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Estevan LopezPrincipal Deputy Commissioner of the Bureau of ReclamationBOR
FY 14-15: Agency Priority Goal
Water conservation
Priority Goal
Goal Overview
Problem or opportunity being addressed
The Nation faces an increasing set of water resource challenges: aging water-related infrastructure, rapid population growth, depletion of groundwater resources, and climate variability and change. Shortages and water use conflicts have become more commonplace in many areas of the US, even in "normal" years. Water issues and challenges are especially increasing in the West, due to prolonged drought and population shift.Traditional water management approaches, by themselves, no longer meet today's need.Federal leadership is critical to widespread acceptance and implementation of effective conservation and recycling techniques.
Relationship to agency strategic goals and objectives
As the means for realizing one of the Secretary of the Interior’s key priorities for tackling the water challenges in the west, this goal will add to the achievements reflected in the Strategic Plan under the mission area to “Sustainably Manage Energy, Water, and Natural Resources.
Reclamation works collaboratively with non-federal, state, local and tribal governments, water districts, and other entities, on a cost-shared basis to implement projects that improve water management and result in water conservation in the 17 Western states. This includes projects to line unlined canals, install remote technology to allow for more accurate control over water deliveries, install new water measurement devices, and other projects that allow water users to decrease water diversions by increasing efficiency and operational flexibility. By conserving water that can be made available for other uses, these projects contribute to the goal by increasing the available water supply and contribute to Reclamation’s broader objective of achieving a more sustainable water supply.
A sustainable water supply is critical to address current and future water shortages; degraded water quality; increased demands for water from growing populations and energy needs; amplified recognition of environmental water requirements; the potential for decreased water supply availability due to drought, climate change, or decreased storage and delivery capacity; and water inequity for Indian tribes and rural communities disadvantaged by financial need or geographic isolation. Reclamation believes that water conservation, use of water markets, and improved efficiency are crucial elements of any plan to address western water issues. With leveraged water sustainability grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation for a more efficient use of water in the West.
Key barriers and challenges
The primary challenges and risks that influence achievement of the Priority Goal include:
- The availability of data needed to measure water conserved.
- Water savings are heavily dependent upon applications submitted by project sponsors.
- State Water Laws (e.g., disincentives to water conservation).
- Ability to complete environmental compliance in a reasonable timeframe and cost.
- Local cost-shares (e.g., inability to meet cost-share requirements identified by respective program).
Stakeholder Engagement
This goal is a continuation of the FY 2012-2013 goal that was developed by the Reclamation Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary Water and Science as a means for helping achieve one of the Secretary of the Interior’s top priorities in addressing the water challenges facing the western U.S.
Programs that contribute to the Priority Goal for Water Conservation provide funding for improvements proposed, planned, and carried out by non-Federal entities with Reclamation’s assistance.Collaboration is therefore a crucial aspect of efforts to achieve this Priority Goal. Reclamation also incorporates stakeholder feedback into its conservation efforts by engaging stakeholders during program formulation and significant program revisions.For example, Reclamation made draft funding criteria for the Title XVI Program available for public review and comment in 2010 and incorporated feedback into final criteria.Similarly, the WaterSMART Strategic Implementation Plan was published in the Federal Register in March 2011 and comments were incorporated into the final document.Reclamation also routinely works with its partners at the State and local level through public outreach meetings, scoping committees, and through reporting and program oversight.
Strategies
Reclamation implements the Priority Goal through WaterSMART Grants, the Title XVI Program, the CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grant Program, the Water Conservation Field Services Program, the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project, and the Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program.Development of an implementation strategy included identification of conservation-related programs and activities expected to lead to quantifiable water savings, that include non-Federal cost-share funding and encourage and promote collaboration among parties, and that obligate funding annually (i.e., are continuing activities that are budgeted on an annual basis).Steps required to achieve the goal each year include identification of new projects for funding and development of financial assistance awards.For example, to identify WaterSMART Grant projects for funding, each year Reclamation issues funding opportunity announcements; conducts a review of all applications received; ranks those applications against program criteria; announces those applicants selected for award; and works with applicants to complete environmental compliance and to develop financial assistance agreements for each project.
To accomplish the priority goal, Reclamation has established the following steps to assess progress on the goal through the six programs involved:
WaterSMART Grants
- Funding Opportunity Announcement released
- First level review of proposals completed
- Final selection of projects
- Funding awarded
Title XVI
- Funding Opportunity Announcement released
- First level review of proposals completed
- Final selection of projects
- Funding awarded
CALFED
- Funding Opportunity Announcement released
- First level review of proposals completed
- Final selection of projects
- Funding awarded
Water Conservation Field Services Conservation Program
- Funding Opportunity Announcement released
- First level review of proposals completed
- Final selection of projects
- Funding awarded
Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project
- Award funding for Phase I construction
- Phase I construction complete
- Develop Phase II agreements for review by partners
- Award funding for Phase II construction
Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program
- Execute Operations and Maintenance Contract as Prerequisite to Construction
- Award Construction Contract
Progress Update
For FY 2015, Reclamation is reporting grant approvals to increase water conservation savings of 117,155 acre-feet towards the Priority Goal. Together, projects funded from 2010-2015 have contributed 977,454 acre-feet of capacity toward the goal, allowing Reclamation to exceed the FY 2015 target of 840,000 acre-feet. During 2015, and after target development, Congress provided additional funding for water conservation efforts to mitigate for drought conditions, and Reclamation was able to provide grants to achieve additional water conservation capacity.
Six quarterly milestones were identified for Q4 of FY 2015. Five milestones were fully met with Reclamation awarding funding for: (1) WaterSMART Grants; (2) Title XVI Program; (3) CALFED Water Conservation Grants; (4) Water Conservation Field Services Program; and (5) Phase II construction of the Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP). The final milestone, awarding funding for the Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program (UCRRIP), was not completed due to insufficient qualified responses to the solicitation; funding for this program is expected to be awarded by December 31, 2015.
This goal continues in FY 2016-2017.
Significance of the Accomplishment (through the Priority Goal) especially in relation to past experience and benefit to the public
Together, projects funded from 2010-2015 have contributed 977,454 acre-feet of capacity toward the goal. These investments are expected to result in water savings equivalent to the amount necessary to meet the needs of more than 3.9 million people. Water is only renewable if well managed, and a sustainable water supply is critical to address the demands for energy and for all uses of water, e.g. individual, agricultural, industrial, and ecological. Reclamation strives to fund capacity-improvement projects to achieve higher water efficiencies (and reduce water stress) for ecological health, economic welfare, and social equality, especially for contemporary populations of Native Americans and rural communities disadvantaged by financial need or geographic isolation and for future generations who face a potential future of climate change, higher energy costs, water and food shortage, poverty, depleted fisheries and species extinction.
Next Steps
No Data Available
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Performance Indicators
Acre feet of water conservation capacity enabled through Reclamation’s Priority Goal conservation programs.
Contributing Programs & Other Factors
Contributing Programs within the agency
The following programs assist Reclamation in accomplishing its goal to enable capability to increase available water supply for agricultural, municipal, industrial, and environmental uses in the western United States: WaterSMART Grants; Title XVI; Water Conservation Field Services Program; CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grants; Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project; and the Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program. These programs contribute to the goal of increasing the available water supply through cost-shared water management and efficiency projects that will result in water conservation:
WaterSMART Grants
In promoting and facilitating water conservation, Reclamation provides cost-shared grants, on a competitive basis, through WaterSMART Grants that provide up to 50% of the cost of on-the-ground projects that save water, increase energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy in water management, address endangered species and other environmental issues, and facilitate transfers to new uses.
Title XVI Program
Through the Title XVI Water Reclamation and Reuse Program, authorized by P.L.I02-575 in 1992, as amended, Reclamation provides financial and technical assistance to local water agencies for the planning, design, and construction of water reclamation and reuse. Water reuse projects develop and supplement urban and irrigation water supplies through water reuse, thereby improving efficiency, providing flexibility during water shortages, and diversifying the water supply.
CALFED Water Use Efficiency Grants
CALFED is a combined State of California and Federal program focused on the restoration of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta’s fragile ecosystem while improving water supply reliability for urban and agricultural water users. The goal of the Water Use Efficiency Grant Program is to accelerate the implementation of cost-effective actions that provide state-wide benefits through water conservation.
Water Conservation Field Services Program (WCFSP)
Through the WCFSP, Reclamation makes available small-scale cost-shared financial assistance at the area and regional office levels for several types of activities, including on-the-ground efficiency improvements that lead to quantifiable water savings. Reclamation limits WCFSP awards to no more than $100,000 in Federal funding per project.
Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement Project (YRBWEP)
The purpose of the YRBWEP is to evaluate and implement structural and nonstructural measures to increase the reliability of the irrigation water supply and enhance streamflows and fish passage in the Yakima River basin. Activities include facility modifications and implementation of diversion reduction measures to reduce the demand on the available water supply.
Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program
One component of the multi-agency, multi-interest group Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program is the Orchard Mesa Irrigation District Canal Automation Project, through which flows in a critical reach of the Colorado River in western Colorado are augmented. This reach of the river, extending from the Grand Valley Irrigation Company diversion dam to the confluence with the Gunnison River, is heavily impacted by multiple Federal and private irrigation diversions. The project consists of constructing a canal automation system that will provide the ability to more closely match irrigation diversions to actual water demands. As a result, conserved water will be redirected to an existing hydroelectric power plant that discharges back to the river upstream of the depleted river reach, thereby augmenting flows in critical habitat and increasing clean renewable energy. This large, multi-year project includes state, and local cost-share funding.
Contributing programs or partners outside the agency
The programs contributing to this goal provide financial assistance to non-federal entities including states, tribes, local governments, irrigation and water districts, and other entities with water management and delivery authority. While other Federal entities do not implement the projects funded by these programs, they play an important role in supporting these efforts. Following are some examples of how other Federal agencies are involved in the contributing programs:
- Reclamation works collaboratively with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to maximize the effectiveness of its water sustainability efforts though the WaterSMART Program. The USGS contributes to the WaterSMART Program through its Water Census activities, which provide important water availability information that can inform water conservation projects.
- A WaterSMART Task Force made up of representatives from all Interior agencies was established to implement the WaterSMART Program, conduct education and awareness about program objectives, develop and expand partnerships with States and Tribes to implement the WaterSMART Strategy, and evaluate and expand recommendations for incorporating water conservation criteria in the Department’s planning efforts. The Task Force is chaired by the Assistant Secretary of Water and Science and includes the Solicitor, and heads of each bureau and office under the Department.
- Through CALFED, Reclamation works with a consortium of 13 Federal and 12 California state agencies to develop a long term, comprehensive plan to restore the ecological health and improve the water management of the California Bay-Delta.
- Through the Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation Program, Reclamation works collaboratively with program participants including, the States of Colorado, Utah and Wyoming; Western Area Power Administration, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service; hydropower consumer representatives (Colorado River Energy Distributors Association), environmental/conservation organizations (The Nature Conservancy and Western Resource Advocates), and water user representatives to conserve water, enhance endangered fish habitat and increase renewable hydroelectric energy.
Additional Federal agencies that support the achievement of the Priority Goal through the integration of various water conservation activities include:
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
- Department of Energy (DOE) - Energy Efficiency/Renewable Energy (EERE).
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) - Alliance for Water Efficiency (AWE).
- Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) - Indian Irrigation Program.
- Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) - Environmental Quality.
- Incentives Program (EQIP) and Conservation Technical Assistance (CTA).
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Strategic Goals
Strategic Goal:
Manage Water and Watersheds for the 21st Century
Statement:
We will deliver water in the 17 western states; managing water resources through the safe and effective performance of our facilities. For almost a decade, the Nation has experienced drought in major river basins while population and resulting demands for water have increased. The Department has a role in developing innovative approaches to meet water needs and anticipate future challenges.
Strategic Objectives
Statement:
Improve reliability of water delivery.
Description:
Reclamation strives to keep its facilities in good condition to ensure the reliable supply of water and stretch existing water supplies that can be made available for other uses. Reclamation is the largest supplier and manager of water in the 17 Western States, bringing water to more than 31 million people and providing one of five western farmers (140,000) with irrigation water for 10 million acres of farmland that produce 60 percent of the nation’s vegetables and 25 percent of its fruits and nuts. Reclamation’s facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits.
Statement:
Better ensure the future of watersheds against impacts of climate change.
Description:
Through the Basin Studies, Reclamation works with non-Federal stakeholders to analyze the risks and impacts of climate change to water resources in river basins across the 17 western states. The Basin Studies are selected through a competitive process using established criteria and are cost-shared with non-Federal partners. Each Study includes state-of-the-art projections of future water supply and demand, i.e. analyze how well existing water and power infrastructure are meeting current demands, and then forecast the ability to meet future demands. The Studies identify adaptation strategies and actions for non-structural (i.e. management and operations) and structural (i.e. improvement) changes to address projected imbalances in supply and demand.
Agency Priority Goals
Statement:
Water Conservation. By September 30, 2015, the Department of the Interior will further enable the capability to increase the available water supply for agricultural, municipal, industrial, and environmental uses in the western United States through Reclamation water conservation programs to 840,000 acre-feet, cumulatively since the end of FY2009.
Description:
Problem or opportunity being addressed
The Nation faces an increasing set of water resource challenges: aging water-related infrastructure, rapid population growth, depletion of groundwater resources, and climate variability and change. Shortages and water use conflicts have become more commonplace in many areas of the US, even in "normal" years. Water issues and challenges are especially increasing in the West, due to prolonged drought and population shift.Traditional water management approaches, by themselves, no longer meet today's need.Federal leadership is critical to widespread acceptance and implementation of effective conservation and recycling techniques.
Relationship to agency strategic goals and objectives
As the means for realizing one of the Secretary of the Interior’s key priorities for tackling the water challenges in the west, this goal will add to the achievements reflected in the Strategic Plan under the mission area to “Sustainably Manage Energy, Water, and Natural Resources.
Reclamation works collaboratively with non-federal, state, local and tribal governments, water districts, and other entities, on a cost-shared basis to implement projects that improve water management and result in water conservation in the 17 Western states. This includes projects to line unlined canals, install remote technology to allow for more accurate control over water deliveries, install new water measurement devices, and other projects that allow water users to decrease water diversions by increasing efficiency and operational flexibility. By conserving water that can be made available for other uses, these projects contribute to the goal by increasing the available water supply and contribute to Reclamation’s broader objective of achieving a more sustainable water supply.
A sustainable water supply is critical to address current and future water shortages; degraded water quality; increased demands for water from growing populations and energy needs; amplified recognition of environmental water requirements; the potential for decreased water supply availability due to drought, climate change, or decreased storage and delivery capacity; and water inequity for Indian tribes and rural communities disadvantaged by financial need or geographic isolation. Reclamation believes that water conservation, use of water markets, and improved efficiency are crucial elements of any plan to address western water issues. With leveraged water sustainability grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation for a more efficient use of water in the West.
Key barriers and challenges
The primary challenges and risks that influence achievement of the Priority Goal include:
- The availability of data needed to measure water conserved.
- Water savings are heavily dependent upon applications submitted by project sponsors.
- State Water Laws (e.g., disincentives to water conservation).
- Ability to complete environmental compliance in a reasonable timeframe and cost.
- Local cost-shares (e.g., inability to meet cost-share requirements identified by respective program).
Stakeholder Engagement
This goal is a continuation of the FY 2012-2013 goal that was developed by the Reclamation Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary Water and Science as a means for helping achieve one of the Secretary of the Interior’s top priorities in addressing the water challenges facing the western U.S.
Programs that contribute to the Priority Goal for Water Conservation provide funding for improvements proposed, planned, and carried out by non-Federal entities with Reclamation’s assistance.Collaboration is therefore a crucial aspect of efforts to achieve this Priority Goal. Reclamation also incorporates stakeholder feedback into its conservation efforts by engaging stakeholders during program formulation and significant program revisions.For example, Reclamation made draft funding criteria for the Title XVI Program available for public review and comment in 2010 and incorporated feedback into final criteria.Similarly, the WaterSMART Strategic Implementation Plan was published in the Federal Register in March 2011 and comments were incorporated into the final document.Reclamation also routinely works with its partners at the State and local level through public outreach meetings, scoping committees, and through reporting and program oversight.
Strategic Goal:
Extend Water Supplies through Conservation
Statement:
The American West is now the fastest growing region of the country and faces serious water challenges. Competition for finite water supplies is increasing as a result of population growth, agricultural demands, and water for environmental needs. An increased emphasis on domestic energy development will place additional pressure on limited water supplies, as significant amounts of water may be required for unconventional and renewable energy development.
Impacts of climate change, as evidenced by increases in temperature, decreases in precipitation and snowpack, extended droughts, and depleted aquifers and stream flow in several Reclamation river basins are reducing water supplies. Water is vital for the environment and the economies of rural and urban communities in the west. The Department will “increase” water supplies through BOR’s Priority Goal conservation programs.
Strategic Objectives
Statement:
Expand water conservation capabilities.
Description:
Reclamation delivers water to one in every five farmers in the West and to over 31 million people. The water conservation programs, i.e. WaterSMART, Title XVI, CALFED, Water Conservation Field Services, Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement, and Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation, contribute to the Goal by increasing the available water supply and contribute to Interior’s broader objective of achieving a more sustainable, secure water supply.
Agency Priority Goals
Statement:
Water Conservation. By September 30, 2015, the Department of the Interior will further enable the capability to increase the available water supply for agricultural, municipal, industrial, and environmental uses in the western United States through Reclamation water conservation programs to 840,000 acre-feet, cumulatively since the end of FY2009.
Description:
Problem or opportunity being addressed
The Nation faces an increasing set of water resource challenges: aging water-related infrastructure, rapid population growth, depletion of groundwater resources, and climate variability and change. Shortages and water use conflicts have become more commonplace in many areas of the US, even in "normal" years. Water issues and challenges are especially increasing in the West, due to prolonged drought and population shift.Traditional water management approaches, by themselves, no longer meet today's need.Federal leadership is critical to widespread acceptance and implementation of effective conservation and recycling techniques.
Relationship to agency strategic goals and objectives
As the means for realizing one of the Secretary of the Interior’s key priorities for tackling the water challenges in the west, this goal will add to the achievements reflected in the Strategic Plan under the mission area to “Sustainably Manage Energy, Water, and Natural Resources.
Reclamation works collaboratively with non-federal, state, local and tribal governments, water districts, and other entities, on a cost-shared basis to implement projects that improve water management and result in water conservation in the 17 Western states. This includes projects to line unlined canals, install remote technology to allow for more accurate control over water deliveries, install new water measurement devices, and other projects that allow water users to decrease water diversions by increasing efficiency and operational flexibility. By conserving water that can be made available for other uses, these projects contribute to the goal by increasing the available water supply and contribute to Reclamation’s broader objective of achieving a more sustainable water supply.
A sustainable water supply is critical to address current and future water shortages; degraded water quality; increased demands for water from growing populations and energy needs; amplified recognition of environmental water requirements; the potential for decreased water supply availability due to drought, climate change, or decreased storage and delivery capacity; and water inequity for Indian tribes and rural communities disadvantaged by financial need or geographic isolation. Reclamation believes that water conservation, use of water markets, and improved efficiency are crucial elements of any plan to address western water issues. With leveraged water sustainability grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation for a more efficient use of water in the West.
Key barriers and challenges
The primary challenges and risks that influence achievement of the Priority Goal include:
- The availability of data needed to measure water conserved.
- Water savings are heavily dependent upon applications submitted by project sponsors.
- State Water Laws (e.g., disincentives to water conservation).
- Ability to complete environmental compliance in a reasonable timeframe and cost.
- Local cost-shares (e.g., inability to meet cost-share requirements identified by respective program).
Stakeholder Engagement
This goal is a continuation of the FY 2012-2013 goal that was developed by the Reclamation Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary Water and Science as a means for helping achieve one of the Secretary of the Interior’s top priorities in addressing the water challenges facing the western U.S.
Programs that contribute to the Priority Goal for Water Conservation provide funding for improvements proposed, planned, and carried out by non-Federal entities with Reclamation’s assistance.Collaboration is therefore a crucial aspect of efforts to achieve this Priority Goal. Reclamation also incorporates stakeholder feedback into its conservation efforts by engaging stakeholders during program formulation and significant program revisions.For example, Reclamation made draft funding criteria for the Title XVI Program available for public review and comment in 2010 and incorporated feedback into final criteria.Similarly, the WaterSMART Strategic Implementation Plan was published in the Federal Register in March 2011 and comments were incorporated into the final document.Reclamation also routinely works with its partners at the State and local level through public outreach meetings, scoping committees, and through reporting and program oversight.
Strategic Objectives
Strategic Objective:
Statement:
Expand water conservation capabilities.
Description:
Reclamation delivers water to one in every five farmers in the West and to over 31 million people. The water conservation programs, i.e. WaterSMART, Title XVI, CALFED, Water Conservation Field Services, Yakima River Basin Water Enhancement, and Upper Colorado River Recovery Implementation, contribute to the Goal by increasing the available water supply and contribute to Interior’s broader objective of achieving a more sustainable, secure water supply.
Agency Priority Goals
Statement: Water Conservation. By September 30, 2015, the Department of the Interior will further enable the capability to increase the available water supply for agricultural, municipal, industrial, and environmental uses in the western United States through Reclamation water conservation programs to 840,000 acre-feet, cumulatively since the end of FY2009.
Description: Problem or opportunity being addressed The Nation faces an increasing set of water resource challenges: aging water-related infrastructure, rapid population growth, depletion of groundwater resources, and climate variability and change. Shortages and water use conflicts have become more commonplace in many areas of the US, even in "normal" years. Water issues and challenges are especially increasing in the West, due to prolonged drought and population shift.Traditional water management approaches, by themselves, no longer meet today's need.Federal leadership is critical to widespread acceptance and implementation of effective conservation and recycling techniques. Relationship to agency strategic goals and objectives As the means for realizing one of the Secretary of the Interior’s key priorities for tackling the water challenges in the west, this goal will add to the achievements reflected in the Strategic Plan under the mission area to “Sustainably Manage Energy, Water, and Natural Resources. Reclamation works collaboratively with non-federal, state, local and tribal governments, water districts, and other entities, on a cost-shared basis to implement projects that improve water management and result in water conservation in the 17 Western states. This includes projects to line unlined canals, install remote technology to allow for more accurate control over water deliveries, install new water measurement devices, and other projects that allow water users to decrease water diversions by increasing efficiency and operational flexibility. By conserving water that can be made available for other uses, these projects contribute to the goal by increasing the available water supply and contribute to Reclamation’s broader objective of achieving a more sustainable water supply. A sustainable water supply is critical to address current and future water shortages; degraded water quality; increased demands for water from growing populations and energy needs; amplified recognition of environmental water requirements; the potential for decreased water supply availability due to drought, climate change, or decreased storage and delivery capacity; and water inequity for Indian tribes and rural communities disadvantaged by financial need or geographic isolation. Reclamation believes that water conservation, use of water markets, and improved efficiency are crucial elements of any plan to address western water issues. With leveraged water sustainability grants, an important step will be taken towards increasing conservation for a more efficient use of water in the West. Key barriers and challenges The primary challenges and risks that influence achievement of the Priority Goal include: Stakeholder Engagement This goal is a continuation of the FY 2012-2013 goal that was developed by the Reclamation Commissioner and the Assistant Secretary Water and Science as a means for helping achieve one of the Secretary of the Interior’s top priorities in addressing the water challenges facing the western U.S. Programs that contribute to the Priority Goal for Water Conservation provide funding for improvements proposed, planned, and carried out by non-Federal entities with Reclamation’s assistance.Collaboration is therefore a crucial aspect of efforts to achieve this Priority Goal. Reclamation also incorporates stakeholder feedback into its conservation efforts by engaging stakeholders during program formulation and significant program revisions.For example, Reclamation made draft funding criteria for the Title XVI Program available for public review and comment in 2010 and incorporated feedback into final criteria.Similarly, the WaterSMART Strategic Implementation Plan was published in the Federal Register in March 2011 and comments were incorporated into the final document.Reclamation also routinely works with its partners at the State and local level through public outreach meetings, scoping committees, and through reporting and program oversight.
