From that crisis, the state's competing interests recognized that no one would win if conflict and litigation continued to shape water policy. The solution was the historic Bay-Delta Accord of 1994 and CalFed, a joint federal-state water project. This consortium of local, state and federal agencies developed a long-term, comprehensive plan to restore the health of the Bay-Delta complex and recover its endangered species, while assuring reliable water supplies. It is a model of cooperative, strategic planning.
The goals of Water 2025 are to start a dialogue that can help identify areas facing the greatest potential risk of water shortages in the next 25 years; to evaluate the most effective and attainable ways of addressing the challenges; and to recommend realistic approaches and tools that have the most likelihood of success.

The Water 2025 proposal recognizes that states, tribes, local governments and affected communities have the leading role in this effort and sets out a blueprint to work with these partners on pragmatic, locally based solutions. The emphasis is solving problems through mutual understanding and agreements instead of looking for ways to assert an increased federal presence.

The Department of the Interior can help with technical expertise, and facilitate support and provide seed money, focusing scarce federal resources where they provide the greatest benefits. President Bush's budget calls for an initial investment of $11 million.

Water 2025 is a commitment to use proven tools such as market-based voluntary transfers by willing sellers and buyers, water conservation and improved management of supplies.

The proposal encourages voluntary transfers through water banks and other water-marketing tools, including agreements that allow agricultural producers to rent or lease their water to cities and towns in times of drought, and still be able to farm in most years. The Environmental Water Account under CalFed helps meet the needs of endangered fish and wildlife.

Targeted federal assistance can help farmers, ranchers and municipalities to more efficiently use their irrigation and drinking water, stretching local supplies even further. Advanced canal-lining materials and automated pumping and canal controls can conserve substantial amounts of water. Interior also can spur research to lower the cost of desalinating sea water and treating brackish or impaired ground water.

Removing institutional barriers and increasing interagency cooperation can help, too. In some areas, federal water storage and distribution facilities have excess capacity at times that could be used to satisfy unmet demands elsewhere. And a recent agreement between the Interior and Agriculture departments will create interagency Drought Action Teams to focus scarce resources quickly where and when they are needed.

By planning ahead, we can help meet the needs of the people and the environment of the West.

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About the Writer
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Gale A. Norton is secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior. Water 2025 begins at 9 a.m. at Hilton Arden West, 2200 Harvard St., Sacramento. For further information, call 916-978-5104. More on Water 2025 is at www.doi.gov/water2025.