SECURE Water Act Section 9503(c)-Reclamation Climate Change and Water 2011

摘要

Established in 1902, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) is best known for the dams, powerplants, and canals it constructed within the 17 Western United States. Today, Reclamation is the largest wholesaler of water in the United States and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the Western United States. Reclamations mission is to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public. Reclamations vision is to protect local economies and preserve natural resources and ecosystems through the effective use of water. This vision is achieved through Reclamations leadership, use of technical expertise, efficient operations, and responsive customer service. In meeting its mission, Reclamations planning and operations rely upon assumptions of present and future water supplies based on climate. Climate information influences the evaluation of resource management strategies through assumptions or characterization of future potential temperature, precipitation, and runoff conditions, among other weather information. Water supply estimates are developed by determining what wet, dry, and normal periods may be like in the future and by including the potential for hydrologic extremes that can create flood risks and droughts. Water demand estimates are developed across water management system uses, including both the natural and socioeconomic systems, which include agriculture, municipal, environmental, and hydroelectric power generation. System operation boundaries include the natural system and the socioeconomic system. Acknowledging the uncertainties associated with future climate and associated potential impacts, the Omnibus Public Land Management of 2009 (Public Law 111-11) Subtitle F SECURE Water authorized Reclamation to continually evaluate and report on the risks and impacts from a changing climate and to identify appropriate adaptation and mitigation strategies utilizing the best available science in conjunction with stakeholders.