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Water 20259- <br />Preventing Ch"ses and Conflict on the nAfesi <br />Water 2025 does not pretend to be <br />a complete solution to the complex <br />water needs of the West. <br />Principles of federalism and fiscal <br />realities make it clear these <br />decisions cannot and should not be <br />driven from the federal level. <br />Instead, they should be based on <br />local and regional support. <br />Water 2025 is a commitment by the <br />Department of the Interior to work <br />with states, tribes, local <br />governments and the public to <br />address the realities of water <br />supply challenges in the West. <br />The Bureau of Reclamation's <br />Fiscal Year 2004 budget requests <br />S11 million for the «'estern <br />Water Initiative, the first step in <br />laying the foundation for <br />addressing current and future <br />water needs. <br />..r <br />ck <br />Implementation and enforcement of <br />the federal Endangered Species Act <br />is far more effective if a water <br />supply crisis is avoided through <br />collaborative efforts than through <br />lengthy litigation or managing water <br />supply issues on an emergency basis. <br />The Five Realities <br />Five interrelated realities of water <br />management are creating crises in <br />important areas in the West. These <br />realities are: <br />-Explosive population growth <br />-Water shortages exist <br />-Water shortages result in conflict <br />-Aging water facilities limit options <br />-Crisis management is not effective <br />