Coordinating Efforts for the Integration and Development in the Arenal Tempisque Watershed and Reservoir. The work of Cidecat

Abstract

In this paper we briefly describe the goals and achievements of the Committee on Development and Implementation in the Great Arenal Tempisque Basin (Cidecat), an assemblage representing public institutions and NGOs that influences the usage and sustainable management of water resources in the Great Arenal-Tempisque Basin. Since its creation, Cidecat has coordinated the efforts for proper natural resources management in the region and currently it promotes environmental projects in collaboration with local actors. Among its most important achievements in recent years are: coordination of the campaign to determine geological vulnerability of aquifers in the area, monitoring water quality along the upper and mid sections of the Tempisque river basin, and the rescue of the quebrada La Cabra, in addition to the permanent inter-agency integration in the region.