Number: 1992-07
WHEREAS, the construction and operation of water resources development projects, including dams, levees, canals, drainage channels, navigation works, hydroelectric power facilities and coastal engineering structures, have a profound effect on fish and wildlife populations and habitat; and
WHEREAS, rising construction costs, reduced availability of federal funds, technological advances and improved analytical tools have contributed to a growing body of experience with predominantly non-structural measures for managing traditional water resource problems such as flood control, beach erosion and water supply; and
WHEREAS, the operation of existing federal water resources projects by the Corps of Engineers and the Bureau of Reclamation, and the review of federally-licensed projects by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission presents opportunities to improve the performance of such projects and to reduce adverse impacts on fish and wildlife populations and habitat;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation in annual meeting assembled March 19-22, 1992 in Portland, Oregon, calls upon the Administration, Congress and the states to maintain and strengthen policies that reduce unnecessary subsidies for water resources projects, encourage innovative and predominantly non-structural approaches to water resources management and sustain biological diversity in riparian, aquatic and marine environments; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in furtherance of these objectives, Congress should amend the National Flood Insurance Program to encourage the development and implementation of nonstructural plans to reduce flood damages and to protect the natural and beneficial values of the nation’s floodplains; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Congress should amend the Clean Water Act to require the conservation of water to assist in the improvement and maintenance of water quality, quantity and streamflow conditions necessary to support fish, wildlife, recreation and other public benefits, and to meet “swimmable” and “fishable” water quality goals, while achieving more efficient use of limited federal funds; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the operation of existing federal and federally-licensed water projects, — for example, the Central Valley Project in California, Glen Canyon Dam on the Colorado River, Kingsley Dam on the North Platte River in Nebraska, and the numerous federal and non-federal facilities in the Columbia River Basin — be reevaluated to reduce adverse impacts on fish and wildlife populations and habitat and to assist in the recovery of threatened and endangered species.