Case Study 1: Matarraña River Basin - Euwareness

Partly because of the inefficient outcome of these infrastructure projects, and partly
because of the new values on conservation hold by actors in the high river basin area,
the projects proposed by the CHE in the nineties have found firm opposition. While the
pumping project was finally installed —the CHE asked for the presence of the Guardia
Civil in order to secure the works—, the project of installing wells at the head of the
river basin to take water out of the aquifers (2000) found firm opposition by actors
defending the conservation of the river (Pladema, city councils, experts) and was finally
removed. This marks a turning point in the process, as the “conservation coalition” is
for the first time able of undermining the traditional dominance of the CHE in the policy
/ regulation processes. To this respect, the Central Union lack of support to the CHE
proposal is central to understand this move.
Apart from the traditional dominant role regarding the design of the regulative system,
the CHE hardly takes part in the practical day-to-day administration of use rights in
practice in the Matarraña river basin, being the Central Union the most influential actor.
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