usesof the topocoro RESERVOIR An opportunity for the development of Santander

Transcription

1 usesof the topocoro RESERVOIR An opportunity for the development of Santander

2 INTRODUCTION The Topocoro Reservoir is the new landscape that enhances the department of Santander and it has an area of around 7,000 ha of the Sogamoso Hydroelectric Power Plant. Its watershed is located in the municipalities of Santos, Zapatoca, San Vicente de Chucurí, Lebrija, and Betulia, and it is mainly fed by the Sogamoso and Chucurí Rivers. After being built in December 2014, it has generated great expectations in the region for alternative uses of the reservoir other than power generation, including, among others, artisanal fishing, cultural and eco-tourism, water transportation for the communities and the conservation of biodiversity. The technical study was conducted in stages, taking into account environmental restrictions, and social, economic, legal and technical aspects, aimed at establishing optimal conditions for identifying uses other than power generation. On July 29, 2017, the Santander Assembly approved the project of Ordinance 038, whereby the governor Didier Tavera Amado was authorized to adopt the guidelines for alternative uses of the Topocoro Reservoir. This is the first time in Colombia that a project has been approved to manage the use of a reservoir. 2

3 HOW WAS IT BUILT The process of preparing the guidelines for alternative uses of the Topocoro Reservoir had the participation of 1,400 people from the Sogamoso Hydroelectric Power Plant s area of influence, representing 52 entities. The process started with a diagnostic in the communities to find out their expectations and initiatives regarding use of the reservoir. The agreement was key to consolidate the proposal, which responds to a strategic vision for development of the region. Document This is the first time in Colombia that a project has been approved to manage the use of a reservoir. 3

4 METHODOLOGY The methodology used to prepare the guidelines for alternative uses of the Topocoro Reservoir was based on collecting information, discussion, inquiry and analysis coordinated with the community and other stakeholders through Comprehensive Environmental Assessment meetings and workshops implemented in each one of the phases. STAGES Preparation and Classification Additionally, environmental restrictions, current legislation, division of the reservoir into zones to prevent use conflicts, and coordination with the conservation of biodiversity, with the municipalities land use plans and with the Regional District of Integrated Management of the Autonomous Corporation of Santander were considered. * Identification and interaction with stakeholders (communities, social organizations, local administrations, authorities and institutions) Forecast Diagnostic *Comprehensive Environmental Assessment workshops with the communities * Workshops with other stakeholders. usesof the topocoro RESERVOIR Proposal * Presentation of the activities to be carried out * Work strategy agreements * Technical analysis of possibilities and restrictions * Alternative uses of the Topocoro Reservoir * Creation of scenarios * Consideration of uses and multi-criteria analyses * Roundtables with the authorities 4 5

5 Use Proposal Topocoro Reservoir Based on the assessment of the technical documents produced by the consultants on each topic (fishing, aquaculture, conservation, water use, tourism, water sports, recreation, access, water transportation and land use), the studies provided by ISAGEN, the roundtables held with the authorities on each topic and the technical workshops and meetings carried out with the communities, territorial entities, local and departmental authorities, social organizations, the private sector, entrepreneurs and businesspeople, the proposal to prepare the management of the Topocoro Reservoir was consolidated and the following uses were identified and classified: Main Use Power generation and conservation of biodiversity Additional Uses - Fishing (subsistence and commercial artisanal fishing) - Water for human consumption or for agricultural use - Eco-tourism and recreational activities - Water sports - Water transportation Restricted Uses - Sport fishing - Recreational activities with water motorcycles Uses not recommended Aquaculture, swimming, scuba diving and hunting. Did you know that...? The preparation of the guidelines for alternative uses of the Topocoro Reservoir permit the regulation of activities such as artisanal fishing, water transportation, water sports and eco-tourism, providing an opportunity for development that contributes to environmental protection, social development and economic growth. 6 7

6 Access Twenty-five access points were identified to facilitate access to the Topocoro Reservoir to visitors and residents of the region. As a unique and essential condition for this definition, it is established that the reservoir buffer zone that constitutes the access will be public. This condition ensures the entry of any person, because the water resource is a public asset that everyone has the right to enjoy. 1 Captación 12 Lengerke 1 23 Las Vegas Betulia 2 Mirabel Betulia 13 Lengerke 2 Betulia 24 Cananá Zapatoca 3 Vertedero Betulia 14 La Parroquia 25 La Purnia Los Santos 4 Cantarranas San Vicente de chucurí 15 Pujamanes 5 Puente de chucurí Zapatoca 16 Tablazo 2 Betulia 6 Montebello Betulia 17 Gómez Ortíz 1 Zapatoca the access will be public. 7 La estrella Betulia 18 Gómez Ortíz 2 8 Linderos 19 Tablazo 1 9 La Leona 20 Cruces 10 La Renta 21 El Ramo Betulia 11 La Cabaña 22 Palotigre San Vicente de Chucurí 8

7 Additional Activities FISHING The aspects and criteria to carry out fishing activities in the reservoir are as follows: - The presence of 41 fish species and four kinds of fishermen: artisanal subsistence, artisanal commercial, recreational and sport, is highlighted. - The fishing gear to be authorized in the reservoir are: cast net, handline,trotline, traps and fishing pole. - The measures that will regulate the activity are proposed, such as temporary closed seasons, minimum sizes for species, controls of supplies (effort) and products (capture), as well as access rights. - The subsistence and recreational fishermen will be residents of the region; its area of direct influence. They may access the reservoir using the piers established for that purpose. Did You Know That...? The National Aquaculture and Fishing Authority (AUNAP, for the Spanish original)is the body responsible for managing and promoting artisanal fishing in the reservoir. 9

8 Additional Activities ZONING FOR FISHING ACTIVITIES Presa la Tora La Renta BUCARAMANGA Cruces La parroquia Pujamanes Tablazo 1 Tablazo 2 FISHING AREAS AND RESTRICTIONS ZP, Zona de Pesca (53,7%) PPR. Fishing Prohibition.(3,4%) Special Fishing Area. (19%) Other uses. (42,9%) La estrella BETULIA Las Vegas Cananá El Ramo GIRÓN ZAPATOCA Palotigre BETULIA SAN VICENTE DE CHUCURÍ IMPORTANT Special management area: in the Tails of the Sogamoso and Chucurí rivers. Zone of access to ports and recreational areas: restricted fishing. Restriction zones for fishing: fishing is prohibited at the start of the streams. Operating zone of the Hydroelectric Power Station: prohibited fishing for security reasons. Water sports area: restricted fishing. 10

9 USE OF WATER FOR CONSUMPTION AND IRRIGATION The possible uses of water for human consumption and for agriculture, and their regulation in the reservoir were identified. Additionally, the guidelines were established, in order to help environmental authorities to make decisions when granting water concessions, discharge permits and permission for occupation of riverbeds. Did You Know That...? The relevant authorities in charge of the use of water for consumption and irrigation are the Colombian Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA, for the Spanish original), the Autonomous Corporation of Santander (CAS, for the Spanish original), the Autonomous Regional Corporation of the Bucaramanga Plateau and the municipalities of the area of influence. 11

10 USE OF WATER FOR CONSUMPTION AND IRRIGATION Restrictions are mentioned, which the environmental and municipal authorities and in general, the applicants must take into account when using the water of the Topocoro Reservoir. The restrictions include: a. ISAGEN has a water flow allocated by the environmental license (Resolution 2329/2009) for power generation. b. The reservoir s flood level may vary up to 60 m depending on the need for generation and weather conditions. Therefore, the location, design of intakes, pumping stations, treatment systems and discharges need to take into account fluctuations in the level, and the infrastructure must be built by each applicant according to its needs. c. The configuration of the area s topography implies that fluctuations in the reservoir s level for the purposes of power generation change the conditions of its banks. 12

11 ECO-TOURISM To develop tourism activities in the Topocoro Reservoir and according to its possibilities and current legislation, the proposal is made to manage use and divide it into sections with the following results and activities: BY-PRODUCT ACTIVITY Ecotourism Aqua tourism Observation of birds, fauna and flora associated with the landscape. Ride on motor boats, water bicycles, canoes, jet skis. Nautical Tourism (associated with water sports) Kayaking, canoeing, windsurfing, skiing. Note: the nautical motorcycles are only conditioned to be used in recreational areas. Rural Tourism Cultural Tourism Agrotourism. Crafts, gastronomy and in general the commercializationof the products of the region. Did You Know That...? The Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Tourism, the Ministry of Transportation and the municipalities of the area of influence are the relevant tourism authorities and entities. 13

12 ECO-TOURISM Ten (10) areas are defined for recreational water tourism activities, in which recreational fishing, boat trips, noncompetitive canoeing, pedal boats and other activities such as riding power boats can be carried out; although the latter is restricted by the regulations of the Ministry of Transportation. Presa la Tora La Renta BUCARAMANGA Cruces La estrella La parroquia Pujamanes Tablazo 1 Tablazo 2 USES WATER MIRRORS RECREATION AND TOURISM TN, Nature Tourism. (25,5%) ZR, 1-100, Recreation Area. (9,4%) Other uses. (67%) Piers Recreation BETULIA Las Vegas Cananá El Ramo GIRÓN ZAPATOCA Palotigre BETULIA SAN VICENTE DE CHUCURÍ 14

13 WATER SPORTS In the process of preparing the guidelines for alternative uses of the Topocoro Reservoir, the possibility was identified for developing water sports such as kitesurfing, sailing with a centerboard, motorized water sports and canoeing. Water sports for sports competitions that are within the zones are sailing and its sport categories, water skiing and canoeing. Presa la Tora Cruces La Renta BUCARAMANGA La parroquia Pujamanes Tablazo 1 Tablazo 2 NAUTICAL SPORTS Nautical sports (7,3%) Other uses (92,7%) Piers Recreation BETULIA La estrella Las Vegas Cananá El Ramo GIRÓN ZAPATOCA Palotigre BETULIA SAN VICENTE DE CHUCURÍ To Bear In Mind The Departmental Institute of Recreation and Sports of Santander (INDER Santander, for the Spanish original) is the regional authority responsible for water sports. 15

14 WATER TRANSPORTATION The Topocoro Reservoir has special features for port development. The essential permits to develop port activities, navigation channels and transportation activities in the reservoir are listed and described in the guidelines for alternative uses of the Topocoro Reservoir, as well as their monitoring and control. PUBLIC TRANSPORT Route 1 Chucurí Bridge Linderos Route 2 Lengerke- Linderos Route 3 Chucurí Bridge - La Cabaña Route 3 Las Vegas-La Estrella TOURIST TRANSPORT Route 1 Priority to travel through Main tail of the river Sogamoso. Route 2 Tail river Sogamoso stretch to the Parroquia. Route 3 Tail river Sogamoso stretch to the Linderos Remember The Ministry of Transportation, the National Road Institute (INVIAS, for the Spanish original), the National Infrastructure Agency (ANI, for the Spanish original) and the municipalities of the area of influence are the authorities or institutions responsible for regulating or managing the issue of transportation and ports. 16

15 Conditioned uses SPORT FISHING Although sport fishing is recommended, it is restricted in the reservoir for the following reasons: It cannot be carried out on native species with some degree of endangerment or that have been affected by impoundment (migratory species such as gilt-head bream (Brycon moorei) and catfish). The introduction of exotic species for sport fishing cannot be justified as occurs in other reservoirs of the country. The introduction of exotic species for sport fishing cannot be justified as occurs in other reservoirs of the country. ACTIVITIES RELATED TO RECREATION AND WATER SPORTS As it is not in harmony with eco-tourism or environmentally-friendly recreational activities, water skiing outside of the designated areas for water sports is not recommended. Swimming, scuba diving, competition motorboats and motorized rafts or platforms are not recommended either. Power boats may not circulate outside of the designated recreation areas. 17

16 Uses NOT Recommended AQUACULTURE In accordance with the region s expectations represented by the communities, authorities, institutions, businesspeople, entrepreneurs and other stakeholders who participated in the creation of the guidelines for alternative uses of the Topocoro Reservoir, aquaculture is not identified as a potential use to develop in the Topocoro Reservoir. On the contrary, this activity is found to be a threat to the other allowed activities. - The impact generated through fish farming (high ecological footprint) reduces the reservoir s useful life and impairs the water quality. - If there was a national interest to develop aquaculture and it was incorporated by the regional policies, the respective feasibility of the activity (including environmental sustainability, capacity and the ecological footprint) could only be considered after three years. 18

17 Usos NO recomendados The use of species such as tilapia and trout, considered exotic INVASIVE species by the environmental authority as per Resolution 207 / February 2010, generates a significant impact on the conservation of biodiversity, especially on the endemic species of the region. The development of fish farming in the reservoir does not consider the mitigation, control and offsetting of the environmental impacts generated on the water, and its consequences are transferred to the communities downstream of the power plant. Important To determine the real potential conditions of fish farming, it would be necessary to wait at least three years for the reservoir to stabilize limnologically. 19

18 CONSERVATION Three spatial spheres were defined for the conservation of the flora and fauna affected by the Topocoro Reservoir, taking the average level of 330 m.a.s.l. as a reference. First ring of influence: Reservoir buffer zone formed by the properties acquired by ISAGEN. Third ring of influence: Intake basin of the rivers that feed the reservoir (Sogamoso and Chucurí) and of the reservoir s discharge. Second ring of influence:the reservoir canyon, that is from the banks of the flooded area up to 1,200 m.a.s.l. according to the proposal in the environmental impact assessment. Did You Know That...? The relevant authorities for the issue of conservation are the ANLA, the CAS and the Autonomous Regional Corporation of the Bucaramanga Plateau. 20

19 ZONING USE CODE HECTARES % Fishing Zone ZP 3076,9 53,75 Nature Tourism TN 1460,5 25,52 Recreation Area ZR 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 540,0 9,43 Nautical Sports DN 419,4 7,33 Fishing Prohibition. Resolution 025 of 1971 Operation Zone. ISAGEN Anchoring Area PPR 195,3 4,41 ZO ISAGEN 31,6 0,55 AF 0,3 0,01 TOTAL AREA OF EMBALSE TO THE COTA 300 MSNM 5723,7 100 The Topocoro reservoir, pride of the department of Santander, is a natural wealth of contribution to the tourist, economic and social development of the region. It is everyone s duty to help their conservation. 21

20 GENERAL ZONING OF USES OF THE RESERVOIR Presa la Tora La Renta Cruces La parroquia Pujamanes Tablazo 1 Tablazo 2 La estrella BUCARAMANGA FISHING ZONES AND RESTRICTIONS ZP, Fishing Zone (53,7%) TN. Nature Tourism (25,5%) Special fishing Area (19%) DN Nautical Sports (7,3%) ZR Recreation Area (9,4%) PPR, Fishing Prohibition (3,4%) ZO ISAGEN, Operation Zone (1%) AF,Anchoring Area(0,01%) BETULIA Las Vegas Cananá El Ramo ZAPATOCA Palotigre BETULIA SAN VICENTE DE CHUCURÍ 22 23

21 Septiembre 2017