MANAGEMENT OF PUBLIC WATERS-A SPECIAL REVIEW ON DEFENDING AGAINST FLOODS

Vode su najveće prirodno bogatstvo i izvor života. Upravljanje ovako važnim resursom zahtjevan je i vrlo odgovoran posao. Naglasak u ovome radu je na upravljanju javnim vodnim dobrom; dakle, onim vodnim dobrima koja su u vlasništvu Republike Hrvatske i koja su dostupna svim građanima pod određenim uvjetima. Upravljanje javnim vodnim dobrom temelji se na Zakonu o vodama i na planskim dokumentima upravljanja vodama. Njima su propisana nadležna tijela za upravljanje vodama, izvori financiranja upravljanja, načini na koje se upravlja javnim vodnim dobrom, kao i poslovi koji ulaze u domenu upravljanja javnim vodnim dobrom. Hrvatske vode nadležna su pravna osoba koja upravlja javnim vodnim dobrom. One donose odluke vezane za održavanje, korištenje i čuvanje javnog vodnog dobra. U poslove upravljanja javnim vodnim dobrom ubrajaju se i poslovi čija je svrha zaštita od poplava. Hrvatske vode, kao nadležno tijelo usklađuju svoje aktivnosti obrane od poplava sa Državnom upravom za zaštitu i spašavanje, Ravnateljstvom policije, Hrvatskom vojskom i nadležnim medicinskim službama. Razlog tome je sprječavanje svih negativnih posljedica koje poplave donose sa sobom. Dobra organizacija je ključ prevencije katastrofa poput one koja je pogodila županjsku i brodsku Posavinu 2014. godine.Waters are our biggest natural resource and the source of life. The management of such an important resource is a demanding and responsible job. The emphasis in this paper is in the management of the public water; hence, the water resources that are owned by the Republic of Croatia and which are available to all citizens under certain conditions. The management of public water is based on the Law of Waters and on the planning documents of water management. Through them, the Competent Authorities for the Management of Water are chosen, the financial source for management, methods used for managing the public water, and jobs which fall into the domain of management of public water. Croatian waters are the competent authority which manages the public water. They make decisions about maintaining, using and safekeeping of public water. The responsibilities of management of public water also include jobs whose purpose is the defensive measures against floods. Croatian Waters, as the competent authority, coordinate their measures of defense against floods with the State Administration for Protection and Rescue, the General Police Directorate, the Croatian Army and the Competent Medical Services. The reason for that is the prevention of all negative consequences which floods bring with them. Good organization is key in preventing disasters like the ones that hit Županjsku and Brodsku Posavinu in 2014