42 USC 10363 - Reclamation climate change and water program

Collapse to view only § 10363. Reclamation climate change and water program

§ 10361. Findings
§ 10362. Definitions
§ 10363. Reclamation climate change and water program
§ 10364. Water management improvement
§ 10365. Hydroelectric power assessment
§ 10366. Climate change and water intragovernmental panel
§ 10367. Water data enhancement by United States Geological Survey
§ 10368. National water availability and use assessment program
§ 10369. Research agreement authority
§ 10370. Effect
§ 10371. Water prediction and forecasting

§ 10361. FindingsCongress finds that—

(1) adequate and safe supplies of water are fundamental to the health, economy, security, and ecology of the United States;

(2) systematic data-gathering with respect to, and research and development of, the water resources of the United States will help ensure the continued existence of sufficient quantities of water to support—

(A) increasing populations;

(B) economic growth;

(D) energy production; and

(E) the protection of aquatic ecosystems;

(3) global climate change poses a significant challenge to the protection and use of the water resources of the United States due to an increased uncertainty with respect to the timing, form, and geographical distribution of precipitation, which may have a substantial effect on the supplies of water for agricultural, hydroelectric power, industrial, domestic supply, and environmental needs;

(4) although States bear the primary responsibility and authority for managing the water resources of the United States, the Federal Government should support the States, as well as regional, local, and tribal governments, by carrying out—

(A) nationwide data collection and monitoring activities;

(B) relevant research; and

(5) Federal agencies that conduct water management and related activities have a responsibility—

(A) to take a lead role in assessing risks to the water resources of the United States (including risks posed by global climate change); and

(B) to develop strategies—

(i) to mitigate the potential impacts of each risk described in subparagraph (A); and

(ii) to help ensure that the long-term water resources management of the United States is sustainable and will ensure sustainable quantities of water;

(6) it is critical to continue and expand research and monitoring efforts—

(A) to improve the understanding of the variability of the water cycle; and

(B) to provide basic information necessary—

(i) to manage and efficiently use the water resources of the United States; and

(ii) to identify new supplies of water that are capable of being reclaimed; and

(7) the study of water use is vital—

(A) to the understanding of the impacts of human activity on water and ecological resources; and

(B) to the assessment of whether available surface and groundwater supplies will be available to meet the future needs of the United States.

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9501, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1329.)

§ 10362. DefinitionsIn this chapter:

(1) Administrator

(2) Advisory CommitteeThe term “Advisory Committee” means the National Advisory Committee on Water Information established—

(A) under the Office of Management and Budget Circular 92–01; and

(B) to coordinate water data collection activities.

(3) Assessment program

(4) Climate division

(5) Commissioner

(6) Director

(7) Eligible applicantThe term “eligible applicant” means—

(A) any State, Indian tribe, irrigation district, or water district;

(B) any State, regional, or local authority, the members of which include 1 or more organizations with water or power delivery authority;

(D) any nonprofit conservation organization, if—

(i) the nonprofit conservation organization is acting in partnership with and with the agreement of an entity described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C); or

(ii) in the case of an application for a project to improve the condition of a natural feature or nature-based feature on Federal land, the entities described in subparagraph (A), (B), or (C) from the applicable service area have been notified of the project application and there is no written objection to the project.

(8) Federal Power Marketing AdministrationThe term “Federal Power Marketing Administration” means—

(A) the Bonneville Power Administration;

(B) the Southeastern Power Administration;

(D) the Western Area Power Administration.

(9) Hydrologic accounting unit

(10) Indian tribe

(11) Major aquifer systemThe term “major aquifer system” means a groundwater system that is—

(A) identified as a significant groundwater system by the Director; and

(B) included in the Groundwater Atlas of the United States, published by the United States Geological Survey.

(12) Major reclamation river basin

(A) In generalThe term “major reclamation river basin” means each major river system (including tributaries)—

(i) that is located in a service area of the Bureau of Reclamation; and

(ii) at which is located a federally authorized project of the Bureau of Reclamation.

(B) InclusionsThe term “major reclamation river basin” includes—

(i) the Colorado River;

(ii) the Columbia River;

(iii) the Klamath River;

(iv) the Missouri River;

(v) the Rio Grande;

(vi) the Sacramento River;

(vii) the San Joaquin River; and

(viii) the Truckee River.

(13) Natural feature

(14) Nature-based feature

(15) Non-Federal participantThe term “non-Federal participant” means—

(A) a State, regional, or local authority;

(B) an Indian tribe or tribal organization; or

(C) any other qualifying entity, such as a water conservation district, water conservancy district, or rural water district or association, or a nongovernmental organization.

(16) Panel

(17) ProgramThe term “program” means the regional integrated sciences and assessments program—

(A) established by the Administrator; and

(B) that is comprised of 8 regional programs that use advances in integrated climate sciences to assist decisionmaking processes.

(18) Secretary

(A) In general

(B) ExceptionsThe term “Secretary” means—

(i) in the case of sections 10363, 10364, and 10369 of this title, the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Commissioner); and

(ii) in the case of sections 10367 and 10368 of this title, the Secretary of the Interior (acting through the Director).

(19) Service area

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9502, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1330; Pub. L. 116–260, div. FF, title XI, § 1106(a), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 3240.)

§ 10363. Reclamation climate change and water program

(a) In generalThe Secretary shall establish a climate change adaptation program—

(1) to coordinate with the Administrator and other appropriate agencies to assess each effect of, and risk resulting from, global climate change with respect to the quantity of water resources located in a service area; and

(2) to ensure, to the maximum extent possible, that strategies are developed at watershed and aquifer system scales to address potential water shortages, conflicts, and other impacts to water users located at, and the environment of, each service area.

(b) Required elementsIn carrying out the program described in subsection (a), the Secretary shall—

(1) coordinate with the United States Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the program, and each appropriate State water resource agency, to ensure that the Secretary has access to the best available scientific information with respect to presently observed and projected future impacts of global climate change on water resources;

(2) assess specific risks to the water supply of each major reclamation river basin, including any risk relating to—

(A) a change in snowpack;

(B) changes in the timing and quantity of runoff;

(D) any increase in—

(i) the demand for water as a result of increasing temperatures; and

(ii) the rate of reservoir evaporation;

(3) with respect to each major reclamation river basin, analyze the extent to which changes in the water supply of the United States will impact—

(A) the ability of the Secretary to deliver water to the contractors of the Secretary;

(B) hydroelectric power generation facilities;

(D) fish and wildlife habitat;

(E) applicable species listed as an endangered, threatened, or candidate species under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.);

(F) water quality issues (including salinity levels of each major reclamation river basin);

(G) flow and water dependent ecological resiliency; and

(H) flood control management;

(4) in consultation with appropriate non-Federal participants, consider and develop appropriate strategies to mitigate each impact of water supply changes analyzed by the Secretary under paragraph (3), including strategies relating to—

(A) the modification of any reservoir storage or operating guideline in existence as of March 30, 2009;

(B) the development of new water management, operating, or habitat restoration plans;

(D) improved hydrologic models and other decision support systems; and

(E) groundwater and surface water storage needs; and

(5) in consultation with the Director, the Administrator, the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Chief of the Natural Resources Conservation Service), and applicable State water resource agencies, develop a monitoring plan to acquire and maintain water resources data—

(A) to strengthen the understanding of water supply trends; and

(B) to assist in each assessment and analysis conducted by the Secretary under paragraphs (2) and (3).

(c) ReportingNot later than 2 years after March 30, 2009, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes—

(1) each effect of, and risk resulting from, global climate change with respect to the quantity of water resources located in each major reclamation river basin;

(2) the impact of global climate change with respect to the operations of the Secretary in each major reclamation river basin;

(3) each mitigation and adaptation strategy considered and implemented by the Secretary to address each effect of global climate change described in paragraph (1);

(4) each coordination activity conducted by the Secretary with—

(A) the Director;

(B) the Administrator;

(D) any appropriate State water resource agency; and

(5) the implementation by the Secretary of the monitoring plan developed under subsection (b)(5).

(d) Feasibility studies

(1) Authority of Secretary

(2) Cost sharing

(A) Federal share

(i) In general

(ii) Exception relating to financial hardship

(B) Non-Federal share

(e) No effect on existing authority

(f) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9503, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1332.)

§ 10364. Water management improvement

(a) Authorization of grants and cooperative agreements

(1) Authority of SecretaryThe Secretary may provide any grant to, or enter into an agreement with, any eligible applicant to assist the eligible applicant in planning, designing, or constructing any improvement or carrying out any activity—

(A) to conserve water;

(B) to increase water use efficiency;

(D) to enhance water management, including increasing the use of renewable energy in the management and delivery of water;

(E) to accelerate the adoption and use of advanced water treatment technologies to increase water supply;

(F) to assist States and water users in complying with interstate compacts or reducing basin water supply-demand imbalances;

(G) to achieve the prevention of the decline of species that the United States Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service have proposed for listing under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) (or candidate species that are being considered by those agencies for such listing but are not yet the subject of a proposed rule);

(H) to achieve the acceleration of the recovery of threatened species, endangered species, and designated critical habitats that are adversely affected by Federal reclamation projects or are subject to a recovery plan or conservation plan under the Endangered Species Act of 1973 (16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.) under which the Commissioner of Reclamation has implementation responsibilities;

(I) to improve the condition of a natural feature; or

(J) to carry out any other activity—

(i) to address any climate-related impact to the water supply of the United States that increases ecological resiliency to the impacts of climate change;

(ii) to prevent any water-related crisis or conflict at any watershed that has a nexus to a Federal reclamation project located in a service area; or

(iii) to plan for or address the impacts of drought.

(2) ApplicationTo be eligible to receive a grant, or enter into an agreement with the Secretary under paragraph (1), an eligible applicant shall—

(A) be located within—

(i) the States and areas referred to in section 391 of title 43;

(ii) the State of Alaska;

(iii) the State of Hawaii; or

(iv) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico; and

(B) submit to the Secretary an application that includes—

(i) a proposal of the improvement or activity to be planned, designed, constructed, or implemented by the eligible applicant; and

(ii) for a project that is intended to have a quantifiable water savings and would receive a grant of $500,000 or more—(I) a proposal for a monitoring plan of at least 5 years that would demonstrate ways in which the proposed improvement or activity would result in improved streamflows or aquatic habitat; or(II) for a project that does not anticipate improved streamflows or aquatic habitat, an analysis of ways in which the proposed improvement or activity would contribute to 1 or more of the other objectives described in paragraph (1).

(3) Requirements of grants and cooperative agreements

(A) Compliance with requirements

(B) Agricultural operations

(i) In generalExcept as provided in clause (ii), in carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not provide a grant, or enter into an agreement, for an improvement to conserve irrigation water unless the eligible applicant agrees not—(I) to use any associated water savings to increase the total irrigated acreage of the eligible applicant; or(II) to otherwise increase the consumptive use of water in the operation of the eligible applicant, as determined pursuant to the law of the State in which the operation of the eligible applicant is located.

(ii) Indian tribesIn the case of an eligible applicant that is an Indian tribe, in carrying out paragraph (1), the Secretary shall not provide a grant, or enter into an agreement, for an improvement to conserve irrigation water unless the Indian tribe agrees not—(I) to use any associated water savings to increase the total irrigated acreage more than the water right of that Indian tribe, as determined by—(aa) a court decree;(bb) a settlement;(cc) a law; or(dd) any combination of the authorities described in items (aa) through (cc); or(II) to otherwise increase the consumptive use of water more than the water right of the Indian tribe described in subclause (I).

(D) Title to improvements

(E) Cost sharing

(i) Federal share(I) In general(II) Increased Federal share for certain infrastructure improvements and activitiesThe Federal share of the cost of an infrastructure improvement or activity shall not exceed 75 percent of the cost of the infrastructure improvement or activity, if—(aa) the infrastructure improvement or activity was developed as part of a collaborative process by—(AA) a watershed group (as defined in section 1015 of title 16); or(BB) a water user and 1 or more stakeholders with diverse interests; and(bb) the majority of the benefits of the infrastructure improvement or activity, as determined by the Secretary, are for the purpose of advancing 1 or more components of an established strategy or plan to increase the reliability of water supply for consumptive and nonconsumptive ecological values.

(ii) Calculation of non-Federal shareIn calculating the non-Federal share of the cost of an infrastructure improvement or activity proposed by an eligible applicant through an application submitted by the eligible applicant under paragraph (2), the Secretary shall—(I) consider the value of any in-kind services that substantially contributes toward the completion of the improvement or activity, as determined by the Secretary; and(II) not consider any other amount that the eligible applicant receives from a Federal agency.

(iii) Maximum amount

(iv) Operation and maintenance costs

(F) Liability

(i) In general

(ii) Tort Claims Act

(4) Priority

(b) Research agreements

(1) Authority of SecretaryThe Secretary may enter into 1 or more agreements with any university, nonprofit research institution, or eligible applicant to fund any research activity that is designed—

(A) to conserve water resources;

(B) to increase the efficiency of the use of water resources;

(C) to restore a natural feature or use a nature-based feature to reduce water supply and demand imbalances or the risk of drought or flood; or

(D) to enhance the management of water resources, including increasing the use of renewable energy in the management and delivery of water.

(2) Terms and conditions of Secretary

(A) In general

(B) Availability

(d) Relationship to project-specific authority

(e) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9504, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1334; Pub. L. 113–235, div. D, title II, § 203, Dec. 16, 2014, 128 Stat. 2311; Pub. L. 114–113, div. D, title II, § 206, Dec. 18, 2015, 129 Stat. 2407; Pub. L. 114–322, title III, § 4009(d), Dec. 16, 2016, 130 Stat. 1870; Pub. L. 115–244, div. A, title II, § 205(b), Sept. 21, 2018, 132 Stat. 2906; Pub. L. 116–9, title VIII, § 8501, Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 826; Pub. L. 116–94, div. C, title II, § 203, Dec. 20, 2019, 133 Stat. 2669; Pub. L. 116–260, div. D, title II, § 203, div. FF, title XI, § 1106(b)–(d), Dec. 27, 2020, 134 Stat. 1363, 3241, 3242; Pub. L. 117–103, div. D, title II, § 203, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 221; Pub. L. 117–328, div. D, title II, § 203, Dec. 29, 2022, 136 Stat. 4631; Pub. L. 118–42, div. D, title II, § 203, Mar. 9, 2024, 138 Stat. 194.)

§ 10365. Hydroelectric power assessment

(a) Duty of Secretary of Energy

(b) Access to appropriate data

(1) In general

(2) Access to data for certain assessmentsIn carrying out each assessment under subsection (a), with respect to the Bonneville Power Administration and the Western Area Power Administration, the Secretary of Energy shall consult with the Commissioner to access data and other information that—

(A) is collected by the Commissioner; and

(B) the Secretary of Energy determines to be necessary for the conduct of the assessment.

(c) ReportNot later than 2 years after March 30, 2009, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary of Energy shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that describes—

(1) each effect of, and risk resulting from, global climate change with respect to—

(A) water supplies used for hydroelectric power generation; and

(B) power supplies marketed by each Federal Power Marketing Administration, pursuant to—

(i) long-term power contracts;

(ii) contingent capacity contracts; and

(iii) short-term sales; and

(2) each recommendation of the Administrator of each Federal Power Marketing Administration relating to any change in any operation or contracting practice of each Federal Power Marketing Administration to address each effect and risk described in paragraph (1), including the use of purchased power to meet long-term commitments of each Federal Power Marketing Administration.

(d) Authority

(e) Costs

(1) Nonreimbursable

(2) PMA costs

(f) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9505, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1336.)

§ 10366. Climate change and water intragovernmental panel

(a) EstablishmentThe Secretary and the Administrator shall establish and lead a climate change and water intragovernmental panel—

(1) to review the current scientific understanding of each impact of global climate change on the quantity and quality of freshwater resources of the United States; and

(2) to develop any strategy that the panel determines to be necessary to improve observational capabilities, expand data acquisition, or take other actions—

(A) to increase the reliability and accuracy of modeling and prediction systems to benefit water managers at the Federal, State, and local levels; and

(B) to increase the understanding of the impacts of climate change on aquatic ecosystems.

(b) MembershipThe panel shall be comprised of—

(1) the Secretary;

(2) the Director;

(3) the Administrator;

(4) the Secretary of Agriculture (acting through the Under Secretary for Natural Resources and Environment);

(5) the Commissioner;

(6) the Secretary of the Army, acting through the Chief of Engineers;

(7) the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency; and

(8) the Secretary of Energy.

(c) Review elementsIn conducting the review and developing the strategy under subsection (a), the panel shall consult with State water resource agencies, the Advisory Committee, drinking water utilities, water research organizations, and relevant water user, environmental, and other nongovernmental organizations—

(1) to assess the extent to which the conduct of measures of streamflow, groundwater levels, soil moisture, evapotranspiration rates, evaporation rates, snowpack levels, precipitation amounts, flood risk, and glacier mass is necessary to improve the understanding of the Federal Government and the States with respect to each impact of global climate change on water resources;

(2) to identify data gaps in current water monitoring networks that must be addressed to improve the capability of the Federal Government and the States to measure, analyze, and predict changes to the quality and quantity of water resources, including flood risks, that are directly or indirectly affected by global climate change;

(3) to establish data management and communication protocols and standards to increase the quality and efficiency by which each Federal agency acquires and reports relevant data;

(4) to consider options for the establishment of a data portal to enhance access to water resource data—

(A) relating to each nationally significant freshwater watershed and aquifer located in the United States; and

(B) that is collected by each Federal agency and any other public or private entity for each nationally significant freshwater watershed and aquifer located in the United States;

(5) to facilitate the development of hydrologic and other models to integrate data that reflects groundwater and surface water interactions; and

(6) to apply the hydrologic and other models developed under paragraph (5) to water resource management problems identified by the panel, including the need to maintain or improve ecological resiliency at watershed and aquifer system scales.

(d) Report

(e) Demonstration, research, and methodology development projects

(1) Authority of Secretary

(2) Requirements

(A) Maximum amount of Federal share

(B) Report

(f) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

(2) Demonstration, research, and methodology development projects

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9506, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1338.)

§ 10367. Water data enhancement by United States Geological Survey

(a) National streamflow information program

(1) In general

(2) RequirementsIn conducting the national streamflow information program, the Secretary shall—

(A) measure streamflow and related environmental variables in nationally significant watersheds—

(i) in a reliable and continuous manner; and

(ii) to develop a comprehensive source of information on which public and private decisions relating to the management of water resources may be based;

(B) provide for a better understanding of hydrologic extremes (including floods and droughts) through the conduct of intensive data collection activities during and following hydrologic extremes;

(i) the monitoring of long-term changes in streamflow; and

(ii) the conduct of assessments to determine the extent to which each long-term change monitored under clause (i) is related to global climate change;

(D) integrate the national streamflow information program with data collection activities of Federal agencies and appropriate State water resource agencies (including the National Integrated Drought Information System)—

(i) to enhance the comprehensive understanding of water availability;

(ii) to improve flood-hazard assessments;

(iii) to identify any data gap with respect to water resources; and

(iv) to improve hydrologic forecasting; and

(E) incorporate principles of adaptive management in the conduct of periodic reviews of information collected under the national streamflow information program to assess whether the objectives of the national streamflow information program are being adequately addressed.

(3) Improved methodologiesThe Secretary shall—

(A) improve methodologies relating to the analysis and delivery of data; and

(B) investigate, develop, and implement new methodologies and technologies to estimate or measure streamflow in a more cost-efficient manner.

(4) Network enhancement

(A) In generalNot later than 10 years after March 30, 2009, in accordance with subparagraph (B), the Secretary shall—

(i) increase the number of streamgages funded by the national streamflow information program to a quantity of not less than 4,700 sites; and

(ii) ensure all streamgages are flood-hardened and equipped with water-quality sensors and modernized telemetry.

(B) Requirements of sites

(5) Federal share

(6) Authorization of appropriations

(A) In general

(B) Network enhancement funding

(b) National groundwater resources monitoring

(1) In general

(2) Program elementsIn developing the monitoring program described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A) establish appropriate criteria for monitoring wells to ensure the acquisition of long-term, high-quality data sets, including, to the maximum extent possible, the inclusion of real-time instrumentation and reporting;

(B) in coordination with the Advisory Committee and State and local water resource agencies—

(i) assess the current scope of groundwater monitoring based on the access availability and capability of each monitoring well in existence as of March 30, 2009; and

(ii) develop and carry out a monitoring plan that maximizes coverage for each major aquifer system that is located in the United States; and

(C) prior to initiating any specific monitoring activities within a State after March 30, 2009, consult and coordinate with the applicable State water resource agency with jurisdiction over the aquifer that is the subject of the monitoring activities, and comply with all applicable laws (including regulations) of the State.

(3) Program objectivesIn carrying out the monitoring program described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall—

(A) provide data that is necessary for the improvement of understanding with respect to surface water and groundwater interactions;

(B) by expanding the network of monitoring wells to reach each climate division, support the groundwater climate response network to improve the understanding of the effects of global climate change on groundwater recharge and availability; and

(4) Improved methodologiesThe Secretary shall—

(A) improve methodologies relating to the analysis and delivery of data; and

(B) investigate, develop, and implement new methodologies and technologies to estimate or measure groundwater recharge, discharge, and storage in a more cost-efficient manner.

(5) Federal share

(6) Priority

(7) Authorization of appropriations

(1) StudyThe Secretary, in consultation with State and local water resource agencies, shall conduct a study of available data and other relevant information—

(A) to identify significant brackish groundwater resources located in the United States; and

(B) to consolidate any available data relating to each groundwater resource identified under subparagraph (A).

(2) ReportNot later than 2 years after March 30, 2009, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that includes—

(A) a description of each—

(i) significant brackish aquifer that is located in the United States (including 1 or more maps of each significant brackish aquifer that is located in the United States);

(ii) data gap that is required to be addressed to fully characterize each brackish aquifer described in clause (i); and

(iii) current use of brackish groundwater that is supplied by each brackish aquifer described in clause (i); and

(B) a summary of the information available as of March 30, 2009, with respect to each brackish aquifer described in subparagraph (A)(i) (including the known level of total dissolved solids in each brackish aquifer).

(3) Authorization of appropriations

(d) Improved water estimation, measurement, and monitoring technologies

(1) Authority of SecretaryThe Secretary may provide grants on a nonreimbursable basis to appropriate entities with expertise in water resource data acquisition and reporting, including Federal agencies, the Water Resources Research Institutes and other academic institutions, and private entities, to—

(A) investigate, develop, and implement new methodologies and technologies to estimate or measure water resources data in a cost-efficient manner; and

(B) improve methodologies relating to the analysis and delivery of data.

(2) PriorityIn providing grants to appropriate entities under paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to appropriate entities that propose the development of new methods and technologies for—

(A) predicting and measuring streamflows;

(B) estimating changes in the storage of groundwater;

(C) improving data standards and methods of analysis (including the validation of data entered into geographic information system databases);

(D) measuring precipitation and potential evapotranspiration; and

(E) water withdrawals, return flows, and consumptive use.

(3) Partnerships

(4) Authorization of appropriations

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9507, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1339.)

§ 10368. National water availability and use assessment program

(a) EstablishmentThe Secretary, in coordination with the Advisory Committee and State and local water resource agencies, shall establish a national assessment program to be known as the “national water availability and use assessment program”—

(1) to provide a more accurate assessment of the status of the water resources of the United States;

(2) to assist in the determination of the quantity of water that is available for beneficial uses;

(3) to assist in the determination of the quality of the water resources of the United States;

(4) to identify long-term trends in water availability;

(5) to use each long-term trend described in paragraph (4) to provide a more accurate assessment of the change in the availability of water in the United States; and

(6) to develop the basis for an improved ability to forecast the availability of water for future economic, energy production, and environmental uses.

(b) Program elements

(1) Water useIn carrying out the assessment program, the Secretary shall conduct any appropriate activity to carry out an ongoing assessment of water use in hydrologic accounting units and major aquifer systems located in the United States, including—

(A) the maintenance of a comprehensive national water use inventory to enhance the level of understanding with respect to the effects of spatial and temporal patterns of water use on the availability and sustainable use of water resources;

(B) the incorporation of water use science principles, with an emphasis on applied research and statistical estimation techniques in the assessment of water use;

(C) the integration of any dataset maintained by any other Federal or State agency into the dataset maintained by the Secretary; and

(D) a focus on the scientific integration of any data relating to water use, water flow, or water quality to generate relevant information relating to the impact of human activity on water and ecological resources.

(2) Water availabilityIn carrying out the assessment program, the Secretary shall conduct an ongoing assessment of water availability by—

(A) developing and evaluating nationally consistent indicators that reflect each status and trend relating to the availability of water resources in the United States, including—

(i) surface water indicators, such as streamflow and surface water storage measures (including lakes, reservoirs, perennial snowfields, and glaciers);

(ii) groundwater indicators, including groundwater level measurements and changes in groundwater levels due to—(I) natural recharge;(II) withdrawals;(III) saltwater intrusion;(IV) mine dewatering;(V) land drainage;(VI) artificial recharge; and(VII) other relevant factors, as determined by the Secretary; and

(iii) impaired surface water and groundwater supplies that are known, accessible, and used to meet ongoing water demands;

(B) maintaining a national database of water availability data that—

(i) is comprised of maps, reports, and other forms of interpreted data;

(ii) provides electronic access to the archived data of the national database; and

(iii) provides for real-time data collection; and

(1) Authority of SecretaryThe Secretary may provide grants to State water resource agencies to assist State water resource agencies in—

(A) developing water use and availability datasets that are integrated with each appropriate dataset developed or maintained by the Secretary; or

(B) integrating any water use or water availability dataset of the State water resource agency into each appropriate dataset developed or maintained by the Secretary.

(2) CriteriaTo be eligible to receive a grant under paragraph (1), a State water resource agency shall demonstrate to the Secretary that the water use and availability dataset proposed to be established or integrated by the State water resource agency—

(A) is in compliance with each quality and conformity standard established by the Secretary to ensure that the data will be capable of integration with any national dataset; and

(B) will enhance the ability of the officials of the State or the State water resource agency to carry out each water management and regulatory responsibility of the officials of the State in accordance with each applicable law of the State.

(3) Maximum amount

(d) ReportNot later than December 31, 2012, and every 5 years thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the appropriate committees of Congress a report that provides a detailed assessment of—

(1) the current availability of water resources in the United States, including—

(A) historic trends and annual updates of river basin inflows and outflows;

(B) surface water storage;

(D) estimates of undeveloped potential resources (including saline and brackish water and wastewater);

(2) significant trends affecting water availability, including each documented or projected impact to the availability of water as a result of global climate change;

(3) the withdrawal and use of surface water and groundwater by various sectors, including—

(A) the agricultural sector;

(B) municipalities;

(D) thermoelectric power generators; and

(E) hydroelectric power generators;

(4) significant trends relating to each water use sector, including significant changes in water use due to the development of new energy supplies;

(5) significant water use conflicts or shortages that have occurred or are occurring; and

(6) each factor that has caused, or is causing, a conflict or shortage described in paragraph (5).

(e) Authorization of appropriations

(1) In general

(2) Grant program

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9508, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1343.)

§ 10369. Research agreement authority

The Secretary may enter into contracts, grants, or cooperative agreements, for periods not to exceed 5 years, to carry out research within the Bureau of Reclamation.

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9509, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1346.)

§ 10370. Effect

(a) In general

(b) Effect on State water law

(1) In general

Nothing in this chapter preempts or affects any—

(A) State water law; or

(B) interstate compact governing water.

(2) Compliance required

(Pub. L. 111–11, title IX, § 9510, Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1346.)

§ 10371. Water prediction and forecasting

(a) National Water Center

(1) Establishment

(A) In generalThe Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere shall establish a center—

(i) to serve as the research and operational center of excellence for hydrologic analyses, forecasting, and related decision support services within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and the National Weather Service; and

(ii) to facilitate collaboration across Federal and State departments and agencies, academia, and the private sector on matters relating to water resources.

(B) Designation

(2) FunctionsThe functions of the National Water Center shall include the following:

(A) Improving understanding of water resources, stakeholder needs regarding water resources, and identifying science and services gaps relating to water resources.

(B) Developing and implementing advanced water resources modeling capabilities.

(D) Delivering analyses, forecasts, and inundation information and guidance for all hydrologic events in the United States, including flash flooding, riverine flooding, and water resources outlooks.

(E) In coordination with warning coordination meteorologists, providing decision-support services to inform emergency management and water resources decisions.

(b) National instructions

(1) In general

(2) ContentsThe directive required by paragraph (1) shall include national instructions to perform the functions of the National Water Center, including the following:

(A) Operational staff responsibilities.

(B) Guidelines for span, format, and provision of hydrologic and inundation products developed by the National Water Center.

(C) Procedures for cooperation and coordination between the National Water Center, the National Weather Service National Centers for Environmental Prediction, National Weather Service River Forecast Centers, and National Weather Service Weather Forecast Offices.

(c) Total water predictionThe Under Secretary, acting through the Director of the Office of Water Prediction of the National Weather Service, shall—

(1) initiate and lead research and development activities to develop operational water resource prediction and related decision support products;

(2) collaborate with, and provide decision support regarding total water prediction to—

(A) the relevant Federal agencies represented on the National Science and Technology Council, Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability and the Subcommittee on Disaster Reduction;

(B) State water resource agencies; and

(3) in carrying out the responsibilities described in paragraphs (1) and (2), collaboratively develop capabilities necessary for total water predictive capacity, including observations, modeling, data management, supercomputing, social science, and communications.

(d) Authorization of appropriationsThere are authorized to be appropriated to carry out the activities under this section amounts as follows:

(1) $44,500,000 for fiscal year 2021.

(2) $45,000,000 for fiscal year 2022.

(3) $45,500,000 for fiscal year 2023.

(4) $46,000,000 for fiscal year 2024.

(e) Derivation of funds

(Pub. L. 116–271, title III, § 301, Dec. 31, 2020, 134 Stat. 3347.)