Documents and publications
Newsletter Nº 16
January 5, 2004

CONTENT:

1. SPECIAL REPORT ON THE MATANZA-RIACHUELO BASIN
   THE MOST POLLUTED RIVER OF ARGENTINA

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SPECIAL REPORT ON THE MATANZA-RIACHUELO BASIN
THE MOST POLLUTED RIVER OF ARGENTINA
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The Ombudsman, together with the representatives of the NGOs: Environmental and Natural Resources Foundation (Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales -FARN-), Fundación Poder Ciudadano, Fundación Ciudad, The National Technologic University (la Universidad Tecnológica Nacional), the Center for Legal and Social Studies (CELS), Association Neighbours La Boca, and the ex-Deputy Ombudsman of the City of Buenos Aires, Antonio Elio Brailovsky, presented the result of a wide interdisciplinary study developed during 2003, which needs the reach of the sanitary and environmental emergency, which affects the Hydric Basin Matanza - Riachuelo.

The objective of this report is to mobilize the public opinion and the authorities in order to find solutions to the most serious socio-environmental problems of Argentina.

The Basin Matanza-Riachuelo covers 2,240 km2 with 64 km of extension and in the nearest areas coexist more than 3,500,000 persons, and many of them are part of the highest rates of unsatisfied basic needs (UBN), and only the 45% have the service of sewers, and the 65% have drinking water, that it is why they are in the group of the persons with the highest risks in the country. Besides, the 368,000 m3/day of domiciliary served waters and the 88,500 m3/day of industrial wastes that are poured out in its waters, contribute to consider this Basin the most polluted in Argentina.

Dr. Daniel A. Sabsay, FARN's Executive Director, said that the institutional situation of this Basin seems to be a juridical mess where 9 national entities intervene; 8 from the Province of Buenos Aires; 8 from the City of Buenos Aires and 14 Municipalities, having as a result a total of 39 organisms that intervene in the region. Likewise, they must apply about 55 regulations of different hierarchy, from the National Constitution to the Municipal Decrees, which produces a legal and proportional emptiness where regulations are not enforced due to the superposition of the said ones.

The report's main subjects are the following ones: Health and Environment Garbage dumps, Industries, Drinking water and sewers, Investments and the Institutional Normative Framework.

Taking into account those subjects, the Ombudsman of the Nation, issued a resolution in which he recommended the existence of a Basin Authority as an interjurisdictional instance equipped with full autonomy, autarky, regulation and control of the basin, and a direct citizen participation, following the concertation's federalism pattern, as well as considering the report's content in the Public Agenda 2004. Likewise, it was recommended a study of an integral environmental impact and/or the updating of the existing ones, and the replacement of updated impact of environmental toxics on people's health, among others.
Finally, in the report it is outlined that if the responsible authorities would not take into account the formulated recommendations or would delay in an excessive way the decision, the Ombudsman's Office will appeal to the Judiciary, together with the corresponding organizations, in order to obtain a corresponding pronouncement.

FURTHER INFORMATION:

   Special report:
   http://www.farn.org.ar/arch/informe_cuenca.pdf

   Ombudsman Office's Resolution:
   http://www.farn.org.ar/arch/resol_cuenca.pdf

   Effects on the Media:
   Newspaper "La Nación":
   http://www.lanacion.com.ar/03/12/05/dg_551805.asp

   Newspaper "Clarín":
   http://www.clarin.com/diario/hoy/h-04615.htm

   Newspaper "Página/12":
   http://www.pagina12web.com.ar/diario/sociedad/3-28937.html

   Newspaper "Crónica":
   http://www.cronica.com.ar/article/articleview/1070623120/1/6/