Comprehensive River Basin Planning in Canada: Problems and Opportunities

ABSTRACT

River basin planning is falling into disrepute because of a frequent failure to make the transition from planning to implementation. Four reasons have contributed to this problem. First, it appears that comprehensive plans m y not be required for all basins. Second, recommendations often are too numerous, ambiguous or abstract to help implementing agencies. Third, lengthy periods of time, needed to facilitate public participation and accountability, are used during planning. Fourth, adequate institutional arrangements do not exist to facilitate coordination of management functions and activities during both planning and implementation. Examples of these problems are presented from river basin management experiences across Canada.