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 s 1118, also known as the Evapotranspiration Data Act, is a piece of legislation introduced in the US Congress. The main purpose of this bill is to improve the collection and dissemination of evapotranspiration data, which is crucial for understanding water usage and availability in various regions.

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 important for farmers, water resource managers, and policymakers to make informed decisions about water usage and conservation.

The Evapotranspiration Data Act aims to establish a national evapotranspiration data network, which will collect and analyze data from various sources such as weather stations, satellites, and ground sensors. This network will provide real-time information on evapotranspiration rates, soil moisture levels, and water availability in different regions across the country. Additionally, the bill calls for the development of standardized methods for measuring and reporting evapotranspiration data, as well as the creation of a public database where this information can be accessed by researchers, policymakers, and the general public. Overall, the Evapotranspiration Data Act seeks to improve the understanding of water usage and availability through better collection and dissemination of evapotranspiration data, ultimately helping to inform decision-making and conservation efforts related to water resources in the United States.