Difference between revisions of "United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR)"

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A [[Organizations involved in the management of California's Central Coast Region|organizational summary]] by the [[ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems]] class at [http://csumb.edu CSUMB].
 
A [[Organizations involved in the management of California's Central Coast Region|organizational summary]] by the [[ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems]] class at [http://csumb.edu CSUMB].
  
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This page is an introduction to the United States Bureau of Reclamation with specific emphasis on California's [[Central Coast region]].
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'''THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION 20210316 AJG'''
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This page is an introduction to the United States Bureau of Reclamation with specific emphasis on the Central Coast of California.
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==Overview==
 
==Overview==
  
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The United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) is a federal agency within the [[United States Department of the Interior]] that operates in the Western United States. USBR carries out a variety of water resource management activities, which include, construction of dams, powerplants, and canals<ref name="USBR"/>. In the [[California Central Coast Region]], USBR plays a major roll in water allocation<ref name="CABR">California-Great Basin. US Bureau of Reclamation. USBR. 2020 Nov 04. [accessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/mp/aboutus/index.html</ref>.
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The United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) is a federal agency within the [[United States Department of the Interior]] that operates in the Western United States. USBR carries out a variety of water resource management activities, which include the construction of dams, powerplants, and canals<ref name="USBR"/>. In the broader CA context, the USBR manages one of the nation's largest and best-known water projects, the Central Valley Project<ref name="CABR"/>. The Central Valley Project (CVP) is designed to take water from the Central Valley of CA and disperse it throughout the state. The CVP includes 20 reservoirs and more than 500 miles of canals. The project provides water used to irrigate agricultural lands<ref name="CABR"/>.
  
 
==Mission==
 
==Mission==
  
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USBR's service 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."<ref name=”USBR”>About Us- Mission. US Bureau of Reclamation. USBR. 2020 Oct 30. [accessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/main/about/mission.html</ref>. Their goal is to provide water, power, and its associated resources (i.e., hydroelectric power) to millions of Americans in a safe and cost effective manner<ref name="USBR"/>
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USBR's service 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."<ref name="USBR">About Us- Mission. US Bureau of Reclamation. USBR. 2020 Oct 30. [accessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/main/about/mission.html</ref>. Their goal is to provide water and its associated resources (i.e., irrigation, hydroelectric power) to millions of Americans in a safe and cost effective manner<ref name="USBR"/>
  
 
==Legal Status / Authority==
 
==Legal Status / Authority==
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'''PLACE HOLDER'''
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USBR was established in 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt to “make the desert bloom”<ref name="Teddy">William D. Rowley. The Bureau of Reclamation: Origins and Growth to 1945. US Bureau of Reclamation. Vol 1, 2006. [acessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/history/OriginsandGrowths/Volume1.pdf</ref>. More specifically under the Reclamation Act of 1902, congress approved the large-scale planning of irrigation, storage, diversion and development of waters in the arid westerns states<ref name="History">Bureau of Reclamation- A very brief history. US Bureau of Reclamation. 2018 Aug 15 [accessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/history/borhist.html</ref>. The goal was to make western states more habitable, creating water storage and irrigation systems to attract homesteaders<ref name="History"/>. 
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USBR was established by Congress via the Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956. The act consolidated the Bureau of Fisheries and the Bureau of Biological Survey within the [[United States Department of the Interior]].<ref>Reference text https://www.fws.gov/help/about_us.html </ref>
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USBR holds many responsibilities related to the protection and conservation of inland fish, wildlife, and plants. Many of its functions involve acquiring, protecting, and managing ecosystems deemed necessary to sustain important fish and wildlife. USFWS operates a network of 567 National Wildlife Refuges nationwide. USFWS has primary responsibility for the implementation of the [[Endangered Species Act]], and also promotes conservation of threatened species through their Migratory Bird program and Fish and Aquatic Conservation program.<ref>Reference text https://www.fws.gov/policy/022fw1.html </ref> USFWS protects species and their habitats with their Office of Law Enforcement, which helps prevent illegal wildlife trade and trafficking, habitat destruction, and environmental contamination. Special agents and wildlife inspectors enforce state, federal, and international wildlife regulations in cooperation with state and tribal organizations.<ref>Reference text https://www.fws.gov/le/about-le.html </ref>
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USBR holds many responsibilities related to western states water resources. The USBR is the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the country<ref name="USBR"/>. The priorities of the USBR are to deliver water and power benefits to the American people pursuant to their contracts, statues, and agreements<ref name="USBR"/>.
  
 
==Governance==
 
==Governance==
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'''PLACE HOLDER'''
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The USBR agency executive is the Commissioner. The Commissioner is nominated by the President of the United States and then must be approved by the US Senate. The director and USBR headquarters is primarily responsible for budget allocation and policy creation. Five regional directors report to the agency Deputy Commissioner and oversee implementation of policies and field office program management.<ref>Reference text Organization Chart. US Bureau of Reclamation. 2020. [accessed Mar 17 2021]. https://www.usbr.gov/main/images/br_org_chart.pdf</ref>.
  
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USBR governs the nation's ecosystems within the 12 [[DOI]] Interior Regions. These regions are based on watersheds in order to facilitate ecosystem management efficiency, and cover approximately 530 million acres of surface land.<ref>Reference text https://www.doi.gov/employees/reorg/unified-regional-boundaries </ref>  
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The national headquarters for the USBR is located in Washington, D.C. and USBR has many local offices in the 17 US states it operates.<ref>Reference text https://www.usbr.gov/ </ref> Regional offices carry out water allocation operations, maintenance of dams, and canals, with house engineers, biologists, park rangers and other USBR staff<ref>Reference text About Us. US Bureau of Reclamation. Nov 4 2020. [accessed Mar 17 2021].https://www.usbr.gov/mp/aboutus/index.html</ref>. 
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*Region 1: North Atlantic-Appalachian
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*Region 2: South Atlantic-Gulf
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Although USBR has a large amount of autonomy and many of its decisions are based on scientific research and collaboration with other local managers, the presidentially-appointed [[United States Department of the Interior (DOI)|US Secretary of the Interior]] has the ultimate authority over agency actions. As a statutory member of the presidential cabinet, the Secretary reports directly to the president.
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*Region 3: Great Lakes
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*Region 4: Mississippi Basin
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==Organizational Structure==
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*Region 5: Missouri Basin ​
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USBR is a contemporary water management agency that operates in 17 western states broken into 5 Regions. The [[United States Department of the Interior (DOI)]] is broken up into 12 regions based on watersheds but generally drawn along state lines to simplify coordination with external partners<ref>Reference text https://www.doi.gov/employees/reorg/unified-regional-boundaries</ref>. 
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'''Regions Operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation'''
 
*Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas-Gulf
 
*Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas-Gulf
 
*Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin
 
*Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin
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*Region 9: Columbia-Pacific Northwest
 
*Region 9: Columbia-Pacific Northwest
 
*Region 10: California-Great Basin
 
*Region 10: California-Great Basin
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*Region 11: Alaska
 
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*Region 12: Pacific Islands
 
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The national headquarters are located in Washington, D.C. and USFWS has many local offices in every US state and territory.<ref>Reference text https://www.fws.gov/offices/statelinks.html </ref> These state offices carry out [[National Wildlife Refuge System]] operations, host researchers, and house Office of Law Enforcement personnel.<ref>Reference text https://www.fws.gov/offices/Directory/ListOffices.cfm?statecode=6 </ref> 
 
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Although USBR has a large amount of autonomy and many of its decisions are based on the scientific research and collaboration with other local managers, the presidentially-appointed [[US Secretary of the Interior]] has the ultimate authority over agency actions. As a statutory member of the presidential cabinet, the secretary reports directly to the president.
 
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==Organizational Structure==
 
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The USBR agency executive is the director. The director is nominated by the President of the United States and then must be approved by the US Senate. The director and USFWS headquarters is primarily responsible for budget allocation and policy creation. Eight regional directors report to the agency director and oversee implementation of policies and field office program management.<ref>Reference text https://www.fws.gov/help/about_us.html </ref>
 
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Major sub-units of the USFWS include:
 
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* [[National Wildlife Refuge System]]
 
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* [[Division of Migratory Bird Management]]
 
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* [[National Fish Hatchery System]]
 
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* [[Endangered Species Program]]
 
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* [[Internal Affairs Program]]
 
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* [[National Conservation Training Program]]
 
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* [[USFWS Office of Law Enforcement]]
 
  
 
==Central Coast Context==
 
==Central Coast Context==
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In the [[California Central Coast Region]], USBR plays a major roll in water allocation<ref name="CABR">California-Great Basin. US Bureau of Reclamation. USBR. 2020 Nov 04. [accessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/mp/aboutus/index.html</ref>.
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Many local organizations coordinate with USFWS for environmental management in the [[Central Coast]] region. [[Big Sur Land Trust]] secured $14 million from USFWS and several state agencies for the [[Carmel River Floodplain Restoration and Environmental Enhancement (Carmel River FREE) Project]]. This project strives to restore floodplain habitat for many native species as well as reduce flooding of developed areas. USFWS has also designated critical habitat for [[California Tiger Salamander in California's Central Coast Region]], and the Pacific Southwest Region office worked with state agencies to create a species recovery plan for CA tiger salamanders in 2017. Since 1992, USFWS has operated the [[California Condor Recovery Program]], which breeds and reintroduces condors to the wild.<ref>Reference text https://www.fws.gov/cno/es/CalCondor/Condor.cfm </ref>  
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Two main management projects in California's [[Central Coast region]]. are the Twitchell Reservoir and Casitas Dam, located in the Santa Maria Valley and Ojai, CA. The Twitchell Reservoir, established in 1959 as the Vaquero Dam and Reservoir, acts as a main groundwater recharge site and water source for the local community, as well as serving as a flood protection barrier <ref> http://www.countyofsb.org/pwd/twitchell.sbc </ref>. The Casitas Dam, diverting water from the Ventura River to Lake Casitas <ref> https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=276 </ref>, is used for irrigation and other services within the Casitas Municipal Water District. The USBR also manages the Hoover Dam, which supplies around 4.4 million acre-feet of water to Southern California every year <ref> https://www.watereducation.org/aquapedia/hoover-dam </ref>.
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Because of its authority over the [[Release Sites for the California Condor|California Condor Recovery Program]] and its role in [[Central Coast]] conservation and management, USFWS is a potential partner for the [[Range of the Condor National Heritage Area]], which would promote further environmental stewardship and outreach for the region.
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USFWS is also responsible for approving [[Habitat Conservation Plans]] such as the [[Fort Ord Habitat Conservation Plan (HCP)]] and supplying permits for environmental management projects that involve terrestrial species covered by the [[Endangered Species Act]].
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USBR manages the [[National Wildlife Refuge System]]. Refuges in or near California's [[Central Coast region]] include:
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* [[Ellicott Slough  National Wildlife Refuge]] near Watsonville
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* [[Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge]] near Marina
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* [[Bitter Creek National Wildlife Refuge]] near Taft
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* [[Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes National Wildlife Refuge]] near Nipomo
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* [[Kern National Wildlife Refuge]] near Lost Hills, in the [[Central Valley]]
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* [[Pixley National Wildlife Refuge]] near Delano, in the [[Central Valley]]
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* [[Blue Ridge National Wildlife Refuge]] near Visalia in the foothills of the southern Sierra Nevada
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==Related links==
 
==Related links==
  
 
* [[Organizations involved in the management of California's Central Coast Region]]
 
* [[Organizations involved in the management of California's Central Coast Region]]
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* [http://www.fws.gov USFWS home page ]
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* [http://www.usbr.gov USBR home page ]
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* [[United States Department of the Interior]]
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* [[United States Department of the Interior (DOI)]]
  
 
== References ==
 
== References ==

Latest revision as of 10:04, 22 March 2021

US Bureau of Reclamation logo

A organizational summary by the ENVS 560/L Watershed Systems class at CSUMB.

This page is an introduction to the United States Bureau of Reclamation with specific emphasis on California's Central Coast region.

Overview

The United States Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) is a federal agency within the United States Department of the Interior that operates in the Western United States. USBR carries out a variety of water resource management activities, which include the construction of dams, powerplants, and canals[1]. In the broader CA context, the USBR manages one of the nation's largest and best-known water projects, the Central Valley Project[2]. The Central Valley Project (CVP) is designed to take water from the Central Valley of CA and disperse it throughout the state. The CVP includes 20 reservoirs and more than 500 miles of canals. The project provides water used to irrigate agricultural lands[2].

Mission

USBR's service 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."[1]. Their goal is to provide water and its associated resources (i.e., irrigation, hydroelectric power) to millions of Americans in a safe and cost effective manner[1]

Legal Status / Authority

USBR was established in 1902 by President Theodore Roosevelt to “make the desert bloom”[3]. More specifically under the Reclamation Act of 1902, congress approved the large-scale planning of irrigation, storage, diversion and development of waters in the arid westerns states[4]. The goal was to make western states more habitable, creating water storage and irrigation systems to attract homesteaders[4].

USBR holds many responsibilities related to western states water resources. The USBR is the largest wholesaler of water in the country and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power in the country[1]. The priorities of the USBR are to deliver water and power benefits to the American people pursuant to their contracts, statues, and agreements[1].

Governance

The USBR agency executive is the Commissioner. The Commissioner is nominated by the President of the United States and then must be approved by the US Senate. The director and USBR headquarters is primarily responsible for budget allocation and policy creation. Five regional directors report to the agency Deputy Commissioner and oversee implementation of policies and field office program management.[5].

The national headquarters for the USBR is located in Washington, D.C. and USBR has many local offices in the 17 US states it operates.[6] Regional offices carry out water allocation operations, maintenance of dams, and canals, with house engineers, biologists, park rangers and other USBR staff[7].

Although USBR has a large amount of autonomy and many of its decisions are based on scientific research and collaboration with other local managers, the presidentially-appointed US Secretary of the Interior has the ultimate authority over agency actions. As a statutory member of the presidential cabinet, the Secretary reports directly to the president.

Organizational Structure

USBR is a contemporary water management agency that operates in 17 western states broken into 5 Regions. The United States Department of the Interior (DOI) is broken up into 12 regions based on watersheds but generally drawn along state lines to simplify coordination with external partners[8].

Regions Operated by the United States Bureau of Reclamation

  • Region 6: Arkansas-Rio Grande-Texas-Gulf
  • Region 7: Upper Colorado Basin
  • Region 8: Lower Colorado Basin
  • Region 9: Columbia-Pacific Northwest
  • Region 10: California-Great Basin

Central Coast Context

In the California Central Coast Region, USBR plays a major roll in water allocation[2]. Two main management projects in California's Central Coast region. are the Twitchell Reservoir and Casitas Dam, located in the Santa Maria Valley and Ojai, CA. The Twitchell Reservoir, established in 1959 as the Vaquero Dam and Reservoir, acts as a main groundwater recharge site and water source for the local community, as well as serving as a flood protection barrier [9]. The Casitas Dam, diverting water from the Ventura River to Lake Casitas [10], is used for irrigation and other services within the Casitas Municipal Water District. The USBR also manages the Hoover Dam, which supplies around 4.4 million acre-feet of water to Southern California every year [11].

Related links

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 About Us- Mission. US Bureau of Reclamation. USBR. 2020 Oct 30. [accessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/main/about/mission.html
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 California-Great Basin. US Bureau of Reclamation. USBR. 2020 Nov 04. [accessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/mp/aboutus/index.html
  3. ↑ William D. Rowley. The Bureau of Reclamation: Origins and Growth to 1945. US Bureau of Reclamation. Vol 1, 2006. [acessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/history/OriginsandGrowths/Volume1.pdf
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Bureau of Reclamation- A very brief history. US Bureau of Reclamation. 2018 Aug 15 [accessed 2021 Mar 16]. https://www.usbr.gov/history/borhist.html
  5. ↑ Reference text Organization Chart. US Bureau of Reclamation. 2020. [accessed Mar 17 2021]. https://www.usbr.gov/main/images/br_org_chart.pdf
  6. ↑ Reference text https://www.usbr.gov/
  7. ↑ Reference text About Us. US Bureau of Reclamation. Nov 4 2020. [accessed Mar 17 2021].https://www.usbr.gov/mp/aboutus/index.html
  8. ↑ Reference text https://www.doi.gov/employees/reorg/unified-regional-boundaries
  9. ↑ http://www.countyofsb.org/pwd/twitchell.sbc
  10. ↑ https://www.usbr.gov/projects/index.php?id=276
  11. ↑ https://www.watereducation.org/aquapedia/hoover-dam

Disclaimer

This page may contain student work completed as part of assigned coursework. It may not be accurate. It does not necessary reflect the opinion or policy of CSUMB, its staff, or students.

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