6/29/15, 2:34 PMReclamation Releases Collaborative Moving Forward Report Addressing Future Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Challenges

Page 1 of 2http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=49294

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Media Contact: Rose Davis (702) 293-8421

Carly Jerla(303) 735-1729

Released On: May 12, 2015

Reclamation Releases Collaborative Moving ForwardReport Addressing Future Colorado River Basin WaterSupply and Demand ChallengesBoulder City, Nev. -- The Bureau of Reclamation and stakeholders throughout the ColoradoRiver Basin (Basin) released a report today that documents opportunities and potentialactions to address the future water supply and demand imbalances projected in the 2012Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study.

The Moving Forward Phase 1 Report is part of the Colorado River Basin Study MovingForward effort launched in May of 2013. The Moving Forward program is an effort by theDepartment of the Interior (DOI) and stakeholders throughout the Basin to respond in acoordinated and collaborative manner in identifying and implementing actions that addressprojected water supply and demand imbalances, have broad-based support, and provide awide range of benefits.

In Moving Forward Phase 1, funded jointly by Reclamation and the seven Colorado RiverBasin States, over 100 stakeholders spanning all water use sectors engaged in threeworkgroups focused on water use efficiency (urban and agricultural) and environmental andrecreational flows. The Phase 1 Report includes chapters contributed by each workgroup.

"The impacts of the ongoing drought are widespread and are currently being addressed at thelocal and regional levels. Looking ahead to the longer-term challenges facing the Basindocumented in the 2012 Study, it is clear that these challenges must be tackled collaborativelyinvolving all sectors of use," Lower Colorado Regional Director Terry Fulp said. "The Phase1 Report is a critical first step towards this level of collaboration."

Twenty-five opportunities were identified by the workgroups. Similar components resultingfrom each workgroup's individual set of findings include opportunities related to funding andincentives, data and tools, outreach and partnerships, coordination and integration,infrastructure improvements, and flexible water management.

Building from the Phase 1 Report, Phase 2 of the Moving Forward effort will be underwaylater this year and includes the selection and implementation of several pilot projects.

The Moving Forward Phase 1 Report is publicly available athttp://www.usbr.gov/lc/region/programs/crbstudy/MovingForward/index.html. Comments areencouraged on the report during the next 90 days and will be summarized and posted to the

Lower Colorado RegionBoulder City, Nev.

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6/29/15, 2:34 PMReclamation Releases Collaborative Moving Forward Report Addressing Future Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Challenges

Page 2 of 2http://www.usbr.gov/newsroom/newsrelease/detail.cfm?RecordID=49294

website for consideration in Phase 2.

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Reclamation is the largest wholesale water supplier and the second largest producer of hydroelectric power inthe United States, with operations and facilities in the 17 Western States. Its facilities also provide substantialflood control, recreation, and fish and wildlife benefits. Visit our website at www.usbr.gov and follow us onTwitter @USBR.