ISSN 0912-7402

No.45 March 2004

NEWSLETTER
International Lake Environment Committee=Promoting Sustainable Lake Management=This Newsletter is also available in Japanese.

P

Professor Jørgensen wins the 1st Prigogine Prizer o f e s s o r S v e n E r i k J ø rg e n s e n ,been awarded to Professor JørgensenProfessor Jørgensen will be awarded

Chairman of the ILEC Scientifi c

for his contribution to evolutionary

Committee and Professor of Environmental

thermodynamics by application of

the prize at a special ceremony at

Chemistry at the Danish University ofthermodynamics on ecosystems. It is his

he will give the inaugural 'Prigogine

Pharmaceutical Sciences in Copenhagen,use of the thermodynamic concept ofLecture'. The event will be organized byhas been awarded the 1st Prigogine Prize.

exergy to give a deeper understanding

the University of Siena and the WIT-Press

This new prize has been jointly establishedof ecosystem reactions and evolution

Southampton and sponsored by the Bancaby Siena University in Italy and thethat has gained Professor Jørgensen

Monte dei Paschi di Siena.

Wessex Institute of Technology (WIT) in

particular recognition. He has, through theSouthampton, England, in honour of theintroduction of exergy as a goal functionlate Professor Ilya Prigogine, the Nobelin ecological models, developed a newPrize winner for chemistry in 1977.

generation of ecological and environmental

University of Siena on 16 June, whenA

Junior Prigogine Prize, carrying
a cash sum of 5,000 Euros(approximately US$6,000), will bemodels, otherwise known as 'structurally

awarded to a young, promising researcher

he prize, consisting of a gold

dynamic models', that are able toin evolutionary thermodynamics. The

medal and a cash sum of 10,000

consider adaptation and shifts in species

winner of this Junior prize was not decided

composition.

at the time this newsletter went to press.

T

Euros (approximately US$12,000), has

In
This
Issue

• Nairobi Workshop• Board of Directors and Council meets• Initiative Project enters final phase• New Face at ILEC

• JICA Trainee talks about her course• Lakes of the World: Lake Champlain• First Philippine Congress on Lakes• 14th ILEC/JICA Training Course• Spaceship Earth• Forthcoming Meetings1

Lake Basin Management Initiative Project - Nairobi WorkshopT

he 3rd and final Regional Experienceamong professionals and stakeholders

Kenya, UNEP and the World Bank. Caseand Lessons Learned Workshop forworking on lake basin management issues

studies of project lakes were presented andthe ILEC-executed, Global Environment

at these lakes. More than 100 professionals

discussed on the fi rst, second and third

Facility (GEF) funded Lake Basinand stakeholders from over 20 countries

days. The fourth and final day concentrated

Management Initiative was held in Nairobi,

actively engaged in lake basin management

on discussions on thematic issues that

Kenya from 3-6 November 2003. The

projects.

were identifi ed as key for lake basin

Lake Basin Management Initiative is
co-financed by USAID, the World Bank
Netherlands Water Partnership Program(BNWPP), Shiga Prefectural Government

management in Africa, namely, institutions,T

he emphasis of the workshop was

sustainability, participation, funding by

on the need for the conservation

development agencies, science and politics.

and management of lakes andreservoirs to enter the mainstream ofof the Lake Basin Management Initiative

the economic development process

is to strengthen capacity for improved

through comprehensive water resourceslake and reservoir basin management

management. Actions to improveavailable online at the project website at:

at local, provincial, national and global

management of lake basin resources onwww.worldlakes.org/programs.asp?progr

levels. To achieve this, the project isa sustainable basis are necessary due

amid=2. An electronic forum has been set

designed to assess and draw lessons fromto the high levels of direct and indirect

up at www.worldlakes.org/programs.asp?pthe achievements and implementation ofpressure on lakes and reservoirs from large

several GEF (14) and non-GEF (14) lake

populations inhabiting lake watersheds.

rogramid=5 and everyone is encouraged toprojects.

Other pressures include rapid population
growth, urbanization, industrialization,

he case studies presented at theworkshop and more information aboutthe Lake Basin Management Initiative isparticipate. ILEC would be most gratefulto anyone who could take time to read andcomment on any of the project documents

The Nairobi Workshop was hosted by themining development, growth of irrigated

Pan African START Secretariat (PASS) –agriculture and impacts of climate change.

a regional scientific and capacity building

The conservation and management of

network formed under the auspices of thelakes and reservoirs and their basins need,International Council for Sciences (ICSU).

therefore, to be strengthened and assisted

The workshop brought representatives fromby sharing and exchanging knowledge,

8 African lakes included in the project,experience, technologies and dissemination

namely, Baringo, Chad, Malawi/Nyasa,of lessons learned and best practices

T

Tanganyika, Victoria (GEF funded); andwhich would be refl ected in policy andNaivasha, Nakuru, Kariba (non-GEF

institutional reforms, and individual andthe ones from the 1st Workshop held in June

funded). Lake George was also represented

programmatic lending operations supported

at the workshop. The purpose of theby the various funding agencies.

workshop was to facilitate the exchange oflessons learned and sharing of experiences

Keynote speeches were given by

as well as to solicit supporting information

representatives from the Government ofField Trip to Lake Nakuru
2

Tof Japan and ILEC. The overall objective

posted at the above websites. Messages
may also be sent to gefmsp@ilec.or.jp forcomments/questions regarding the lakecase studies or the project as a whole.
he final report for the project is now
being prepared based on the casestudies for the African lakes together with
2003 (Americas, Europe and Central Asia)and the 2nd Workshop held in September
2003 (Asia). The draft final report will be
posted on the project website for publiccomment. The final report is scheduled tobe ready by mid-2004.

Lake Basin Management Initiative Enters Last Phase:

S

Working Group Meetings in Progressince the offi cial inauguration of the

10-15 December 2003 and 12-17 January

Project Manager, Dr. Masahisa Nakamura,

Lake Basin Management Initiative

2004, respectively. The second working

noted that while there was still muchin March 2003, ILEC and its partnergroup meeting was held in Washington

work to be done, the basic ingredients oforganization LakeNet have been focused on

DC between 16-19 February 2004. Threeeach chapter have become clearer and theactivities planned for the first phase of thefurther meetings are planned, one each fordifferent views expressed on them have

Project leading up to the end of December

March, April and May 2004.

been quite constructive for each of the2003. Several interim outputs have been
produced and posted on the project website(www.worldlakes.org/programs.asp?progr
amid=2). These outputs include: individual

chapter authors to make further revisions,T

he WGMs have provided an excellent

modifi cations and improvements. Dr.

opportunity for integration of key

Nakamura further observed that crosslake and basin management issues throughchapter fl ow and linkages seem to havelake case studies, thematic papers ofextensive and intensive elucidation throughemerged adequately, though more could

importance in relation to individual lakeface-to-face interactions among key invited

be brought out before the third meeting

briefs, comments and discussion memos

resource persons with a wide variety ofthrough continued interaction.

prepared at three regional workshops,

backgrounds. The meetings have focusedand comments received from the ongoingon drawing lessons from the 28 project lakee-forum dialogues on lake briefs andcase studies as well as the commissioned

other project documents. The project, now

thematic papers and on converting thoseentering the second and last phase, haslessons into a coherent narrative that will

papers is underway. Draft copies of these

directed its effort toward integration of

become the project’s main report. Among

documents have been posted on thethe interim outputs into a Comprehensive

the key themes that have been identified

project website (address above) to solicit

Experience and Lessons Learned Reportfor the main report include: effective

comments from the public. The finalized(here after referred to as the Main Report).

institutions for responding to change,case studies and thematic papers will beApart from preparation of the fi nal
report, revision and finalization of the

28 project lake case studies and thematic

policy tools for identifying the appropriatecompiled in form of CD and distributed

For this purpose, a series of meetings

response, management interventions for

together with the fi nal report that will

(Working Group Meetings, WGMs)

putting plans into action, involving people

be available in hard copy. We invite allwere recently organized and future

through education and participation,

our readers to participate in the process

meetings are planned. The zero-th andfi nancing mechanisms for mobilizingof finalizing the project outputs throughfi rst working group meetings were held

sustainable funding and the role ofmaking comments on the e-forum.

at ILEC Secretariat in Kusatsu fromknowledge in informing lake management.

Graciela Martinez Serratos of Mexico City took time out from attending the 14th Group Training Course in
Lake Water Quality Management to tell us what she has learned.

In this training course we were taught

legal frameworks at both national andwater level). It is helpful and important tothat lake and reservoir environmentsinternational levels.

cope with the same problems but of course

are dynamic; changing as the economic
activities in its surrounds change. Manyof the large impoundments were plannedThrough the training we have becomeaware of the leading techniques of lakeaccording to our conditions.

In my opinion it is a good opportunity

when world awareness of environmental

water management. It provides us with theto listen to famous international

issues, especially ecological management

best (the most expensive environmentallyof freshwater resources, was low. The

sound techniques) management options andtheir experiences and share, exchange ourmanagement structures put in placealternatives available at the international

experiences. We have been able to observe

then refl ected the concerns of that era.

level. Recent knowledge on water quality

new water treatment technologies, fi eld

Now these issues are critical for the wellmanagement will assist us in preparing

and monitoring methods and water quality

being of humanity. States need to ensure

for and achieving better sustainablemodels, which are being applied today.

functional and durable mechanisms fordevelopment programmes, and though I

the management of lakes and reservoirs;

still do not know how, I feel sure we will

Thank you very much for the well-organizedmechanisms that are able to respondfind solutions. We have become familiar

program which was full of usefulto ever changing challenges. Thesewith different types of catchment areas andprofessional, technological information andinclude proper institutions, adequate

their problems, and learned about lakes

cultural activities. We can learn a lot form

funding for management and research,with similar conditions to those of our lakes

Japanese people both professionally andstakeholders participation, and functional(eutrophication, algae bloom, decreasing ofindeed from their behavior.

lecturers and professors to gain from3

First National Congress on Philippine Lakes

Adelina C. Santos-Borja

The First National Congress on

Lake Biwa Research Institute and a member

the Department of Environment andPhilippine Lakes (LakeCon) wasof the ILEC Scientifi c Committee, gave

Natural Resources through its attachedsuccessfully held between 25-28 Novembera very timely message by telephone. He

agencies and bureaus namely the Laguna

2003, at the Development Academy of theemphasized that much as we are all aware

Lake Development Authority, the Forest

Philippines in Tagaytay with the theme:of the need for sustainable development,

Management Bureau, the Ecosystems‘Sustain Lakes, Support Life’. Various

it has not been easy to achieve because we

Research and Development Bureau, thelake stakeholders from all over the country

have been treating individual lakes as being

Protected Areas and Wildlife Bureau andparticipated. The objectives of the congress

independent from each other. We must be

the National Water Resources Board; thewere: 1) to identify major lake-specifi caware that we affect lakes in other regions

Philippine Council for Aquatic and Marine

issues that will serve as inputs for R&D

on the globe, thus every lake is a global

Research and Development, the Philippine

planning and policy advocacy; 2) tolake. In the same light, every Philippine

Institute of Volcanology and Seismology;

identify research gaps in lake resourcelake is a global lake.

the Southeast Asian Fisheries Development

management; 3) to develop a national

Center, the University of the Philippines

agenda on lake resource management; 4)

The Congress was also an opportunity

at Los Banos and the SEAMEO Regional

to organize the Philippine Lakes Network

for the author, who was a member of theCenter for Graduate Study and Research(PlaNet) and 5) to develop the Philippine

World Lake Vision Committee, to present

in Agriculture (SEARCA) which served as

Lake Vision.

and highlight the importance of the Worldthe Secretariat of the Congress.

Lake Vision and the Laguna de Bay Vision
The keynote speaker was Secretary

and to encourage everyone to heed the call

Elisea G. Gozun of the Department ofto action. The Asian Development Bank,

Environment and Natural Resources

represented by Dr. Christopher J. Wensley,

who underscored the importance of theSr., was LakeCon’s major sponsor.

Congress by stating that it came at a timeF

by UNDP and the Department of

Science and Technology, as well as byprivate corporations represented by San
Miguel Corp., Jollibee Foods Corporation,

when our lakes are succumbing to thePaper and poster presentations andenormity of our demands and actions andworkshops were divided into three mainthat sustainable development of our lake

sessions namely: Science of Lakes,

The Congress came to a close with thebasin resources can only be accomplishedManagement and Policy Issues, and Doing

identifi cation of priority issues andthrough a committed partnership among

Something About It: Lessons Learned.

concerns based on the workshop themes,

us, as individuals, communities andA total of 22 papers and 28 posters weredevelopment of the Philippine Lake Vision,

institutions.

presented.

the creation and election of officers of the

As an expression of support from overseas,
Dr. Masahisa Nakamura, Director of theT

Unilever Phil., Una Research Phil., Inc.

Philippine Lakes Network and the joint

he Congress was made possible

declaration on Philippine Lakes aptly

through the concerted efforts ofcalled, the Tagaytay Declaration.

Delegates at the historic conference
4

inancial support was also given

Spaceship EarthThe Americans and Russians know a

Despite their considerable experience

good deal about building spaceships:

in building spaceships, neither theafter all, they have been building them for

Americans nor Russians have been able tothe past several decades. They know that thebuild one that is self-sustaining, in otherinternational environment of the spaceshipwords, one that does not need to receive

must be within certain tolerable limits

supplies from earth. Even the supposedly

for humans; that the right mix of gases

self-contained ‘spaceship’ built on earth inmust be maintained in the spaceship’s

the Arizonan desert eventually proved toatmosphere; and that the spaceship must

be unsustainable - notwithstanding the best

have an effective plumbing system to deal

efforts of environmental scientists. In fact,

Professor Bill Williams (pictured above)with astronaut wastes and at the samethe only sustainable spaceship we know isserved as the vice-chair of the ILEC

time provide water for their drinking andplanet earth. It appears to be unique in the

Scientific Committee for a long time, andwashing. They also know that astronauts

universe - leastways, there is no evidence

was an Emeritus Professor at Adelaide

need feeding: adequate supplies of food,

yet that any extra-terrestrial body supports

University, Australia. Just before hein the right blend, must be provided forintelligent life (despite a continuous andpassed away he wrote an essay which hethe number of astronauts on board. Indeed,

intensive research). It has been suggested

entitled ‘Spaceship Earth’. (Unfortunately,

not the least important item of knowledge

that this is because all intelligent life

due to limitations of space we are only

concerning spaceships is that all astronaut

self-destructs after 1000 years, a mere blinkable to publish the introduction here.)needs and requirements are contingent

in cosmological time!

Bill dedicated his life to researching andupon the number of astronauts in a

writing about the environment. We thinkspaceship. Perhaps the first rule for those

For those who wish to read more,

you will find this last piece of writing by

who build a spaceship is: be sure not toyou can do so at our website:

him both pertinent and engrossing.

overcrowd them.

(www.ilec.or.jp/)

Board of Directors and Council Meeting

ILEC New Face
Yoshimi NISHIO joined ILEC’s Support
and Training Division this January. She
has, so far, concentrated her energies
on making sure the ILEC/JICA training
program runs smoothly. She graduatedfrom the University of Shiga Prefectureand first came to ILEC’s attention when
she organized the Student Session of the
9th World Lake Conference. She has also
worked at the Shiga Prefectural Office inrelation to the 3rd World Water Forum. She
looks forward to using her experience to
ILEC’s benefit and hopes to get the chanceTC

for the first time at ILEC’s offices on 4

of Directors is broadly responsible forMarch. Items on the agenda were theexecutive control of the normal businesscurrent fiscal year’s (from April 2003 toof ILEC in accordance with the Articles

March 2004) supplementary budget, andof Association. It meets at least twice athe next fiscal year’s (from April 2004 toyear and directors are unpaid. Directors

March 2005) activities plan and budget.

are appointed for two years but may be

As usual discussions were thorough andreappointed. The Board elects a council

vigorous, but at the end of the meeting all(10-20 members) whose job is to advise

items on the agenda were passed.

the Board as appropriate. Now you know!

he 58th meeting of the Board of
Directors and the 51st meeting of theCouncil of ILEC were held concurrently

urious about who the Board of

to meet some of you soon.

Directors and the Council of ILEC

are and what they do? Well, the Board

Yoshimi Nishio5Lakes of the World - Lake Champlain Basin Program

William G. Howland, LCBP Manager, and Roland (Buzz) Hoerr, VT Citizens Advisory Committee ChairThe Lake Champlain Basin is a North

exhibits significant pollution problems inChamplain. The introduction of theAmerican watershed that includes

several bays and near-shore areas.

parasitic sea lamprey, water chestnut,

a diverse array of natural, cultural, andEurasian watermilfoil, and zebra mussels

recreational resources. Extending west

Four highest priority actions identified

has signifi cantly impacted the lake

into New York’s Adirondack region, eastin Opportunities for Action address key

ecosystem and compromised the human

into Vermont’s Green Mountains, and northproblem areas:

enjoyment of the Lake.

rich history of human inhabitance is

Reduce Phosphorus Loads inProtect Human Health: Threats due toclosely connected to its natural features.

Tributaries: Phosphorus concentrations inpoor water quality in peripheral shallow

Because the Lake Champlain Basin spansparts of Lake Champlain are too high, andareas of Lake Champlain include bacterial

state and international borders, the needpromote excessive algae growth and otherpathogens and parasites that can cause

for international cooperation has been

problems. This results in reduced water

illness when ingested. The presence ofrecognized for decades.

quality, and odors, and is widely regarded

pathogens causes occasional beach closingsto be the greatest threat to the human use

in late summer. Sources of pathogens

and enjoyment of Lake Champlain.

include agricultural wastes, failed septic

onto Québec’s fertile plains, the Basin’s

T

he Lake Champlain Basin Program(LCBP) is a partnership among thesystems, combined sewer overfl ows,

States of New York and Vermont, theReduce Toxic Pollutants Entering thesanitary sewer overfl ows, and urban

Province of Québec, the US Environmental

Lake: Toxins polluting Lake Champlain

stormwater runoff.

Protection Agency, other federal and local

exhibit low concentrations comparedagencies, and citizen groups. Establishedto more industrialized lakes, but there

Other management plan priorities include

an d f u n d e d b y t h e U S C o n g r es s in

is clearly cause for concern. Excessivefi sh and wildlife management; wetland,

1990, its purpose is to coordinate thepolychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) instream and riparian habitat management;

implementation of the management planfi s h t i s s u e s h a v e c a u s e d N e w Yo r k

and cultural heritage and recreation

for Lake Champlain, Opportunities for

and Vermont to issue health advisories

resource management.

Action: An Evolving Plan for the Future

limiting consumption of fi sh known toof the Lake Champlain Basin. LCBP’s

bioaccumulate these toxins.

goal is to work cooperatively to protect

In implementing Opportunities for Action,and enhance the environmental integrity

Manage Nonnative Aquatic Nuisancethe LCBP is guided by many stakeholder

and the social and economic benefits of theSpecies Effectively: Nonnative nuisancepartnerships. The LCBP Steering

Lake Champlain Basin. Although Lakespecies have had a severe impact on

Committee includes local, state, provincial,

Champlain is generally a clean lake, it

the fi sh and wildlife resources of Lakeand US Federal agency leaders, the chairs

Lake Champlain
6

Implementation of the Plan

of citizen advisory committees fromLCBP resource staff coordinate technical,

The LCBP’s Technical Advisory Committee

each jurisdiction, and the chairs of threecultural heritage and educational projects( TA C ) , a l s o r e fl e c t i n g c o m m u n i t y

specialized advisory committees: education

basin-wide;

participation, plays a key role in informing& outreach, technical, and recreation &the LCBP Steering Committee throughcultural heritage. Essential program funding

Website, publications, media productions

recommendations of scientifically soundfrom US federal appropriations, amounting

and curricular development improve public

approaches to management issues. Steering

to several million US dollars each year,

understanding of ways to reduce pollution.

Committee policies characteristically

is augmented by signifi cant state andreflect the technical advice provided by theprovincial appropriations and non-federal

Stakeholder Involvement Guides thematching funds. Plan implementation tasks

Program

TAC.

include several key action areas:

Citizen Advisory Committees in New

A diverse array of stakeholders works

Yo r k , Ve r m o n t a n d Q u é b e c e n a b l e

together to manage Lake Champlain’s

Long term physical and biologicalbroad public stakeholder involvement inresources. Citizen groups concerned about

monitoring of 13 lake segments and 18

decision-making, and play a key role in

the health of local streams understand the

major tributaries tracks the progress and

LCBP governance. The CACs sponsoredconnection between Lake management andthe needs in the cleanup effort;

numerous public meetings around thethe quality of life, economic opportunities,

Basin as the first version of Opportunities

heritage and aesthetics.

Research programs address information

for Action was developed. Now, as thestakeholders, often through advisory

Becausegaps of importance to management policy;

plan is implemented, the CACs invite

committees, have been involved from thestakeholder participation in the LCBP

beginning of the LCBP planning process,Competitive grant programs enable local

annual budget planning process, andthey feel ownership of the policies thatgovernments and NGOs to implement

regularly solicit advice on management andhave developed, and a willingness to work

pollution prevention actions in their own

budget priorities.

to improve Lake Champlain.

communities;

Lake Champlain Basin Location

Call for Articles

We are always looking for articles for our Lakes of the World series. If you would like to let the ILEC Newsletter readershipknow about your particular lake, please send us your articles of about 800-1200 words in length with a few suitable photographs
for us to choose from. Free publicity for you and some interesting information for our readers. You can send articles by email orpost at the addresses given on the bottom of back page of this newsletter.
7

The 14th Group Training Course in Lake Water Quality Management

The trainees and some of their lecturersT

he two–month-long 14th Groupmanagement techniques and knowledge.

All the trainees worked hard andtraining Course in Lake Water Quality

In addition to lectures on various subjects

Management, one of JICA’s group training

at ILEC, the course included training

enjoyed the course. We trust that theycourses, was held at ILEC from 18 January

on water quality analysis and analyticalknowledge that they did not have before

to 19 March, with 10 trainees in attendance.

instruments. The trainees also visited plants

coming to Japan, and that they will use that

Course participants were from Argentina,

and facilities such as water treatment andknowledge to improve lake water quality

Egypt, Benin, Brazil, China, Hungary,

sewage treatment plants, and attended

management in their own countries. We

Mexico, Sri Lanka and Syria.

lectures and site visits in Tokyo andalso hope they take back happy memories

will take back with them a great deal of

Hiroshima. They also participated in aof their visit to Japan. Read Graciela

The aim of this course is for participants

home-stay program set up by the Kusatsu

Martinez Serratos’s account of her course

to gain comprehensive lake-water-quality

Inter-People Friendship Association.

on page 3 of this newsletter.

Forthcoming Meetings

World Lake Vision
Executive Summary

International Water Demand Management Conference

ILEC is trying to translate the Executive• 30/06/2004 - 03/07/2004: Amman, Jordan

Summary into as many languages as

World Water Week

possible in order to disseminate theideas of the ‘World Lake Vision’. The• 16/08/2004 - 20/08/2004: Stockholm, Sweden
International Workshop and Special Session on Management of Poor Quality Water
for Irrigation

can take a look at the Hungarian, Spanish
and German translations on our website• 09/09/2004 - 10/09/2004: Moscow, Russia(http://www.ilec.or.jp/).

5th International Symposium of Ecohydraulics• 12/09/2004 – 17/09/2004: Madrid, Spain
9th International Conference on Wetland Systems for Water Pollution Control• 27/09/2004 – 30/09/2004: Avignon, France

Hungarian edition is now complete. You

If you can help us translate the Executive
Summary into your native language,please contact us by post or email.

INTERNATIONAL LAKE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE--Secretariat--

81091 Oroshimo-cho, Kusatsu-city, Shiga 520-0001, JAPANTEL +81-77-568-4567, FAX +81-77-568-4568, E-mail: info@ilec.or.jp