[Senate Report 111-208]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                       Calendar No. 432
111th Congress                                                   Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session                                                     111-208

======================================================================



 
          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).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                   By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                             ---------------------------------------------------
                                                               2011    2012    2013    2014    2015    2011-2015
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                  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
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


                                  
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