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<br />'. <br /> <br />my basic management philosophy for Interior: communication, consultation and cooperation, in <br />the service of conservation. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />I also recognize that it is very important for all of us to ensure that the 2003 Agreement is <br />honored and respected in the coming years. It is critically important that the California water <br />management agencies implement the provisions ofthe Water Delivery Agreement and meet the <br />specific, annual reductions in water use required by both the Interim Surplus Guidelines and the <br />Agreement itself. <br /> <br />Within the Interior Department, the Bureau of Reclamation, the Bureau of Land Management <br />and the Fish and Wildlife Service will be actively working with the agencies on canal linings and <br />other projects. These will allow California io avoid the adverse consequences that will flow <br />from a failure to honor the requirements of the 2003 Agreement. <br /> <br />The Importance of Certainty in Water Allocations <br /> <br />I cannot emphasize strongly enough the importance of the certainty provided by the 2003 Water <br />Delivery Agreement and the related agreements between California water management agencies. <br />As we all know, bitter conflicts are the inevitable result of a failure to define Awho owns what@ <br />water. Just as the doctrine of prior appropriation evolved to resolve water disputes in the gold <br />fields and the early farming communities because it provided a simple and predictable rule, the <br />Law of the Colorado River was developed to provide clarity and predictability among the basin <br />states. <br /> <br />A resolution of conflicts over water allocations is also a necessary predicate to meeting the needs . <br />ofthe future. Without a common understanding and acceptance of water allocations, it is <br />virtually impossible to meet emerging needs for water in different areas or for different purposes. <br />When the underlying rights to water are unclear, then future solutions are more challenging to <br />negotiate. <br /> <br />The Colorado River Water Delivery Agreement gives each of the California agencies and the <br />other Colorado River basin states more certainty regarding their allocations from the Colorado. <br />With this certainty, everyone will have a greater ability to plan for the future. <br /> <br />Highlighting Future Challenges B Drought and Multi-Species Conservation Program <br /> <br />On the Colorado River, there is always more work to be done. There are still problems to be <br />solved, arid new needs and challenges to be met. <br /> <br />Tonight, I will focus on two of the many challenges that we must face: addressing the continuing <br />drought and completing the Lower Basin's Multi-Species Conservation Program. <br /> <br />Drought <br /> <br />The current drought on the Colorado may emerge as the next major challenge for the Basin. <br />Because of the ample storage in the Colorado Basin B and completion ofthe Colorado River <br />Water Delivery Agreement B the Lower Basin will be able to enjoy access to surplus water in <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />3 <br />