Laserfiche WebLink
<br />w <br />w:.. <br />lV <br />l'-J <br /> <br />Safeguarding the Investment. <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />, . .. <br /> <br />. . <br /> <br />Since the inception of the Reclamation program in 1902, more <br />than $16 billion has been invested in water resource and <br />hydropower facilities. Hoover, Grand Coulee, Shasta, and Glen <br />Canyon Dams, some of the largest in the world, are among the <br />337 dams built by Reclamation with Federal funding and in <br />cooperation with local water and power users. Reclamation is the <br />largest supplier of water in the West, delivering 10 trillion gallons <br />of water per year to 28 million municipal and industrial and <br />agricultural users. Reclamation projects deliver irrigation water <br />to about 10 million acres of farmland which annually produce <br />crops valued at nearly $9 billion. Fifty-two hydropower plants <br />generate about 60 billion kilowatt hours per year which produce <br />$700 million annually in revenues. Average annual flood control <br />benefits realized from Reclamation reservoir operations exceed <br />$200 million. Public use facilities at 300 recreation areas on <br />Reclamation projects attract nearly 80 million visitors each year, <br />and the enhanced year-round regulation of rivers and streams by <br />Reclamation provide prized recreation and spon fishing <br />opponunities for millions. <br /> <br />,'; <br /> <br />The investment in these projects must be protected and <br />maintained so that future generations can realize the benefits of the <br />Reclamation program. Under Reclamation law, much of the <br />capital investment in project facilities must be repaid by project <br />beneficiaries, thus requiring Reclamation to be diligent in carrying <br />out its cost recovery responsibilities. Compliance with the <br />requirements of the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982, as amended, <br />is also critical in order to ensure that the benefits of the program <br />are widely distributed. Reclamation has placed increased <br />emphasis on the operation and maintenance of project features, <br />and pursued a comprehensive safety of dams program to ensure <br />the safety of all Reclamation dams and to provide technical <br />assistance to others on dam safety activities. Safeguarding the <br />investment in existing projects to ensure their continued safe and <br />reliable operation is a primary responsibility of Reclamation. <br /> <br /> <br />This section of the Strategic Plan contains four elements and <br />associated strategies for carrying out that responsibility. <br /> <br />DRAFr <br /> <br />'''j" <br />..... .~ <br />;.;-;.,:n <br />..d -......x; _ ~,_~<;-~k-L"_~..:.;_~~ <br />