 272 subjects For all stakeholders including in the "short list", has identified the priority area of interest: Environment (A), economic (E) and Social (S). In the analysis of the "short list" you can see how some of these actors are involved in all three areas. 9

10 100 Area of Interest STK Environment Economy Social Environment/Economy Economy/Social Environment/Social Environment/Economy/Social MEDIA In the "short list" was also given the interest and power to affect the project, from which one deduces that: 82 people have a high power to affect the project; 190 low power in respect of the interest to the project; 121 subjects have high interest in the project; 151 have a low interest. Image 4: Area of stakeholders' interest Image 5: Power and interert of stakeholders Separate consideration should be given to schools: Colleges and Institutes of Higher Education and the media: radio television, newspapers. 10

11 Three s are the University included in the list with 8 departments, enrolled in an environmental context. Interest in the project is considered high while their power to affect the same is considered low. The same evaluation was done to the Institutes of Higher Education. The media considered are 38 between radio, television, newspapers both local and national newspapers with local pages, and news agencies: 16 of them have great power, but little interest; 17 low-power and low interest; 5 high power and high interest STAKEHOLDERS MOTIVATION COMMUNICATION CAMPAIGN The information campaign has been the aim of disseminating and motivating individuals identified on the path undertaken, both inside and outside the provincial administration. The aim is to act effectively in order to: help raise the awareness of stakeholders of the basin of the Serchio; encourage the direct involvement, through the creation of synergies and partnerships of stakeholders in the protection and enhancement of the area; help to create a stable system of relations between the stakeholders of the river; contribute to the identification of a system of shared values and goals; help formulate a shared Action Plan. The step of the communication campaign were: Adaptation of the Communication Plan defined in the Component 1; Establishment of a Control Room. This was created to ensure a continuous information and operational coordination between the participation activities and other activities of the project. Performs the activities of secretarial and organizational information. Its task is to send notices and provide information about the Forum, and to organize and support the activities of the Forum, establishing dates of events, coordinating the operational commitment of resources, ensuring the availability of rooms and facilities, verbalizing the meetings, overseeing the provision of preparatory materials and administering and withdrawing the self-assessment questionnaires. The Control Room has formally met the first time January 19, 2012 a second meeting was held February 21, Other meetings were held prior to or concurrently the participation phases. Information / Internal training. An initial workshop informative about the process and the work undertaken was held on the afternoon of January 19, 2012 with the political authorities of the Province and the technical reference of the Project which was also attended by the Serchio River Basin Authority. Preliminary dissemination campaign to the following events: Conference "Verdemura" television program "Underconstruction", "VI TABLE OF NATIONAL CONTRACTS OF RIVER" Torino February 3,

12 Creating of communication list ( ) to which they were constantly sent the materials and information concerning the phase of the Social Dialogue; Implementation of the web site of the Province of Lucca: it was inserted a section devoted to the project in which they were entered WATERinCORE programs and materials of the round tables and conferences related to the Contract fo River in Serchio River Basin ( Inclusion in the WATERINCORE project website the calendar of events and the opportunity to fill in the questionnaire about the opinion survey ( amma-incontri-pp&catid=1&itemid=55&lang=it); dissemination of information through social networks (Twitter: and Facebook: Ufficiale/ ; Youtube (italian version: ) ; (english version: ; (spanish version press releases on websites and newspapers (Annex I - press). 2.2 SOCIAL DIALOGUE In Phase 5.2, the local stakeholders who have expressed an interest in participating during the first phase (phase 5.1) were involved in a series of roundtables. It was implemented a "Social Dialogue" on the strategic development plan to increase common responsibility of the local people on the WM in the pilot basin. It was provided a thematic table every month different by issues to be discussed and the time required METHODOLOGY To achieve the results of the project was designed, in addition to a detailed environmental characterization of the river (which aims at providing the knowledge base necessary to decide), a pattern of involvement of the Local Community, which includes the carrying out of plenary sessions and thematic tables, aimed at identifying "project ideas" shared, to be included in a Plan of Action for the River. In this way we try to give answers to the following requirements: overcoming of administrative divisions; comparison with local authorities and stakeholders; share options and objectives of management of fluvial areas, through a participatory decision. In order to disseminate and motivate stakeholders on steps to be taken, the following activities were carried out: 12

13 Image 5: Calendar of events The objective of the system of information and communication is to act effectively to: help raise the awareness of stakeholders of the basin of the Serchio river; encourage the direct involvement of stakeholders through the creation of synergies and partnerships in the protection and enhancement of the area; help to create a stable system of relations between the stakeholders of the river; contribute to the identification of a system of shared values and goals; contribute to the definition of a Shared Action Plan WM FORUMS First Plenary Session of February 21, 2012 In the First Plenary Session was presented the Project "WATERinCORE - Towards an Contract for the Serchio River", the objectives and working methods of the 3 successive meetings of the Theme tables. 13

14 In support of this presentation has been prepared a Summary Report that describes the environmental and socio-economic status of the territory, starting from the entire river basin, down to scale up the pilot area. Second Plenary Session of April 19, 2012 The objective of this session was to present and share the work done by Theme During the Table. During the Table have been identified within the project ideas that will form the first Action Plan of the Serchio, which is the subject of this start-up phase of the process Contract of River. During the proceedings of the day were discussed how to continue the process for Contract of River and select ideas "flag" identified as priorities for the implementation of the Contract of River THEMATIC ROUND TABLES First Tables Thematic Session: "The current status of the territory. Participatory SWOT Analysis: Problems and Potentials (Strengths-Weaknesses). 13 and 14 March In the first meeting of the three thematic tables participated swot analysis was performed, with the support of a summary report. Throughout the work are emerged the critical issues (needs of requalification) and values (instances of active conservation). First Tables Thematic Session Tematic Table "WATER QUALITY AND QUALITY OF THE RIVER ECOSYSTEM" Technical Table "HYDRAULIC AND GEOMORPHOLOGICAL RISK, IMPLEMENTING DIRECTIVES, CLIMATE CHANGE" Tematic Table "LANDSCAPE, LAND USE AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OF THE RIVER" Topics addressed 6. Naturalness 7. Land Use and maintenance of the territory 8. Energy infrastructure 9. Control and water quality 1. River areas and human settlement 2. System of reservoirs 3. Geomorphology and river dynamics 4. Hazards, flood safety and maintenance 1. Settlement systems and landscapes 2. Infrastructure, mobility and territorial accessibility 3. Use free time, tourism 4. Production areas and economic development 14

15 Participated Swot Analysis - Water Quality And Quality Of The River Ecosystem 1 NATURALNESS STRENGTHS Presence of a 50% of soil occupied by forest. Presence of protected species. Presence of a depurative effect due to the natural biological process by microorganisms, plant-animal. Presence still "access points" are areas of discontinuity within broad ranges populated. Sites of great natural importance. The river as an ecological functional corridor. WEAKNESS Difficulty of access to data. Presence of alien species, exotic and even parasites. Loss of naturalness for reducing the water supply. Excessive human settlement of the banks. Difficult movement of data and information. Lack of involvement of communities and new generations. Increasing deficiency of water quantity related to periods of drought, interspersed with sudden floods. The inadequacy of the minimum flow. The dredging, correction of the watercourse and the accumulation of material. 2 - LAND USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TERRITORY STRENGTHS The Provincial Plan which since 2000 has given important indications to control land use. The presence of extensive forests. The presence of uncultivated lands on the hillside and river areas. The presence of a strong local economy. WEAKNESS The excessive urbanization. The lack of efficacy or the lack of controls. The cutting of river vegetation requirements for reduction of flood risks. The absence of a careful control on land use. The failure to plan for the management of river vegetation. The poor health of forests. The absence of policies of re-education and involvement. 3 ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE STRENGTHS Hydro-electric power production. Presence of small district heating plants on forest biomass. Presence of many production areas. Specialized assistance. WEAKNESS Delay in the overall planning on the plants for the production of energy. An excessive amount of hydroelectric plants. Feasibility studies of energy production plants based on old data and outdated. Approval time for projects that are too long. Potential "thermal pollution". 15

16 4 CONTROL AND WATER QUALITY STRENGTHS Growth of "water culture". The increased awareness about environmental aspects river. Good purification efficiency. Satisfactory relationship between the degree of urbanization and state water quality. Objectives and guidelines of the Water Management Plan. WEAKNESS Planned reduction / dismantling of the structure of the Regional Agency for the Environment. Not yet sufficient and effective civil purification. Not yet sufficient control of treated water. Not Yet awareness in the management of existing buildings and design of new buildings. High aquifer vulnerability. Small flow of the minor water bodies. The use, often still improper, of high quality water. High concentration of pollutant sources. Participated Swot Analysis - Hydraulic And Geomorphological Risk, Implementing Directives, Climate Change 1- RIVER AREAS AND HUMAN SETTLEMENT STRENGTHS The existence of sections where there is still natural, biological diversity and the presence of natural flood areas. Self-purification capacity. Growth of the culture of the River. Production areas in the valley help to make interventions for safety. General interest of citizens in policies management of the river. Acknowledgment of the river areas as restricted areas. WEAKNESS Excessive employment for human settlement / building up the valley of the River Serchio. Existence of large production plants. Existence of buildings in hazardous areas. Lack of initiatives, such as the establishment of protected areas or "river parks". No unique and precise definition of "river area". Inaccurate / improper delimitation of active landslides and lack of a comparison with the municipalities. Presence of processing areas of aggregates and the absence of an effective management of sediments. 2 SYSTEM OF RESERVOIRS STRENGTHS Capacity of the reservoirs to be able to make a good contribution to the mitigation of water stress. Capacity of the reservoirs to contribute to flood management. The reservoirs contribute to the modulation of release during dry periods. WEAKNESS The excessive number of dams along the Serchio (17). Minimum flow is not sufficient. Presence of reservoirs and the change of flow rates has consequences on the level of ecological diversity. 16

17 3 GEOMORPHOLOGY AND RIVER DYNAMICS STRENGTHS Cognitive activities conducted in the field of geomorphology. Collaboration and coordination between agencies in the government of the territory. WEAKNESS Absence of detailed studies and research. An incorrect assessment of the role of vegetation in the riverbed. There is not still a clear perception that the climate trend over the medium term (thirty years) is drying up. Climate change, generated by humans, lead (and will lead) to extremely unpredictable rainfall patterns. The not yet clear and sufficient access to data. The absence and lack of culture of the river. 4 HAZARDS, FLOOD SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE STRENGTHS Presence of only one Authority, strong and able to intervene. Possibility that the existing water projects can be an opportunity for redevelopment. The act of restoration and recovery capabilities of the network of drainage channels. Possibility that the high level of human existing, also of production type, can give rise to a system of programmed maintenance. WEAKNESS The absence of proper planning and maintenance actions. Maintenance is essentially and altogether lacking. The execution of hydraulic works and safety measures is always the sum of urgent interventions. The commitment in terms of economic costs that entails the creation of interventions for security and maintenance, more and more difficult to sustain. The existence of an excessive number of organizations with overlapping responsibilities. The lack of a single authority that can operate with effective and rational means, and setting standards and conducting audits in the area. The emergency management allocates the land still to administrative boundaries and not in the catchment area. The lack of widespread awareness of having to live with the "risk". The lack of a culture and historical memory of the river. The cuts to the vegetation that holds the sides of the landslide. The lack of a strong role of municipalities of areas at hydraulic risk. The low valorization of agricultural activity. 17

18 Participated Swot Analysis - Landscape, Territory Use And Economic Development Of The River 1 - SETTLEMENT SYSTEMS AND LANDSCAPES STRENGTHS Presence of valuable agricultural settlements. The presence of historical centers (overlooking the river). The existence of many social/anthropic factors that bind people to the river. Considerable variability of the landscape. WEAKNESS The inadequate access to infrastructure, the lack of openings, car parks, and trails and organized. The lack of knowledge of the historical origins and evolution of urban centers. The little attention to the inclusion of productive activities. The abandonment of city centers of hills and mountains. The excess of urbanization and the absence on the banks of small "parkshaven". The fragility in some localized situations. 2 - INFRASTRUCTURE, MOBILITY AND TERRITORIAL ACCESSIBILITY STRENGTHS The presence of the railroad. The presence of infrastructure related to the production of hydroelectricity. WEAKNESS The lack of signage, car parks and minor roads. The absence of widespread cycling routes and "safe". The low possibility of structural adjustment. The non-functional connection of roads in the valley with mobility "mountain". The absence of a greater number of stops of the trains. The excess of heavy traffic road. The danger of loading of new settlements and new urban settlements. 3 - USE FREE TIME, TOURISM STRENGTHS Features historical monuments and natural of the area. Possible resources to use for trekking, mountain biking, farm holidays. WEAKNESS Absence of nature trails and parking areas. Scarcity of paths connected to the river area. Reduced or absent navigability of the river. Lack of coordination between the municipalities that are close to the river for tourism purposes. 18

19 4-PRODUCTION AREAS AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT STRENGTHS The presence of important production areas for economic development. The ability to create a network of interconnected businesses. The reuse of rail for freight transport. The modest size of production plants and the application of best available technologies. WEAKNESS The difficult access to areas of particular interest and value. The excess of goods traffic by road. The absence of Productive Areas Ecologically and Energetically Equipped. The presence of factories on small waterways. The occupation of the river areas. The poor quality of architecture and typology of settlements. Second Session Tables Theme: "Perspectives and strategies of intervention. EASW - Visioning: Strategies and interventions provided and to provide for the future " The workshop was managed through the European method of participation EASW, the only instrument of conciliation officially sponsored and supported by the European Commission. This methodology was created in 1995 to promote citizen participation and to stimulate sharing of choices related to territorial processes, technological and social. Participants met to compare positions, develop visions for the future of their community and propose solutions to overcome the obstacles that hinder the transition to new models of development. During the workshop, starting from the strengths and weaknesses, highlighted in the previous lab, has been asked participants / experts to elaborate strategic scenarios useful for the development of the Contract of the Serchio River in the selected area. TABLE N.1 WATER QUALITY AND QUALITY OF THE RIVER ECOSYSTEM Themes / Topics NATURALNESS Elements that constitute the scenario Within a program of land development were recovered abandoned agricultural areas, through the use of organic and local products, but not monocultural. They retrieved the indigenous varieties. The river holds a quantity of water "naturally modulated" throughout its course. In the whole course of the Serchio River and its tributaries have been given continuity with the removal of some dams and the construction of ladders for fish. Were defined by the planning instruments and planning at various scales, the "ecological corridors". Was also developed to "Nature Paper" with the identification of priority habitats of interest. You have a plan of "plants and vegetation" to achieve proper maintenance, to select and program the cutting of trees and shrubs native to maintain, eliminating non-native species. Have been protected minor wetlands and lowland forest. 19

20 Themes / Topics LAND USE AND MAINTENANCE OF THE TERRITORY ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE CONTROL AND WATER QUALITY Elements that constitute the scenario The River Park becomes usable, an environmental laboratory was established to promote education and participation and enhance the culture of the River. It produced a calendar of the river, with its seasonal nature: flowers, wildlife, insects, colors, etc...; The population has been educated to the importance of forest vegetation in the riverbed and the cuts are performed in accordance with the geological and soil conditions of the territory. There is a great attention to the issue of permits for expansions in river areas and does not issue permits for new settlements that occupy new ground. We managed to meet the Kyoto Protocol Agreement with the River. It has promoted sustainable plants with careful environmental assessments, through the mix of functions/energy supply. New buildings must use energy from renewable sources. It was not authorized any photovoltaic system on the ground and were used mainly covers to install photovoltaic systems (in production areas). It was performed an assessment of the real residual potential of watercourses, to reduce the possibility of new licenses of for hydroelectric plants and give priority to the restoration of existing or disused situations. There has been a regional planning for the right size of biomass plants. The minimum vital flow is controlled and with activated modulation. It's operative a coordinated system of management of the reservoirs during periods of high and low water. Is a system of continuous monitoring of surface water quality (ph, turbidimetry, suspended solids, conductivity... etc.) upstream and downstream of the discharge. Mechanisms are operating for reward companies/municipalities that have adopted water saving measures and improve water quality. The water quality has reached high levels: within the regulatory systems were identified treatment "alternative" (ie phytodepuration). The quality control of the tributaries the water body is increased. Were made vegetated riparian woodlands to help improve water quality. In the new urbanization are made network systems with dual water separation. It is operating a training school for all expertise. 20