National Integrated Water Resources Management Policy (Including Climate Change) for Belize.

This Policy is the latest attempt to finalize a national water resources management policy using an integrated approach. The policies spelt out cover more than just freshwater and its previous attempts did not give major consideration to the impact of Global Climate Change on the water resources of Belize. This revision of the policy proposals gives major consideration to the impact of climate changes. The Caribbean Community Climate Change Centre has issued a contract for a consultancy for “Finalization of a National Integrated Water Resources Management Policy (Including Climate Change). The methodology employed identifying guidelines for good water resources management and these were first drawn up. These guidelines were used as reference in the preparation of the first cut of an over-arching core policy statement. This compact policy statement represents the essential socio/political mission and vision statement of water resources management.
The overarching water policy is meant to be combined mission and vision statements or guide for the management of Belize’s water resources. It has as its basis the IWRM promotions, the human rights approach identified under the Millennium Goals and incorporates a greater emphasis on management and control as well as encompasses the principles of sustainable development. The overarching policy for the integrated management of national water resources is that: “Belizeans have a fundamental right to water and it is hereby declared that the policy of the Government is to bring about the planned development, coordinated management, sustainable use and protection of Belize’s water resources consistent with the social, economic and environmental needs of present and future generations, and to ensure that all Belizeans have access to affordable, safe, adequate and reliable water.”
The fundamental principles upon which this water policy is designed include the following: 1. Water is a finite and vulnerable natural resource, essential to sustain life, the environment, the economy and national development. 2. Water, as a national resource, belongs to the people of Belize, now and forever. 3. Water is vested in the state that is the guardian and guarantor of water rights. 4. The state governs, manages and promotes rational use of the water resources for the benefit of the Belizean people at all times. 5. Access to safe and affordable water is a fundamental right of all Belizeans and water availability is directly correlated to levels of health and poverty. 6. Watersheds and their surface and subterranean linkages to the marine environment are the basic functional units for achieving Integrated Water Resources Management. 7. Water has an economic value and the “user pays” principle is integral in ensuring the sustainability of the resource. 8. Water has equity value and water rights are allocated by the state and are tradable. 9. Global climate change, climate variability and land use will have impacts on the availability and use of water resources. The Government of Belize declares that: All water resources are vested in the state on behalf of the people and that it shall grant the rights of use and enjoyment subject to constraints as may be defined in law based on an equitable regulatory system that is conducive to national sustainable economic, social and environmental development.