Recommendation 1: Assess national water-related vulnerabilities
Problem
Water resources in the West are particularly susceptible to the impacts of climate change, and that vulnerability will intensify in areas with rapid population growth and increasing water demands.
The federal government should assess how water shortages can impact humans and the environment and develop a cohesive policy for preventing catastrophic effects of drought and groundwater depletion. Although all the western states have developed formal drought plans, their focus and their commitment to sustainable use of limited water resources varies widely.
Goal
To quantify water supplies in drought-prone areas in order to avoid catastrophic consequences of water scarcity on people and the environment.
Recommendations
- Sponsor a national-level assessment of water-shortage related vulnerabilities facing both humans and the environment.
- Follow this assessment with federal financial and legislative support for specific solutions developed to address identified environmental and human water needs.
