[Senate Report 111-208]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 432
111th Congress Report
SENATE
2d Session 111-208
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THE WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH AMENDMENTS ACT OF 2010
_______
June 18, 2010.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mrs. Boxer, from the Committee on Environment and Public Works,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 3363]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was
referred the bill (S. 3363) to amend the Water Resources
Research Act of 1984 to reauthorize grants for and require
applied water supply research regarding the water resources
research and technology institutes established under that Act,
having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without
amendment and recommends that the bill, do pass.
General Statement and Background
Water is a critical resource and throughout this nation's
history, universities have provided research to help meet the
water resource challenges of the day from irrigation to
infrastructure development. As the complexity of water resource
challenges increased, including environmental impacts of water
resources development, Congress authorized the Federal
government to take a more vigorous role in sponsoring and
coordinating water resources research. In 1964, Congress passed
the Water Resources Research Act (WRRA) which authorized
establishment of a water resources research and technology
institute or center in each state. The institutes were charged
with fostering: (a) improvements in water supply reliability;
(b) the exploration of new ideas that address water problems or
expand understanding of water and water-related phenomena; (c)
the entry of new scientists, engineers and technicians into
water resources field; and (d) the dissemination of research to
water managers and the public. Each institute is located at a
land grant university or another university designated by the
governor. The program is administered by the U.S. Geological
Survey.
The Water Resources Research Act was reauthorized and
amended in the 98th, 101st, 104th, 106th and 109th Congresses.
The program now includes a second competitive research grant
program to fund projects of regional or national significance.
S. 3363 reauthorizes the Water Resources Research Act for
an additional five years at current funding levels and makes
two additional changes. The Committee recognizes continuing
challenges to the nation's water infrastructure, water supply
and energy supply. S. 3363 amends the Water Resources Research
Act of 1984 to note the need for additional research into
alternative, less expensive and more efficient approaches to
water infrastructure, water supply and energy use including
nonstructural infrastructure alternatives; decentralized
infrastructure approaches; water use efficiency; and actions to
reduce energy consumption or extract energy from wastewater.
The Committee further recognizes the success of the
National Water Research Institutes in conducting applied water
research, recruiting the next generation of scientists,
facilitating technology transfer and leveraging Federal funds
with other resources to sponsor needed studies. In the 2004
review of the program, the Department of Interior evaluation
panel stated that ``the institute program, with its federal-
state matching requirement, is an important and significant
part of the Nation's water resources research infrastructure.''
Given this record, the Committee finds that a five-year review
cycle provides sufficient accountability and oversight while
respecting the limited resources of the National Water Research
Institutes and period of time required to demonstrate research
outcomes. S. 3363 amends the Water Resources Research Act of
1984 to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a
careful and detailed evaluation of each institute at least once
every 5 years.
Objectives of the Legislation
This bill would amend the Water Resources Research Act of
1984 to reauthorize grants for and require applied water supply
research regarding the water resources research and technology
institutes established under that Act.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 provides that this Act may be cited as the
``Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2010''.
Section 2. Water Resources Research Act Amendments
Section 2 provides for amendments to the Water Resources
Research Act. Amends the purposes of the Act to address the
need for additional research into alternative methods to
improve the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment works.
Requires the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a careful and
detailed evaluation of each institute at least once every 5
years. Reauthorizes grant programs under the Act for an
additional five years at current funding levels.
Legislative History
In the 111th Congress, on May 13, 2010, Senator Cardin
introduced S. 3363, which was cosponsored by Senators Crapo,
Mikulski and Risch. The bill was received, read twice and
referred to the Senate Committee on Environment and Public
Works. The full committee met on May 20, 2010 to consider the
bill, and ordered S. 3363 to be reported favorably without
amendment.
Rollcall Votes
The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to
consider S. 3363 on May 20, 2010. The bill was ordered
favorably reported by voice vote.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the committee finds that S. 3363
does not create any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it
cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of
individuals.
Mandates Assessment
In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995
(Public Law 104-4), the committee notes that the Congressional
Budget Office has found, ``S. 3363 contains no
intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs
on state, local, or tribal governments.''
Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate
May 28, 2010.
Hon. Barbara Boxer,
Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works,
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC.
Dear Madam Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 3363, the Water
Resources Research Amendments Act of 2010.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Jeff LaFave.
Sincerely,
Douglas W. Elmendorf.
Enclosure.
S. 3363--Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2010
Summary: S. 3363 would reauthorize grants from the U.S.
Geological Survey to colleges and universities to support
research related to increasing the effectiveness and efficiency
of new and existing water treatment systems. This legislation
would authorize the appropriation of $12 million a year over
the 2012-2016 period for such grants. In addition, S. 3363
would authorize the appropriation of $6 million annually over
the 2012-2016 period for the Secretary of the Interior to fund
additional research and to synthesize the results of research
conducted by colleges and universities on interstate water
issues.
Assuming appropriation of the authorized funds, CBO
estimates that implementing S. 3363 would cost $66 million over
the 2011-2015 period.
Pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply to this
legislation because it would not affect direct spending or
revenues.
S. 3363 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA)
and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal
governments.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated
budgetary impact of S. 3363 is shown in the following table.
The costs of this legislation fall within budget function 300
(natural resources and environment).
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By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
---------------------------------------------------
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011-2015
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CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Research Grants:
Authorization Level..................................... 0 12 12 12 12 48
Estimated Outlays....................................... 0 10 11 12 12 45
Funding for Additional Research:
Authorization Level..................................... 0 6 6 6 6 24
Estimated Outlays....................................... 0 4 5 6 6 21
Total Changes:
Authorization Levela.................................... 0 18 18 18 18 72
Estimated Outlays....................................... 0 14 16 18 18 66
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aUnder current law, $18 million is authorized to be appropriated for the water resources activities that would
be reauthorized by S. 3363 in 2011.
Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S.
3363 will be enacted before the end of 2010 and that the
specified amounts will be appropriated for each year starting
in 2012. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending
patterns for those activities.
Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 3363
contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as
defined in UMRA. The bill would benefit institutes of higher
education that participate as research and technology centers
under the Water Resources Act of 1984. Any costs to those
entities would be incurred voluntarily as a condition of
receiving federal assistance.
Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Jeff LaFave; Impact on
State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Ryan Miller; Impact on
the Private Sector: Amy Petz.
Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing
Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill
as reported are shown as follows: Existing law proposed to be
omitted is enclosed in [black brackets], new matter is printed
in italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown
in roman:
* * * * * * *
WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT OF 1984
Sec. 10301. Congressional findings and declarations
(1) the existence of an adequate supply of water of
good quality for the production of materials and energy
for the Nation's needs and for the efficient use of the
Nation's energy and water resources is essential to
national economic stability and growth, and to the
well-being of the people;
* * * * * * *
(6) it is necessary to provide for the research and
development of technology for the conversion of saline
and other impaired waters to a quality suitable for
municipal, industrial, agricultural, recreational, and
other beneficial uses;
(7) additional research is required into increasing
the effectiveness and efficiency of new and existing
treatment works through alternative approaches,
including--
(A) nonstructural alternatives;
(B) decentralized approaches;
(C) water use efficiency; and
(D) actions to reduce energy consumption or
extract energy from wastewater;
[(7)](8) the Nation must provide programs to
strengthen research and associated graduate education
because the pool of scientists, engineers, and
technicians trained in fields related to water
resources constitutes an invaluable natural resource
which should be increased, fully utilized, and
regularly replenished; [and]
[(8)](9) long-term planning and policy development
are essential to ensure the availability of an abundant
supply of high quality water for domestic and other
uses; and
[(9)](10) the States must have the research and
problem-solving capacity necessary to effectively
manage their water resources.
* * * * * * *
[(e) Evaluation of water resources research program--The
Secretary shall conduct a careful and detailed evaluation of
each institute at least once every 3 years to determine that
the quality and relevance of its water resources research and
its effectiveness at producing measured results and applied
water supply research as an institution for planning,
conducting, and arranging for research warrants its continued
support under this section. If, as a result of any such
evaluation, the Secretary determines that an institute does not
qualify for further support under this section, then no further
grants to the institute may be made until the institute's
qualifications are reestablished to the satisfaction of the
Secretary.]
(e) Evaluation of Water Resources Research Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall conduct a
careful and detailed evaluation of each institute at
least once every 5 years to determine--
(A) the quality and relevance of the water
resources research of the institute;
(B) the effectiveness of the institute at
producing measured results and applied water
supply research; and
(C) whether the effectiveness of the
institute as an institution for planning,
conducting, and arranging for research warrants
continued support under this section.
(2) Prohibition on further support.--If, as a result
of an evaluation under paragraph (1), the Secretary
determines that an institute does not qualify for
further support under this section, no further grants
to the institute may be provided until the
qualifications of the institute are reestablished to
the satisfaction of the Secretary.
* * * * * * *
(f) Authorization of appropriations in general
(1) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry
out this section, to remain available until expended,
12,000,000 [for each of fiscal years 2007 through
2011]for each of fiscal years 2012 through 2016.
* * * * * * *
(g) Additional appropriations where research focused on water
problems of interstate nature
(1) There is further authorized to be appropriated to
the Secretary of the Interior the sum of 6,000,000 [for
each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011] for each of
fiscal years 2012 through 2016 only for reimbursement
of the direct cost expenses of additional research or
synthesis of the results of research by institutes
which focuses on water problems and issues of a
regional or interstate nature beyond those of concern
only to a single State and which relate to specific
program priorities identified jointly by the Secretary
and the institutes. Such funds when appropriated shall
be matched on a not less than dollar-for-dollar basis
by funds made available to institutes or groups of
institutes, by States or other non-Federal sources.
Funds made available under this subsection shall remain
available until expended.
* * * * * * *