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<br />THE AGENCIES <br /> <br />Jurisdiction over water problems or <br />controls is distributed throughout most of the <br />major governmental departments; and within <br />those departments numerous bureaus, agencies <br />and commissions are concerned with water <br />matters. Often several different authorities may <br />deal with the same water project or program, <br />each with separate ideas as to the direction to <br />be taken. This brief summary should help <br />illustrate the overlapping jurisdictions regarding <br />development and management of water <br />resources as they affect Colorado. <br /> <br />COUNCIL ON <br />ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY <br /> <br />CEQ advises and assists the President <br />and federal agencies on environmental policies <br />and procedures. It Issues guidelines for the <br />preparation of environmental impact statements. <br /> <br />ENVIRONMENTAL <br />PROTECTION AGENCY <br /> <br />EPA administers the Clean Water Act and <br />the Safe Drinking Water Act. It oversees water <br />quality standards for interstate waters and <br />Issues discharge permits for federal installations. <br /> <br />OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT <br />AND BUDGET <br /> <br />OMB reviews all proposals for <br />appropriations. All federal funding for water <br />related programs and projects Is subject to this <br />review and possible revision. OMB also reviews <br />all federal regulations for cost effectiveness. <br /> <br />Page 12 <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR <br /> <br />Under the Department of the Interior <br />several separate bureaus or offices are <br />concerned with some aspect of water. <br />Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is <br />responsible for managing over 450 million acres <br />of land and thus Is concerned with minerai and <br />water resources. <br />National Park Service promotes and <br />regulates the use of certain lands designated as <br />parklands, with special emphasis on <br />conservation. <br />Bureau of Reclamation serves the 17 <br />western states in the development of <br />multipurpose projects which deliver water for <br />irrigation, municipai and industrial use, and <br />generation of power, with the reservoirs being <br />available for water based recreation. The <br />Bureau's Colorado River Quality Improvement <br />Program constructs saiinity control programs. <br />Fish and Wildlife Service administers the <br />Endangered Species Act and conducts a wide <br />range of activities that affect fish and water <br />based wildlife. It manages fisheries, is <br />concerned with land acquisition and <br />management, and cooperates with many other <br />federal agencies and states. <br />Geological Survey collects, analyzes, and <br />publishes information on the nation's water <br />resources, including quality and quantity of <br />water in streams and underground systems. <br /> <br />DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE <br /> <br />The Department of Agriculture, through <br />its various agencies, operates or sponsors many <br />research, planning and construction programs <br />related directly or Indirecty to water. <br />Agricultural Research Service conducts <br />basic and appiied research or contracts with <br />public and private organizations or Individuals <br />on research projects in water management, <br />watershed engineering and soil management. <br />Agricultural Stabilization and <br />Conservation Service administers the Water <br />Bank Program for Wetlands Preservation. the <br />cropland adjustment and conversion programs, <br />and rural environmental assistance programs, all <br />designed to provide cost sharing and other <br />economic incentives to encourage conservation <br />practices. <br />Farmers Home Administration provides <br />grants or loans for comprehensive planning of <br />water and sewer systems, for development <br />costs of water and waste disposal projects, and <br />for a broad range of other conservation related <br />operations. <br />Forest Service functions involve <br />watershed management, research to improve <br />forestland, and cooperation with states and <br />private landowners for fire protection and better <br />forest management practices. It administers five <br />of the nine designated Wild and Scenic Rivers. <br />Soil Conservation Service provides <br />technical assistance for programs of other <br />agencies of the Department and administers a <br />number of conservation and development <br />programs. It carries out emergency measures to <br />retard runoff and prevent soil erosion due to fire, <br />flood or other natural forces. <br />