The aim of this study is to analyze as a planning and environmental management process the São Bartolomeu River Basin Environmental Protection Area (APA), created in the Federal District (DF) in 1983, with the objectives of protecting hydrical resources for the DF future water supply, as well as for protection of fauna, flora and scenic beautiful places. First of all the APA was analyzed within land use planning process, considered from a conceptual evolution at international level national level, and at lart ;he local level of the DF Land Ordainment Plan (PDOT). Public politic that actuates in the APA and its results on the use of natural resources, emphasizing Urban, Forestry, Mining and Hydrichal Resources politics was then considered. Involved governmental and non-governmental organizations and their action in the APA were identified. APA as a Conservation Unit (UC) in Brazil, was analyzed in the context of the Protection Area Systems, as defined in the recent national system of conservation Units (SNUC), by EBAMA. Appraising through analyses of conceptual and management aspects, the efficiency of IBAMA in the management of this APA was the main aim. A map was elaborated based on remote sensors, aerial photography, topographic maps and field work, and compared with the map realized by SEMA (1988). Evolution of occupation and land use in this APA was thereafter analyzed. APA can be considered a conservation unit conceptual evolution in Brazil, because it includes all parts of an area's development process, incorporating the environmental dimension in global planning and decision processing. Results show that the APA is hurt in intense and rapid ways, mainly, through mining, urbanization, forestry and deforestation, and, is spite of restrictions determined by zoning Normative Instructions and environmental legislation, the majority of this activities occurs in continuous and intense way. In general, public institutions, mainly the Brazilian Institute for Environment, Environment Secretary- of DF, Building Secretary and Satellite-city Administrations of Sobradinho, Planaltina and Vila São Sebastião are not able to develop sufficient control of the environment in the APA, to attain the aims of this APA. The zoning of the APA in use needs to be changed, because it’s out of date, and because of mistakes identified in this study. The management of the APA is fundamental to the protection of hydric resources, fauna and flora, scenic and historical-cultural sites.
