Capacity of Strategic Environment Assessment in Water Resources of Iran

The purpose of this study is to identify internal factors (strengths and opportunities), external factors (weaknesses and threats) and strategies for capacity evaluation of environmental strategic assessment in water resources of Iran. For this purpose, interviews with experts and extensive studies of effective indicators at three levels of individuals, system, and organization were identified and used to develop effective management strategies. Using strengths, opportunities, weaknesses and threats at three levels (individuals, system and organization) in the form of Internal and External Factors Evaluation matrices, SWOT analysis was applied. Finally, strategies were scored using Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix. Considering the importance of optimizing and protecting water resources in the current unsatisfactory conditions, and the results of SWOT and QSPM matrices, it is suggested that all existing capacities in the community be employed to carry out an ever-increasing environmental assessment to curb impacts of non-experts and short-sighted views in the executive level in water resources sector. We also suggest consideration of the infrastructure and capacities available for the implementation of the strategic environmental assessment in the context of national development programs in water resources to pave way for achieving a smoother sustainable development.