Executive Summary of Strategic River Basin Plan for Awash Basin June , 2017 Awash Basin Authority TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................. 1 2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN .................................................. 1 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIN AND PLANNING AREAS .................. 4 4. THE THEMATIC ISSUE OF BASIN PLAN ................................................. 7 4.1. Water Allocation ........................................................................................... 7 4.2 Water Quality ...........................................................................................15 4.3 Watershed Management ...........................................................................23 4.4 Flood and Drought Management .............................................................29 4.5 Basin Information Management and Communication ..........................39 4.6 Stakeholder engagement ...........................................................................45 5. REPORTING, EVALUATION AND MONITORING OF THE PLAN ...52 ii 1. INTRODUCTION Growing competition and stress on water resources in the Awash Basin has led Awash Basin river basin organization ( BHC and AWBA) to develop a strategic river basin plan addressing the emerging challenges and maintain sustainable development. In the coming years, River basin planning is an ongoing activity for Awash River Basin Organization to effectively implement integrated water resource management strategies in the basin. Corresponding to its mandate defined in the proclamation and discussion with stakeholders, the RBO with its stakeholder has identified major challenging issues. Accordingly, water allocation, water quality and watershed management, Flooding and Drought werecame out as main strategic issues. This document is, therefore,a strategic river basin plan intended to promote and frame Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)in Awash Basin to achieve sustainable development in the basin. 1.1. Scope of this Plan To implement the principle of an integrated water resources management, River Basin High Council and Authorities were established under proclamation No. 534/2007. Awash Basin thus was instituted in accordance with Awash Basin High Council and Authorities establishment Council of Ministers Regulation No. 156/2008. Based on these proclamation and regulation, this plan presents the direction and implementation framework to achieve the goals for sustainable development of the basin. The scope of this plan covers the entire Awash River Basin with a time horizon of eight years commencing from 2010 to 2017 years. 2. OBJECTIVE AND SCOPE OF THE PLAN 2.1. Objectives of the plan The overall objective of Strategic River Basin planis to promote and monitor the Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) process in the Awash River Basinwith a view of using the basins‟ water resources for the socio economic welfare of the people in an equitable and particpatory manner, and without compormising the sustainability of the ecosystem. 1 Specific Objectives: 1. To reconcile different uses of water resources within a river basin to achieve a balance and sustianalbe development of water resources as econimic as well as enviromental resources. 2. To improve participation of the relevant stakeholders of a river basin+in a coordinated manner inspite of thier difference of approaches, interests and perceptions of the effects of thier decisions, plans and activities on the hydrological cycle and on other users. 3. Develop a plan for effecinet and stable mechanisims for the external promotion of equitable, rational and sustainable water use by joint management of all stakeholders. 2.2. Methodology and Process of the Basin plan Preparation Integrated water resource management is a challenge to conventional practice, attitudes and professionals certainties. Instead it requires the attitudes that the water resource is managed holistically for the benefit of all, moving from a centralized and controlled decision making towards sharing results and opportunities, transparent negotiation, cooperation and concerted action and moving from sectoral planning towards coordinated or fully integrated planning for water resources. Due to the complexity, variability, limited understanding and non-uniformity in management options that are typical to most basins, Awashbasin planning approach is an inherently iterative and adaptive. Which means this plan is always dynamic and improved on agreed time scale. Since the entire process in Awash Basin cannot be mapped out in the beginning, a coherent procedure and method for iteratively screening information and focused planning was required to guide the basin plan preparation process. This Basin planning methodology was geared by iterative River Basin planning approach where experiences of the Dutch Water Authorities were thoroughly investigated. Hence, initial basin plan document on headlines was drafted founded on the existing knowledge, experiences and technical expertise of AwBA. In due process, the review of national development policy, strategy, programs, sector proclamation and regulation of federal and regional governments in a relation toward developing and managing water resources,effort made in the accomplishment of GTP I and GTP II plan at both national and regional level,Awash basin surface water development master plan, Awash basin Integrated land use plan, Awash basin water audit document, water allocation model document, water quality model document, sediment load estimation model document, sectorial and detail design for Tendaho, Kesem, Middle Awash and Logia dams, literatures on Awash river basin in relation to the strategic issues, collection of relevant information, reconnaissance survey and visits to various stakeholders 2 were carried out and analyses on strategic issues were made using findings of the studiesas well as consultation with stakeholders. In the planning process experts from different federal and Regional institution, universities and research centers were involved and their progress report were presented for stakeholders at all level including the natural resource management and environmental protection standing committee members from the house of people representatives at federal level and for regional/city council standing committee members in the basin. Although a detailed study is required for sound basin plan preparation and still open for further improvements, comments and suggestions captured from stakeholders consultation workshops are incorporated. 3 3. DESCRIPTION OF THE BASIN AND PLANNING AREAS Strategic geographic location made Awash Basin to be a center for urbanization and its suitability enable it to become focus for agricultural and industrial development. In this section physical, socio economic, agricultural and water resources settings are described. The Awash River Basin is the fourth largest catchment in Ethiopia in terms of area, following Wabi- Shebele, Abbay and Genale-Dawa River Basins. Awash Basin is located between 7053‟42‟‟ to 12007‟20‟‟ North and 37056‟56‟‟ to 43017‟04‟‟ East. The basin is bordered by Danakil, Abbay, Omo- Gibe, Rift-Valley lakes and Wabi-Shebele basins and Republic of Djibouti. The river originates near Ginchi in the central highlands of Ethiopia, and flows north east through the northern section of the Rift Valley to eventually discharging into Lake Abbe near Djibouti boarder, traveling a distance of about 1200km. The total catchment area of the basin is about 116,000 square kilometers. Figure 1: Location Map of Awash Basin To facilitate water resources planning, allocation and monitoring, the Awash Basin is sub divided into six planning areas, namely, Awash Upstream Koka, Awash Awash, Awash Halidebi, Awash Adaitu, Awash Terminal and Eastern sub basin. Awash US Koka sub basin comprises Awash Kuntre River, Mojo River and Akaki River. Awash at Awash sub basin includes Keleta-Werenso Rivers and Awash Arba 1 and 2 Rivers. Awash Halidebi sub basin contains Kesem-Kebena Rivers, AnkoberRiver, 4 Negeso-Gera River, Awadi River and Gedebasa Swamp. Awash Adaitu sub-basin includes Ataye River, Borkena River, Cheleleka River and Adaitu River. Awash Terminal sub-basin includes Mile River and Logia River. Figure 2: Awash River Basin Sub Catchments Awash Baisn is the main population centers of the country in which Addis Ababa, Dire Dawa, Adama,Bishoftu, Dessie and Kombolacha lies in the Basin. The population of the Basin is currently estimated to be 18.3million. This population is triggering pressure on the natural resources resulting in its degradation and pollution. Majority of this population is engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. The number of industrial firms in Ethiopia has tripled in the past four decades. More than sixty five percent of these industrial firms are located in the Awash Basin mainly along the Addis Ababa - Adama, Addis Ababa - Holeta and Adiss Ababa- Sebata industrial development corridor (Tecsult and PPESA, 2010). In addition, Dire Dawa and Kombolcha are among the main industrial zones of the country which are also found in the basin. Awash River basin ranks seventh from the twelve river basin of the country in terms of surface water resources. It is reported that the basin generates 4.65 BCM of annual runoff. Although the relative surface water resource is lesser than most of the basins in Ethiopia, Awash River basin is the most 5 developed and utilized basin.