[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 150 (Tuesday, December 20, 1994)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[Congressional Record: December 20, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
REMARKS OF BUREAU OF RECLAMATION COMMISSIONER DAN BEARD
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HON. GEORGE MILLER
of california
in the house of representatives
Tuesday, December 20, 1994
Mr. MILLER of California. Mr. Speaker, the Bureau of Reclamation was
created over 90 years ago as the Government agency dedicated to the
goal of settling the West through the construction of dams, reservoirs,
and canals for delivering irrigation water. This construction legacy on
rivers throughout the Western United States will undoubtedly continue
to produce reliable water supplies for many years.
The realities of the changing needs of the West must be reflected in
the mission of the resource development agencies that may have outlived
their original purposes. In his 18 months as reclamation commissioner,
Dan Beard has recognized this challenge and successfully transformed
the Bureau of Reclamation into a water resource management agency and
will be fully equipped to adapt to the changing water needs of the
Western United States.
Remarks of Daniel P. Beard, Commissioner, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation
Before the International Commission on Large Dams, Durban, South
Africa, November 9, 1994
Thank you for giving me this opportunity to address the
18th Congress of the International Commission on Large Dams
(ICOLD).
As most of you know, the United States Bureau of
Reclamation, the agency I direct, was founded as a
construction agency.
The results of our work are well known.
Hoover Dam, Glen Canyon Dam, Grand Coulee Dam, and other
works were monumental undertakings that are a source of pride
to our nation and our employees.
In the last two years, however, we have come to the
realization that we must make significant changes in USBR's
program.
It is these changes I would like to discuss with you today.
There are several reasons why changes are taking place in
USRB.
A premise for our program was the project costs would be
repaid. We now realize the significant construction and
operating costs of large-scale projects cannot be repaid.
Our experience has shown that the actual costs of completed
projects substantially exceeded the original estimated costs,
and many project benefits were never realized. We lost our
credibility with the public and our political leadership
because we failed to accurately estimate project costs and
benefits.
The USBR generally served the needs of a few agricultural
water users. We generally did not serve the needs of
expanding urban populations. The result was that the base of
support for our program declined.
Over time, our operating experience has given us a more
clear appreciation for the secondary environmental impacts of
the large-scale water projects we developed. We were slow to
recognize those problems, and we are still learning how
severe they are and how to correct them.
We have also come to realize there are many alternatives to
solving water problems that do not involve dam construction.
Non-structural alternatives are often less costly to
implement and can have fewer environmental impacts.
What has been the result of these forces?
The result is that the dam building era in the United
States is now over. We can no longer count on public or
political support for large, traditional construction
projects. Those projects we have underway will be completed
as quickly as possible. Any new construction will take place
only in small increments, narrowly targeted to meet well-
defined, but limited, objectives. We now anticipate facing
the challenge of water management using the tools of the
``Information Age''--improved data collection and modeling,
geographic information systems, and demand-side management
tools.
How have we in the USBR approached these turbulent times?
We have become realistic about our future. We recognize our
budget and our staffing levels will decline, not increase, as
our program changes.
In addition, we can't continue to do business the same old
way. President Clinton and Vice President Gore have initiated
a comprehensive program to reduce costs, eliminate
unnecessary paperwork, reduce personnel, and deliver a better
product in a shorter period of time. We have made a conscious
choice to be a leader in this effort.
In brief, we needed to change and change quickly. And we
have.
I initiated a top-to-bottom review of the agency which has
led to a significant restructuring last April.
We've embraced a new philosophy of delegating day-to-day
operating decisions to field personnel. We will give them the
responsibility and authority to make decisions, within
established general policy, without coming to headquarters
for approval. We've also undertaken an aggressive
restructuring designed to eliminate layers of unnecessary
management and unnecessary practices.
Although we've just begun, the results are impressive.
We have reduced our budget request for this year by 12
percent--a $93 million reduction.
Since May 1993, our staff level has been reduced by
approximately 1,000 positions, or 13 percent.
We have reduced the number of senior level managers.
Our field offices have been given significant new authority
and responsibility.
Our Denver office has been significantly altered. The new
organization, now called the Reclamation Service Center
(RSC), will be a customer service organization working for
other parts of USBR.
In Denver and our regional offices, we have reduced at
least two layers of management.
Finally, we have launched a series of new program
initiatives, including expanded efforts in wastewater
reclamation and resuse, an conservation.
One final note about the participation of the USBR in
international activities. My attendance at this conference is
not a coincidence. We have been an active participant in
ICOLD affairs since it was founded. Previous Commissioners
have been very supportive, and many USBR employees serve on
committees.
The USBR will remain an active participant in the affairs
of ICOLD. This organization offers all of us an opportunity
to discuss, debate, and consider new approaches to solving
the world's water resource problems. There is much we can
learn from one another, and we want to continue that
tradition.
As we seek to keep ourselves well informed, so should we
seek to maintain an open exchange of information and opinion
with all groups. USBR is committed to full disclosure of
information to the public. Open access to information will be
a hallmark of our operations, both domestic and
international.
To President Pircher, Secretary General Cotillon, and
Congress Chairman Val Robbroeck, thank you for giving me the
opportunity to be with you this morning.
I am enjoying participating in this Congress during my
first trip to South Africa. I look forward to meeting as many
of you as possible during the rest of the week.
Thank you.
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