CharlesV. Stern updated (8 January 2021) this CRS two-pager: 'Bureau of Reclamation - FY2021 Appropriations'.
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Overview
The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation), part of the Department of the Interior, is responsible for construction and operation of many of the large dams and water diversion structures in 17 coterminous western states. Reclamation’s original mission was to develop water supplies, primarily for irrigation to reclaim arid lands in the West. Today, its mission includes management, development, and protection of water and related resources. Reclamation’s mission area and geographic scope are narrower than the other principal federal water resource agency, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
Reclamation manages hundreds of water storage and conveyance projects. These projects provide water to approximately 10 million acres of farmland and 31 million people. Reclamation is the largest wholesale supplier of water in 17 western states and the second-largest hydroelectric power producer in the nation. Reclamation facilities’ operations can be controversial, particularly in relation to effects on fish and wildlife species and conflicts among competing water users.
Reclamation’s role has evolved, and its focus has gradually shifted from construction of new water storage projects to operation and maintenance of existing projects. Reclamation also has expanded into new areas, including funding for water supply projects on tribal lands and in rural areas under congressionally authorized Indian water rights settlements and rural water supply projects, respectively. In addition, Congress has authorized Reclamation grants to nonfederal projects, including those for water reuse and recycling, conservation and efficiency, and desalination.
Reclamation’s Water and Related Resources account funds most agency activities, including construction, operation and maintenance, dam safety, ecosystem restoration, Indian water rights settlements, and most programmatic and grant authorities. Reclamation typically also requests funding for three smaller accounts: California Bay-Delta Restoration, the CentralValley Project Restoration Fund (which is offset by customer receipts), and the Policy and Administration account.
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