Lower Colorado Regional Director Terry Fulp receives U.S. Department of the Interior's Meritorious Service Award

Fulp received award for his work developing solutions to complicated water issues and improving operations in the Lower Colorado Region

Written by: Fred Brown

Terrance Fulp with Commissioner Brenda BurmanThe Bureau of Reclamation’s Lower Colorado Regional Director, Terrance J. Fulp, Ph.D., received the Meritorious Service Award from the Department of the Interior this week. Fulp has devoted his 27-year federal career to the Lower Colorado Region by making lasting contributions to improving operations and developing solutions for complicated water issues.

"We are extremely proud of the work and leadership of Terry in the Lower Colorado Region," Commissioner Brenda Burman said. "His work over his extensive career is invaluable to Reclamation and Interior. He is truly an asset to our organization."

Fulp's work includes providing critical analytical and negotiation support leading to the 2001 Interim Surplus Guidelines, the 2003 Water Delivery Agreement and the 2005 Multi-Species Conservation Program.

Beginning in 2005, in response to the ongoing drought, Fulp led an extensive three-year process, ultimately resulting in development of the 2007 Colorado River Interim Guidelines for Lower Basin Shortages and the Coordinated Operations for Lakes Powell and Mead. Fulp served as the executive sponsor for the Colorado River Basin Water Supply and Demand Study. Through Fulp's leadership, the historic Minute 319 to the Mexican Treaty was signed in 2012, through which Mexico became a full partner in Colorado River operations.

Fulp implements the Secretary of the Interior's water master role on the lower Colorado River, overseeing the annual delivery of 7.5 million acre-feet of water in the United States and 1.5 million acre-feet to Mexico. These water deliveries are the life blood of the Southwest, providing for the irrigation of 2.5 million acres and meeting the domestic needs of 23 million people. Hoover, Parker and Davis Dams annually generate 6 billion kilowatt-hours of hydroelectricity.

Published on April 25, 2018