U S Government Accountability Office

Climate change U S Government Accountability Office

" The effects of climate change on water resources have already been observed and are expected to continue. The Corps and Reclamation own and operate key water resource management infrastructure, such as dams and reservoirs. Adaptation-adjustments in natural or human systems to a new or changing environment that exploits beneficial opportunities or moderates negative effects-can be used to help manage the risks to vulnerable resources. In 2009, a law-commonly referred to as the SECURE Water Act-and a presidential executive order directed federal agencies to address the potential impacts of climate change. GAO was asked to review agency actions to address climate change impacts on water infrastructure. This report examines (1) actions taken by the Corps and Reclamation since 2009 to assess and respond to the potential effects of climate change on water infrastructure and (2) challenges, if any, faced by the Corps and Reclamation in assessing and responding to the potential effects of climate change on water infrastructure, and the steps the agencies are taking to address them. GAO analyzed the agencies' climate change adaptation guidance and planning documents and interviewed agency officials and other key stakeholders, including water users, environmental groups, and"