SOCIOECONOMIC IMPACTS AND WATER MANAGEMENT IN THE SÃO FRANCISCO RIVER TRANSPOSITION

Abstract

Although there is recognition of the role of resources in the socioeconomic development of a country, information on the impacts arising from the management or degradation of these resources is still incipient. Therefore, this research proposed the following research objective: to identify the socioeconomic impacts predicted, and those not predicted, by the Environmental Impact Report (EIR) of the São Francisco River Integration Project, North Axis. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interview scripts and non-participant direct observation. Content analysis was used for data treatment and analysis. In addition to confirming the socioeconomic impacts that had been predicted by the EIR, it was also noted that three impacts that had not been anticipated occurred, affecting the well-being and security of the local population. The results highlight that a large part of the negative impacts are associated with the process of expropriation of residents. Thus, it is concluded that this phase was very critical, since most of the other impacts were linked to it, such as the loss of arable land, ruptures in socio-community relations, loss of jobs, and real estate speculation in the floodplains.