Water Needs and Strategies for a Sustainable Future

Transcription

1 Water Needs and Strategies for a Sustainable Future Council of State Governments Annual Meeting December 1, 2006 By Craig Bell

2 Background Population growth Energy needs Water infrastructure needs Indian water right claims Climate change Endangered Species Act

3 Let s s Make Something Happen! Collaboration between U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Western Governors Association Western States Water Council Others Bureau of Reclamation U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Environmental Protection Agency National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - NGOs Western Forestry Leadership Coalition and others

4 Analyses and Recommendations Water Policy and Growth State Needs and Strategies to Meet Future Demands Water Infrastructure Needs and Strategies for Meeting Them Resolution of Indian Water Rights Climate Change Impacts Protecting Aquatic Species under the ESA

5 Water Policy and Growth Foster Sustainable Growth Policies Identify dentify water requirements Develop integrated impact scenarios Present scenarios to local decision makers Facilitate Collaborative Watershed- Focused Planning Desirable growth Environmental Protection Quality and Quantity of Water Surface water Ground water

6 Water Policy and Growth Applications for new use, transfer, etc. Consider growth plans Local Tribal Watershed Identify feasible alternatives to water transfers from agriculture

7 Strategies to Meet Water Needs Analysis Water availability Watershed approach Water conservation Additional supplies needed

8 Strategies to Meet Water Needs Increase support and funding for data Identify data gaps Foster remote sensing capabilities Reduce costs Gathering and disseminating real-time data In-kind contributions from cooperators New sources of funding needed

9 Strategies to Meet Water Needs Utilize university research programs New programs and technologies remote sensing wastewater treatment energy water efficiency more efficient and cost effective operations

10 Strategies to Meet Water Needs Support National Drought Information System Act of 2006 H.R S Make permanent a National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) Broader national drought preparedness legislation Pursue creation of broader integrated water resources information system Water-related related planning Preparedness Response activities

11 Strategies to Meet Water Needs Strengthen State water plans compile state-by by-state summary compile Westwide summary consumptive/non-consumptive uses and demands focus on grassroots, watershed approach

12 Strategies to Meet Water Needs Augment existing water supplies - water conservation water use efficiency demand management pricing structures water and water rights transfers via markets water banking water reuse revolving fallowing of ag lands watershed protection and management surface and ground water storage alternatives desalination weather modification Ensure adequate supplies are available for sustainable future

13 Strategies to Meet Water Needs Evaluate watershed programs and strategies Examine resources and level of coordination among and between: federal and state agencies Tribes conservation districts municipalities NGOs

14 Water Infrastructure Needs Analysis Future growth & prosperity of the West depends on aging infrastructure Infrastructure is inadequate Underfunding capital improvements Need for expanding & building partnerships Significant federal role in providing assistance

15 Water Infrastructure Needs Support federal State Revolving Fund appropriations Clean Water SRF Drinking Water SRF $1.35 billion $850 million increase annually by a construction inflation index Flexibility and fewer restrictions to address priorities

16 Water Infrastructure Needs Urge Congress to increase appropriations accruing to the Reclamation Fund water supply needs rural communities maintain and replace projects build new capacity to meet demands growth environmental protection

17 Water Infrastructure Needs Enact S. 895 The Rural Water Supply Act of 2005 Assess rural water supply needs Authorize federal loan guarantees enable non-federal project sponsors to obtain private financing

18 Water Infrastructure Needs Enact new authority for: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) Consider planning and prioritization changes to encourage maximum regional and national benefits

19 Water Infrastructure Needs Identify beneficiaries of existing infrastructure Identify opportunities to expand the range of interests build coalition to support funding evaluate opportunities to consolidate delivery of water-related related services

20 Water Infrastructure Needs Identify Successful water resources infrastructure Natural resources management partnerships Evaluate Organizational opportunities for public/private federal/state/local agency/agency agricultural/urban other partnerships

21 Water Infrastructure Needs Develop public education and other outreach programs survey and communicate need for adequate public infrastructure investments highlight consequences of failure to address present problems stress need to price goods and services to allow for capital budgeting project rehabilitation replacement

22 Water Infrastructure Needs Organize a series of biennial symposia bring stakeholders together find ways to meet needs of: water wastewater watershed protection and restoration public safety-related infrastructure funding quantify, evaluate and prioritize funding needs highlight benefits of integrated watershed, riverbasins,, regional & interstate planning and management

23 Resolution of Indian Water Rights Analysis Support negotiated settlement Evaluate settlement process Establish cooperative partnerships Invigorate process threatened by fiscal and legal policies Trust responsibility of the federal government Languishing funding commitment

24 Preparation for Climate Change Impacts Analysis Global surface temps have increased Projected impacts include: smaller snowpacks earlier snowmelt flood-control releases more extreme flood events receding glaciers more evaporation and dryness less groundwater

25 Preparation for Climate Change Impacts Projected impacts include: more droughts more wildfires water quality challenges hydroelectric generation water-borne shipping ecosystems recreation impacts

26 Preparation for Climate Change Impacts Efforts should be made to focus on vulnerabilities and building increased resiliency to climatic extremes. Data Collection Expand Funding Improved Prediction, Modeling, Impact Assessment Urge Congress to fund research

27 Preparation for Climate Change Impacts State Planning 1. Assess projected climate trends Inventory data sources Seek funding to support activities 2. Maintain various water-related related plans Include climate change scenarios 3. Include local government in planning efforts 4. Ensure flexibility to respond to climate change

28 Preparation for Climate Change Impacts Coordinate and share information convene ongoing, broad stakeholder meetings understand what science is saying about climate change make sure scientists understand the data and research needs of water managers and users

29 Protecting Aquatic Species under the Endangered Species Act Analysis Conflicts water management and needs of species Congressional policy of coop- eration Administrative and management mechanisms

30 Protecting Aquatic Species under the Endangered Species Act Establish a protocol Outline objectives and principles for implementing ESA Section 2(c)(2). Minimize conflicts use of water for listed species other uses of water Foster cooperation and consultation Federal and State governmental entities

31 Protecting Aquatic Species under the Endangered Species Act Identify tools to provide water for threatened and endangered species protection Report public interest standards instream protection strategies water banking and market approaches river and reservoir operations analysis expedite state general stream adjudications

32 Craig Bell Executive Director Western States Water Council