URGENT UPDATE: The Department of the Interior has just announced Secretary’s Order 3446, a transformative initiative aimed at accelerating water infrastructure projects across 17 Western states. This order is set to cut through bureaucratic red tape, significantly reduce costs, and expedite the development of essential water and power projects.
According to the U.S. Department of the Interior, this new directive will enable local water and power partners to take charge of certain procurement processes, allowing them to negotiate contract modifications under federal oversight. Secretary Doug Burgum stated, “The Trump administration is focused on unleashing American infrastructure, cutting unnecessary red tape and lowering costs for families, farmers, and communities.” This initiative promises to deliver water and power to regions in desperate need, boosting economic growth throughout the West.
The first major project under Secretary’s Order 3446 will be the B. F. Sisk Dam Raise and Reservoir Expansion. This project, in collaboration with the San Luis and Delta Mendota Water Authority, aims to add 130,000 acre-feet of storage capacity to the San Luis Reservoir. Through this partnership, the authority will oversee significant procurement tasks, ensuring that the project moves forward swiftly.
Assistant Secretary for Water and Science Andrea Travnicek emphasized the order’s intent to direct the Bureau of Reclamation to meticulously review its processes, manuals, and guidelines to identify further operational efficiencies. The initiative also mandates a comprehensive review of regulatory requirements, engineering designs, and environmental compliance, with active coordination from water and power users, tribal nations, and other stakeholders.
This groundbreaking approach could extend to other federal projects, potentially benefiting agencies like the Bureau of Indian Affairs in the future. As this order rolls out, the implications for communities across the West are profound, promising not only improved water access but also a revitalization of local economies.
WHAT’S NEXT: Watch for updates on the implementation of Secretary’s Order 3446 and its impact on the ongoing water crisis in the West. As local partners gear up to take charge, the speed and efficiency of these projects could set a new standard for infrastructure development in the region. Stay tuned for more developments as they unfold.
