Reclamation Unveils Web Site On Agency's Plan To Address Future Water Management Challenges
On June 7, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation unveiled a Web site that will allow the agency to share up-to-date information with the public and allow stakeholders and other interested parties to comment directly on issues facing the bureau in the future.
The Web site focuses on Reclamation's Managing for Excellence Action Plan, which outlines a process and timeframe for identifying and addressing the specific 21st Century challenges to fulfill Reclamation's mission "to manage, develop, and protect water and related resources in an environmentally and economically sound manner in the interest of the American public."
According to Reclamation, an important catalyst for this evaluation effort is the recently published National Research Council (NRC) report, "Managing Construction and Infrastructure in the 21st Century Bureau of Reclamation," which examines several facets of the agency's organization, practices and culture.
"Managing for Excellence grew from recognition of the need to be adequately prepared for the 21st Century challenges of providing water and delivering hydropower to the people of the American West," said Bill Rinne, acting Reclamation commissioner. "I am pleased to announce the availability of this Web site that will provide access to the latest information on the Managing for Excellence Action Plan."
The Web site, along with the NRC report, may be accessed at http://www.usbr.gov/excellence.
The Managing for Excellence action plan includes 41 action items. Most of the action items are scheduled to be completed by December. The newly launched Web site will provide the public with the opportunity to track the progress of the action plan and to be notified of any public meetings where updates will be presented.
"Reclamation welcomes the participation of its stakeholders and others as we work together to effectively position the bureau to tackle the important issues facing us in the 21st Century," Rinne said.