From the Commissioner River Restoration Warren Frizell

Engineer of the Year

Don Glaser
Distinquished Service

The 40 Year Club Mike McKay Neil Anderson Tim Felche Terry Warner Dave Arter
Reclamation Manual

D&S

April 2012

U.S. Department of the Interior Bureau of Reclamation

ETA

Efficiency Transparency Accountability

From the Commissioner

2013 Budget
Released on February 13, the Presidents fiscal year 2013 budget includes $1 billion for the Bureau of Reclamation. This request supports continued progress on the key priorities of Reclamations water agenda as we work to help address water resource challenges in the West. The budget emphasizes our commitment to create and sustain jobs by continuing to promote efficient water deliveries and power generation while also implementing river restoration programs that will help ensure certainty and sustainability in water management. The President, in his January 24 State of the Union address, talked about an economy built to last. He mentioned manufacturing, training and energy. Of course, these are foundational to our economy. Water is foundational to our economy also. According to a June 2011 economic report prepared by the Michael Connor

Focusing on Reclamations key priorities

Department of the Interior, Reclamation activities have an economic contribution of $55 billion and support nearly 416,000 jobs. We have been pretty successful at making that point as is evidenced by the support for our programs in the budget. In this era of double digit budget cuts for a lot of federal agencies, we have been able to hold steady or keep ourselves in the low single digits with respect to budget reductions while seeking to meet our responsibility to help address the federal deficit situation including reducing administrative costs. One area I would like to specifically highlight is the Reclamation aging infrastructure program. Our fiscal year 2013 budget requests $7.3 million to address the aging infrastructure needs of Reclamation projects. Approximately 63 percent of Reclamations facilities are now more than 50 years old. Not surprisingly, a number of these facilities are showing increased extraordinary operations and maintenance needs. Reclamation and its local operating entities anticipate a continued increase in infrastructure rehabilitation and replacement needs over time due to aging. In many cases, these needs are beyond the financial and technical capabilities of the operating entities. If funded by Congress, this initiative will provide assistance to advance and complete ongoing work, improve water supply reliability and water deliveries, and address critical backlog maintenance and rehabilitation activities. Benefits include greater reliability of water and power deliveries which will enhance regional and local economic development in turn creating and sustaining jobs.

63 percent of

Approximately

Reclamations facilities are now more than 50 years old.

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River Restoration

Unlocking long-term water goals

Creating long-term certainty in water supplies is a tough challenge, made even more complicated by the myriad conflicts which often surround the management of water in the West. With an eye to reducing those conflicts, Reclamation focuses its commitment on river restoration activities in each of its five regions a commitment that has attracted the growing support of multiple partners across the public and private sectors. River restoration work can be highly visible, such as the removal of the decommissioned Elwha Dam in Washington. Others remove barriers to fish passage, or create unique infrastructure to allow fish passage. Removing invasive, nonnative vegetation and restoring it with native grasses, shrubs and trees can also be part of a restoration effort. Learning about these and other pieces of the river restoration toolbox brought more than 120 individuals together in Albuquerque, N.M., in mid-September for the first Reclamation-wide conference held on the subject entitled, River Restoration: Exploring Institutional Challenges and Opportunities. The workshop-style conference was co-hosted by the University of New Mexico (UNM) School of Laws Utton Transboundary Resources Center. Reclamation issued a conference report summarizing its ongoing river restoration activities. The UNMs Utton Center, in assisting with the preparation of the final report, developed a series of recommendations which stemmed from the conference, including a suggestion to develop interagency teams to consider how Reclamations river

Restoration

Restoration, continued on Page 4

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River Restoration

Protecting natural resources

White House conservation conference includes river restoration
On March 2, Reclamations river restoration efforts were one part of a significant national gathering of conservation leaders at the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C. President Barack Obama, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and other senior administration leaders gathered with public and private partners at the White House Conference on Conservation for an opportunity to engage directly with conservation advocates from all 50 states and build upon partnerships that advance strong local economies and healthy lands, waters and wildlife across America. Reclamations senior executives took part in the day-long agenda. The conference featured panels and breakout sessions, which included discussions on Reclamations successful projects. Dave Koehler, executive director of the San Joaquin River Parkway and Conservation Trust, traveled from his home base in Fresno, Calif., to discuss his groups work in river restoration, conservation land transactions and environmental education. Rebecca Wodder, a senior advisor to Secretary Salazar on conservation issues and Interiors point person on the Obama Administrations new Rivers Initiative, highlights the shifting realities that underscore the importance of river restoration efforts. She emphasizes that 21st Century conditions in water resource management are very different from those of the 20th Century, when much of the Wests water infrastructure was conceived and built. Water systems that can function under the varying extremes of seasonal water availability, she said, goal, saying he envisioned a 21st Century Bureau of Reclamation that will be as well known for its expertise in river restoration as it was in the 20th Century for building and maintaining dams and other water and power infrastructure. With the release of the conference report, he said the message is as important as ever. River restoration is essential to our core mission, Commissioner Connor said. It is eshold the key to sustainable water management. Approaches that restore or mimic naturally-functioning river systems will be more reliable, flexible and cost effective over the long term, Wodder said. President Obama made a surprise late afternoon appearance on the stage of the Sidney Yates Auditorium at Interior headquarters to praise the many conservation leaders who came from all over the nation to participate. Youre all here for the same reason, President Obama said. Each of you has a deep appreciation for the incredible natural resources the incredible bounty that weve been blessed with as a nation. And youre working hard every day to make sure those resources are around for my daughter, your children, and hopefully their children to enjoy. sential, if we are to continue to deliver water and power as we have done in the past, that we work together to address the environmental impacts of our projects. If we are successful, we can provide long-term certainty, reduce conflicts and litigation, and minimize the unproductive use of our resources. River restoration work really is a major key to unlocking our long-term water goals in the West.

Restoration, continued from Page 3

restoration activities fit into broader goals such as ecosystem integrity, supporting the Americas Great Outdoors initiative, recreational interests, and cultural and community values. The conference report is available at http://www.usbr.gov/ river. In addressing conference attendees in September, Commissioner Connor reiterated a simple

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Reclamation People

The evolution of

Warren Frizell
from student intern to engineer of the year
Warren Frizell is Reclamations Engineer of the year. The announcement was made by Commissioner Michael Connor on December 14. Frizell is a research hydraulic engineer in the Technical Service Center in Denver and is a testimony to the success of the Student Career Experience Program (SCEP). He began his career as a student trainee in 1976. While in SCEP, Frizell was enrolled at the University of New Mexico, studying mechanical engineering. He graduated in 1980 and decided to continue his education at the University of Minnesota, earning a masters of science degree in civil engineering in 1987. SCEP is specifically designed for students-- providing work experience, directly related to the students academic program and career goals. Students in SCEP may be noncompetitively converted to term, career or career-conditional appointments following completion of their academic and work experience requirements. Frizell described his career longevity, Reclamation had a great group of people to work with and look up to. Mentorship is a major part of SCEP that is a source of pride for Reclamation. Reclamation trains students in order to see the abilities of a potential employee. Students gain exposure to public service while enhancing their educational goals and shaping their career choices. Warren is a living and breathing example of how Reclamation benefits from our participation in SCEP, said Kira Finkler, deputy commissioner for external and intergovernmental affairs. Training and mentoring SCEP students helps to ensure we are growing the next generation of top talent for our agency. Frizell is making dramatic contributions to hydraulic engineering research and is designing solutions to high speed and high energy problems impacting Reclamation facilities. He specializes in physical scale modeling and field testing of high head-gates and valves, hydroturbines and a variety of hydraulic structures.

PAGE 5

Warren Frizell

Reclamation People
Mid-Pacific Regional Directors work recognized

Distinquished Service Award

Mid-Pacific Regional Director Don Glaser received the Department of the Interiors Distinguished Service Award at the 68th Honor Awards Convocation on March 7 in the Sidney Yates Auditorium of the Main Interior Building in Washington, D.C. Glaser is responsible for management and oversight of the most complicated and controversial water and power resource in the United States, Californias Central Valley Project. Managing this resource requires balancing the often conflicting needs of farmers, ranchers, cities, fish, wildlife, tribal communities and recreational users, all of whom depend upon this system to survive. Under his management, the region initiated construction of the Red Bluff Pumping Station, the Rock Slough Fish Screen, and the Delta Mendota Canal/California Aqueduct Intertie, San Joaquin River interim flows and completion of the environmental documentation for expanding Los Vaqueros Reservoir. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and Deputy Secretary of the Interior David Hayes presented Glaser with a special certificate and citation signed by the Secretary. Reclamation Commissioner Michael Connor presented Glaser with an engraved gold Distinguished Service Medal and a gold lapel pin. The Distinguished Service Award is the highest recognition an employee can receive within the Department of the Interior. It is granted for an outstanding contribution to science, outstanding skill or ability in the performance of duty, outstanding contribution made during an eminent career in the Department or any other exceptional contribution to the public service.

Don Glaser receives

Don Glaser, Mid-Pacifc Regional director, oversees multiple and complex Reclamation activities including the Joint Federal Project at Folsom Dam.

PAGE 6

Time flies
when you love what youre doing 40+ years goes by in a heartbeat
If you spend any time around career Bureau of Reclamation employees, youll probably hear several variations on this statement were a family. There are more than 5,400 people working for the bureau in locations stretching across the West as well as in the commissioners office in Washington, D.C. These employees range from students to the well-seasoned; men and women; and a mix of college educated, hands-on training, technical schools, veterans and family-members. The ethnic diversity at Reclamation mirrors the differences in age and experience. If Reclamation is a family, it is a blended one, and the youth of the group have a strong foundation of experience and loyalty from which to learn. More than 400 of Reclamations employees must really love working for this bureau because theyve been on the rolls for more than 30 years. Of those, 18 have passed the 40-year mark. What makes a career employee? How does an agency garner such loyalty?

Reclamation People

Careers, continued on Page 8

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Reclamation People
Careers, continued from Page 7
Mike McKay, a hydro system controller team leader in Sacramento, Calif. and 44-year government employee said, My job has always been, and still is, interesting to me. He began his career at Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River in Washington in 1970 because, In those days the wages and benefits were good and the job looked interesting. His interest level has certainly been maintained. He recommends that for a long, happy career, you should expect the best from your coworkers, They wont disappoint you. Dont discount another persons approach to accomplishing a task that you thought you had the best approach to. This is how we become more efficient in our work.

continued on Page 9

Careers,

Mike McKay, today, and in 1979.

has always been, and still is, interesting to

My job

me.

PAGE 8

Reclamation People
Careers, continued from Page 8
Another long-time government employee began his federal career via the military. Neil K. Anderson is the chief of the civil engineering branch in Sacramento. He said, When I finished my military service obligation, I was looking for a job. I had several applications out; Reclamation was first to call on me. I knew about Reclamation and was excited about being hired. That was in 1975 and he hasnt looked back, but admits in the beginning he didnt have plans for a long career. I probably did not intend to stay forever, but I found the work very interesting and rewarding. He explained his job satisfaction, I have been fortunate to work in design, where you can actually see the finished product of your labor. There are not very many places of employment where one has the opportunity to be involved with such large structures and machinery. In interviewing candidates for engineering positions over the last two years, I have told them that we get to play with the big toys. That opportunity is very appealing to many enthusiastic young engineers.

I knew about Reclamation and was excited about being

Neil Anderson, today, and in 1991 receiving his 20-yearpin.

hired.

Careers,
PAGE 9

continued on Page 10

Reclamation People
Careers, continued from Page 9
In Billings, Mont., Tim H. Felchle is a supervisory civil engineer, and admits that he started his career thanks to a nudge from his parents. My parents saw a more promising future in working for the federal government rather than in farming. So, following his high school graduation in 1969, Felchle joined the ranks as a Reclamation employee. I love working for the agency, truly support its role and mission in providing a water supply for the semi-arid dry western portion of the United States. I truly love my job, working with internal and external stakeholders who benefit from our water resources that we manage, and being able to balance the benefits of the water resources among all of the competing interests. I am also a proponent of continually educating the public and keeping our agency transparent to folks who do not have a clear understanding of what Reclamation is about, what Reclamation does and how Reclamation accomplishes its work.

continued on Page 11

Careers,

I .... truly support its role and mission in providing a water supply for the semi-arid dry

western

portion of the

United States.

Tim H. Felchle, today, and in his first employment photo.

PAGE 10

Reclamation People
Careers, continued from Page 10
Terry S. Warner is the chief of maintenance at one of Reclamations best-recognized dams, Hoover. He began his Reclamation career in 1971 as an engineering draftsman in the Uinta Basin Construction Office, Duchesne, Utah. Through the years hes learned some lessons that have molded his career, Learn as much as you can about what it is you are doing and how you fit into the big picture of Reclamation. Learn to communicate with others. Always maintain your integrity.

continued on Page 12

Careers,

Learn as much as you can about what it is you are doing and how you fit into the big picture of Reclamation.

Terry Warner, in the yellow hard hat, is part of the Lower Colorado Regional Rope Access team.

PAGE 11

Reclamation People
Careers, continued from Page 11
Vietnam veteran Dave Arter returned to the United States after serving in Southeast Asia and needed a job. The year was 1972, at the time jobs were very hard to come by, most of the work in my home state area (Oklahoma) was related to farm work, which meant long hours for little pay. I had done this kind of work from age 14 thru high school. There had to be a better way to make a living. I really wanted [to get] into law enforcement, but that meant more education and at least three to four years down the road. In the mean time, I had to make a living while trying to get a better education. A Veterans Administration counselor guided him to Reclamation, I started as a GS-2 survey aide, and the rest is history. Today he is a construction manager and on-site government representative in Willows, Calif. He described his first few years on the job: Old timers in Reclamation inspired you to do your best, try to improve your education, improve your performance and the more you improved the more you were trusted and the more work you were given to perform. I think this is still a true statement. Now Arter, Warner, Felchle, McKay and Anderson have joined the ranks of oldtimers who are inspiring new Reclamation employees, leading by example. The next generation of Reclamation leaders might be applying for jobs today.

Old timers in Reclamation inspired you to do your best...I think this is still a true statement.

Dave Arter

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Policy and Budget

Water usage in the West is tied to changing population and lifestyles. In the past, before populations bloomed, the primary uses for western water were agriculture and recreation. There have always been pockets of mass population and industry, but these have grown in recent years requiring water users and local, state and federal agencies to reconsider water allocations and pricing. Since the mid-1990s Reclamation has been reviewing these issues. As part of that review, Reclamations Office of Policy is updating sev-

Reclamation Manual under review

real chapters of the Reclamation Manual. The Reclamation Manual is an internal document that provides bureau employees with consistent guidance related to conducting business. This updating process includes an opportunity for stakeholder review, to include their recommendations and ensure that Reclamation is effectively meeting the needs of its partners and customers in water projects across the West. In September, Reclamation announced several changes to the Manual. These included Directives and Standards on water and related resources feasibility studies and water transfers including pricing, rates, contracting and conversions from water projects to industrial or municipal use. Stakeholders have shown keen interest in these D&S and have submitted numerous recommendations. Reclamation is using these recommendations to revise the D&S and has resubmitted these to stakeholders for further consideration. For more information on the Reclamation Manual and to view the recommendations and revisions for these documents, go to http://www. usbr.gov/recman.

Water and Related Resources Feasibility Studies

Internal study requirements needed to evaluate the feasibility of proposed water resources projects before seeking congressional authorization and appropriations. Comments due April 25.

CMP 09-02

Basic requirements/definitions for water-related contracting (PEC P05); basic requirements for pricing in water-related contracts, and detailed requirements/options for establishing negotiating terms for municipal and industrial water service (PEC 05-01); and basic requirements/procedures/options for facilitating voluntary transfers and conversions in use of project water (PEC P09), with additional details for converting from irrigation uses to M&I uses (PEC 09-01). Narrowing the definition of irrigation use to include only agricultural irrigation, as indicated by relevant law; clarifying the availability and conditions for the use of Reclamations contracting authorities, especially for converting from irrigation to M&I water uses; specifying data sources for determining appropriate M&I water service price ranges; expressing options for using M&I water rate flexibilities to accumulate funds to defray aging infrastructure and dam safety expenses.
Comment

PEC P05, Water-Related Contracts - General Principles and Policies PEC 05-01, Water Rates and Pricing PEC P09, Transfers of Project Water PEC 09-01, Conversions of Project Water from Irrigation use to Municapl and Industrial Use

Water Transfers

http://www.usbr.gov/ recman/drafts/cmp0902webdraft.pdf

deadlines: Comment deadline closed April 3.

http://www.usbr.gov/recman.

PAGE 13

Policy and Budget

This flow chart addresses the circumstances under which the proposed definitions would apply to uses of contract water.

Applicability of Proposed Irrigation and M&I Definitions

Does project-specific legislation define water use categories?

YES

The project-specific definitions apply.

NO
Was the contract executed after the new definitions were issued?

YES

NO
Does the contract define the water use categories?

YES

NO
Have Reclamation and the contractor interpreted the contract irrigation water to be used for nonagricultural purposes as indicated by actual past nonagricultural uses and knowledge of them on Reclamations part (e.g., through contract compliance, reviews, participation in subcontracts, etc.)?

Has the contract been renewed, amended or supplemented since the new definitions were issued?

NO

YES YES
Was the nonagricultural use initiated after the contract action?

The expressed or implied contract definitions apply until the contract is renewed, amended or supplemented.

NO

NO
The new definitions apply.

YES

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Policy and Budget

Applicability of Proposed M&I Rate Requirements
Are the project/contract construction costs paid out?

YES
Is the contract authorized under the 1939 Act or the 1920 Act?

NO
Is the contract a Repayment (R) or Water Service (WS) contract?

1939
No construction charges - M&I rates-setting requirements do not apply.

1920
No construction charges required construction charges and replacement fund charges optional at contractors election.

R
Repayment pricing requirements apply, as set forth in the proposed D&S.

WS
M&I rate-setting requirements apply, as set forth in the proposed D&S.

Pay into Reclamation fund to the credit of the project; available to pay future SOD repayment obligations.

Pay into the fund managed by the contractor; available to pay future infrastructure costs in accordance with contract terms.

PAGE 15

Replacement Fund

Construction Charges

On the cover: Releases in 2011 from Friant Dam on the upper San Joaquin River in Fresno County, California. This page: Girl Scouts of Southern Nevada celebrated 100 years of Girl Scouting on March 10 when 1,000 volunteers and current and former scouts Rocked the Dam at Hoover.

ETA is published electronically and can be found on the Bureau of Reclamation website at: www.usbr.gov/eta. For questions or comments concerning ETA, please contact [email protected] or call 202-513-0568.

Michael L. Connor........................................................................................Commissioner Kira Finkler.....................Deputy Commissioner, External and Intergovernmental Affairs Dan DuBray.....................................................................................Chief of Public Affairs Nell Zeitzmann..........................................................................................................Editor Lauren Lambert......................................................................................Editorial Assistant