Overview
Title
To amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to reauthorize certain United States Geological Survey water data enhancement programs, and for other purposes.
ELI5 AI
S. 4245 is a plan to help scientists in the US study water, including rain and underground water, by giving them better tools and working with local groups, such as Native American tribes, to keep track of water until 2029.
Summary AI
S. 4245 aims to update the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 by reauthorizing and enhancing certain water data programs managed by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). It focuses on improving the Federal Priority Streamgage Program by extending its duration and expanding its data gathering capabilities, including the addition of precipitation sensors. Amendments are also made to include partnerships with Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in groundwater monitoring activities, with funding authorized through 2029. Additionally, the bill removes mandatory assessments of brackish groundwater, prioritizing more effective water estimation and monitoring technologies.
Published
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AnalysisAI
Summary of the Bill
The proposed legislation is titled the "Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources Data Improvement Act," commonly referred to as the "WATER Data Improvement Act." Its primary goal is to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to enhance specific U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) water data programs. Notably, the bill seeks to rename and update the "national streamflow information program" as the "Federal priority streamgage program," extend timelines and funding for groundwater resource monitoring, involve Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in these efforts, and repeal certain assessment requirements, such as the brackish groundwater assessment.
Summary of Significant Issues
Several issues arise from the bill's provisions. One concern is the repealing of the "brackish groundwater assessment." This might result in gaps in management and research of communities that depend on these resources. Additionally, the bill authorizes a sum of $4,000,000 annually for groundwater monitoring without a detailed expense breakdown, possibly raising concerns about fiscal responsibility.
The bill replaces the term "national streamflow information program" with "Federal priority streamgage program" consistently, potentially confusing stakeholders due to the lack of clear definitions. Moreover, the bill uses complex legal language, making it difficult for the general public to grasp its implications.
Furthermore, while the bill includes Indian Tribes and other organizations in monitoring programs, it lacks detailed guidelines on how their roles would be integrated, which could lead to inefficiencies.
Broad Public Impact
For the public at large, enhancing water data through the USGS programs holds the potential to improve water resource management, benefiting ecosystem health, water safety, and overall public welfare. However, the lack of clarity and transparency in how funds will be utilized could lead to skepticism about the effectiveness of these initiatives.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
Positive Impacts:
Stakeholders such as the public, water management agencies, and environmental groups may benefit from improved water data and monitoring technology, enabling better water quality control and resource management. The involvement of Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations could also foster more inclusive and comprehensive management practices, recognizing diverse perspectives and needs.
Negative Impacts:
Conversely, the repeal of the brackish groundwater assessment might negatively impact regions relying on these water resources, risking oversight in groundwater management. Ineffective collaboration guidelines with Indian Tribes and Native organizations may hinder the bill's implementation, leading to potential conflicts or delays in achieving desired outcomes.
Overall, while the bill presents opportunities for progress in water management, clarity in funding distribution, stakeholder roles, and assessment findings remain crucial to maximizing its potential benefits and minimizing unintended consequences.
Financial Assessment
The bill S. 4245 seeks to amend the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 by enhancing certain water data programs overseen by the United States Geological Survey (USGS). Within the bill, specific financial allocations are discussed and have significant implications for its execution and potential outcomes.
Financial Allocations and Spending
A noteworthy financial element of the bill is the authorization of $4,000,000 annually from 2023 through 2028 for national groundwater resources monitoring. This funding is intended to support the enhanced collaboration and data collection efforts, particularly with the inclusion of Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations. However, the bill does not provide a detailed breakdown of how these funds will be spent or the justification for the specific amount. This lack of detailed financial clarity can lead to concerns that the appropriated amount might be viewed as either excessive or not properly aligned with the actual needs of the program.
Potential Financial Implications
One issue identified involves the repeal of the "brackish groundwater assessment" without addressing potential gaps that may arise in groundwater management and research, particularly in regions reliant on such resources. While financial allocations are made for groundwater resources monitoring, the omission of the brackish groundwater assessment might necessitate further financial investments in research down the line if unanticipated challenges emerge.
Additionally, the bill replaces references to the "national streamflow information program" with the "Federal priority streamgage program," which could introduce ambiguity and lead to financial mismanagement if not properly clarified. It underscores the importance of ensuring that any financial resources allocated under these programs are used effectively and align with the correct objectives.
Challenges and Oversight
There is also a potential issue with the inclusion of Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations without clear guidelines on their roles. Financially, this could lead to inefficiencies or misunderstandings in the distribution or use of funds. The involvement of these groups is essential for comprehensive data collection and monitoring; however, the lack of precise financial guidelines might result in resource allocation issues.
Furthermore, the bill extends several timelines from 2023 to 2029. Without clear justification for these extended timelines, there may be concerns that this could lead to unnecessary financial expenditures or delays in achieving the program's objectives. Any delay in program timelines generally raises questions about the urgency and effectiveness of initiatives, especially when tied to long-term financial commitments.
In summary, while S. 4245 sets forth clear annual financial commitments, the issues raised highlight the need for further detail and transparency regarding the allocation and management of these funds to ensure they are used efficiently and effectively in achieving the bill's intended outcomes.
Issues
The repeal of the 'brackish groundwater assessment' in Section 2(c) could have significant implications for regions dependent on such resources, with potential gaps in groundwater management and research not being addressed or explained.
The $4,000,000 authorized annually for national groundwater resources monitoring in Section 2(b)(3) might be considered excessive or wasteful due to the lack of clear justification or breakdown of expenses.
The repeated replacement of 'national streamflow information program' with 'Federal priority streamgage program' in Section 2(a) may introduce ambiguity if not clearly defined elsewhere, potentially confusing stakeholders and the public.
The use of complex legal language throughout Section 2, especially regarding terms like 'Federal priority streamgage program', may present barriers for the general public to understand the bill's implications.
The inclusion of Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations in Section 2(b)(1) lacks detailed guidelines on their roles, potentially leading to inefficiencies or misunderstandings in collaborative efforts.
The amendment process in Section 2(a)(4) that involves striking previous terms and inserting new ones could cause confusion if the changes' implications are not clearly detailed.
The extension of timelines from 2023 to 2029 in Section 2(a)(6) and 2(b)(3) could imply unnecessary delays in program objectives without clear justification, raising concerns about the urgency and effectiveness of the initiatives.
Sections
Sections are presented as they are annotated in the original legislative text. Any missing headers, numbers, or non-consecutive order is due to the original text.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill establishes its short title, stating that the Act can be referred to as the “Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources Data Improvement Act” or simply the “WATER Data Improvement Act.”
2. Water data enhancement by United States Geological Survey Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section modifies the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 to enhance water data by updating and renaming the national streamflow information program to the Federal priority streamgage program, specifies funding for monitoring groundwater resources with inclusion of Indian Tribes, repeals the brackish groundwater assessment, and extends authorization for improved water estimation and monitoring technologies through 2028.
Money References
- National groundwater resources monitoring.—Section 9507(b) of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10367(b)) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause (i), by inserting “, Indian Tribes, ” before “and State”; and (B) in subparagraph (C)— (i) by inserting “or on Tribal land” after “within a State”; and (ii) by inserting “or Indian Tribe” after “water resource agency”; (2) in paragraph (6), by inserting “or an Indian Tribe” after “or local governmental entity”; and (3) in paragraph (7), by striking “are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to carry out this subsection for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2023” and inserting “is authorized to be appropriated $4,000,000 to carry out this subsection for each of fiscal years 2023 through 2028 ”. (c) Repeal of brackish groundwater assessment.—Section 9507 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10367) is amended— (1) by striking subsection (c); and (2) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (c). (d) Improved water estimation, measurement, and monitoring technologies.—Section 9507 of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (42 U.S.C. 10367) is amended, in subsection (c)(4) (as redesignated by subsection (c)(2)), by striking “2019” and inserting “2028”.
1. Short title Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The first section of the bill gives it a short title, allowing it to be referred to as the “Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources Data Improvement Act” or simply the “WATER Data Improvement Act.”
2. Water data enhancement by United States Geological Survey Read Opens in new tab
Summary AI
The section amends the Omnibus Public Land Management Act to rename and update details of the "Federal priority streamgage program," extend certain timelines to 2029, and include Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations in monitoring programs. Additionally, it repeals the brackish groundwater assessment and redesignates certain subsections.