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Strategic Objective

Better ensure the future of watersheds against the impact of climate change

Strategic Objective

Better ensure the future of watersheds against impacts of climate change.

Lead Office: BOR

Themes:

Natural Resources and Environment

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Overview
Progress Update

Overview

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

Progress Update

Reclamation has completed 12 Basin Studies, cumulatively, since 2012, including the Milk/St. Mary’s, Lower Rio Grande, Colorado River, Santa Ana, Yakima, Southeast California, Henry’s Fork of the Snake River, Hood River, Sante Fe, Truckee, Niobrara, and Sacramento-San Joaquin Rivers. The goal for FY 2016 is to complete a total of 15 studies by September 30, 2016.

For 2015, the goal of completing 14 basin studies, cumulatively since 2012, was not met. An extension was granted to two of the Basin Studies, Klamath River and Pecos River, to allow additional time to complete modeling work. The delay is not expected to impact the FY 2016 goal.

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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

Improve Reliability of Water Delivery

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.

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Better ensure the future of watersheds against the impact of climate change

Statement:

Better ensure the future of watersheds against impacts of climate change.

Description:

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Agency Priority Goals

FY 14-15: Water conservation

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.

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