Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation is best known for the dams,
powerplants, and canals it constructed in the 17 western states. These
water projects led to homesteading and promoted the economic development of
the West. Reclamation’s inventory includes 479 dams and 348 reservoirs. Reclamation’s
inventory includes some of the largest critical dams and reservoirs in the
world. That inventory includes five National Critical Infrastructure (NCI)
facilities including Hoover Dam on the Colorado River and Grand Coulee on the
Columbia River.
In addition to our inventory of dams and appurtenant facilities, Reclamation’s
inventory also includes 58 hydroelectric power plants which generate 44 billion
kilowatt hours annually. Reclamation’s reservoirs have a capacity
of 245 million acre feet of storage, which is enough to serve 31 million people
and 10 million farm land acres. Reclamation’s dams, reservoirs,
and power plants represent potential targets for terrorist and other criminal
activity. Many of these facilities would present serious risks to the public
if they were to fail. Management of these assets is through Regional Offices
in Billings, MT, Boise, ID, Salt Lake City, UT, Boulder City, NV, and Sacramento,
CA and 26 additional Area Offices throughout the west.
The Security, Safety and Law Enforcement (SSLE) Office, is a component of the
Office of the Commissioner and is located in Denver, Colorado. The SSLE
Office is responsible for protecting the public, Reclamation employees, and Reclamation
facilities through the development and implementation of an integrated security,
safety, emergency management, and law enforcement program.
The Director of SSLE provides leadership on Reclamation programs and projects
related to security, safety, emergency management, and law enforcement; develops
Reclamation-wide policies and guidelines governing these programs; and provides
oversight of program execution in Reclamation field offices. These programs
are administered by five sub-organizations within the SSLE Office: Security Office,
Law Enforcement Office, Dam Safety Office, Safety and Health Services, Program
and Emergency Management Office, and a liaison staff in Washington D.C.
Reclamation’s security and law enforcement responsibilities include prioritizing
critical assets, identifying potential threats to facilities and information,
law enforcement coordination and investigations, assessing vulnerabilities and
consequences, and mitigating vulnerabilities through integrated and cost-effective
security measures. Site security measures may include facility fortification,
surveillance and guard activities, improved security procedures, increased employee
awareness and law enforcement activities.
