Vízügyi Közlemények, 1997 (79. évfolyam)

1. füzet - Rövidebb tanulmányok, közlemények, beszámolók

j j Q Yevjevich, V- Stamsolszky Ö

. The results are presented int form of conclusions and recommendations: — If basic principles are seriously considered, and translated into action with the agreement of stakeholders, controversies may be either eliminated, reduced to lesser levels or resolved. — The proper legal, economic, social and financial measures are needed on global, regional, national or local scales in order to resolve controversies. — In addition, understanding of controversies between experts of different disciplines, particulary engineers and ecologists, should be established and maintained. — As the first step in such an understanding and co-ordination of actions the knowledge base related to quantitative and qualitative characteristics of water cycle components, as well as the characteristics of environment, should be expanded, and research on an interdisciplinary basis fundamentally reinforced. — It is realized that in many developing countries the pressures of social and economic change will demand in the short-term water resource management decisions which may not be regarded as ideal or acceptable. — The efficient future use of water in comparison with its present use is a prerequisite for protecting water resources and the aquatic environment, and for avoiding controversies due to the overuse of limited water resources. — While mainly the short-term impacts of development and economic aspects were considered in the past, it is essential that the long-term effects of investment and operation of water schemes, the environmental and social impacts are seriously investigated, including the introduction of environmental risk assessment. — The potentially harmful effects of existing works should be carefully controlled and wherever possible eliminated. Their rehabilitation should be planned and executed by following the same principles which are appropriate for new projects. The restoration of natural wetlands as habitat may be such a goal. The following aspects among others, should particulary be considered and applied in the water resources management activities: — The precautionary approach which will allow the alternative options in order to minimize potential disputes and avoid risky projects. — The consideration of application of economic techniques and incentives in resolving controversies should be used, besides the use of legal and technical tools. — The integration and optimization of water and environment management problems, with the land use planning, should be applied to river basin water resources. — The investigation of effects of alternative approaches considering environmental aspects besides cost/benefit approach should be in the first plan of investigations. To quantify in the context of environmental impact assessment studies of environmental damages and benefits should be applied in order to include them in the benefit/cost ratio. — The multidisciplinary decision making, considering human health and welfare, as well as economic, ecological, and technical measures, should be fully applied. — The consideration of sustainable development projects related to water management and protection of environment, should be taken into account with maintenance of long-term quality and quantity of water resources and environment. — In water management the best environmental practice for the protection restoration and improvement of aquatic ecosystems, should be included. The best available technology for reduction of pollution from point and non-point sources should be applied. — The weight of different purposes (navigation, flood control etc.) in water development change, in time should apply reversibility and flexibility in water management solution.