News Release Archive

Reclamation and the U.S. Army Sign Partnership Agreement

Media Contact: Kip White, (202) 513-0684, kwhite@usbr.gov
Doug Garman, doug.m.garman@hq02.usace.army.mil

For Release: February 11, 2005

WASHINGTON - During a special ceremony today, the Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Civil Works) (OASA-CW) signed a partnership agreement designed to increase the coordination, collaboration and cooperation between the two agencies.

Reclamation Commissioner John W. Keys, III (left) visits with George S. Dunlop, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Policy and Legislation) after signing the partnership agreement
Reclamation Commissioner John W. Keys, III (left) visits with George S. Dunlop, Deputy Assistant
Secretary of the Army (Policy and Legislation) after signing the partnership agreement.

John W. Keys, III, Commissioner of the Bureau of Reclamation, and George S. Dunlop, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Policy and Legislation), signed the partnership agreement during a signing ceremony at today at the U.S. Department of Interior, 1849 C. Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.

This partnership agreement will enable Reclamation and OASA-CW, through the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) Civil Works mission, to collaborate in executing each agency's responsibilities for developing, managing and protecting the nation's water and related land resources. Some of the areas of mutual interest in which the two agencies will be collaborating on water resources management issues, such as river management activities and water supply initiatives; hydropower management and technical assistance in research efforts and employee training; efforts to improve dam safety and security; emergency management procedures; water-related recreation management issues; and improvement of communications between field offices.

The two agencies have established the following partnership goals:

  • Work in partnership with state, Tribal, and local entities in implementing comprehensive approaches in the management of water and related resources, including matters such as water supply management, dam safety, hydropower, flood damage reduction, fish and wildlife, ecosystem restoration, and recreation;
  • Work together to coordinate program and project activities, share expertise to improve information and tools available for regional watershed-level decisions, establish water management training and science and engineering technology exchanges, and foster sustainability in water resources development and management;
  • Engage and support local leadership in solving water resources development and management needs that are interrelated and often competing;
  • Work together and with other federal and state partners to improve emergency planning, mitigation, response to incidents of national significance and disasters, and homeland security issues common to both agencies; and,
  • Identify impediments to Reclamation/USACE partnerships and establish a framework for formal and informal coordination and communication between officials and staff at every level of the OASA-CW, USACE and Reclamation.

"Reclamation and USACE officials are committed to achieving these goals through a spirit of teamwork at all levels. We are confident this partnership will improve water and land resources management and protection, improve public services and make more efficient use of limited public funds, and create a better understanding between the two agencies as we work to achieve our respective programs and missions," Commissioner Keys said.

For more information on Reclamation and USACE missions and partnerships, visit Reclamation's website at http://www.usbr.gov, and USACE's website at http://www.usace.army.mil.

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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:

High Resolution Photo of Signing Ceremony