Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act

Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act

This bill directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish an Open Access Evapotranspiration (OpenET) Data Program that supports the operational distribution of satellite-based evapotranspiration data generated under the program to sustain and enhance water resources. The bill defines evapotranspiration as the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere by (1) evaporation from soil and other surfaces, and (2) transpiration from plants.

Under the program, the USGS must provide for the delivery of evapotranspiration data to advance the quantification of evaporation and consumptive water use and to provide data users with estimates of evapotranspiration data across large landscapes over certain periods of time.

Bill 118 hr 2429, also known as the Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act, is a piece of legislation currently being considered by the US Congress. The purpose of this bill is to promote transparency and accessibility of evapotranspiration data, which is important for understanding water usage and management in agriculture and other industries.

Evapotranspiration is the process by which water is transferred from the land to the atmosphere through evaporation from the soil and transpiration from plants. This data is crucial for farmers, water resource managers, and policymakers to make informed decisions about water usage and conservation.

The Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act aims to make this data more readily available to the public by requiring federal agencies to publish evapotranspiration data in a standardized format on their websites. This will allow researchers, farmers, and other stakeholders to easily access and analyze this important information. Additionally, the bill includes provisions to protect sensitive information and ensure that the data is accurate and reliable. It also encourages collaboration between federal agencies, state governments, and other stakeholders to improve the collection and dissemination of evapotranspiration data. Overall, the Open Access Evapotranspiration Data Act seeks to improve transparency and accessibility of important water usage data, ultimately helping to inform decision-making and promote sustainable water management practices.