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WATER Data Improvement Act
12/6/2024, 4:29 PM
Summary of Bill S 4245
One key aspect of the bill is the establishment of a national database that will collect and store data on water quality, availability, and usage. This database will be accessible to federal, state, and local agencies, as well as researchers and the general public. By centralizing this information, the bill aims to improve coordination and collaboration among different entities involved in water management.
Additionally, the bill includes provisions for the development of new technologies and methods for monitoring water resources. This includes the use of remote sensing, data analytics, and other innovative tools to gather more accurate and timely information about water conditions. Furthermore, the bill emphasizes the importance of data transparency and public engagement. It requires that all data collected under the act be made available to the public in a user-friendly format, and encourages public participation in water monitoring efforts. Overall, the Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources Data Improvement Act seeks to enhance the nation's ability to manage and protect its water resources through better data collection, analysis, and dissemination. It represents a bipartisan effort to address the growing challenges facing water management in the United States.
Congressional Summary of S 4245
Water Monitoring and Tracking Essential Resources Data Improvement Act or the WATER Data Improvement Act
This bill reauthorizes through FY2029 the following initiatives of the United States Geological Survey (USGS): (1) Federal Priority Streamgage program (previously known as the National Streamflow Information Program); (2) groundwater monitoring program, including the National Groundwater Monitoring Network; and (3) grants for water estimation, measurement, and monitoring technologies and methodologies.
The bill also modifies the Federal Priority Streamgage program, which measures and tracks the amount of water in nationally significant watersheds and provides information about those watersheds and their conditions, such as floods and droughts. Currently, the USGS must ensure that all streamgages are equipped with water-quality sensors. The bill requires that those sensors are precipitation water-quality sensors. The bill also requires each streamgage site to conform with the federal needs established through regular solicitation and feedback, such as that documented in the report titled Re-prioritization of the U.S. Geological Survey Federal Priority streamgage program, 2022.
Finally, the bill requires the USGS to coordinate with the applicable Indian tribe, tribal organization, or Native Hawaiian organization with jurisdiction over a given aquifer before initiating groundwater monitoring activities on tribal land.
Read the Full Bill
Current Status of Bill S 4245
Bipartisan Support of Bill S 4245
Total Number of Sponsors
1Democrat Sponsors
0Republican Sponsors
1Unaffiliated Sponsors
0Total Number of Cosponsors
6Democrat Cosponsors
6Republican Cosponsors
0Unaffiliated Cosponsors
0Policy Area and Potential Impact of Bill S 4245
Primary Policy Focus
Public Lands and Natural ResourcesAlternate Title(s) of Bill S 4245
Comments

Major Justice
1 year ago
This bill is so good!

Ariana Connolly
1 year ago
This bill will increase water data collection, but it's unnecessary and invasive.


