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Integrated water management at the watershed level
This section contains the main information, documents and data currently available on the Ministère du Développement durable, de l’Environnement et des Parcs Web site regarding integrated water management at the watershed level. For information on a particular watershed, click on either of the two links below: What does integrated water management at the watershed level mean?Before explaining this management approach, we should define the term “watershed.” When applied to surface water, it means a geographic area bounded peripherally by a water parting and draining to a common outlet: a point on a larger stream or river, a lake, bay, etc. A watershed-based management approach therefore takes into account everything that occurs within a watershed, including both naturally occurring activities and human activities. In this regard, soil, vegetation, animals and humans are all an integral part of a watershed. Integrated watershed management is a major course of action in the Québec Water Policy adopted in fall 2002. Its primary goal is to reform the governance of water resources. Watershed-based management considers local as well as regional issues and is rooted in an ecosystem approach to management that uses the watershed as a water quality planning unit. It results in a better understanding of water quality and quantity and aquatic ecosystem problems and makes it possible to identify sustainable solutions. Watershed-based management also makes it easier to define action priorities by considering the cumulative impacts on aquatic ecosystems. What are basin organizations?The principal players in watershed-based management are watershed or basin organizations. These organizations are composed of representatives of all those involved in basin-scale water management, such as regional county municipalities (RCM), municipalities, users, environmental groups and citizens. Governments are also represented, but do not have the right to vote. Basin organizations are actually issue and planning tables whose primary purpose is to develop a master water plan containing an overview and diagnosis of the watershed, issues, directions and goals to be attained, along with an action plan to be implemented through the signing of basin contracts. By moving to an integrated watershed management approach, the Québec government is hoping to enhance consensus building and accountability among the various players and the public with regard to management of the common resources of water and aquatic ecosystems. To that end, technical and financial support will be provided to basin organizations. PartnershipRegroupement des organisations de bassin versant du Québec In carrying out their mandate, basin organizations receive technical support from the Regroupement des organisations de bassin versant du Québec (ROBVQ). The ROBVQ also disseminates information on its members’ achievements. International Network of Basin Organizations Québec is at the forefront of the international scene in matters of integrated watershed management. In addition to being a member of the International Network of Basin Organizations (INBO) since 1996, it chaired the Network from May 2002 to the end of January 2004. Created in 1994, the INBO has 134 member organizations from 51 countries, including France, Poland, Algeria, Brazil, Mexico, Spain, Morocco, Hungary, Romania and the Ivory Coast. Its mission consists in, among other things, promoting integrated river basin management as an essential tool for ensuring sustainable development. One of its objectives is to develop permanent relations with the organizations interested in river basin management and facilitate exchanges of experiences and expertise among them. Québec will continue to play an important role within the INBO. Québec government departments and organizations The task of coordinating government actions under the Québec Water Policy is assumed by the Table interministérielle de mise en œuvre de la Politique de l'eau. The Table is composed of representatives of the following Québec government departments and organizations:
Further reading
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