32
K. Kubiak-Wójcicka
were scattered management at central and regional levels and lack of strict definition of competences, rules and cooperation forms between state and municipal
authorities that were engaged in water management. Based on document analysis
and authors own observations, endogenous, and exogenous factors of integrated
water management following the idea of the Framework Water Management have
been identified. Strong and weak sides as well as opportunities and threats to decentralised water management in Poland have been analysed. The main administrators
of waters in Poland were: Voivodeship Marshalls, which did their duties through the
regional drainage managements (16 voivodeships) and Country Water Management
Authority, which did its duties though 7 Regional Water Management Authorities.
In light of the above mentioned division of water management, SWOT analysis
of the scheme of water management in Poland has been conducted (Table 3.2).
Both endogenous and exogenous factors listed in the SWOT analysis are mutually
correlated. For example, lack of mutual information exchange between the institutions responsible for water management and condition of geographic environment
influence overall knowledge about conditions and users in a whole basin. On the other
hand, the participation of all stakeholders in the decision making process related to
water management in a region may lead to a slowdown of projects implementation
due to a long decision making and agreement procedures. The consequences may be
incomplete exploitation of the EU-provided funding.
In order to verify endogenous and exogenous factors of integrated water management in Poland, there have been 10 interviews conducted with persons employed by
the institutions responsible for water management in Poland. Those were: Regional
Water Management Authorities, Provincial Drainage, and Water Facilities Authorities and civilian officers responsible for issuing water law consents in district offices.
During the interviews, attention was paid at practical functioning of the organizational scheme of water management in Poland and to pointing out the strengths and
weaknesses of the water management system in Poland. The results were grouped
into a few topics. Five issues, which were important from the point of view of state
and municipal administrations and may comprise a source of conflict have been
noted.
• Lack of Information Flow Between Local and National Government Units
The division of competence at government level between different ministries, as well
as vertically in different areas of activity (basin, region, country) mean that the proper
implementation of some tasks in water management becomes almost impossible.
The main source of conflict, therefore, is the lack of information flow (bad system
of communication and coordination between various levels of administration).
• Lack of Cooperation on Planning River Basin Management
The implementation of the Water Framework Directive into national law meant that
public participation in water management finally became possible. During the determination of drainage basin management plans, public consultations are organised
with the invited local government institutions responsible for water management in
the area and environmental groups. Residents of the region (local community) can
K. Kubiak-Wójcicka
were scattered management at central and regional levels and lack of strict definition of competences, rules and cooperation forms between state and municipal
authorities that were engaged in water management. Based on document analysis
and authors own observations, endogenous, and exogenous factors of integrated
water management following the idea of the Framework Water Management have
been identified. Strong and weak sides as well as opportunities and threats to decentralised water management in Poland have been analysed. The main administrators
of waters in Poland were: Voivodeship Marshalls, which did their duties through the
regional drainage managements (16 voivodeships) and Country Water Management
Authority, which did its duties though 7 Regional Water Management Authorities.
In light of the above mentioned division of water management, SWOT analysis
of the scheme of water management in Poland has been conducted (Table 3.2).
Both endogenous and exogenous factors listed in the SWOT analysis are mutually
correlated. For example, lack of mutual information exchange between the institutions responsible for water management and condition of geographic environment
influence overall knowledge about conditions and users in a whole basin. On the other
hand, the participation of all stakeholders in the decision making process related to
water management in a region may lead to a slowdown of projects implementation
due to a long decision making and agreement procedures. The consequences may be
incomplete exploitation of the EU-provided funding.
In order to verify endogenous and exogenous factors of integrated water management in Poland, there have been 10 interviews conducted with persons employed by
the institutions responsible for water management in Poland. Those were: Regional
Water Management Authorities, Provincial Drainage, and Water Facilities Authorities and civilian officers responsible for issuing water law consents in district offices.
During the interviews, attention was paid at practical functioning of the organizational scheme of water management in Poland and to pointing out the strengths and
weaknesses of the water management system in Poland. The results were grouped
into a few topics. Five issues, which were important from the point of view of state
and municipal administrations and may comprise a source of conflict have been
noted.
• Lack of Information Flow Between Local and National Government Units
The division of competence at government level between different ministries, as well
as vertically in different areas of activity (basin, region, country) mean that the proper
implementation of some tasks in water management becomes almost impossible.
The main source of conflict, therefore, is the lack of information flow (bad system
of communication and coordination between various levels of administration).
• Lack of Cooperation on Planning River Basin Management
The implementation of the Water Framework Directive into national law meant that
public participation in water management finally became possible. During the determination of drainage basin management plans, public consultations are organised
with the invited local government institutions responsible for water management in
the area and environmental groups. Residents of the region (local community) can