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Morocco
>> Regional Overview >> Morocco Overview ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: Morocco
TITLE AND NUMBER: Improved Water Resources Management in the Souss-Massa River Basin, 608-006
STATUS: Continuing
PLANNED FY 2001 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,500,000 DA ($1,000,000 NOA and $500,000 in FY 2000 carryover funds)
PROPOSED FY 2002 OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $1,500,000 DA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1999 ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2005Summary: One of the major development challenges facing Morocco is management of its water resources on a sustainable basis. Two-thirds of its agricultural exports are produced by irrigated agriculture, which uses 90% of the nation's captured freshwater resources. Planned expansion of Morocco's network of dams can increase the supply of water by perhaps one-fourth, but projected doubling of the population over the next 30 years will result in massive decreases in per capita availability unless fresh water is managed more effectively. Underlying these economic considerations for improving water resources management are issues of health and social welfare. Inadequate supply of potable water and sanitation is a major household burden and cause of disease that limits productivity, economic efficiency, and educational opportunities. To prevent a water-induced crisis in Morocco, fundamental changes in water availability and use, based on equitable and transparent decisions involving the participation of community groups, the private sector, and water users associations, are essential.
USAID has worked to improve water resources management in the agricultural, urban, and industrial sectors since 1992. These activities included work in the areas of improved irrigation efficiency, watershed management, water quality control, municipal water and sanitation services, and training for municipal officials in financial management and environmental planning.
Starting in 1999, USAID entered a new phase of water resources management under the Improved Water Resources Management in the Souss-Massa River basin objective. The keystone of this objective is the 1995 law decentralizing financial and planning authority for water resources to river basin agencies (RBAs). With FY 2001 funding, USAID will take advantage of this law to accelerate activity implementation by strengthening a partnership for water management among public and private groups in the Souss-Massa River basin.
USAID selected the Souss-Massa River basin as the most promising site to establish model institutions because it brings together the pressing elements of scarcity, pollution, and competing demands. Abundant freshwater is crucial not only to hotels, golf courses, and urban development, but also to fishing and other industries that support the local economy. Large amounts of water representing 90 percent of the total demand sustain irrigated citrus and vegetable crops grown for local and export markets. With FY 2001 funding, this activity will help partners in the region to form technical groups to introduce improved policies and technologies, and consequently to help all water partners to initiate the transition to decentralized and integrated water management practices.
Key Results: The program will improve institutional capacity for integrated water resources management; decentralize decision-making on water availability and use; improve integration and collaboration among the various agencies and regional/local governments on water management issues; increase use of sustainable practices and water-saving technologies; and establish a participatory culture for water management involving nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and public-private partnerships.
Performance and Prospects: In FY 2001, USAID plans to obligate $1.5 million ($1 million New Obligation Authority and $500,000 in FY 2000 carryover) to help the residents of the Souss-Massa region continue creating a participatory culture involving all stakeholders. The objective has three main components. First, seven pilot projects will be launched (approximately $900,000). Many of these pilot projects will disseminate management and technical practices from previous water projects, including appropriate irrigation technologies, water conservation measures, soil erosion control, municipal water and sewerage provision, and participatory approaches to design, implementation, and management. The pilot project will standardize the collection of data on water quantity and quality and create a shared data inventory.
Second, with the official decree for the creation of the Souss-Massa RBA in November 2000, the activity will assist the new RBA to become operational, autonomous, and sustainable. This will involve training of RBA staff and setting financial, administrative, and operational procedures in place. In 2001, representatives of the key agencies making up the RBA will participate in a study tour to the U.S. to observe how the state of California manages its water resources and resolves conflicts between users and managers. Approximately $50,000 will be devoted to this activity, mainly for short-term technical assistance.
Third, in FY2001 USAID will obligate $550,000 to fund a dissemination and replication of best practices program to reduce water pollution from industrial and municipal liquid waste and to control soil erosion. These funds will be combined with approximately $2 million in Section 416(b) local currency generations to expand proven soil erosion control practices to the entire river basin of the Nakhla watershed, and to introduce similar methods to the Souss-Massa river basin.
Possible Adjustments to Plans: None.
Other Donor Programs: Local governments and NGO partners participate financially and support complementary interventions. The World Bank is supporting the creation of an RBA in another major watershed in Morocco (Oum Errabia/Tadla). Others nations, especially France, Italy, Japan and Germany, continue to fund community-based water use and management activities.
Principal Contractors, Grantees, or Agencies: The U.S. firm Development Alternatives, Inc. is the principal implementer. Other U.S. and Moroccan companies, universities, and NGOs will be identified to provide short-term assistance or to work as subcontractors.
Selected Performance Measures: These measures have been revised to better measure improved management of water resources, as opposed to biophysical conditions such as the increased volume of water treated.
Baseline
(2000)Planned
(2000)Actual
(2000)Target
(2001)Progress toward adoption of key policy reforms (percent completed) 0%
(1999)5% 12% 26% Number of critical enabling conditions achieved to improve water resources management in the Souss-Massa River Basin (e.g., water resource databases and information are shared; the RBA adopts policies and prepared implementation plans to address at least two critical water issues) 0 0 1 1 Number of best technical, institutional, and community participation practices (e.g., irrigation techniques) disseminated to stakeholders in target areas. 0 0 0 2 U.S. Financing
(In thousands of dollars)
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Last Updated on: May 29, 2002 |
