Reclamation's FY 2005 Budget Request is $956.3 Million

Contact:
Trudy Harlow 202-513-0574
Cell: 202-421-4560

Reclamation's FY 2005 Budget Request is $956.3 Million

WASHINGTON, DC - President George W. Bush's FY 2005 budget request, released today, includes a total of $956.3 million in new budget authority for the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation.

The Administration's budget proposal will support Reclamation's core mission of managing the delivery of water in the West and the generation of electricity. Reclamation will continue to emphasize improved maintenance of its aging infrastructure to increase the reliability and efficiency of its water and hydropower facilities as well as public and employee safety by devoting substantial resources to the security and safety of its dam operations and other facilities.

The President is proposing $20 million in Reclamation for Water 2025, roughly doubling the amount appropriated by Congress in FY 2004 for the Western Water Initiative. Water 2025 is a priority for Secretary Norton and will focus Reclamation's financial and technical resources on areas in the West where conflict over water either currently exists or is likely to occur in the coming years. Water 2025 will help Western water managers deal with limited water supplies and develop partnerships to nourish a healthy environment and sustain a vibrant economy. The initiative will encourage voluntary water banking and other market-based measures, promote the use of new technology for water conservation and efficiency, encourage research to bring the cost of new water treatment technologies down, and remove institutional barriers to increase cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and private organizations. Funding will be directed at on-the-ground projects selected through a 50-50 cost shared Challenge Grant Program.

"The President's budget proposal is fiscally responsible while supporting the operation and maintenance of our facilities and being responsive to the needs and concerns of Western water users," said John Keys, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation. "Water 2025 brings focus to Reclamation's role in Western water management, setting the goal of preventing water crises before they occur while continuing to provide reliable water and power across the West."

"At the same time," Keys continued, "the President's budget request continues our commitment to the people of the Klamath River Basin in meeting the needs of farmers, communities, tribes, and the environment."

The FY 2005 request for Reclamation totals $956.3 million in gross budget authority, an increase of $13.5 million from the FY 2004 enacted level of $942.9 million.

The FY 2005 budget provides $828.5 million for Reclamation's water and related resources account. This includes:

$366.6 million for facility operations, facility maintenance, and rehabilitation - of which $64 million is targeted for the Dam Safety Program to protect the downstream public by ensuring the safety and reliability of Reclamation dams;

$498.4 million for water and energy management and development, land management and development, and fish and wildlife management and development.

Specifics of the budget request include:

$52.0 million for the Animas-La Plata Project to continue implementation of the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000, consistent with the funding level for FY 2004;

$25.0 million for the Klamath Project to continue and increase funding for studies and initiatives related to improving water supplies to meet irrigation, wildlife refuges, and Tribal trust obligations; to continue a water bank; and for the coordination of Reclamation's Conservation Implementation Program;

$18.0 million for the Middle Rio Grande Project to continue the operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of project facilities; provide flood protection; and for efforts focused on the protection and recovery of the Rio Grande silvery minnow and southwestern willow flycatcher;

$17.5 million for the Columbia and Snake River Federal Columbia River Power System Endangered Species Act Implementation to continue to implement the reasonable and prudent alternative that includes measures contained in the two Biological Opinions issued in December 2000 by the National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries) and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service;

$15.0 million for the California Bay Delta account and $54.7 million for the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; and,

a $36.6 million undistributed reduction due to anticipated delays.

The Department's Strategic Plan for FY 2003-2008, issued September 30, 2003, incorporates Reclamation's goals and measures, the President's Management Agenda and the Secretary's Citizen-Centered Governance Plan. Under the new plan, Reclamation's major end outcome goals related to water use and power generation are: 1) Deliver Water, consistent with applicable State and Federal Law, in an Environmentally Responsible and Cost Efficient Manner and 2) Generate Hydropower, consistent with applicable State and Federal Law, in an Environmentally Responsible and Cost-efficient Manner. Intermediate outcomes for these areas further integrate performance and budget in Reclamation, and lay the groundwork for implementation of activity based costing in 2004.

Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits.

RECLAMATION Office of the Commissioner Washington, DC	Contact: Trudy Harlow 202-513-0574 Cell: 202-421-4560
For Release: Feb. 2, 2004	tharlow@usbr.gov