Water Administration--Federal Departments and Agencies
The following list briefly describes some of the water related duties of many of the
Federal agencies which are involved in water administration in Colorado and other states.
Links to home pages of these agencies are provided. Use the BACK icon on your browser
to return to Colorado Water Knowledge after visiting these other links.
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Land Management - The Bureau of Land Management manages over 450 million acres of land in the United
States.
- National Park Service
- The National Park Service promotes and regulates national parks, monuments, seashores,
and historical sites.
- Bureau of Reclamation
- The Bureau of Reclamation has traditionally proposed and implemented projects which
provide water and hydroelectric power to western states.
- Fish and Wildlife Service
- The Fish and Wildlife Service administers the Endangered Species Act and manages fish
and other animals.
- United States Geological Survey
- The United State Geological Survey gathers and publishes streamflow records, water
quality data, and other water resource related information.
- Bureau of Indian Affairs
- The Bureau of Indian Affairs protects and develops the federally reserved water rights
of various tribes.
Department of Agriculture
- Agricultural Research Service
- The Agricultural Research Service conducts research projects in water management,
watershed engineering, and soil management.
- Forest Service
- The Forest Service manages National forests, administers five of the nine designated
Wild and Scenic Rivers, and conducts research on the management of forest lands.
- Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly
the Soil Conservation Service)
- The Natural Resources Conservation Service administers conservation and development
programs which prevent soil erosion.
Department of Defense
- Army Corps of Engineers
- The Army Corps of Engineers administers dredge-and-fill permits under the Clean Water
Act, builds dams, canals, and bridges, and conducts other water planning and management
activities.
Department of Health and Human Services
- Food and Drug Administration
- National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
- The Food and Drug Administration and the National Institute of Environmental Health
Sciences are involved in the public health aspects of water quality.
Department of Commerce
- Bureau of Census
- The Bureau of Census gathers and provides information regarding water, land resources,
irrigation, water supplies, water use, and drainage.
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration conducts research on weather and the
atmosphere.
- Department of Housing and Urban Development
- The Department of Housing and Urban Development provides block grants to small
communities for the construction of water and sewer facilities.
- Department of
State
- The International Boundary and Water Commission within the Department of State is
concerned with issues regarding the Colorado and Rio Grande Rivers along the U.S. and
Mexico border.
- Environmental Protection Agency
- The Environmental Protection Agency administers the Clean Water Act and the Safe
Drinking Water Act. It oversees water quality standards for interstate waters and issues
discharge permits to federal installations.
- Council on Environmental Quality
- The Council on Environmental Quality issues guidelines for the preparation of
environmental impact statements and advises the President and federal agencies on
environmental policies and procedures.
- Federal Emergency Management Agency
- The Federal Emergency Management Agency administers the National Flood Insurance
Program.
Source:
League of Women Voters of Colorado. Colorado Water. Denver: League of Women
Voters of Colorado, 1995.
Back to Home | Back to Federal, State, and Local Agencies