The role of basin committees in environmental licensing processes: a case study of the Sorocaba and middle Tietê river basin committee (SP)

Abstract One of the functions of CBHs is to promote discussions with the possible environmental and socio-environmental impacts of enterprises that want to establish in Basin regions. However, what is the impact of the committee on these environmental licensing processes? Is their role in public policy implementation processes aimed the protection of the waters? In order to contribute to the understanding of the role of CBHs in environmental licensing of enterprises with impact on water resources, this research conducted a case study of the Watershed Committee of the Sorocaba River and Middle Tietê, and used documents of three environmental licensing procedures for landfills that have gone through CBH-SMT as analysis tools. Regarding the landfills located in the cities of Sorocaba/SP and Iperó/SP, the licensing agency ignores Committee positions. Regarding the landfill at Araçariguama/SP, the agency references the committee at some places in the documentation, but most of these contradict the Committee's position. The results of the EIA analysis suggest that the power of the Committee is minimized and do not followthe proposed decentralized and democratic water management in Brazil. However, they may be contributing to the restlessness of the population and encouraging their active involvement in decision-making. However, CBHs should not be used merely as stimulators of public opinion, but should be empowered as instruments of public policies for the protection of water resources.

摘要 流域委员会（CBHs）的核心职能之一，是针对有意在流域区域布局的企业可能引发的环境与社会环境影响，组织开展研讨交流。然而，此类委员会对企业环境许可审批流程会产生何种影响？其在公共政策执行环节中的角色，是否以保护水资源为目标？为厘清流域委员会在涉水资源影响企业环境许可审批中的职能定位，本研究以索罗卡巴河-中蒂埃特流域委员会（CBH-SMT）为案例对象，选取三份经该委员会审议的垃圾填埋场环境许可审批相关文件作为分析样本。针对位于圣保罗州（SP）索罗卡巴市与伊佩罗市的两处垃圾填埋场，审批机构完全未采纳该委员会的意见；而针对圣保罗州（SP）阿拉萨里瓜马市的垃圾填埋场，审批机构虽在部分文档中提及该委员会，但多数提及内容与委员会的立场相悖。环境影响评价（EIA）分析结果显示，该委员会的话语权被弱化，未能遵循巴西所倡导的分权化、民主化水资源管理理念。不过，此类委员会或可推动民众参与意识觉醒，并鼓励公众积极介入决策环节。但流域委员会不应仅被视作公众舆论的催化剂，而应被赋予相应权限，成为保护水资源的公共政策实施工具。