Presentation series (quarterly) 1. Planning process of river management (today)

1. Presentation of the Japanese experience in river management by Yoichi Iwami, Senior Advisor on river management, BDP Presentation series (quarterly) 1. Planning process of river management (today) (Legal framework, Public participation, Sharing information) 2. Drought conciliation 3. Flood management 4. Dam issue 5. Others (navigation etc)

2. Purpose: There are differences between the Mekong River basin and Japanese river basins in scale, topography, society and environment. However, problems related to river/water between the two areas are similar. The purpose of this presentation is to introduce the Japanese river management experience and to discuss freely in order to try to find the useful ideas for future activities in the Mekong River Basin.

3. Presentation of the Japanese experience in river management 1st presentation Planning Process of River Management in Japan Nov. 15th, 2004by Yoichi Iwami, Senior Advisor on river management, BDP

4. Comparison between the Mekong River Basin and the Japanese Rivers basins

5. Large river basins in the world Top 10

6. Large river basins in the world Top 50 The Mekong river basin(795,000km2) is 21st in the world. The length of the Mekong(4,800km) is 9th in the world.

7. Japan The Mekong

8. The Mekong River Basin Area: 795,000 km2 Length: 4,800 km Japan island Area: 378,000 km2 Longest river: 367 km Tokyo

9. Features and problems of the Japanese Rivers basins

10. ■ Features of the topography of Japan 　・ Island around the sea 　・ High mountains in the center of the island （2000m～3000m） ■ Features of the Japanese Rivers 　・ A basin area is small. 　・ Short length of rivers 　・ Steep slope 　・ A person lives in around the river mouth. Ishikari Tokachi Mogami Kitakami Shinano Naka Kiso Tone river Ara Tama Yodo Tenryu Chikugo Yoshino

11. Elevation(m) 1,000 800 600 Mekong river 400 200 0 2,200 400 600 800 1,000 1,200 1,400 1,600 1,800 2,000 200 Distance from river mouth.(km) Comparison of the river slope between the Mekong river and the Tone river Tone river（the biggest river in Japan） Vientiane river width :773m Slope :1/8,100 Kurihashi River width :750m Slope :1/3,000 Tokyo

12. Water level (m) Mekong river（Vientiane） Tone river （Kurihasi） 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 （Month） Difference of the change of the river water level A flood appears many times in a year in Japanese river. 1998

13. Change of temperature at the South Pole during 340,000 years Centigrade 4.0 6,000 years ago 2.0 0.0 -2.0 Now -4.0 The Wisconsin Ice Age 340 230 130 20 thousand years ago

14. 6,000 years ago (the SWL was 5m high) Tokyo

15. Land use in Japan forest rivers, lakes hills low land population area property

16. （１８９７～２０００） 2100 2000 ５yearsaverage tendency 1900 1800 1700 1600 ㎜ 1500 1400 1300 annual rainfall average 1200 1100 1900 1950 2000 Change of annual rainfall in Japan Flood Drought Average rainfall is decreasing. Range of rainfall is expanding.

17. Flood Flood in Nagoya (Sep. 2000, Rainfall: 567mm /2days)

18. Flood Usual time Flood time

19. Flood Flood and sediment damage during the 10 years (1981 to 1990) Municipalities or villages that have suffered flood or sediment damage 1 time 2 times More than 3 times

20. Drought It means controlling the amount of water taken from rivers. Water supply by the water wagon Naramata dam (storage rate 60%)

21. Drought Annual frequency of drought in the past 16 years Times 0 1-4 5-8 9-

22. Transboundary isuues Downstream, Miyagi prefecture Impact of river flow The time of water rising is quicker than before. Border of the two prefectures Upstream, Fukushima prefecture Rivers works (Embankment) Abukuma river

23. Development VS Environment Dam is necessary.Dam is not necessary For・Flood control ・Supply water for people ・Irrigation for agriculture For・Environment protection ・ Avoid submerging area

24. DevelopmentVSEnvironment Public hearing Field survey with the stakeholders

25. We need the comprehensive river plan. But, How?

26. Why is it difficult to agree on river projects ? • Project site and its impacted area is separate. • (upstream & downstream issue) 2) Each objective clash with one another. Preventing disaster River & water use Environment protection 3) Stakeholders’ interests are different. Line Agencies NGOs RBOs Navigation Fisher-people Residents

27. The river law in Japan

28. The river law (revised in 1997) Basic philosophy • Consistent management in a river system • (To make a river management policy every river system, • not every administrative territory) • Comprehensive administration in the three • main objectives: • to prevent damage (flood control), • to utilize rivers (water use), and • to maintain and conserve the environment • Planning process with public participation

29. River Plans by the river law 1. To make “Fundamental River Management Policy” ・ Long term policy for every river system ・ River administrator (government/local government) has a responsibility to determine the basic matters in scientific view : > Design flood flow & design controlled flood flow > Normal flow (maintenance flow) > Considerations of environment 2. To make “River Improvement Plan” ・ Output within 20-30 years for every design bloc (sub area) 　　 　 ・ River administrator will determine details with public participation : > River improvement works > Specifics of river maintenance etc

30. Flow of making River Plans Fundamental River Management Policy(by river administrator) River Improvement Plan Initial plans opinions Knowledgeable persons opinions Reflection of interested parties’ opinions through public hearings A draft of the river improvement plan opinions Head of local public bodies Finalization and publication of the River Improvement Plan

31. The case of Tama river Civic activities Government activities Conference of Nature Conservation societies for Tama river system (1974) Citizen’s groups Tama river Basin Council(1987) 3 local governments and 30 municipalities Discussion Group for Tama river Basin (1998) Seminars (8 times) Civic societies, municipalities, river administrator, private companies, literates, scientists Observing tour Tama river Basin Committee(1999) Municipalities, scientists, representatives of citizen’s group River Improvement Plan

32. Tama river Basin Committee (official) Municipalities, scientists, representatives of citizen’s group

33. Seminars by the Discussion Group for Tama river basin Everybody can join the free discussion Participants: civic societies, municipalities, river administrator, private companies, literates, scientists

34. Principles for building a "soft" consensus(1/2) Three fundamental principles • Free statement • 2) Thorough discussions • 3) Consensus building

35. Principles for building a "soft" consensus(2/2) Seven rules 1) The opinions of the participants are not considered as the official views of the party they belong to. 2) Participants are not allowed to blame organizations and individuals by referring to their names. 3) Discussions shall be conducted in a fair way. 4) Discussions shall be conducted by using reliable data. 5) Consensus shall be reached after clarifying problems. 6) Problems in dispute shall be treated in an objective manner. 7) When preparing programs, long-term and short-term ones shall be classified, and viability shall be taken into consideration.

36. Existing system • ・Officials meet each stakeholder separately • to explain the project. Official Promotion of river works Environment issue requests opinions explanation explanation No communication Stakeholder A Stakeholder B

37. New system • Stakeholders meet together to talk over • the projects and to make agreement.

38. Trees make water level much higher. Hirose River’s Case • For preventing disaster： Cut off the trees • For environment conservation： Leave the trees for birds

39. Hirose River’s Case Naturalists and Riparian residents met together . Cut or leave the trees? Discussion Several times Finally, agreed to cut off some tall trees

40. Summary of the planning process with stakeholders’ participation • Discuss river projects among the stakeholders together Data, information, impacts prepared by the authority • Reflect the outcome of discussion to the plan of river projects

41. What do we need for significant discussion? (1/2) １） Disclose all information and data to be able to discuss ２） Select the representatives of stakeholders objectively ３）Explain alternative plans with rational evaluation • Compare each plan in • scientific propriety • impact on environment, social activity • mitigation method • project cost

42. Cont. What do we need for significant discussion? (2/2) 4)Hear specific opinions from experts if necessary 5)Use computer simulation for easy understandings e.x.) expected high water level & inundation area

43. How to disclose the various river information? • Government bulletin • Internet • Free inspection at public office • Seminar How to collect the stakeholders’ opinions? • Survey / Questionnaire • Internet • Letters • Seminar / Stakeholders meeting

44. Disclose the environmental information by CD/ Internet 河川環境情報 表示例 河川環境情報

45. Present capacity of river against flood flow Legend Present Safety probability of flood ~1/5 Natural rivers Government controlled Miyagi prefecture

47. Thank you very much for your attention.