Introducing the Case Study Areas: Hydro-climatic and Governance Contexts - Climate Change and Water Governance: Adaptive Capacity in Chile and Switzerland - page 113

Period Country developments Environmental law & principles Trend

1996: Second coalition government revised
the proposal for modifications to the Water
Code. Fees for non-use (absence of
infrastructure for potential use instead of
forfeiture (Bauer 1997). Minimal impact
was guaranteed since the new proposals
would only impact new rights, and omitted
river basin associations (mainly due to the
conflicts with the hydroelectric sector in
southern Chile). Significant opposition
was raised from the agricultural,
hydropower and mining sectors, reforms
are still waiting approval by the Senate.
1997: Environmental impact studies (EIA)
and declarations become obligatory for
most industrial and mining activities,

2000 Switzerland Continuing debate between

business groups and fishing
community & ecological
groups on environmental
legislation and provisions
for protection

2007: Federal People's Initiative was initially
proposed, called 'Lebendiges Wasser
(Renaturierungs-Initiative)'. The initiative
was started up by the community of
fishermen in order to further strengthen
the provision for residual flows in the law.
The initiative seeks to make amendments
to the Federal Constitution (18 April
1999) by adding a new clause (Art. 76a
Renaturierung von Gewässern -
Renaturalisation of water ways). This has
been supported by various ecological
groups, and in 2011 was passed in an
amended form by parliament (See
Appendix 9.6 )

Increasing appreciation of integrative nature
of the system, moving to an integrated
approach
Added complexity to the legal framework, in
order to try to meet both ecological and
economic demands on water