By the nature of our mission, the people of Reclamation have always worked in partnership with many others.  In the past, the scope of our work called for collaborative efforts—building a dam is not a solo project. This spirit fit right in with the Western tradition of neighbor helping neighbor.

Today too, our work as water resources managers calls for collaboration. The complexity of the issues we face calls for us to tap the expertise that is available both inside and outside Reclamation.

It makes good business sense for us to seek out collaboration when we can meet multiple goals more efficiently.

Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne emphasizes a point during a meeting he convened on the Southeast drought and interstate water rights dispute. Seated to the Secretary’s left is U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Lt. Gen. Robert Van Antwerp, Chief of Engineers. To the Secretary’s right is the White House Council on Environmental Quality Chairman Jim Connaughton. Commissioner Johnson, far left, advised the Secretary on Reclamation’s model of collaboration in the Western States.

Together with the Corps, we created a design that is simpler and meets the aims of each agency. Work is now under way on flood control and safety of dam improvements at a cost that is less than it would be with each agency working  separately.

Another example of successful collaboration where we tap local expertise is the Water 2025 Challenge Grant program. By providing seed money to facilitate the completion of water-stretching projects, we have saved dollars and water.

Collaboration is a highly effective way to leverage resources, both technical and fiscal.  We are in a time of flattening budgets. None of us can afford to go it alone. Our important partnerships with other federal agencies, with states, and with key stakeholder groups enable us to get done what we need to.

The recognition of our success in building collaboration goes all the way to the top.  Because collaboration is so much a part of the way Reclamation does business, Secretary Kempthorne recently asked me to meet with the governors of Alabama, Florida and Georgia concerning the protracted water rights dispute among the states, exacerbated by the severe drought this year. The governors are enthusiastic about how approaching issues in the spirit of collaboration promised an effective way to resolve problems.

Collaboration has always been a part of Reclamation. The Managing for Excellence plan furthers our efforts to instill throughout Reclamation a culture of collaboration. I have great confidence that Reclamation and our partners will continue to get the job done.

Last updated: 12/17/07