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.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
The WATER Data Improvement Act reauthorizes federal water monitoring programs run by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). It extends funding authorization through 2028-2029, renames the program to the Federal priority streamgage program, and updates monitoring requirements to include precipitation sensors alongside water-quality measurements.
Who Benefits and How
Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations gain new eligibility to participate in USGS cooperative water data programs, allowing them to receive federal support for water monitoring on tribal lands. State and local water agencies continue to benefit from federal cost-sharing partnerships. The USGS benefits from modernized program structure and extended authorization.
Who Bears the Burden and How
This bill is primarily administrative and reauthorizing in nature, with no significant new regulatory burdens imposed. The federal government commits to appropriating $4 million annually for the cooperative programs, representing ongoing federal expenditure.
Key Provisions
- Renames the national streamflow information program to Federal priority streamgage program
- Extends program authorization from 2023 to 2028/2029
- Adds Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, and Native Hawaiian organizations as eligible participants in cooperative water monitoring programs
- Authorizes $4 million annually for cooperative water data programs
- Expands monitoring requirements to include precipitation sensors
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Reauthorizes and modernizes USGS water data collection programs through 2028/2029, expands tribal participation, and establishes the Federal priority streamgage program
Key Policy Areas
Water Resources, Environment, Science & Technology, Tribal Affairs
Primary Purpose
Reauthorizes and modernizes USGS water data collection programs through 2028/2029, expands tribal participation, and establishes the Federal priority streamgage program
Policy Domains
Section 2 - Water Data Enhancement by USGS
Identified Gains
- Indian Tribes and Native Hawaiian organizations
- State and local water resource agencies
- United States Geological Survey
- Environmental monitoring sector
Identified Costs
- Federal budget (appropriations)
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
ReportedReported by Mr. Manchin, with an amendment
Ms. Lummis (for herself, Mr. Hickenlooper, and Mr. Wyden) introduced …
Stakeholder Effects
cui bono?How this legislation distributes effects. Mention counts reflect frequency, not effect magnitude.
State and local water resource agencies
Environmental monitoring equipment manufacturers
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "usgs"
- → United States Geological Survey
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
Short title for the Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources Data Improvement Act
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
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