News Release Archive

Reclamation's FY 2006 Budget Request is $946.7 Million

Responds to the needs and concerns of Western water users

Media Contact: Kip White, (202) 513-0684, kwhite@usbr.gov

For Release: February 07, 2005

President George W. Bush's FY 2006 budget request, released today, includes a total of $946.7 million in new budget authority for the Department of the Interior's Bureau of Reclamation. The President's request is in keeping with the administration's commitment to reduce the federal deficit by one-half by 2009.

The Administration's budget proposal will support Reclamation's core mission of managing the delivery of water and the generation of electricity in the West. Reclamation will continue to emphasize maintenance of its aging infrastructure to increase the reliability and efficiency of its water and hydropower facilities. Public and employee safety will also be highlighted by devoting substantial resources to the security and safety of its dam operations and other facilities.

The President is proposing $30 million in Reclamation for Water 2025, more than 50 percent above the amount appropriated by Congress in FY 2005. Water 2025 is a priority for Secretary Norton and will continue to focus Reclamation's financial and technical resources on areas in the West where conflict over water either currently exists or is likely to occur in the coming years. The initiative encourages voluntary water banking and other market-based water management measures, promotes the use of new technology for water conservation and efficiency, facilitates system optimization reviews of water delivery infrastructure, encourages research to bring the cost of new water treatment technologies down, and remove institutional barriers to increase cooperation and collaboration among federal, state, tribal, and private organizations. Funding will be directed at on-the-ground projects selected through a 50-50 cost shared challenge grant program.

"The President's budget proposal continues to support the operation and maintenance of our facilities and is responsive to the needs and concerns of western water users," said John Keys, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation. "Water 2025 brings focus to Reclamation's role in Western water management, setting the goal of preventing water crises before they occur while continuing to provide reliable water and power across the West."

The FY 2006 request for Reclamation totals $946.7 million in current budget authority, a decrease of $18.2 million from the FY 2005 enacted of $964.9 million. The FY 2006 budget provides $801.6 million for Reclamation's water and related resources account. This includes:

  • $391.7 million for facility operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation - of which $69.9 million is targeted for the Dam Safety Program to protect the downstream public by ensuring the safety and reliability of Reclamation dams;
  • $440.1 million for water and energy management and development, land management and development, and fish and wildlife management and development.
  • These last two amounts are offset by $30.2 million in an undistributed reduction based on anticipated delays (underfinancing).
Specifics of the budget request include:
  • $52 million for the Animas La Plata Project to continue implementation of the Colorado Ute Settlement Act Amendments of 2000;
  • $50 million for Site Security Activities to continue Reclamation's anti-terrorism program, law enforcement, and investigative activities; increase funding for additional security risk assessments, and research and development studies; continue integrated emergency security upgrades; and continue work on installation and implementation of needed physical security improvements;
  • $22.0 million for the Klamath Project to continue funding for studies and initiatives related to improving water quality and water supplies to meet irrigation, endangered species, wildlife refuges, and tribal trust obligations; continue a water bank; and coordinate Reclamation's Conservation Implementation Program;
  • $19.0 million for the Middle Rio Grande Project to continue the operations, maintenance, and rehabilitation of project facilities; provide flood protection; and protection and recovery of the Rio Grande silvery minnow and southwestern willow flycatcher;
  • $17.5 million for the Columbia and Snake Rivers Federal Columbia River Power System Endangered Species Act Implementation to continue to implement the reasonable and prudent alternative that includes measures contained in the Biological Opinions issued in December 2000 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and in November 2004 by NOAA Fisheries;
  • $35.0 million for the California-Federal Bay-Delta Program (CALFED) account in California and $52.2 million for the Central Valley Project Restoration Fund; and,
  • $17.9 million for the Lower Colorado River Operations Program to continue river operations, water service contracting and repayment, decree accounting, oversight of hydropower activities, and implementation of the Multi-Species Conservation Program.
  • Reclassification of receipts from customers of the Western Area Power Administration who use Reclamation generated power, so that the funds can go directly to financing operations and maintenance of Reclamation hydropower facilities.

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The Bureau of Reclamation is a federal agency under the U.S. Department of the Interior and is the nation's largest wholesale water supplier and second largest producer of hydroelectric power. Our facilities also provide substantial flood control, recreation opportunities, and environmental benefits. Visit our website at https://www.usbr.gov and follow us on Twitter @USBR; Facebook @bureau.of.reclamation; LinkedIn @Bureau of Reclamation; Instagram @bureau_of_reclamation; and YouTube @reclamation.

Relevant Link:

FY 2006 Budget Request