נחלי ישראל

Rehabilitation Israel’s rivers is one of the central issues dealt with by the Israel Ministry of the Environment. It encompasses multiple fields such as the preservation of open spaces, water resource pollution prevention, treatment of solid waste hazards, municipal and industrial sewage treatment, education, and development of natural leisure places for public enjoyment.
The Israel River Restoration Administration, which was established by the Ministry of the Environment in 1993, has accrued a number of achievements with regard to protection
of river corridors. This has been achieved through the preparation of outline plans,
enforcement of pollution reduction, enhancement of public awareness to the importance of river restoration, and development of river-side parks open to the public. Nevertheless, the lack of a clearly written policy paper, outlining the principles of river restoration, was clearly felt. Such a document is necessary to guide the various authorities which deal with this issue, including government ministries, drainage authorities, local authorities and non-governmental organizations.

The policy paper presented here outlines a compilation of the knowledge that has been
gained in other countries as well as the experience accumulated in Israel in the last decade. It should be useful to decision-makers and operators alike. I am confident that the policy paper before us is a crucial step in the development of ideas and in planning the restoration of Israel’s rivers, as we embark upon another decade of blessed work.