Institutional Aspects of River Basin Management in Russia: The Example of the Ob

Abstract

The processes of political democratization, decentralizing state regulations and increasing the role of the free market in the economy go hand in hand with the economic and administrative strengthening of regions and districts in Russia. The Russian Federation Agreement, signed in 1992, gave each regional administration the right to manage its local natural resources. Regions are encouraged to develop more responsible and effective environmental policies. However, this creates many new complex issues producing new conflicts between numerous water users in the same river basin who share responsibilities for water conservation and water quality. This problem is currently a major challenge facing water authorities in Russia where large river basins typically cover several administrative districts. The Ob in the Western Siberia serves as an example of such river basin.