It is a binational project that promotes the integrated management of the hydrological resources of the San Juan river basin and its coastal area. It is executed by the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, through their respective ministries of the environment in each country.

1. Formulation of a Strategic Actions Program for the Integrated Management of
the Hydrological Resources and Sustainable Development of the San Juan River
Basin and its Coastal zone
PPRROOCCUUEENNCCAA SSAANN JJUUAANN
GLOBAL ENVIRONMENT FACILITY
THE THIRD BIENNIAL INTERNATIONAL WATERS CONFERENCE
Salvador de Bahía, Brasil, Jun 2005

2. THE SAN JUAN RIVER BASIN PROJECT
It is a binational project that promotes the integrated
management of the hydrological resources of the San
Juan river basin and its coastal area. It is executed
by the governments of Nicaragua and Costa Rica,
through their respective ministries of the environment
in each country.

3. PROJECT LOCATION
SOUTHERN NICARAGUA AND NORTHERN COSTA RICA
NICARAGUA
PROJECT AREA
COSTA RICA
AMÉRICA CENTRAL

4. DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIN
• It represents the
largest reservoir of
fresh water in Central
America and second in
Latin America.
• The flows in San Carlos
is 475 m3/s which
increase in Sarapiquí
river to 1308 m3/s
• Shared between Nicaragua
and Costa Rica.
• There are 36 municipalities
in Nicaragua and 7 in Costa
Rica.
• Subsystems:
- Cocibolca Lake
- San Juan River
- Coastal area
•The extension is 38 569 km2
and it includes the coastal area
of the Caribbean
24 684 km2 (64%)
in Nicaragua
13 885 km2 (36%)
NICARAGUA in Costa Rica
COSTA RICA

5. Great biological diversity in
protected areas
Within the basin area there are 51 protected areas,
totaling 8812 km2 in both countries.
Of these, the most important are Tortuguero
National Park-Barra del Colorado (939 Km2) in
Costa Rica and Indio-Maiz (3500 km2) in
Nicaragua
Socioeconomic data
The total population in the basin is 1 250 000
inhabitants approximately, of these 73% reside in
Nicaragua and 27% in Costa Rica.
In Nicaragua the population density in the basin is 46
h/Km2 (55 rural%) and in Costa Rica is of 22 h/Km2
(85% rural).
The annual population growth is 4,1% in Nicaragua and
3,7 % in Costa Rica.
The economical growth is 3,4 % in Nicaragua and 4,5 %
in Costa Rica.

6. Income
By and large the population within the basin
exists at subsistence levels.
Levels of per capita income and
unemployment differ greatly in the basin as
compared to the countries as a whole.
Ecosystems
Threatened by over exploitation of timber and
growing pressure due to the expansion of the
agricultural frontier.

7. History
•In 1992 at a CA Presidents’ meeting in Panama, to discuss
transboundary issues, the first expressions of interest in the San
Juan river basin occurred.
•In 1995 the first phase of the project began with support from
UNEP and the OAS. This phase covered the environmental and
socio economic diagnosis of the basin.
•In 2001, began the second phase which included the formulation
of the strategic actions program.
•In the present phase we are entering into a medium size project,
with support from GEF-UNEP and OAS, which serves as a bridge to
tide us over into the stage of implementation of SAP.

8. Diagnosis Phase
Definition of the environmental and socio-economic
characteristics of the basin.
Identification of main problems relating to
hydrological resources.
Basic Studies carried out to complement the
environmental transboundary diagnosis

9. Formulation of SAP phase
Based on the diagnosis, the SAP is designed to:
•Assure the availability of hydrological
resources
•Conserve the natural ecosystems
•Promote sustainable economic and social
development.
It consists of 31 projects in both countries. The
approximate cost is US $50 millions with a
duration of five years.

10. The bases for the SAP were:
A. Seven Basic studies:
• Batimetry in lake Nicaragua and San Juan river.
• Analysis of critical aquatic habitats.
• Qualitative and quantitative analysis of hydrological resources.
• Analysis of coastal and marine resources.
• Sedimentation analysis in the coastal area.
• Transboundary migration and settlements
• Analysis of social behavior by gender.

11. Basic Studies Location
Batimetry in the lake of Nicaragua
and San Juan river.
PROJECT AREA
Determination of the sedimentation plume
in the coastal area in San Juan river basin
Coastal and marine resources in
the Colorado Wildlife Refuge in
Costa Rica and Rio San Juan
Wildlife Refuge in Nicaragua.
Hydrometeorological
monitoring (flows) and water
quality in San Juan river basin.
Transboundary migration and
colonization areas
Information for the sustainable management of
critical aquatic habitats in the San Juan river
basin.
N
PROJECT AREA
NICARAGUA
COSTA RICA

12. B. Demonstrative projects
13 demonstrative projects, five in Nicaragua and eight in Costa Rica.
•Designed to illustrate environmental sound technology and
methodology.
•Promote inter-institutional cooperation.
•Establish costs and determine replicability and viability.
•Promote stakeholder participation.

13. Rio de Oro
environmental
restoration
Fund for agroforestry
activities in the municipality
of Cárdenas, Rivas
Project of organization
and community
education
Wildlife Refuge Las
Camellias Conservation
Sustainable use and
rehabilitation of Rio Frio basin
Environmental education
in San Carlos' canton
Recovery of riperian habitat of Ara
ambigua and Dipteryx panamensis
River Oyate Basin
Rehabilitation
River Tepenaguasapa
Basin Restoration
PROJECT AREA
Environmental education in the
municipality of San Carlos, Rio
San Juan
Integrated management
of rural properties in
communities of Guatuso
Support to the local
environmental
administration
Recovery and
management in the
riperian areas of rivers
Sarapiquí and Sucio
N Demonstrative Projects location
13 projects (5 in Nicaragua and 8 in Costa Rica)
NICARAGUA
COSTA RICA

14. C. Public participation workshops
• 5 Public participation workshops in Nicaragua and Costa Rica. 3
binational and 2 national.
• Included different sectors such as: productive sector, tourist sector
and municipalities.
• Approximately 2000 individuals (stakeholders) participated from a
total of 221 organizations.
• Workshops facilitated the binational exchange of information.
• Developed stakeholder commitments.
• Most important, the participants generated input was formally
incorporated into the SAP.

15. LESSONS LEARNT
•High level government participation is essential for
project success.
•Participation of local level authorities (municipalities and
cantons) is essential for sustainability.
•Interaction and creation of strategic alliances with
other institutions: Universities, NGOs, Associations is
also essential for success.
•Incorporation of large scale producers remains a
challenge.

16. Formulation of a Strategic Actions Program for the
Integrated Management of the Hydrological Resources and
Sustainable Development of the San Juan River Basin and
its Coastal zone
PROCUENCA SAN JUAN
a binational effort for the protection of
hydrological resources
Thank You