[Senate Report 119-92]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 249
119th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 119-92
_______________________________________________________________________
NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025
__________
R E P O R T
of the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
on
S. 1626
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
November 3, 2025.--Ordered to be printed
_______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
69-010 WASHINGTON : 2025
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
one hundred nineteenth congress
first session
TED CRUZ, Texas, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
JERRY MORAN, Kansas EDWARD J. MARKEY, Massachusetts
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska GARY C. PETERS, Michigan
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
TODD YOUNG, Indiana TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
TED BUDD, North Carolina JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
ERIC SCHMITT, Missouri BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico
JOHN CURTIS, Utah JOHN W. HICKENLOOPER, Colorado
BERNIE MORENO, Ohio JOHN FETTERMAN, Pennsylvania
TIM SHEEHY, Montana ANDY KIM, New Jersey
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia LISA BLUNT ROCHESTER, Delaware
CYNTHIA M. LUMMIS, Wyoming
Brad Grantz, Majority Staff Director
Lila Harper Helms, Democratic Staff Director
Calendar No. 249
119th Congress } { Report
SENATE
1st Session } { 119-92
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NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 2025
_______
November 3, 2025.--Ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Cruz, from the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
submitted the following
R E P O R T
[To accompany S. 1626]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, to
which was referred the bill (S. 1626) to reauthorize the
National Landslide Preparedness Act, and for other purposes,
having considered the same, reports favorably thereon with an
amendment and recommends that the bill, as amended, do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of S. 1626 is to reauthorize the National
Landslide Hazards Reduction Program through fiscal year 2030.
It would also codify and authorize the U.S. Geological Survey
(USGS) Next Generation Water Observing System. It would
prioritize streamgage and national groundwater monitoring site
selection and authorize the streamgage program.
Background and Needs
Landslides are serious geological hazards that occur in
every State. In the United States, landslides kill an average
of 25-50 people and cause billions of dollars in property
damage every year.\1\ The purpose of the USGS National
Landslide Hazards Reduction Program is to identify landslide
hazards and risks, reduce losses from landslides, protect
communities at risk of landslide hazards, and help improve
communication and emergency preparedness.\2\ Through this
program, the USGS may provide grants to research, map, assess,
and collect data on landslide hazards. The National Landslide
Preparedness Act,\3\ enacted in 2021, requires the USGS to:
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\1\``How Many Deaths Result From Landslides Each Year?,'' U.S.
Geological Survey, March 2024, https://www.usgs.gov/faqs/how-many-
deaths-result-landslides-each-year; ``How Much Do Landslides Cost the
U.S. in Terms of Monetary Losses?'' American Geosciences Institute,
https://profession.americangeosciences.org/society/intersections/faq/
how-much-do-landslides-cost-terms-monetary-losses/.
\2\``What We Do--Landslide Hazards Program,'' U.S. Geological
Survey, https://www.usgs.gov/programs/landslide-hazards/what-we-do-
landslide-hazards-program.
\3\Public Law 116-323.
Develop and publish a national strategy for
landslide hazards, risk reduction, and response in the
United States;
Maintain a publicly accessible national landslide
hazard and risk inventory database;
Expand the early warning system for post landslide
flash floods and debris flow; and
Establish emergency response procedures for the
rapid deployment of Federal scientists, equipment, and
services to areas impacted by a significant landslide
event.
Although the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program
is carried out by the USGS, the National Science Foundation
(NSF) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) are authorized to conduct activities under this
program.\4\ NOAA's National Weather Service provides weather
information for landslide predictions since flooding and rain
can be important predictors of landslides. NSF provides grants
for research into landslides.\5\ The USGS also operates a 3D
Elevation Program, with the goal of creating a national
baseline of consistent high-resolution topographic elevation
data.\6\ High-resolution topographic data is important for
assessing the location and potential timing of landslides.\7\
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\4\Linda Rowan, ``Landslides: Federal Role in Research, Assessment,
and Response,'' Congressional Research Service, October 25, 2024,
https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R47588.
\5\Ibid.
\6\``The 3D Elevation Program: Landslide Recognition, Hazard
Assessment, and Mitigation Support,'' U.S. Geological Survey, January
2017, https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/2016/3094/fs20163094.pdf.
\7\Ibid.
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The USGS Next-Generation Water Observation System (NGWOS)
was developed in 2019 to modernize and expand USGS's ability to
collect real-time, high-resolution water quantity and quality
data.\8\ Today, NGWOS integrates new sensor technologies,
expanded spatial and temporal coverage, and rapid data delivery
to improve flood and drought forecasts, inform emergency
management, and guide long-term water resource planning.\9\
This data is critical to understanding how changing weather
conditions influence landslide risk and water availability.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\8\``Next Generation Water Observing System,'' U.S. Geological
Survey, April 27, 2021, https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-
resources/science/next-generation-water-observing-system-ngwos.
\9\Ibid.
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The National Groundwater Monitoring Network (NGWMN) and the
USGS Streamgaging Network are two other longstanding USGS
programs that inform decision making and long-term planning for
water management, infrastructure, and flood and drought
forecasting.\10\ The streamgage network provides real-time data
on water height and streamflow, while the groundwater network
monitors trends in aquifer health and recharge.\11\ These
networks are important for the purposes of flood forecasting,
landslide prediction, and drought management.\12\ Aquifers are
porous geologic formations that store water underground.\13\
Texas, for example, has nine major aquifers, which supply more
than 50 percent of the water used in the State (75 percent of
which is used for irrigation), so groundwater monitoring is
important for water management and weather forecasting in the
State.\14\ In Hawaii, approximately 99 percent of drinking
water comes from groundwater, and the groundwater systems,
which often extend above sea level, are a key element of the
State's hydrology.\15\
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\10\Anna Normand, ``U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Streamgaging
Network: Overview and Issues for Congress,'' Congressional Research
Service, March 2, 2021, https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45695.
\11\``Groundwater Monitoring,'' U.S. Geological Survey, https://
www.usgs.gov/programs/groundwater-and-streamflow-information-program/
groundwater-monitoring.
\12\``USGS Hazards Science--Be Informed and Be Prepared,'' U.S.
Geological Survey, September 10, 2021, https://www.usgs.gov/news/
featured-story/usgs-hazards-science-be-informed-and-be-prepared.
\13\``Principal Aquifers of the United States,'' U.S. Geological
Survey, March 8, 2021, https://www.usgs.gov/mission-areas/water-
resources/science/principal-aquifers-united-states.
\14\``Texas Aquifers,'' Texas Water Development Board, https://
www.twdb.texas.gov/groundwater/aquifer/index.asp.
\15\``Ground Water in Hawaii,'' U.S. Geological Survey, 2000,
https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/mk/files/2016/11/B.17w-USGS-Ground-Water-in-
Hawaii.pdf.
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Summary of Provisions
S. 1626 would do the following:
Authorize $35 million to the USGS through fiscal
year 2030 for the Landslide Hazards Program for the
purchase and deployment of landslide early warning
systems of which not less than $10 million shall be
made available in high-risk areas.
Maintain and extend current authorization levels for
the Landslide Hazards Program for NSF ($11 million
annually) and NOAA ($1 million annually) through fiscal
year 2030.
Establish regional partnerships in areas with a high
landslide hazard to coordinate region-specific research
and monitoring.
Maintain and extend current authorization levels for
USGS ($40 million annually) for the 3D Elevation
Program through fiscal year 2034.
Codify the existing ``Next Generation Water
Observing System'' at USGS and authorize $30 million
for 2026.
Designate priority regions for streamgage and
national groundwater monitoring site selection and
authorize appropriations of $30 million for each of
fiscal years 2026 through 2033.
Legislative History
S. 1626 was introduced on May 6, 2025, by Senator Murkowski
(for herself and Senator Cantwell) and was referred to the
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the
Senate. On May 21, 2025, the Committee met in open Executive
Session and, by voice vote, ordered S. 1626 reported favorably
with an amendment.
118th Congress
S. 3788, the National Landslide Preparedness Act
Reauthorization Act of 2024, was introduced on February 8,
2024, by Senator Murkowski (for herself and Senator Cantwell)
and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate. On July 31, 2024, the Committee
met in open Executive Session and, by voice vote, ordered S.
3788 reported favorably with an amendment (in the nature of a
substitute). Senator Sullivan was later added as a cosponsor.
116th Congress
S. 529, the National Landslide Preparedness Act, was
introduced on February 14, 2019, by Senator Cantwell (for
herself and Senators Murkowski, Gardner, Wyden, and Feinstein)
and was referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation of the Senate. Senator Sullivan was later added
as a cosponsor. On April 3, 2019, the Committee met in open
Executive Session and, by voice vote, ordered S. 529 reported
favorably with an amendment (in the nature of a substitute). On
July 30, 2020, S. 529 passed the Senate with an amendment by
unanimous consent.
Estimated Costs
In accordance with paragraph 11(a) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate and section 403 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974, the Committee provides the
following cost estimate, prepared by the Congressional Budget
Office:
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
S. 1626 would amend and reauthorize programs established
under the National Landslide Preparedness Act. The bill would
authorize the appropriation of the following amounts:
$47 million annually from 2025 through 2030
for the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program.
The authorization for the program expired in 2024. The
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration allocated roughly $14
million for the program in 2024.
$40 million each year from 2025 through 2034
for the 3D Elevation Program, a USGS program to acquire
high-resolution 3-dimensional elevation data. The
authorization for the program expired at the end of
2024. No funds were allocated for the program in that
year.
$30 million annually from 2026 through 2033
to expand the Federal Priority Streamgage program, a
countrywide network of automated stations that monitor
the hydrological conditions of rivers and streams.
Under current law, $10 million is authorized to be
appropriated for that program through 2028.
$30 million in 2026 for the USGS to
establish a water observation system for compiling
real-time data on water quality and for forecasting
floods and droughts.
CBO assumes that the bill will be enacted near the end of
2025 and that the specified amounts will be provided in each
year. Based on historical spending patterns for the programs,
CBO estimates that implementing the bill would cost $588
million over the 2025-2030 period and $317 million after 2030.
The costs of the legislation, detailed in Table 1, fall
within budget function 300 (natural resources and environment).
TABLE 1.--ESTIMATED INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION UNDER S. 1626
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By fiscal year, millions of dollars--
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2025- 2025-
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 2034 2035 2030 2035
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National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program:
Authorization.......................................... 47 47 47 47 47 47 0 0 0 0 0 282 282
Estimated Outlays...................................... 6 59 43 44 45 45 19 6 3 1 0 242 271
3D Elevation Program:
Authorization.......................................... 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 0 240 400
Estimated Outlays...................................... 6 42 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 40 28 208 396
Federal Priority Streamgage Program:
Authorization.......................................... 0 20 20 20 30 30 30 30 30 0 0 120 210
Estimated Outlays...................................... 0 14 19 19 27 29 29 29 29 8 1 108 204
Water Observation System:
Authorization.......................................... 0 30 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 30
Estimated Outlays...................................... 0 22 7 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 30 30
Total Changes:
Authorization.......................................... 87 137 107 107 117 117 70 70 70 40 0 672 922
Estimated Outlays...................................... 12 137 109 104 112 114 88 75 72 49 29 588 901
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Revised on July 31, 2025, to correct spreadsheet errors in the outlay estimates for the National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program and the 3D
Elevation Program as well as to incorporate the specified authorization of appropriations for the Federal Priority Streamgage program and a water
observation system.
CBO has revised the estimate we transmitted on July 11,
2025. This revised version corrects spreadsheet errors in the
outlay estimates for the National Landslide Hazards Reduction
Program and the 3D Elevation Program. Additionally, this
estimate incorporates the authorization of appropriations for
the Federal Priority Streamgage program and for a water
observation system to collect real-time data.
The CBO staff contact for this estimate is Aurora Swanson.
The estimate was reviewed by H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy
Director of Budget Analysis.
Phillip L. Swagel,
Director, Congressional Budget Office.
Regulatory Impact Statement
In accordance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides the
following evaluation of the regulatory impact of the
legislation, as reported:
number of persons covered
S. 1626, as reported, would require the development of a
National Landslide Hazards Reduction Program to mitigate the
risks from landslides. It would not authorize any new
regulations and therefore will not subject any individuals or
businesses to new regulations.
economic impact
S. 1626, as reported, would not have an adverse impact on
the economy. The bill may have a positive impact on the economy
if it produces better data for reducing landslide, flood, and
drought hazards.
privacy
S. 1626, as reported, would not have an adverse impact on
the personal privacy of individuals.
paperwork
S. 1626, as reported, would not increase paperwork
requirements for private individuals or businesses. The bill
would increase paperwork obligations for USGS as necessary to
support the implementation of its efforts to identify and
understand landslide hazards and risks, reduce losses from
landslides, protect communities at risk of landslide hazards,
and help improve communication and emergency preparedness.
Congressionally Directed Spending
In compliance with paragraph 4(b) of rule XLIV of the
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee provides that no
provisions contained in the bill, as reported, meet the
definition of congressionally directed spending items under the
rule.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title.
This section would provide that the bill may be cited as
the ``National Landslide Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act
of 2025''.
Section 2. Certain definitions under Flood Level Observation,
Operations, and Decision Support Act.
This section would amend the Flood Level Observation,
Operations, and Decision Support Act\16\ to include examples of
precipitation types to be included in the NOAA Precipitation
Frequency Atlas of the United States. It would add definitions
for the terms ``atmospheric river'', ``atmospheric river
flooding event'', and ``extreme precipitation event''.
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\16\Public Law 117-316
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Section 3. Reauthorization of National Landslide Preparedness Act.
This section would amend the National Landslide
Preparedness Act\17\ to define the same terms defined under
section 2. It would further define the terms ``institution of
higher education'', ``Native Hawaiian organization'', and
``Tribal organization''. It would update references to tribes
to be consistent with definitions throughout the section and
require coordination with Native Hawaiian organizations
wherever coordination occurs with outside stakeholders.
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\17\43 U.S.C. 3101.
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This section would refine the activities of the National
Landslide Hazards Reduction Program and require an assessment
of the risks of atmospheric river flooding events and extreme
precipitation events related to landslides in the next national
strategy. It would add a requirement for the Secretary to
include in the national landslide hazard and risk inventory
database data on the identification of areas in need of
additional hazard risk assessment due to hydrologic changes,
atmospheric river flooding events and extreme precipitation
events, geologic activity, and a lack of data or monitoring.
This section would require the Secretary to coordinate with
and develop guidelines and tools for all relevant stakeholders.
This section would require landslide planning and risk
reduction guidance to include health and safety information and
strategies for reducing losses caused by atmospheric rivers and
other extreme precipitation events.
This section would allow the Secretary to consult with
applicable institutions of higher education for matters related
to debris flow early warning system to establish and support
emergency support procedures. It would add a requirement that
emergency response services should improve real-time risk
management during landslides, including those caused by
hydrologic changes, atmospheric river events, geologic
activity, thawing permafrost, and a lack of data or monitoring,
which could contribute to landslide risk.
This section would direct the Secretary to establish
regional partnerships with eligible partners in regions the
Secretary determines have a high landslide hazard. These
regional partnerships would be established for the purposes of
leveraging applicable expertise in regional organizations,
coordinating long-term region-specific landslide research, and
aligning interagency landslide monitoring efforts.
This section would add Native Hawaiian organizations to a
list of other entities eligible for grants and refine the
purpose of the grants to research, assess, map, monitor, and
collect landslide data. It would add institutions of higher
education to the list of entities to include in consultation of
the establishment of the grant program priorities and would
amend the list of priorities for funding to include projects in
regions that have recently lost lives to landslides.
Lastly, this section would authorize annual appropriations
of $35 million for the USGS through fiscal year 2030 to carry
out the Landslide Hazards Program while reserving not less than
$10 million for the purchase, deployment, and repair of
landslide early warning systems in high-risk areas. It would
maintain current authorization levels for NOAA and NSF for the
Landslide Hazards Program through fiscal year 2030. It would
also maintain current authorization levels for the USGS 3D
Elevation Program through fiscal year 2034 and expand the list
of programs covered under the coordination responsibilities of
the 3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee.
Section 4. Next Generation Water Observing System.
This section would codify the existing Next Generation
Water Observing System at USGS, to provide real-time,
affordable, and geographically broad data on water quantity and
quality. The system would support advanced modeling tools for
flood and drought forecasts to help inform emergency and water
management decision support.
This section would outline the requirements of the system,
including state-of-the-art measurements and increased spatial
and temporal coverage. It would define priority regions,
including those where there is a high level of drought, a
reliance on reservoirs or hydrologic storage, and which
experience flooding and extreme rainfall.
This section would authorize $30 million for fiscal year
2026 for the program in 10 initial basins, derived from
existing USGS appropriations.
Section 5. Water data enhancement and national groundwater resources
monitoring by United States Geological Survey.
This section would update the name of the national
streamflow information program to the Federal Priority
Streamgage Network, which is the name currently in use by USGS.
It would extend the scope of the base network to include
groundwater quality assessments related to permafrost thaw and
precipitation changes. The deadline for increasing the number
of streamgages and ensuring that all streamgages are flood
hardened and equipped with modern telemetry would be extended
from 10 to 11 years after 2023. It would prioritize streamgage
site selection for areas that have a high level of drought,
depend on reservoirs or hydrologic storage, and experience
flooding and extreme rainfall. It would require that these
priorities have no impact on existing sites where streamgages
are installed provided that the data from the sites continue to
meet the priority needs of stakeholders as determined by the
Secretary. Additionally, this section would authorize
appropriations of $30 million annually through fiscal year
2033, derived from existing USGS appropriations.
Lastly, this section would require coordination with Tribal
organizations and Native Hawaiian organizations, wherever
coordination occurs with outside stakeholders. It would give
priority to national groundwater monitoring in areas that have
a high level of drought, depend on reservoirs or hydrologic
storage, and experience flooding and extreme rainfall. It would
require funds for national groundwater monitoring to be derived
from amounts otherwise made available to USGS.
Changes in Existing Law
In compliance with paragraph 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
material is printed in italic, existing law in which no change
is proposed is shown in roman):
THE ACT OF DECEMBER 24, 1942
* * * * * * *
[56 Stat. 1086, chapter 822; 43 U.S.C. 36b]
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Congress assembled, [That the
Secretary of the Interior]
SECTION 1. GAGING STREAMS AND UNDERGROUND WATER RESOURCES.
The Secretary of the Interior (referred to in this Act as the
``Secretary'') may, on behalf of the United States and for use
by the United States Geological Survey in gaging streams and
underground water resources, acquire lands by donation or when
funds have been appropriated by Congress by purchase or
condemnation, but not in excess of ten acres for any one stream
gaging station or observation well site. For the same purpose
the Secretary [of the Interior] may obtain easements, licenses,
rights-of-way, and leases limited to run for such a period of
time or term of years as may be required for the effective
performance of the function of gaging streams and underground
water resources: Provided, That nothing in this section shall
be construed as affecting or intended to affect or in any way
to interfere with the laws of any State or Territory relating
to the control, appropriation, use, or distribution of water
used in irrigation, or any vested right acquired thereunder,
and the Secretary [of the Interior], in carrying out the
provisions of [this Act] this section, shall proceed in
conformity with such laws, and nothing in [this Act] this
section shall in any way affect any right of any State or of
the Federal Government or of any landowner, appropriator, or
user of water, in, to, or from any interstate stream or the
waters thereof.
SEC. 2. NEXT GENERATION WATER OBSERVING SYSTEM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish within the
United States Geological Survey a system, to be known as the
``Next Generation Water Observing System'' (referred to in this
section as the ``System'').
(b) Purpose.--The purpose of the System is to provide real-
time data on water quantity and quality--
(1) that, as compared to previous systems, is more
affordable, more rapid, and available in more
locations; and
(2) to support advanced modeling tools--
(A) to provide state-of-the-art flood and
drought forecasts;
(B) to inform emergency- and water-management
decision support systems; and
(C) to help evaluate--
(i) the near-term and long-term risks
of floods and droughts, including any
scenarios that modify those risks;
(ii) the quantity of water stored in
seasonal snow packs, and how changes in
seasonal snow packs affect water
supplies;
(iii) the early stages of drought;
(iv) the predicted timelines for
drought recovery;
(v) the quantity of water lost to
evapotranspiration;
(vi) water quality differences during
wet and dry periods;
(vii) the effects of streamflow on
groundwater;
(viii) the effects of groundwater on
streamflow; and
(ix) ice and water volume stored in
glaciers and changing water volumes due
to glacial retreat.
(c) System Requirements.--The System shall provide for--
(1) state-of-the-art measurements;
(2) a dense array of sensors at selected sites;
(3) increased spatial and temporal coverage;
(4) new technology testing and implementation;
(5) improved operational efficiency; and
(6) modernized and timely data storage and delivery.
(d) Priority Regions.--In determining in which regions of the
United States Geological Survey to carry out the System, the
Secretary shall give priority to regions of the United States
Geological Survey in which there is--
(1) a high level of drought;
(2) a reliance on reservoirs for water storage;
(3) a reliance on hydrologic storage, including
groundwater, aquifers, and snowpack; and
(4) flooding and extreme rainfall.
(e) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(1) In general.--There is authorized to be
appropriated to carry out this section in 10 initial
basins, as determined by the Secretary, $30,000,000 for
fiscal year 2026, to remain available until expended.
(2) Derivation of funds.--Amounts made available to
carry out this section shall be derived from amounts
appropriated or otherwise made available to the United
States Geological Survey.
* * * * * * *
FLOOD LEVEL OBSERVATION, OPERATIONS, AND DECISION SUPPORT ACT
* * * * * * *
[15 U.S.C. 9707(a)]
* * * * * * *
SEC. 12. ESTIMATES OF PRECIPITATION FREQUENCY IN THE UNITED STATES.
(a) Definitions.--In this section:
(1) Atmospheric river.--The term ``atmospheric
river'' means a transient corridor of strong water
vapor in the atmosphere that--
(A) produces significant quantities of rain
or snow; and
(B) may be primarily beneficial to the water
supply or hazardous due to flooding.
(2) Atmospheric river flooding event.--The term
``atmospheric river flooding event'' means an
atmospheric river that--
(A) results in flooding of rivers and streams
or other hazards to human life, property, or
the economy; and
(B) is of particular concern to human health,
property, and the economy, as determined by the
Secretary of Commerce.
(3) Extreme precipitation event.--The term ``extreme
precipitation event'' means precipitation quantities
exceeding the 5-year annual recurrence interval for a
specific location.
[(1)](4) Freely associated states.--The term Freely
Associated States means the Republic of Palau, the
Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated
States of Micronesia, which have each entered into a
Compact of Free Association with the United States.
[(2)](5) United states.--The term United States means
the 50 States of the United States, the District of
Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United
States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the
Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the
Freely Associated States.
(b) In General.--The Administrator shall establish a program,
to be known as the ``NOAA Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the
United States'', to compile, estimate, analyze, and communicate
the frequency of precipitation in the United States.
(c) Functions.--The NOAA Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the
United States--
(1) shall better inform the public and provide
information on--
(A) temporal and spatial distribution of
heavy precipitation;
(B) analyses of seasonality in precipitation;
and
(C) trends in annual maximum series data; and
(2) may serve as the official source of the Federal
Government on estimates of precipitation frequency and
associated information with respect to the United
States.
(d) Requirements.--
(1) Coverage.--The NOAA Precipitation Frequency Atlas
of the United States shall include such estimates of
the frequency of precipitation in the United States as
the Administrator determines appropriate, such as
precipitation resulting from hurricanes, atmospheric
river flooding events, and extreme precipitation
events.
(2) Frequency.--Such estimates--
(A) shall be conducted not less frequently
than once every 10 years; and
(B) may be conducted more frequently if
determined appropriate by the Administrator.
(3) Publication.--Such estimates and methodologies
used to conduct such estimates shall be--
(A) subject to an appropriate, scientific
process, as determined by the Administrator;
and
(B) published on a publicly accessible
website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
(e) Partnerships.--The Administrator may partner with other
Federal agencies, members of the private sector, academic
cooperative partnerships, or nongovernment associations to
assist in carrying out the functions described in subsection
(c).
(f) Consultation.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator may consult with relevant Federal, State, local,
Tribal, and Territorial government agencies, research
institutions, and the private sector, as the Administrator
determines necessary.
(g) Coordination.--In carrying out this section, the
Administrator may coordinate with other Federal agencies.
(h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There are authorized to
be appropriated to carry out this section, from amounts
otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to
carry out this Act, $3,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022
through 2030.
* * * * * * *
NATIONAL LANDSLIDE PREPAREDNESS ACT
[43 U.S.C. 3101]
SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) 3D.--The term ``3D'' means 3-dimensional.
(2) 3D elevation data.--
(A) In general.--The term ``3D elevation
data'' means 3D, high-resolution data obtained
using LiDAR, IfSAR, or other methods over the
United States (including territories).
(B) Inclusions.--The term 3D elevation data
includes terrestrial and bathymetric elevation
data.
(3) 3D elevation program.--The term ``3D Elevation
Program'' means the 3D Elevation Program established
under section 5(a).
(4) Atmospheric river.--The term ``atmospheric
river'' has the meaning given the term in section 12(a)
of the Flood Level Observation, Operations, and
Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C. 9707(a)).
(5) Atmospheric river flooding event.--The term
``atmospheric river flooding event'' has the meaning
given the term in section 12(a) of the Flood Level
Observation, Operations, and Decision Support Act (15
U.S.C. 9707(a)).
(6) Extreme precipitation event.--The term ``extreme
precipitation event'' has the meaning given the term in
section 12(a) of the Flood Level Observation,
Operations, and Decision Support Act (15 U.S.C.
9707(a)).
[(4)](7) IfSAR.--The term ``IfSAR'' means
interferometric synthetic aperture radar.
[(5)](8) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian tribe'' has
the meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian
Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act (25
U.S.C. 5304).
(9) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning
given the term in section 101(a) of the Higher
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)).
[(6)](10) Lahar.--The term ``lahar'' means a large
debris flow of mostly volcanic material that is--
(A) often fast-moving; and
(B) a hazard in watersheds downstream of
volcanic peaks.
[(7)](11) LiDAR.--The term ``LiDAR'' means light
detection and ranging.
(12) Native hawaiian organization.--The term ``Native
Hawaiian organization'' has the meaning given the term
in section 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary
Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517), except that the
term includes the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands and
the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.
[(8)](13) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means
the Secretary of the Interior, acting through the
Director of the United States Geological Survey.
[(9)](14) State.--The term ``State'' means--
(A) a State; and
(B) the District of Columbia.
[(10)](15) State office.--The term ``State office''
means any unit of State government that handles the
identification, mapping, assessment, and research of
landslide hazards or responding to landslide events,
including--
(A) a State geological survey office;
(B) a State department of emergency response;
and
(C) a State department of transportation.
[(11)](16) Territory.--The term ``territory'' means--
(A) the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico;
(B) Guam;
(C) American Samoa;
(D) the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands;
(E) the Federated States of Micronesia;
(F) the Republic of the Marshall Islands;
(G) the Republic of Palau; and
(H) the United States Virgin Islands.
(17) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal
organization'' has the meaning given the term in
section 4 of the Indian Self-Determination and
Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
SEC. 3. NATIONAL LANDSLIDE HAZARDS REDUCTION PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment.--The Secretary shall establish a program,
to be known as the ``National Landslide Hazards Reduction
Program'' (referred to in this section as the ``program'')--
(1) to identify and understand landslide hazards and
risks;
(2) to reduce losses from landslides;
(3) to [protect] contribute to protecting communities
at risk of landslide hazards; and
(4) to help improve communication and emergency
preparedness, including by coordinating with
communities and entities responsible for infrastructure
that are at risk of landslide hazards.
(b) Description of Program.--
(1) Program activities.--The Secretary, in
coordination with the Interagency Coordinating
Committee on Landslide Hazards established by
subsection (c)(1) (referred to in this section as the
``Committee'') and in coordination with existing
activities of the United States Geological Survey and
other Federal agencies, shall--
(A) identify, map, assess, and research
landslide hazards;
(B) respond to landslide events; and
(C) in coordination with State offices, units
of local government, territories, and Indian
tribes--
(i) establish working groups with
State offices, units of local
government, territories, and Indian
tribes to identify regional and local
priorities for researching,
identifying, mapping, and assessing
landslide hazards; and
(ii) develop and [implement]
disseminate landslide hazard guidelines
for--
(I) geologists;
(II) geological and
geotechnical engineers;
(III) emergency management
personnel; and
(IV) land use and other
decisionmakers.
(2) National strategy.--[Not later than]
(A) In general.--Not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, and every 5
years thereafter, the Secretary, in
coordination with the Committee, shall develop
and publish a national strategy for landslide
hazards, risk reduction, and response in the
United States (including territories), which
shall include--
[(A)](i) goals and priorities for the
program;
[(B)](ii) priorities for data
acquisition, research, communications,
and risk management on landslides and
landslide hazards across relevant
Federal agencies; and
[(C)](iii) a detailed interagency
plan, which shall take into
consideration national disaster
preparedness, response, and recovery
frameworks, to carry out the national
strategy, including details about the
programs, projects, and budgets that
will be used to implement the national
strategy.
(B) Assessment.--For purposes of the first
national strategy published after the date of
enactment of the National Landslide
Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025
under subparagraph (A), the Secretary, in
consultation with the Secretary of Commerce,
shall include an assessment of the risks that
atmospheric river flooding events and extreme
precipitation events pose to the safety of life
and property in the United States with respect
to landslide hazards.
(3) National landslide hazards database.--In carrying
out the program, the Secretary, in coordination with
State offices, units of local government, territories,
and Indian tribes, shall develop and maintain a
publicly accessible national landslide hazard and risk
inventory database to compile, maintain, standardize,
and evaluate data regarding--
(A) landslide hazards and risks;
(B) the impact of landslides on--
(i) health and safety;
(ii) the economy and infrastructure;
and
(iii) the environment;
(C) the identification of areas in need of
additional hazard risk assessment, including
areas that may be at risk due to--
(i) hydrology or changes in hydrology
that may include erosion, drought, or
other characteristics that could impact
landslide risk;
(ii) atmospheric river flooding
events and extreme precipitation
events, as identified by the Secretary
of Commerce and the Secretary;
(iii) geologic activity, such as
volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, or
tsunamis; or
(iv) data-poor areas or hazards with
poor monitoring that could contribute
to increased landslide risk;
[(C)](D) landslide hazard stabilization; and
[(D)](E) reduction of losses from landslides.
(4) Landslide hazard and risk preparedness for
communities.--In carrying out the program, the
Secretary, in coordination with the Secretary of the
Army, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the Secretary of Transportation, and
the heads of other relevant Federal agencies, and in
consultation with State offices, units of local
government, territories, Native Hawaiian organizations
and other stakeholders, as appropriate, and Indian
tribes, shall develop and disseminate--
(A) landslide planning and risk reduction
guidance, guidelines, maps, tools, and training
materials to help inform State, territorial,
[local, and Tribal governments and
decisionmakers] and local governments, Indian
tribes, Tribal organizations, Native Hawaiian
organizations, and other decisionmakers with
respect to--
(i) the use and implementation of
landslide hazard assessments;
(ii) the applied use of the database
developed under paragraph (3);
[(iii) reducing losses from
landslides; and]
(iii) health and safety with respect
to landslides;
(iv) reducing losses from landslides,
including the threats caused by
atmospheric rivers and other extreme
precipitation events; and
[(iv)](v) resources available for
communities working to improve
landslide hazard preparedness; and
(B) landslide preparedness curricula and
training modules for--
(i) State, territorial, [local, and
Tribal officials] and local officials,
Indian tribes, Tribal organizations,
and Native Hawaiian organizations;
(ii) Federal, State, territorial,
[local, and Tribal emergency managers]
and local emergency managers and
emergency managers of Indian tribes,
Tribal organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations; and
(iii) the National Guard.
(5) Debris flow early warning system.--[In carrying
out]
(A) In general.--In carrying out the program,
the Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of
Homeland Security, shall expand the early
warning system for debris flow by--
[(A)](i) expanding the early warning
system for post-wildfire debris flow to
include recently burned areas across
the western United States;
[(B)](ii) developing procedures with
[State, territorial, local, and Tribal
governments] State, territorial, and
local governments, Indian tribes,
Tribal organizations, and Native
Hawaiian organizations to monitor
stormwater drainage in areas with high
debris flow risk; and
[(C)](iii) identifying high-risk
debris flow areas, such as recently
burned land and potential lahar hazard
areas.
(B) Consultation.--In carrying out
subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consult
with an institution of higher education
described in subsection (d)(2)(B)(iv) and other
stakeholders to establish and support emergency
response procedures, as appropriate.
(6) Emergency response activities.--[In carrying]
(A) In general.--In carrying out the program,
the Secretary, in coordination with the
Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of
Homeland Security, the heads of other relevant
Federal agencies, States offices, units of
local government, territories, Native Hawaiian
organizations, and Indian tribes, shall
establish and support emergency response
procedures for the rapid deployment of Federal
scientists, equipment, and services to areas
impacted by a significant landslide event--
[(A)](i) to support emergency
response efforts and improve the safety
of emergency responders;
[(B)](ii) to improve data collection;
[and]
[(C)](iii) to conduct research to
advance the understanding of the
causes, impacts, and reduction of
landslide hazards and risks[.]; and
(iv) to improve real-time risk
management during landslide events,
including with respect to landslide
events caused by--
(I) hydrology or changes in
hydrology that may include
erosion, drought, or other
characteristics that could
impact landslide risk;
(II) atmospheric river
flooding events and extreme
precipitation events, as
identified by the Secretary of
Commerce and the Secretary;
(III) geologic activity, such
as volcanic eruptions,
earthquakes, or tsunamis;
(IV) data-poor areas or
hazards with poor monitoring
that could contribute to
increased landslide risk; or
(V) thawing permafrost and
glacial retreat causing
destabilization of slopes.
(B) Consultation.--In carrying out
subparagraph (A), the Secretary may consult
with an institution of higher education
described in subsection (d)(2)(B)(iv) and the
private sector.
(c) Interagency Coordinating Committee on Landslide
Hazards.--
(1) In general.--There is established a committee, to
be known as the ``Interagency Coordinating Committee on
Landslide Hazards''.
(2) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of
the following members (or their designees):
(A) The Secretary, who shall serve as
Chairperson of the Committee.
(B) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(C) The Secretary of the Army.
(D) The Secretary of Commerce.
(E) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(F) The Secretary of Transportation.
(G) The Director of the National Science
Foundation.
(H) The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
(I) The Director of the Office of Management
and Budget.
(3) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at the call
of the Chairperson.
(4) Purpose and duties.--The Committee shall--
(A) advise and oversee the program;
(B) facilitate communication and coordination
across Federal agencies in the planning,
management, budgeting, and execution of
landslide activities; and
(C) support the development and execution of
the national strategy under subsection (b)(2),
including by--
(i) supporting the development of
national goals and priorities for the
national strategy;
(ii) articulating Federal agency
roles, responsibilities, and resources
for carrying out the national strategy;
and
(iii) overseeing the implementation
of the national strategy.
(d) Advisory Committee.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish an
advisory committee, to be known as the ``Advisory
Committee on Landslides'' (referred to in this
subsection as the ``Advisory Committee'').
(2) Membership.--The Advisory Committee shall be
composed of not fewer than 11 members--
(A) of whom none may be an individual
described in any of subparagraphs (A) through
(F) of section 7342(a)(1) of title 5, United
States Code; and
(B) who shall be representatives of--
(i) States, including State
geological organizations;
(ii) territories, including
territorial geological organizations;
(iii) Indian tribes, including Tribal
[geological] organizations;
(iv) research institutions and
institutions of higher education that
are qualified--
(I) to provide advice
regarding landslide hazard and
risk reduction; and
(II) to represent related
scientific, architectural,
engineering, and planning
disciplines;
(v) industry standards development
organizations; and
(vi) State, territorial, [local, and
Tribal emergency management agencies]
and local emergency management agencies
and emergency management agencies of
Indian tribes and Native Hawaiian
organizations.
(3) Recommendations.--
(A) In general.--The Advisory Committee shall
submit to the Committee recommendations for the
implementation of the program, including
recommendations regarding--
(i) landslide hazard and risk
reduction and planning;
(ii) tools for communities;
(iii) research; and
(iv) such other topics as the
Advisory Committee determines
appropriate.
(B) Consideration.--The Secretary and the
agency heads described in subparagraphs (B)
through (I) of subsection (c)(2) shall take
into consideration any recommendation of the
Advisory Committee submitted under subparagraph
(A).
(e) Regional Partnerships.--
(1) In general.--As soon as practicable after the
date of enactment of the National Landslide
Preparedness Act Reauthorization Act of 2025, the
Secretary shall establish in each region in which the
Secretary determines that there is a high landslide
hazard a regional partnership with an eligible partner
described in paragraph (2).
(2) Eligible partners.--An organization or
institution of higher education with expertise in
landslide mapping, research, and monitoring shall be
eligible for a regional partnership under paragraph
(1).
(3) Purposes and duties.--A regional partnership
established under paragraph (1) shall--
(A) allow the Secretary to leverage
applicable expertise in regional organizations;
(B) coordinate long-term landslide research
specific to the applicable region; and
(C) align interagency landslide monitoring
efforts.
[(e)](f) Grant Programs.--
(1) Cooperative landslide hazard mapping and
assessment program.--
(A) In general.--Subject to appropriations,
the Secretary may--
(i) provide grants, on a competitive
basis, to State, territorial, [local,
and Tribal governments to research,
map, assess] and local governments,
Indian tribes, Tribal organizations,
and Native Hawaiian organizations to
research, map, assess, monitor, and
collect data on landslide hazards
within the jurisdictions of those
governments; and
(ii) accept and use funds received
from other Federal and non-Federal
partners to advance the purposes of the
program.
(B) Priority.--
(i) In general.--The Secretary shall
consult annually with the Committee,
States, units of local government,
territories, institutions of higher
education described in subsection
(d)(2)(B)(iv), and Indian tribes to
establish priorities for the grant
program under this paragraph.
(ii) Funding prioritization.--In
providing grants under this paragraph,
the Secretary shall give priority to
projects--
(I) that will achieve the
greatest landslide hazard and
risk reduction;
(II) in regions that have
recently experienced loss of
life due to landslides;
[(II)](III) that reflect the
goals and priorities of the
national strategy established
under subsection (b)(2)(A);
[(III)](IV) not less than 50
percent of the total cost of
which is matched by non-Federal
sources; and
[(IV)](V) that include
acquisition of enhanced
elevation data consistent with
the 3D Elevation Program.
(C) Requirement.--If the Secretary elects to
provide grants under subparagraph (A)(i), the
Secretary shall publish on a publicly available
website a description of--
(i) the grants awarded; and
(ii) the findings [made] or other
accomplishments resulting from those
grants.
(2) National landslide research grants.--
(A) In general.--To advance the goals and
priorities of the national strategy established
under subsection (b)(2)(A), subject to
appropriations, the Director of the National
Science Foundation (referred to in this
paragraph as the ``Director'') may provide
grants to eligible entities for landslide
research, including research on--
(i) the causes, mechanisms, triggers,
hydrology, and geology of landslides;
(ii) ways to reduce landslide hazards
and risks to minimize loss of life and
property, including landslide hazard
and risk communication, perception,
decisionmaking, tools, and
technologies; and
(iii) other goals and priorities of
the national strategy established under
subsection (b)(2)(A).
(B) Eligible entities.--The Director shall
determine whether an entity is eligible to
receive a grant under this paragraph.
(C) Requirements.--In providing grants under
this paragraph, the Director shall--
(i) ensure that the grants are
provided on a competitive basis;
(ii) consider grant applications
submitted by eligible entities that
have developed the application in
partnership with 1 or more State
geological surveys; and
(iii) publish on a publicly available
website a description of--
(I) the grants; and
(II) the findings made from
those grants.
[(f)](g) Biennial Report.--Through calendar year 2030, the
Secretary shall submit to Congress a biennial report, including
a description of, with respect to the 2-calendar-year period
preceding the date of the report--
(1) the goals and accomplishments of the Committee in
carrying out the national strategy developed under
subsection (b)(2);
(2) the results of the activities of the Committee
under this section; and
(3) the extent to which any recommendations of the
Advisory Committee under subsection (d)(3)(A) have been
implemented.
[(g)](h) Significant Events.--Not later than 1 year after a
significant landslide event in the United States (including
territories) occurs, the Secretary shall publish on a publicly
available website--
(1) a description of the landslide event and the
implications of the event on communities, including
life and property;
(2) recommendations on how the identification of the
landslide risk could have been improved prior to the
event;
(3) a description of the effectiveness of any warning
and risk communication, including the dissemination of
warnings by State, territorial, [local, and Tribal
partners] and local partners, Indian tribes, Tribal
organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations in the
affected area;
(4) recommendations to improve risk identification,
reduction, and communication to landowners and units of
local government;
(5) recommendations to improve landslide hazard
preparedness and emergency response activities under
this section; and
(6) such other findings as the Secretary determines
appropriate.
[(h)](i) Funding.--For each of fiscal years 2021 through
[2024] 2030--
(1) there is authorized to be appropriated to the
United States Geological Survey, [$25,000,000 to carry
out this section] $35,000,000 to carry out this
section, of which not less than $10,000,000 shall be
made available for the purchase, deployment, and repair
of landslide early warning systems in high risk areas;
(2) there is authorized to be appropriated to the
National Science Foundation, $11,000,000 to carry out
this section; and
(3) there is authorized to be appropriated to the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
$1,000,000 to carry out this section.
[(i)](j) Derivation of Funds.--Funds to carry out the
activities under this section shall be derived from amounts
authorized to be appropriated that are enacted after the date
of the enactment of this section.
* * * * * * *
[43 U.S.C. 3104]
SEC. 5. 3D ELEVATION PROGRAM.
(a) Establishment of 3D Elevation Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall establish a
program, to be known as the ``3D Elevation Program''--
(A) to provide 3D elevation and derivative
data coverage for the United States;
(B) to coordinate and facilitate the
collection, dissemination, and use of 3D
elevation data among Federal departments and
agencies and non-Federal entities;
(C) to produce standard, publicly accessible
3D elevation data products for the United
States; and
(D) to promote the collection, dissemination,
and use of 3D elevation data among Federal,
State, local, and Tribal governments,
communities, institutions of higher education,
and the private sector through--
(i) cooperative agreements;
(ii) the development and maintenance
of spatial data infrastructure to
provide quality control and deliver to
the public 3D elevation data products;
(iii) in coordination with the 3D
Elevation Federal Interagency
Coordinating Committee established
under subsection (b), States, and
industry and standards bodies, the
development of standards and guidelines
for 3D elevation data acquisition to
increase accessibility to 3D elevation
data in a standard, easy-to--use
format; and
(iv) the identification, assessment,
and adoption of emerging technologies
to improve the accuracy and efficiency
of the 3D Elevation Program.
(2) Management.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall manage
the 3D Elevation Program--
(i) to ensure efficiency with respect
to related activities of the Department
of the Interior and other participating
Federal departments and agencies; and
(ii) to meet the needs of Department
of the Interior programs, stakeholders,
and the public.
(B) Other federal departments and agencies.--
The head of each Federal department and agency
involved in the acquisition, production,
distribution, or application of 3D elevation
data shall--
(i) coordinate with the 3D Elevation
Federal Interagency Coordinating
Committee established under subsection
(b) to acquire, process, and integrate
additional, enhanced 3D elevation data;
(ii) submit to the Secretary a
description of priority areas of
interest for 3D elevation data
collection for use in providing grants
and cooperative agreements under
subsection (d);
(iii) implement policies and
procedures for data acquisition and
sharing that are consistent with
standards and guidelines developed
under the 3D Elevation Program;
(iv) participate in, and share the
results and benefits of, the 3D
Elevation Program, in accordance with
standards and guidelines developed
under the 3D Elevation Program; and
(v) ensure that any 3D elevation data
acquired with Federal grant funding--
(I) meets 3D Elevation
Program standards; and
(II) is included in the
national holdings of those
data.
(b) 3D Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating
Committee.--
(1) Establishment.--The Secretary, in coordination
with the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of
Homeland Security, shall establish an interagency
coordinating committee, to be known as the ``3D
Elevation Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee''
(referred to in this subsection as the ``Committee''),
to better coordinate 3D elevation data management
across the Federal Government.
(2) Membership.--The Committee shall be composed of
the following members (or their designees):
(A) The Secretary, who shall serve as
Chairperson of the Committee.
(B) The Secretary of Agriculture.
(C) The Secretary of Commerce.
(D) The Secretary of Homeland Security.
(E) The Director of the National Science
Foundation.
(F) The Director of the Office of Science and
Technology Policy.
(G) The Director of the Office of Management
and Budget.
(H) The head of any other Federal department
or agency, at the request of the Secretary.
(3) Coordination.--The Committee shall coordinate, as
appropriate, with the existing activities of--
(A) the 3D Elevation Program Executive Forum;
(B) the Alaska Mapping Executive Committee;
(C) the 3D Elevation Working Group;
(D) the 3D Hydrography Program Working Group;
[(D)](E) the 3D National Elevation
Subcommittee; and
[(E)](F) State offices.
(4) Meetings.--The Committee shall meet at the call
of the Chairperson.
(5) Duties.--The Committee shall--
(A) oversee the planning, management, and
coordination of the 3D Elevation Program; and
(B) develop, by not later than 1 year after
the date of enactment of this Act, and update
periodically thereafter--
(i) a strategic plan that establishes
goals and priorities for activities
carried out under the 3D Elevation
Program; and
(ii) a detailed management plan to
implement the strategic plan.
(c) Subcommittee of National Geospatial Advisory Committee.--
(1) Establishment.--
(A) In general.--The Secretary shall
establish, within the National Geospatial
Advisory Committee, a subcommittee (referred to
in this subsection as the ``Subcommittee'').
(B) Membership.--The Subcommittee shall--
(i) consist of not fewer than 11
members, of whom none may be a Federal
officer or employee; and
(ii) include representatives of--
(I) research and academic
institutions;
(II) industry standards
development organizations;
(III) units of State and
local government; and
(IV) the private sector.
(2) Duties.--
(A) Assessment.--The Subcommittee shall
conduct an assessment of--
(i) trends and developments in--
(I) the collection,
dissemination, and use of 3D
elevation data; and
(II) science and technology
relating to 3D elevation data;
(ii) the effectiveness of the 3D
Elevation Program in carrying out the
activities described in subsection
(a)(1);
(iii) the need to revise or
reorganize the 3D Elevation Program;
and
(iv) the management, coordination,
implementation, and activities of the
3D Elevation Program.
(B) Report.--Not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of this Act, and every 2
years thereafter, the Subcommittee shall submit
to the Secretary and the 3D Elevation Federal
Interagency Coordinating Committee established
under subsection (b) a report that includes--
(i) the findings of the assessment
under subparagraph (A); and
(ii) recommendations of the
Subcommittee based on those findings,
if any.
(d) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary may make grants and
enter into cooperative agreements with other Federal
departments and agencies, units of State, local, or
Tribal government, institutions of higher education,
nonprofit research institutions, or other organizations
to facilitate the improvement of nationwide coverage of
3D elevation data.
(2) Applications.--To be eligible to receive a grant
or enter into a cooperative agreement under this
subsection, an entity described in paragraph (1) shall
submit to the Secretary an application at such time, in
such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may require.
(3) Terms and conditions.--A grant or cooperative
agreement under this subsection shall be subject to
such terms and conditions as the Secretary determines
to be appropriate, including making data [publically]
publicly available and interoperable with other Federal
datasets.
(e) Funding.--For each of fiscal years 2021 through [2024]
2034, there is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary
$40,000,000 to carry out this section.
(f) Derivation of Funds.--Funds to carry out the activities
under this section shall be derived from amounts authorized to
be appropriated to the Secretary that are enacted after the
date of the enactment of this section.
* * * * * * *
OMNIBUS PUBLIC LAND MANAGEMENT ACT OF 2009
* * * * * * *
TITLE IX--BUREAU OF RECLAMATION AUTHORIZATIONS
* * * * * * *
Subtitle F--Secure Water
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[42 U.S.C. 10367]
SEC. 9507. WATER DATA ENHANCEMENT BY UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.
(a) Federal Priority Streamgage Program.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with
the Advisory Committee and the Panel and consistent
with this section, shall proceed with implementation of
the Federal priority streamgage program.
(2) Requirements.--In conducting the Federal priority
streamgage 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;
(C) establish a base network that provides
resources that are necessary for--
(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; and
(iii) the conduct of groundwater
quality assessments relating to
permafrost thaw and changes in
precipitation rates;
(D) integrate the Federal priority streamgage
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 Federal
priority streamgage program to assess whether
the objectives of the Federal priority
streamgage program are being adequately
addressed.
(3) Improved methodologies.--The 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 general.--Not later than [10 years] 11
years after the date of enactment of this Act,
in accordance with subparagraph (B), the
Secretary shall--
(i) increase the number of
streamgages funded by the [national
streamflow information program] Federal
priority streamgage program to a
quantity of not less than 4,700 sites;
and
(ii) ensure all streamgages are flood-
hardened and equipped with precipitation water-
quality sensors and modernized telemetry.
(B) Requirements of sites.--Each site
described in subparagraph (A) shall conform
with the Federal needs established through
regular solicitation of feedback, such as that
documented in the report titled ``Re-
prioritization of the U.S. Geological Survey
[Federal Priority streamgage program] Federal
Priority Streamgage Network, 2022'' (Open-file
Report 2023-1032).
(C) Priority sites.--In selecting sites for
the installation of streamgages under
subparagraph (A), the Secretary shall give
priority to regions of the United States
Geological Survey in which there is--
(i) a high level of drought;
(ii) a reliance on reservoirs for
water storage;
(iii) a reliance on hydrologic
storage, including groundwater,
aquifers, and snowpack; and
(iv) flooding and extreme rainfall.
(D) No impact on existing sites.--The
priority provided under subparagraph (C) shall
have no impact on any site or region in which a
streamgage has been installed, and is
operating, as of the date of enactment of the
National Landslide Preparedness Act
Reauthorization Act of 2025, subject to the
condition that the data from such a site or
region are continuing to meet the priority
needs of stakeholders, as determined by the
Secretary.
(5) Federal share.--The Federal share of the Federal
priority streamgage network established pursuant to
this subsection shall be 100 percent of the cost of
carrying out the Federal priority streamgage network.
(6) Authorization of Appropriations.--
(A) In general.--Except as provided in
subparagraph (B), there are authorized to be
appropriated such sums as are necessary to
operate the Federal priority streamgage program
for the period of fiscal years 2009 through
2028, to remain available until expended.
(B) Network enhancement funding.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out the
network enhancements described in paragraph (4)
[$10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009
through 2028] $30,000,000 for each of fiscal
years 2026 through 2033, to remain available
until expended.
(C) Derivation of funds.--Amounts made
available to carry out this subsection shall be
derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise
made available to the United States Geological
Survey.
(b) National Groundwater Resources Monitoring.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall develop a
systematic groundwater monitoring program for each
major aquifer system located in the United States.
(2) Program elements.--In 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 and Tribes], State and local water
resource agencies, Indian tribes, Tribal
organizations, and Native Hawaiian
organizations--
(i) assess the current scope of
groundwater monitoring based on the
access availability and capability of
each monitoring well in existence as of
the date of enactment of this Act; 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 or Tribal
lands after the date of enactment of this Act,
consult and coordinate with the applicable
[State water resource agency or Tribe] State
water resource agency, Indian tribe, Tribal
organization, or Native Hawaiian organization
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 objectives.--In 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
(C) support the objectives of the assessment
program.
(4) Improved methodologies.--The 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.--The Federal share of the
monitoring program described in paragraph (1) may be
100 percent of the cost of carrying out the monitoring
program.
(6) Priority.--In selecting monitoring activities
consistent with the monitoring program described in
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall [give priority to
those activities] give priority to--
(A) activities for which a [State, a Tribe]
State, Indian tribe, Tribal organization,
Native Hawaiian organization, or local
governmental entity agrees to provide for a
substantial share of the cost of establishing
or operating a monitoring well or other
measuring device to carry out a monitoring
activity[.]; and
(B) activities conducted in regions of the
United States Geological Survey in which there
is--
(i) a high level of drought;
(ii) a reliance on reservoirs for
water storage;
(iii) a reliance on hydrologic
storage, including groundwater,
aquifers, and snowpack; and
(iv) flooding and extreme rainfall.
(7) Authorization of appropriations.--[There are
authorized to be appropriated]
(A) In general.--There is authorized to be
appropriated $4,000,000 per fiscal year to
carry out this subsection for the period of
fiscal years 2023 through 2028, to remain
available until expended.
(B) Derivation of funds.--Amounts made
available to carry out this subsection shall be
derived from amounts appropriated or otherwise
made available to the United States Geological
Survey.
(c) Improved Water Estimation, Measurement, and Monitoring
Technologies.--
(1) Authority of secretary.--The 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) Priority.--In 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.--In recognition of the value of
collaboration to foster innovation and enhance research
and development efforts, the Secretary shall encourage
partnerships, including public-private partnerships,
between and among Federal agencies, academic
institutions, and private entities to promote the
objectives described in paragraph (1).
(4) Authorization of appropriations.--There is
authorized to be appropriated to carry out this
subsection $5,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009
through 2028.
[all]