O Conselho de Defesa do Meio Ambiente de Maringá: Governança, Poderes e Decisões na Gestão dos Recursos Hídricos The Environmental Defense Council of Maringá: Governance, Powers and Decisions in the Management of Hydric Resources

The Brazilian Federal Constitution, from 1988, both emphasizes and arouses discussions and collective decisions about several themes related to public policies, including the environment. In the 90's, Resolution CONAMA Number 237/1997 is implemented, tying the liberation of environmental licenses with the existence of municipal environmental councils. In this context, the current article approaches the role played by the Municipal Environmental Defense Council of Maringa - COMDEMA - in the management of hydric resources. For such, a literature review about its creation and trajectory was conducted, as well a field research which aimed at understanding the institutional arrangements that influence the directions of hydric resources policies in the city. The results obtained show that COMDEMA in general meets the demands of the public power and its representatives. Besides, the institution has difficulties to have autonomy in its decisions due to lack of financial resources and a clear connection of important members of the board of directors with the town hall.