Key Stakeholders and Institutional Arrangements for Ecosystem Approach of Water Management for Protecting Wetlands, Bays and Estuaries

摘要

A well thought on water management plan should describe how to allocate water particularly during the time of water supply shortages and provide guidance about curtailment of water supplies so that demands for reliable stored water supplies are fully met. For a water management plan to be successful, it is essential that all affected parties are involved and fully engaged during its development, revision and implementation. Each stakeholder views should be respected and considered fully during the development and revision of the water management plan. A sustainable water management plan is a plan that takes care of the environmental water needs for a long time to come. Lower Colorado River Authority's water management plan allows the water management entity take action at key points as the lake levels drop. The plan governs operations of the Highland Lakes to meet the needs of major water users throughout the basin. Lower Colorado River Authority developed the recommendations and worked with a 26- member advisory committee that represented major stakeholders, including municipal and industrial users, farmers, environmental groups, lake and river recreation interests, and state and federal regulatory agencies. A major issue during the revision process centered on the amount of fresh water the bay requires for maintaining a healthy ecosystem. Lessons learnt in developing, revising and implementing Lower Colorado River Authority water management plan since 1989 could be useful in the management of water resources of the Yellow River watershed in China.