|
 Because chronic water shortages, dramatic population growth, and aging
water facilities are increasing the potential for conflict over water
resources around the nation, the President's FY 2009 budget for the
Department of the Interior includes a $21.3 million initiative to help
state, tribal and local governments better conserve, manage and develop
their vital water resources.
The multi-agency Water for America initiative would help communities meet
increasing demands on limited water supplies through collaborative
projects, water conservation technologies and expanded information sharing.
In 2009, the Bureau of Reclamation will partner with the United States
Geological Survey, States and local water users to begin this initiative to
conserve and expand existing water supplies; develop new sources; and
protect endangered species in major river systems. The U.S. Geological
Survey will also carry out the first national water census in 30 years;
modernize stream gages; and plan for the nation's future water use in
partnership with state and local governments.
"In 2006, the National Science and Technology Council reported that
abundant supplies of clean, fresh water can no longer be taken for
granted," Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne said in announcing the
initiative. "Water wars have spread to the Midwest, East, and South.
Competition for water is increasing because of rapid population growth and
burgeoning environmental and energy needs," said Kempthorne, whose
responsibilities include overseeing major Interior water storage and
distribution projects in the West and serving as Water Master for the Lower
Colorado River.
"As this competition escalates during a time of chronic drought and
changing climate," the Secretary noted, "water conflicts are occurring
within states, among states, between states and the Federal government and
among environmentalists and state and Federal agencies." Kempthorne also
serves as the President's special representative to help Georgia, Alabama
and Florida resolve regional water issues in the southeast.
 The Water for America Initiative responds to the nation's water realities
by merging three existing Bureau of Reclamation water supply management
programs (Water 2025, Water Conservation Field Services, and
Investigations) and by using the scientific expertise of the U.S.
Geological Survey in monitoring water quality, quantity and flows in U.S.
rivers and streams as well as the conditions of the nation's major
aquifers.
Under the initiative, Interior partnerships with state, local and tribal
governments will use the latest technologies in water planning and
management to help these communities respond to their changing water needs.
At the watershed level, Interior agencies will work with urban, rural, and
agricultural water users to stretch existing water supplies and carry out
measures to protect endangered species at high-risk watersheds, thereby
averting water crises.
 "The initiative also will begin a nationwide assessment of water
availability, water quality, and human and environmental water use to be
completed by 2019," said Kempthorne. The initiative will measure
groundwater storage, develop models to determine nonpoint sources of water
pollution, use remote sensing, and improve predictions of hydrologic
effects of climate change.
"We will conduct the long-overdue inventory of our nation's water resources
so that we have the information we need to plan for the nation's water
future, working with states and others to manage water sustainably,"
Kempthorne said.
 Reclamation's budget includes an increase of $13.1 million for this
initiative. The 2009 program including this increase will fund basin
watershed planning and smaller-scale geographical studies, and challenge
grants, to support partnering with urban, rural, and agricultural water
users to stretch existing water supplies through such things as real time
monitoring, measurement, and control; new technologies to reduce the cost
of desalination of sea and brackish water; and canal lining or piping to
reduce water seepage. As part of the initiative, Reclamation plans to
manage and protect endangered species in major water river systems.
As a part of the initiative, Reclamation is also examining how climate
change information can be considered in the bureau's water and power
operations and planning through several project-specific studies. Through
collaborative efforts with the U.S. Geological Survey and other Federal and
non-Federal agencies that have complementary expertise and a common stake
in Western water, Reclamation is well positioned to use the most relevant
climate information and manage its water resources under changing
conditions.
 For its role in the initiative, the U.S. Geological Survey will use
increased funding of $8.2 million to initiate work on a national water
census, the first in 30 years. This funding also includes upgrades and
additions to the nation's network of 7,000 streamgages, as well as
increases for research related to groundwater resources. These improvements
will provide water managers with critical data for future decision making.
|
Find Jobs in DOI
