To authorize the Secretary of the Interior to cooperate with the High Plains Aquifer States in conducting a hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, modeling and monitoring program for the High Plains Aquifer, and for other purposes.

Summary: Geologic Research Enhancement Act - Directs the Secretary of the Interior, working through the United States Geological Survey, to establish and carry out the High Plains Aquifer Comprehensive Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, Modeling and Monitoring Program.Requires the Program to: (1) undertake mapping of the hydrogeological configuration of the Aquifer; (2) perform analyses of the current and past rates at which groundwater is being withdrawn and recharged, the net rate of decrease or increase in Aquifer storage, the factors controlling the rate of migration of water, and the current and past rate of loss of saturated thickness within the Aquifer; and (3) develop necessary regional databases and groundwater flow models.Requires the Program to include a Federal component and a State component and lists priorities of each, including (respectively): (1) coordinating Federal, State, and local data, maps and models into an integrated physical characterization of the Aquifer; and (2) hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, modeling, and monitoring activities in areas of the Aquifer that will assist in addressing issues relating to groundwater depletion and resource assessment of the Aquifer.Provides for the establishment of a Federal Review Panel to evaluate the funding proposals submitted by entities of the High Plains Aquifer States.Directs the Secretary, acting through the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey, to prepare a plan for the Program to address overall priorities for the Program and a management structure and Program operations.

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Geologic Research Enhancement Act''.

SEC. 2. DEFINITIONS.

    For the purposes of this Act:
            (1) Association.--The term ``Association'' means the 
        Association of American State Geologists.
            (2) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the Director of 
        the United States Geological Survey.
            (3) Federal component.--The term ``Federal component'' 
        means the Federal component of the High Plains Aquifer 
        Comprehensive Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, 
        Modeling, and Monitoring Program described in section 3(c).
            (4) High plains aquifer.--The term ``High Plains Aquifer'' 
        is the groundwater reserve depicted as Figure 1 in the United 
        States Geological Survey Professional Paper 1400-B, entitled 
        ``Geohydrology of the High Plains Aquifer in Parts of Colorado, 
        Kansas, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, 
        and Wyoming.''.
            (5) High plains aquifer states.--The term ``High Plains 
        Aquifer States'' means the States of Colorado, Kansas, 
        Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, and 
        Wyoming.
            (6) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of the Interior.
            (7) State component.--The term ``State component'' means 
        the State component of the High Plains Aquifer Comprehensive 
        Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, Modeling, and 
        Monitoring Program described in section 3(d).

SEC. 3. ESTABLISHMENT.

    (a) Program.--The Secretary, working through the United States 
Geological Survey, and in cooperation with the State geological surveys 
and the water management agencies of the High Plains Aquifer States, 
shall establish and carry out the High Plains Aquifer Comprehensive 
Hydrogeolgoic Characterization, Mapping, Modeling, and Monitoring 
Program, for the purposes of the characterization, mapping, modeling, 
and monitoring of the High Plains Aquifer. The program shall undertake, 
on a county-by-county level or at the largest scales and most detailed 
levels determined to be appropriate on a State-by-State and regional 
basis, the following:
            (1) mapping of the hydrogeological configuration of the 
        High Plains Aquifer; and
            (2) with respect to the High Plains Aquifer, analyses of 
        the current and past rates at which groundwater is being 
        withdrawn and recharged, the net rate of decrease or increase 
        in High Plains Aquifer storage, the factors controlling the 
        rate of horizontal and vertical migration of water within the 
        High Plains Aquifer, and the current and past rate of loss of 
        saturated thickness within the High Plains Aquifer.
The program shall also develop, as needed, regional data bases and 
groundwater flow models.
    (b) Funding.--The Secretary shall make available 50 percent of the 
funds available pursuant to this Act for use in carrying out the State 
component of the program, as provided under subsection (d).
    (c) Federal Program Component.--
            (1) Priorities.--The program shall include a Federal 
        component, developed in consultation with the Federal Review 
        Panel provided under subsection (e), which shall have as its 
        priorities--
                    (A) coordinating Federal, State, and local, data, 
                maps, and models into an integrated physical 
                characterization of the High Plains Aquifer;
                    (B) supporting State and local activities with 
                scientific and technical specialists; and
                    (C) undertaking activities and providing technical 
                capabilities not available at the State and local 
                levels.
            (2) Interdisciplinary studies.--The Federal component shall 
        include interdisciplinary studies that add value to 
        hydrogeologic characterization, mapping, modeling, and 
monitoring for the High Plains Aquifer.
    (d) State Program Component.--
            (1) Priorities.--The program shall include a State 
        component which shall have as its priorities hydrogeologic 
        characterization, mapping, modeling, and monitoring activities 
        in areas of the High Plains Aquifer that will assist in 
        addressing issues relating to groundwater depletion and 
        resource assessment of the Aquifer. Priorities under the State 
        component shall be based upon the recommendations of State 
        panels representing a broad range of users of hydrogeologic 
        data and information, which shall be appointed by the Governor 
        of the State or the Governor's designee.
            (2) Awards.--Twenty percent of the Federal funds available 
        under the State component shall be equally divided among the 
        State geological surveys of the High Plains Aquifer States to 
        carry out the purposes of the program provided under this Act. 
        The remaining funds under the State component shall be 
        competitively awarded to State or local agencies or entities in 
        the High Plains Aquifer States, including State geological 
        surveys, State water management agencies, institutions of 
        higher education, or consortia of such agencies or entities. 
        Such funds shall be awarded by the Director only for proposals 
        that have been recommended by the State panels referred to in 
        paragraph (1), subject to independent peer review, and given 
        final recommendation by the Federal Review Panel established 
        under subsection (e). Proposals for multi-State activities must 
        be recommended by the State panel of at least one of the 
        affected States.
    (e) Federal Review Panel.--
            (1) Establishment.--There shall be established a Federal 
        Review Panel to evaluate the proposals submitted for funding 
        under the State component under subsection (d)(2) and to 
        recommend approvals and levels of funding. The Federal Review 
        Panel shall review and coordinate the Federal component 
        priorities under subsection (c)(1), Federal interdisciplinary 
        studies under subsection (c)(2), and the State component 
        priorities under subsection (d)(1).
            (2) Composition and support.--Not later than 3 months after 
        the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall appoint 
        to the Federal Review Panel the following:
                    (A) Two representatives of the United States 
                Geological Survey, at least one of which shall be a 
                hydrologist or hydrogeologist.
                    (B) Three representatives of the geological surveys 
                and water management agencies of the High Plains 
                Aquifer States from lists of nominees provided by the 
                Association and the Western States Water Council, so 
                that there is representation of both the State 
                geological surveys and the State water management 
                agencies.
Appointment to the Panel shall be for a term of 3 years. The Director 
shall provide technical and administrative support to the Federal 
Review Panel. Expenses for the Federal Review Panel shall be paid from 
funds available under the Federal component of the program.
    (f) Limitation.--The United States Geological Survey shall not use 
any of the Federal funds to be made available under the State component 
for any fiscal year to pay indirect, servicing, or program management 
charges. Recipients of awards granted under subsection (d)(2) shall not 
use more than 18 percent of the Federal award amount for any fiscal 
year for indirect, servicing, or program management charges.

SEC. 4. PLAN.

    The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, with the 
participation and review of the Association, the Western States Water 
Council, the Federal Review Panel, and the State panels, prepare a plan 
for the High Plains Aquifer Hydrogeologic Characterization, Mapping, 
Modeling, and Monitoring Program. The plan shall address overall 
priorities for the program and a management structure and program 
operations, including the role and responsibilities of the United 
States Geological Survey and the States in the program, and mechanisms 
for identifying priorities for the Federal component and the State 
component.

SEC. 5. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

    (a) Report on Program Implementation.--One year after the date of 
enactment of this Act, and every 2 years thereafter through fiscal year 
2011, the Secretary shall submit a report on the status of 
implementation of the program established by this Act to the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on 
Resources of the House of Representatives, and the Governors of the 
High Plains Aquifer States.
    (b) Report on High Plains Aquifer.--One year after the date of 
enactment of this Act and every year thereafter through fiscal year 
2011, the Secretary shall submit a report to the Committee on Energy 
and Natural Resources of the Senate, the Committee on Resources of the 
House of Representatives, and the Governors of the High Plains Aquifer 
States on the status of the High Plains Aquifer, including aquifer 
recharge rat