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topic four SMALL LAKES AND RESERVOIRS IN THE HILLS OF SICILY. MAINTAIN, SAVE AND RECOVER RURAL LANDSCAPE.

author | affiliation Leone, M.1 Scavone, V.2 Brucoli, G.3 1Dipartimento Città e Territorio, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy [email protected] 2Dipartimento Città e Territorio, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy [email protected] 3Dipartimento Città e Territorio, Università degli Studi di Palermo, Italy [email protected]

Abstract

In the transition from nomadic to sedentary, will inevitably and irreversibly alter the people have tried - for their settlements - the environmental balance, the rediscovery of the keywords most plenty of water, and the first cities were landscape value of crops that characterize - founded, in fact, along Tigris and Euphrates today - the sicilian countryside and techniques Rural landscape, Sicily, rivers, extraordinary water resources in a of sustainable conservation of rainwater, it lakes, particular dry climate. seems of great relevance for the study and sustainability, In the most interior of Sicily, which has always protection of soil and for the recovery of the landscape ecology, been characterized by low rainfall, the farmers identity of this territory. biodiversity, - over time - have tried various expedients This abstract introduce to a multidisciplinary water, for the preservation of rain water in order to investigation yet started, which will aim drowght allow its survival and crop. to assess both technical and landscaping The use of new technologies and materials aspects, both economic and agronomic, and has resulted in recently hard impacts for also ecological profiles of this technique to landscape, while construction of small protect the biodiversity in these specialized dams filled with earth, using natural soil fields. The investigation will aim also to give impluviums and the nature of the land, made an historical perspective and an ex-post it possible to irrigate thousands of hectares of evaluation of interventions in order to lead agricultural land otherwise ready for drought. to urban planning, landscape and spatial A “sustainable” technique, which resulted in awareness. A further aim is the design of a the last sixty years, a significant change in the network system which has impacts on the rural landscape of Sicily. quality of rural tourism, which emphasizes, as In a time when the whole country seems to an example, the interaction with the system be threatened - to build indiscriminately of bicycle routes and footpaths, greenways, - by excessive consumption of soil, which that is being developed in Sicily.

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notes 1 | Research proposal and the quality of this produce in terms of in the expression Rural Town Planning” flavour and taste. (Chiodi, 1938), and later used by Toccolini The proposed research project concerns Furthermore, the impact of increasing (1987), is still today the title of one of landscape architecture, hydraulic engineering, desertification should be taken into account the courses in the various Agriculture agricultural, natural and biological sciences, and, for this reason, Italy is a Member of the faculties in Italian universities. Chiodi and it deploys developing multidisciplinary 1997 UN programme, which mandated stated that this antithesis deals with contributions. This research will also include a National Action Plan in addition to the “precision”: town planning, conceived issues relating to the concept of the ‘territory’ implementation of the UN Convention on as a science describing the territory, from the viewpoint of a sustainable use by Climate Change. Indeed, ENEA studies have should deal with the discipline of tourists, and the protection of the landscape identified the Sicilian provinces of Enna, agriculture as an economic activity and and biodiversity. This use by tourists and the Caltanissetta and Catania as areas which as environmental protection. protection of the landscape will take into are susceptible to desertification due to Relationships between agricultural account a desired equilibrium between these their high level of erosion. Various detailed matters, and town and regional two apparent contradictions. studies were also performed in the province planning have certainly improved The idea of developing hillside lakes in Sicily of Agrigento in 2000-2003, particularly throughout these seventy years but originated from the development of new around the town of Licata. the lack of a multidisciplinary dialogue techniques of cultivation on the back of the In light of these considerations, this persists and its effects are evident. The modernising industrialization, which took research group would like to research physical characteristics of one area are place in agriculture after the Second World a number of issues: i) the data required insufficient for determining project War. It aimed at offering farmers enhanced to assess the suitability of locating new choices, in addition to the economic water resources which would facilitate the water resources by means of hill lakes and social trends which must be faced, implementation of experimental projects and with environmentally-friendly constructed together with the environmental obtaining hitherto impossible yields. drainage basins; ii) the potential associated constraints of the same area (Toccolini, The climatic conditions of the region of with protecting habitats surrounding pre- 1987). It is thus necessary to define Sicily, combined with predominantly arid existing lakes, thereby guaranteeing the new paradigms for urban development soils (whose degree of humidity was difficult biodiversity which these water resources where the urban dimension must be to maintain in the dry season) has always would enhance; and iii) the identification surpassed by seeking an equilibrium rendered the cultivation of various plants and promotion of potential links between between human settlements, and the difficult in the spring/summer period. the locations of these drainage basins and forms and forces of nature. This would Moreover, precipitation tails off sharply with the network of pathways (for cyclists, horse- commence with the geography of the arrival of this period. For example, an riders etc), a project which in Sicily is still in areas of study and spaces with which to increase in the cultivation of vines which the planning stages. rebuild relationships which contribute has significantly changed the hilly Sicilian to improving knowledge in this field landscape in recent years, together with 2 | Rural town planning and developing future processes of a considerable increase in land under collective identification. Thus, principles cultivation, has increased the demand for Agricultural, hydraulic engineering and of multi-purpose could be promoted in resources, particularly in extended periods of economics texts of the mid-nineteenth an agricultural landscape, as recently drought. century in Italy, reveal a gloomy picture proposed by the European Union. Recent studies relating to global climate describing a marked economic and change have demonstrated that the need social north-south divide, characterised 3 | Small hillside lakes for irrigation increases exponentially with an by elevated degrees of depopulation throughout recent history increase in temperature and reduced rainfall, in the interior to the detriment of the the result of which is an increase in the rate coastal areas, generally related to the It is from the aforementioned viewpoint of evaporation. In a similar manner, greater broader problem of the south. Whilst that research regarding the effects of variation in rainfall produces a variation in the still topical, this issue presumably applying a particular approach is proposed. rate of evapo-transpiration, which in turn is requires long-term planning which This research has probably contributed to reflected in extended periods of drought. In takes into account the true potential creating the conditions for an economic the absence of the compensating action of of southern Italy, also linking this to its revival in several parts of the interior in Sicily. irrigation, this increase in temperature has agricultural characteristics. At a distance of approximately fifty years a negative impact on agricultural produce The “apparent antithesis which exists from the completion of the first hillside lake

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notes in Sicily, the proposed research will attempt to months and intensity). It was then thought March 1982, is applicable to dams whose sketch an equilibrium by evaluating how the that the technique of hillside lakes would be height exceeds 10 m or whose volume improved irrigation of the land has enabled crucial in maintaining water levels, so much is greater than 100,000 m³. According to cultivation, the differentiation of crops, the so that individual companies could receive these criteria, most authors currently agree raising of livestock, whilst contemporaneously grants for their construction. that we can typically define ’small dams’ as contributing to the protection of a rural The subsequent abandonment of the use those whose height is less than 15 m with landscape and physical culture. of hillside lakes to save water was tied to and a reservoir volume of less than or equal In the remotest parts of the Sicilian interior, the development of other sectors in the to 1,000,000 m³ (L 584 / 94). Data relating which are characterized by low precipitation, economy, but also to the fact that the Italian to such ’small’ dams is, however, lacking, farmers have always attempted to conserve state, initially an agent and backer of this particularly regarding their quantity and water by the simple means of diverting or project, later changed the funding criteria. the institutions with the skills required to saving rainwater. Various scholars have In 1965 its contribution was greatly reduced, manage the dams. The census of hillside argued that private water management only recognizing farms located at the lower lakes (Crivellari, 1984), updated in 1978, consortia already existed starting from the reaches of hillsides, excluding inland areas, identified 8,400 dams (approximately 85% eleventh century (Cisca, 1928) and that the and terminating the practice of encouraging of those were constructed as a result of local authorities permitted them to divert large and expensive public works, drawn incentives from the Ministero Agricoltura waters from rivers for the promotion of out over time with a high environmental e Forest”) with an estimated volume of agriculture and industry. In Sicily, where the impact. What have been the consequences approximately 225 million m³. The number effects of climate change caused by excessive of these policies? Particularly, what were of small reservoirs is continually being deforestation began to be felt, the oldest dam, the results of that policy which introduced updated by the Ministry of Agriculture and constructed in1563 in Contrada Grotticelli by hillside lakes into Sicily, the policy which Forestry, notwithstanding the difficulties the Duchy of Terranova (present-day Gela became widespread throughout the south due to varying definitions, criteria used in in the Province of Caltanissetta) is still to be and which has subsequently led to its determining the limits of reference relating found. However, it was necessary to wait until abandonment? Excluding the effects in to size, and intended use; there currently the early twentieth century for the matter the economic and social spheres, albeit exists no complete register. of water conservation to be subjected to relevant, the significant effects of hillside The possibility of constructing hillside lakes technical expertise and commented upon by lakes on the agricultural landscape will now depends very much on precise and specific John Bellincioni, based on various experiments be discussed. technical aspects, such as the presence performed in America (Fairmount Park). of particular geomorphological features Further improvements in the field of water 4 | Small dams for small attributed to impermeable soils or whether conservation were made after World War II reservoirs for combatting or not the lake can be fed by springs, wells when the development of building techniques drought and/or a catchment area of sufficient water led to a reduction in costs. Indeed, the volume, or a mixture of these systems. The immediate problem to tackle in the new-born Given that the recent decline in precipitation construction of hillside lakes involves the Italian state was that of agriculture, especially in several southern regions has resulted accumulation of rainwater with which to in a region such as Sicily where workers in in a precarious water supply and that this intercept the flow of surface water along the primary sector accounted for 63% of the phenomenon affects not only the regions the length of the catchment area by a workforce. In 1950 the establishment of the traditionally affected by drought but also barrier consisting of a small earth dam. The Fund for the South, which sought to promote regions like Campania, Basilicata, Molise, it edges of the surface of the reservoir are economic development in depressed was observed that such periods of drought protected by trees, thus preventing runoff areas, enabled the construction of schools, in Sicily further worsened long-standing and reducing evapo-transpiration. From a waterworks, sewers, and various public works. problems of the water supply. Thus, we planimetric point of view, the appearance This was performed by means of utilising consider it fundamental in this research of a lake (excluding the side of the dam) its resources with the aim of improving the project to identify possible strategies for generally assumes a homogeneous and quality of life and reducing the phenomenon dealing with this challenge. irregular nature, which can be linked to the of emigration. In this context, policies were The distinction between small and large morphology of the site. introduced with the aim of mitigating the dams is by convention based on the height This method of accumulation could still devastating effects on the economy of the and volume of the dam. The Regulations today comprise an effective means against island both regarding climate and rainfall relating to dams, that is, DPR 1363/59, drought due to: i) the hilly area of Sicily being (the latter regarding a period of one or two updated by the Ministerial Decree of 24 approximately 61.4% (that is, excluding the

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notes coastal plains, Mount Etna, the Nebrodi and risk of the pollution of lakes and ponds. the Canal Xitta just south, the natural bed of Madonie mountains, nearly covering the The country landscape, therefore, forms a the same stream. whole island); and ii),the clayey nature of the fundamental connection between human Torrent Birgi enters the territory of Paceco at soils which obviates the necessity to line the activity and environmental systems, an altitude of 82 meters with the name of bottom of the reservoir, thereby reducing in which the human capacity to bring River Fittosi. Along the followings 7 Km, at costs and minimising environmental impact. influence to the land can be expressed in the 61 m. altitude, remains as administrative Of the probable proven benefits, the practice different ways. However, these ways are boundary between Paceco and Trapani. of constructing hillside lakes has a lowered based on the need to obtain a balance with From the altitude of 74 meters on the sea impact on the environment, unlike with the the environmental conditions in which man level, it is called the river Bordino. In this use of massive, above-ground tanks. These so- lives. It was not by chance that the Cork confluence of three rivers of the same name called large tanks are often made of reinforced Declaration (emanating from the European from all the slopes of the Costiera Siggiare, concrete, which modify the agricultural Union, promulgated during the meeting the river takes name of Birgi, up to its landscape by their marked environmental held in Ireland in 1996 and which introduced mouth. The basin of the stream Verderame and landscape impact, necessitating a water the definition of the countryside) began to occupies the lower part of the surface. The supply from wells or other reliable sources. exploit the potential of rural areas. Prior stream, which in the first part is also known Whilst the practice of constructing hillside to and by means of Leader Projects, this as Torrent Quasarano, was born in the coast, lakes is not strictly sustainable (in that it is not Declaration aimed at protecting the values it has two separate arms that come together easily reversible), it does, however, benefit and production factors which were directly at altitude 59 meters on the sea level. the cultural, economic culture of fauna and or indirectly tied up with the countryside. Receives no tributaries. The system of all flora so as to offset the impact of the lake. The The Declaration’s objective was to promote these streams and torrents consists in flow practice is certainly insignificant compared and revitalize the culture of rural areas, under almost absent during spring and summer to the impact of large dams which may alter severe threat of urban and industrial blight, while during autumn and winter are high the microclimate of the area due to the large and the abandonment of the countryside flows, which often result in damaging surface area involved and substantial disposal and socio-economic degradation. Below floods. of solid material downstream. are various case studies regarding lakes and This happens because rainfalls which are different methods of water conservation, distributed unevenly, the geological nature 5 | Transforming the country using different construction techniques for of the streams, the conformation of the landscape varying purposes and with different effects. beds (or stray or section of water insufficient to fully dispose of). In 1977 the Consortium Whilst it is evident that human intervention 5.1 | Baiata Lake (author Manfredi of Birgi was created, a new public authority has produced and continues to produce Leone) charged to contain the devastating floods changes in the environment and significantly In the Trapani plain land, between the of the rivers Lenzi Baiata, use their water affect ecosystem equilbria, it can be noted small hills called “Timponi”, a large artificial for irrigation in dry periods; the consortium that in addition to a negative impact, human reservoir was created, “Lake Baiata “; the built a dam on the stream Baiata, in the intervention can foster a rebalancing of various small lake is in the municipality of Paceco, east of the town of Paceco , at Via Sapone. natural or semi-natural systems (for example, a seventeenth-century town built on the The center of the artificial lake includes the the policy of reforestation, which, if applied foundation of a slight rise overlooking entire area of the reservoir Contrada Costa appropriately, maintains forest ecological towards the seashore and the system of di Rame, whose margins are the proportion systems at an optimum level). Agriculture in Saline (sea salt plants). considered normal for the lake water level. Italy is an example of a fundamentally human The watersheds of the territory of Paceco are The extension of the reservoir continues, activity, concerning 50% of the 30 million the Lenzi-Baiata, the Birgi and Verderame. as the level of flood detention normal to hectares of land (of the total national territory, Torrent Baiata originates at an altitude via Sapone and Contrada Baronazzo whose 87% is fortunately still farmland, forest of 191 m, in the higher Dattilo. It is long margins are the limits at maximum water and areas of natural beauty). By means of about 23 Km, and for 4 or 5 of its path it level. That dam was completed in the ‘80s, appropriate soil management, human activity is the boundary line between Paceco and but so far, as evidenced by the Italian Register encourages a general ecosystem balance Trapani. It flows into the Mediterranean of Dams, is not eligible for the maximum by direct crop management and a marked Sea, between the pans of Trapani’s families flow and is considered (after thirty years) interdependence of various organizational named Savona and Calcara. The last part of an experimental dam; was credited with a factors relating to agricultural systems with this torrent, about 4 km, is called the Canal maximum volume of 5 million cubic meters the surrounding ecosystem, despite the high Baiata. It follows, after the confluence with against 6,7 that the lake could contain.

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notes The building of the reservoir has changed Scavone) countryside. some ancient tracks; a new eucalyptus forest In the north-west hills of Sicily, within the The drainage basin of the San Bartolomeo grew on the banks of the reservoir, outlined wide boundaries of the town of Monreale, river (approximately 425 km² and ranked as a natural resource in the urban master an age-old farm (identified in the Land 13th in size as regards significant bodies of plan. These areas of special environmental Registry as Figures 142-159) covers a total water) is situated between the provinces of value need to be protected to safeguard the area of 334 hectares, at a height of between Palermo and Trapani. The river springs up integrity of the places and wildlife. In these 200 and 340 meters above sea level. It can around Calatafimi and is known as “fiume areas is prohibited any construction of new be easily reached via the main road leading Freddo”. It flows for 50.26 km and, after buildings and no chang of the existing land to Camporeale (distant about 10 km) or via joining “fiume Caldo”, it flows into the sea use is allowed. the A19 motorway (distant approximately 8 near the beach at Castellammare del Golfo Since the ‘80s the local community start to chilometries). Prior to the implementation on the northern coast of Sicily. Specifically, discuss a possible suburban park surrounding of water projects for irrigation, the farm was the San Bartolomeo river has been defined the lake, for use it as an attractor of a portion almost entirely given over to arable land, in the Sicilian Water Conservation Plan of the province of Trapani, which has a very pasture, with a very small area (26 hectares) (Piano di Tutale delle Acque) as one of beautiful scenic resources (the tower on the used as vineyards; the latter was to the the few rivers, in Trapani, with significant coast of Nubia, the salt ), but that does not detriment of agricultural production. discharge. The entire basin covers an area stand up to the present confrontation with The construction of the reservoirs occurred in of 42,501 hectares, of which 36,951 are for competitors highly rated as the same saline two phases: in 1974, a small experimental lake agricultural use (the so-called Superficie plants, Mothia Island and the Lagoon, the of 20,000 cubic meters was built, at a height Agraria Utilizzata or SAU). However, of medieval town of Erice and the Egadi. of 7 meters with a small barrier. Thereafter, this latter statistic, only 7,600 hectares are Among many difficulties and rebounds in between 1977 and 1978, the principal irrigated by major water resources, the government, in anticipation of the passage reservoir of 500,000 m² plus irrigation remaining land receiving water from private of the tormented land ownership by the system were finalised. A small tributary of sources. national land policy, in 2005 the City of the St Bartholomeo river flowed into the 17 Paceco, based on the new Master Plan m-high dam. After the construction of the 5.3 | A lake intervention “ante litteram” design and ideas, has launched a design reservoir on the Marchesa farm, vineyards Maredolce (author Gaetano Brucoli) competition to develop the Suburban were planted over an area of approximately A pioneering example regarding hilly lakes, Park. The competition, regularly hesitated, 200 hectares, which have proved over like they are now designed and particularly should have formed a preliminary project for the years to be particularly productive. suited to its characteristics previously financial support UE and regional resources Following this positive effect on the crops in mentioned, is given from the so-called called POR 2007-2013, but now everything this area, neighbouring downstream farms Maredolce Lake, formerly located in the has stopped. The scarcity of affirmative action subsequently constructed a further 2 hillside south-east countryside of the Palermo’s has instead left the field to negative actions, lakes, making a total of about 160,000 m³. plain and that is now largely dried up and not even five years ago have been identified The countryside in this part of Sicily is buried. and seized the edge of the lake four abusive also characterized by very intense rainfall The most interesting aspect of this artifact animal shelters with approximately 1,500 and often affected by storms which are is that it was built during the Norman rule sheeps, whereas between the eucalyptus extremely damaging to crops, even if the of Sicily and, in particular, by the initiative trees on the banks, gathered illegal landfills of rainfall is limited to two months of the of Roger II between 1130 and 1154, as was municipal solid waste. From the perspective year, alternating with prolonged periods reported by Bishop Romuald, the Salernian. of the urban landscape the lake Baiata would of drought. This situation, coupled with Benjamin of Tuleda who described it in be a great opportunity for the city of Paceco, the typical Mediterranean climate of very 1172, named it as Albehira (from Buhayra), both as a green urban equipment and as a high summer temperatures, has led to whose literal meaning is “little sea” and with place to propose new services to tourism there being insufficient water for irrigation, whom they were given the broad river used such as fishing or sailing. It is hoped that the occasionally to the point where planting for irrigation. municipality will be able to find resources to was not possible. The main achievement of The lake was built at a site that, as a result of acquire and manage these assets, and with the Marchesa lake, nestling in the gently- the intrinsic geological condition, already the shaft downstream river could be a great sloping, surrounding hills, has been - before human intervention, must have linear park land from the hills to the sea. instead - the planting of large quantities of been demarcated for a natural form of vineyards, optimising the farm’s production water collection, probably a small marshy 5.2 Marchesa lake (author Valeria level and characterizing the surrounding depression. The ground on which fell was

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notes in fact composed of a layer of clay (Numidian of fish), but beside them it maintained an enhance environmental features (and this Flysch) outcrops on which flowed and was high importance for the irrigation, as was should be demonstrated by research). An deposited the abundant flow of water arising evidenced by the nine canalizzations that example of these features is the diffusion from the limestone near the calcareous irrigated the surrounding agricultural land. of specific plant and wildlife habitats, bedrock of Mount Grifone. which require conditions of elevated The principal Human interventions had 6 | Effects on the environment, humidity provided by bodies of water (for concerned in a deepening of the bottom soil and the economy amphibians, especially migratory birds, and in the building of a dam with a thick etc.). This intervention can have extremely approximately of fifteen meters on the With suitable planning (particularly important ecological consequences, again downstream; the dam consists of land to regarding the hydrology), the creation as demonstrated by research, even bearing carry from the excavation depth, lined on the of a hillside lake can confer considerable in mind a possible decrease in water flow upstream side by a wall built in large blocks benefits to a particular catchment area and related challenges. of limestone and was plastered by a layer of and its surroundings, starting with the As previously mentioned and from an hydraulic plaster (earthenware), as well as the productive capacity of the surrounding economic point of view, the presence lake bottom, in order to improve its ability to land. Excluding the evident benefits to of a hillside lake will have an immediate sealing. crops, a hillside reservoir implies numerous effect on agricultural productivity. Various The lake was devoid of its own catchment positive factors. The function of a fire-break databases have clearly demonstrated area, which shall fill and its water supply was is one of the most important (as testified increases in productivity as a function of largely provided by onlyone Spring (Fawara in the current literature) but, in terms of greater agricultural capacity, and increases in Arabic) of Maredolce that had an historical hydrology and land use, the retention of in company turnover as more valuable water flux around 68.24 l/sec. (8 picks) in surface water and run-off control should not crops can be planted. Increased agricultural 1419 (Bresc), and 69 l/sec. in 1930 (Ministero be neglected, the absence of which may, in productivity could also lead to an increased Lavori Pubblici); it flows from the bedrock conjunction with significant precipitation, investment in the revitalization of country of Mount Grifone at a height of 35 meters cause considerable damage to people and/ towns and villages. above sea level, in correspondence with Pizzo or property. A further spin-off of constructing hillside Sferrovecchio and near both the eighteenth- From a landscape point of view, the lakes is the potential for eco-tourism. The century church of St. Cyrus and the point inclusion of a lake can have a minimum most pressing challenge for many years in where is today’s beginning of the Palermo- impact, particularly when built deploying most Mediterranean countries has been the Messina highway. low-impact construction techniques, paying necessity of initiating innovative activities The lake had an approximate total area attention to the location of the basin and with suitable levels of productivity, especially estimated at around 110,000 sq.m., but part surrounding natural forms. As regards the in inland, hilly and mountainous regions. of the basin was occupied by an island of just biotic system, the presence of a reservoir Tourism is one possible way by which to over 20,000 square meters, so its reale liquid certainly protects biodiversity, as such a resolve this challenge, albeit not without surface should be slightly above the 85,000 vibrant ecosystem hosts various species risk: the first and most preponderant is that square meters, equivalent to a volume of of animal and plants whilst not totally the development of tourism could damage water that was developed for about 215,750 excluding recreational and tourist uses. the natural environment and landscape. cubic meters, referring to a hypothetical Moreover, the guarantee of an increased For example, in Tuscany, a model region of depth of about 2.5 meters. water supply facilitates the planting of the land-countryside balance for centuries, Located at an altitude above sea level vegetables and orchards on arid and less farmers’ associations have been established relatively low (between 26 and 30 meters), than hospitable soils. and Tuscany now welcomes many tourists Lake Maredolce was pratiucally a plain lake Regarding conflicts of interests, which can whose visits do little or no damage to the like other lakes, situated below 100 meters make the use of this type of multi-functional environment. Returning to Sicily, paths or asl, and made between the 50s and 60s of the lake very difficult, we can recall, for example, horse trails along the banks of lakes could XX century in the provinces of Agrigento and the case of reservoirs whose main purpose is be provided as well as fishing facilities and Trapani. to supply drinking water: they require such the purchase of local products. Such a policy How even tell the historical sources, the a level of protection from pollution that has long been adopted in France, providing, principal purpose of the lake was related to any tourist-related use may be impossible. for example, tourist products such as wine the leisure activities of the Norman kings (it The creation of small lakes within a region and milk routes. This is in addition to other was possible to cross by little boat and there characterized by marked variations in similar initiatives undertaken in maintaining were also been introduced varied species weather from the dry to rainy season can rural areas in the Mediterranean, which are

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notes currently experiencing great economic and and their conservation must be compatible the survival and promotion of hillside lakes, social challenges. with soil conservation environmental thus contributing to the development of protection. the land, given that farming areas are the 7 | The planning of water In this regard, the recent Piano di Sviluppo bearers of historical value and cultural resources Rurale Sicilia of 2007-2013, nn.214 and 216, identity (Magnaghi, 1998). makes explicit reference to the fact that we There currently exists in Sicily the Water must combat in every way possible and 8 | Conclusion Protection Plan (Piano di Tutela delle Acque) limit the processes of desertification, and of December 2007 which deals with the an important role must be assigned to the The areas in Italy considered at risk of analysis of the quality of various important management of “integrated and sustainable desertification are located in the southern water sources: surface water, groundwater water resources”. The following require part of the peninsula and islands. This and coastal marine waters. The Water particular attention: the screening and phenomenon certainly constitutes an Protection Plan specifies the measures to be quantitative and qualitative conservation of environmental emergency, so much so as taken in protecting and improving the quality water resources, the containment of waste, to affect the socio-economic development standards of these waters the effective maintenance and regulation of these regions. As a part of this process, The General Regulatory Plan for Supplying of water plants, appropriate and efficient the deterioration of water resources is an Water (Piano Regolatore Generale degli technical and administrative management, indicator of the phenomenon, interpreted Acquedotti), updated in 2006, deals with the implementation of a plan for distributing as the degradation of the landscape specifying which water resources can be water resources to the various consumers, and the productive system of the area. used for domestic purposes and identifying also avoiding conflicts of interest. The basic The management of water resources, further sources. The Plan also specifies the premise of this document, shared by its in environments periodically subject resource/requirement ratio. The activities authors, is that development – intended as to drought – such as those in Sicily - of the Integrated Water Services (SII) are progress – plays a fundamental role with requires a multidisciplinary and integrated assigned to nine Authorities (Autorità water. approach. The productive activities of man d’Ambito Ottimale or ATO), whose sphere This apparent increasing interest in in the countryside must converge with covers that of the Province, and it provides integrated management and sustainable environmental, social, economic town water for domestic use. The Regional Waste water resources and preventative actions, planning, architectural, historical and and Water Agency (Agenzia Regionale dei which constitute a policy of protection, cultural values. Rifiuti e delle Acque or ARRA), established highlight the relevance of the proposed Within the perspective of an environmental by LR no.19 of 22/12/05, has amongst other research, as outlined in this paper. It will, policy of preserving, protecting and responsibilities, the management of major thus, be useful to assess whether, rather improving the quality and sustainable infrastructure for irrigation (ie, dams and major than constructing large bodies of water, use of water resources, the aims of the pipe irrigation complexes), while the eleven would it be more appropriate to build research, proposed in these pages, are Bonifica consortia (9 provinces, excluding hillside lakes. Doing so would confer the to study the possible promotion of a Gela and Calatagirone) only deal with smaller benefits of an enhanced water supply, in particular accumulative practice at the irrigation networks, thus favouring the private addition to fulfilling a fire-break function by expense of others, which are deemed to be companies of the consortia. using rainwater at source without exploiting less environmentally sustainable and with From this complex regulatory and institutional valuable resources, such as drinking water greater impact in terms of the landscape. framework we can deduce, firstly, a divide (sometimes used for filling vasconi (large Environmental, territorial and landscape between water for domestic and irrigation water containers). Other benefits of hillside policies, integrated with those economic uses and, secondly, the fact that small private lakes would be the irrigation of specialised and industrial could encourage Sicily to reservoirs(the topic of this paper) are currently crops, sustainable tourism and fish farming. be competitive. Such a result would be not taken into consideration at all, and this If these were encouraged in urban-forested brought about by combining the protection has not insignificant effects on improving areas, the lakes would play a defensive role and enhancement of natural resources, irrigated land. The awareness that water as regards urban centres by functioning the preservation of the landscape and resources must be managed for multiple uses as fire-breaks; if they were planned rural development, thereby limiting the in an integrated way exists in all advanced sympathetically, they could be constructed inappropriate use of lands which would countries, whether they comprise surface in harmony with the landscape, integrating lead to an irreversible alienation from the water, groundwater and waste-water; each into the landscape over time. The research land. should not be considered as a separate entity outlined in this Paper will aim at assessing

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notes Figure 1. Regional map where can you find the two hills lakes, Marchese countryside.

Figure 2. Altitudes in the South of Italy, from: ISTAT (2009)

8 topic four Leone, Scavone, Brucoli

notes References

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Documents

Piano di Tutela delle Acque in Sicilia, http://www.regione.sicilia.it/arra/piano_acque/piano08_index.htm Programma di Sviluppo Rurale Sicilia 2007/2013, in: http://www.psrsicilia.it ISTAT, Atlante di geografia statistica e amministrativa - Edizione 2009 Piano Regolatore Generale Acquedotti, http://gurs.pa.cnr.it/gurs/Gazzette/g06-32o1/g06-32o1-a.pdf

9 topic four Leone, Scavone, Brucoli

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