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Section 1 Introduction 1.3.2 Federal Water Institutions Many federal departments and agencies also play important roles in statewide water management. Many of these groups have overlapping jurisdictions regarding development and management of water resources as they affect Colorado. Key federal agencies include: ^(7ffi~~ af M~nagem~nt ~nd Budget - reviews all proposals for appropriation of funds for water-related programs ^ Depart.r~~s~t af the Interior (DC~I) - includes the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and National Park Service - ~~R - develops and manages projects (e.g., reservoirs) in the west for the delivery of water for irrigation, M&I use, and power generation - ll.S. Fish ~nd UVildlif~ Servic~ (USFi(VS) - administers the Endangered Species Act (ESA), manages fisheries, and conducts a wide range of other activities that affect fish and water-based wildlife - lloS. ~e~l~gi~al Surr+~~y (US{~~~ - collects, analyzes, and publishes information on the nation's water resources (including flow and water quality data) ^ U.S. Environr~ental Pr~t~cti~n ~gen~y (EP~) - administers the Clean Water Act (CWA) and the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) and overseas water quality standards for interstate waters ^ U.S. 4rm~ Carp~ ~f Engine~r~ (USA~E) - plans, designs, builds, and operates water resources and other civil works projects ^ U.S, D~par'kr~~nt ~f r~gri~ulkur~ (USD~) - provides leadership on food, agriculture, natural resources, and includes: - USFS - promotes the health, diversity, and productivity of the Nation's forests and grasslands - Natural R~saur~es ~~ns~rv~ti~n S~rvice (NRCS) - partners with local entities to help conserve, maintain, and improve our natural resources and environment ^ Council ~n Envir~nm~r~tal ~u~lity - responsible for advising the president and federal agencies on environmental policies and procedures and issuing guidelines for the preparation of Environmental Impact Statements (EIS) ~~ 1.3.3 Non-Governmental Interest Groups Many non-governmental groups play important roles in state water resources decisionmaking. The Colorado Water Congress consists of various water resources stakeholders representing industry, agriculture, government, recreation, and others. The Congress is actively involved with water legislation and regulatory decisions affecting both water quantity and quality. Various environmental groups are also actively involved in the state's water resources management, including the Nature Conservancy, Sierra Club, National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited, and Colorado Environmental Coalition, to name a few. These groups lobby for environmental legislation and against legislation that weakens water quality controls or limits recreational opportunities. They also take legal action against projects that are viewed by those groups as being environmentally or recreationally destructive. In addition to the Congress and environmental organizations, the Colorado Foundation for Water Education is a statewide non-profit and non-advocacy organization that provides water resource information and education. 1.4 CWCB History and Mission The CWCB was created in 1937. The CWCB Mission is to: Conserve, Develop, Protect and Manage Colorado's Water for Present and Future Generations 1.4.1 Fundamental Goals The CWCB must develop and implement programs to: ^ Conserve the waters of the state for wise and efficient beneficial uses ^ Develop waters of the state to: - Preserve the natural environment to a reasonable degree - Fully utilize state compact entitlements ^ Protect the waters of the state and encourage maximum beneficial use without waste ^ Assist in the management of the waters of the state in situations of extreme weather conditions - during both floods and droughts ~~ Sfvtewide Woter Supoly Initiofive ~ -6 S:\REPORT\WORD PROCESSING\REPORT\S1 11-7-04.DOC