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By providing regulated, year-round flows of water,
<br />Reclamation projects have helped create several world-class
<br />and blue-ribbon cold-water sport fisheries in the West.
<br />The projects have also had some negative impacts. We
<br />have been able to mitigate these impacts, in some cases,
<br />and in other instances, we have been less successful.
<br />Today, Reclamation is undergoing a change. In recogni-
<br />tion of changing societal values, greater environmental
<br />knowledge and awareness, and increased competition for
<br />water, Reclamation's mission emphasis has evolved from a
<br />primary focus on development to a greater emphasis on
<br />resource management and protection.
<br />To help guide this evolution, we have developed a
<br />strategic plan. This plan establishes the long-range frame-
<br />work for resource management, development, and protec-
<br />tion, with goals and strategies that we will pursue into the
<br />21st century.
<br />The underlying fundamental value behind the strategic
<br />plan is asset management-through improved manage-
<br />ment-to obtain added value and additional benefits from
<br />both the infrastructure that is in place and the natural
<br />resources with which we have been entrusted.
<br />A key tenet of the plan is that Reclamation projects and
<br />management strategies must provide for the appropriate
<br />balancing of all water uses, including providing for
<br />instream flow needs.
<br />Our guiding principal regarding instream flows is that
<br />they are integral to meeting water-quality, fish and wildlife,
<br />and recreational objectives.
<br />Our goal is to operate our facilities to help meet instream-
<br />flow quantity and quality needs that are consistent with
<br />other project purposes and state law.
<br />Two of the four strategies we have planned for accom-
<br />plishing this goal are:
<br />-Determine, in cooperation with others, instream-
<br />flow needs; conduct studies to identify flexibility in
<br />reservoir operations to help meet needs; and modify
<br />operations as appropriate.
<br />-Develop partnerships and joint-venture projects
<br />with interest groups to increase the benefits associated with
<br />instream flows.
<br />We have undertaken several activities to meet instream-
<br />flow objectives. For example:
<br />-We are providing instream flows for salmon in
<br />Idaho, Oregon, and Washington through water-conserva-
<br />tion efforts.
<br />-We initiated and are continuing efforts to identify
<br />and resolve instream-flow and water-management issues on
<br />the North Platte, Wind, Beaverhead, and Arkansas rivers.
<br />-We developed an instream-flow agreement for
<br />Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir on the Shoshone River in
<br />Wyoming, significantly increasing minimum releases from
<br />the reservoir while meeting other water needs.
<br />-We initiated a study, in partnership with Trout
<br />Unlimited, the Ute Mountain Ute Indian tribe, water-
<br />conservation districts, river rafters, and marina owners to
<br />enhance the value of the Dolores Project in Colorado. Part
<br />of the study, which is scheduled for completion next year,
<br />is to determine downstream-flow and fishery needs.
<br />-We have entered into a number of partnerships
<br />to help improve instream flows and recreational opportuni-
<br />ties. This conference, for example, is a result of a partner-
<br />ship agreement with Trout Unlimited. We also have
<br />partnerships with Bass Anglers Sportsman Society, Fishing
<br />Has No Boundaries, Watchable Wildlife, Go Camping,
<br />America, and federal agencies, such as the Fish and Wildlife
<br />Service.
<br />We're also working to make our projects more environ-
<br />mentally compatible to meeting instream-flow needs.
<br />For example, by installing new turbines that re-aerate the
<br />water released through hydroelectric power plants, we can
<br />negate harmful effects on fisheries below dams. We can also
<br />accomplish this by modifying spillways to prevent nitrogen
<br />supersaturation and by installing multi-level outlets for
<br />better water-quality control.
<br />We've found that we can do a lot of creative things with
<br />our projects, to help meet instream-flow needs and im-
<br />prove their environmental compatibility without having
<br />trade-offs among instream flows, power generation, or
<br />water supply.
<br />just as importantly, we've discovered that the partner-
<br />ships we've established with other entities, such as Trout
<br />Unlimited, are vital to reaching a balance in the use and
<br />management of our nation's resources.
<br />President Bush established a goal for his administration,
<br />of improving the management of our nation's water
<br />resources. Our strategic plan will help accomplish that goal
<br />by providing for the appropriate balancing of all uses of this
<br />life-giving resource, including instream-flow needs.
<br />Our relationship with organizations such as Trout
<br />Unlimited will also help accomplish that goal. We are
<br />extremely pleased to be working with you and look
<br />forward to additional projects in the future. Thank you.
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