89–010 

Calendar No. 432 

111TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2d Session 111–208 

THE WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH AMENDMENTS ACT 

OF 2010 

JUNE 18, 2010.—Ordered to be printed 

Mrs. BOXER, from the Committee on Environment and Public 

Works, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 3363] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was 

referred the bill (S. 3363) to amend the Water Resources Research 

Act of 1984 to reauthorize grants for and require applied water 

supply research regarding the water resources research and technology institutes established under that Act, having considered the 

same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill, do pass. 

GENERAL STATEMENT AND BACKGROUND

Water is a critical resource and throughout this nation’s history, 

universities have provided research to help meet the water resource challenges of the day from irrigation to infrastructure development. As the complexity of water resource challenges increased, 

including environmental impacts of water resources development, 

Congress authorized the Federal government to take a more vigorous role in sponsoring and coordinating water resources research. 

In 1964, Congress passed the Water Resources Research Act 

(WRRA) which authorized establishment of a water resources research and technology institute or center in each state. The institutes were charged with fostering: (a) improvements in water supply reliability; (b) the exploration of new ideas that address water 

problems or expand understanding of water and water-related phenomena; (c) the entry of new scientists, engineers and technicians 

into water resources field; and (d) the dissemination of research to 


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water managers and the public. Each institute is located at a land 

grant university or another university designated by the governor. 

The program is administered by the U.S. Geological Survey. 

The Water Resources Research Act was reauthorized and amended in the 98th, 101st, 104th, 106th and 109th Congresses. The program now includes a second competitive research grant program to 

fund projects of regional or national significance. 

S. 3363 reauthorizes the Water Resources Research Act for an 

additional five years at current funding levels and makes two additional changes. The Committee recognizes continuing challenges to 

the nation’s water infrastructure, water supply and energy supply. 

S. 3363 amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to note 

the need for additional research into alternative, less expensive 

and more efficient approaches to water infrastructure, water supply 

and energy use including nonstructural infrastructure alternatives; 

decentralized infrastructure approaches; water use efficiency; and 

actions to reduce energy consumption or extract energy from wastewater. 

The Committee further recognizes the success of the National 

Water Research Institutes in conducting applied water research, 

recruiting the next generation of scientists, facilitating technology 

transfer and leveraging Federal funds with other resources to sponsor needed studies. In the 2004 review of the program, the Department of Interior evaluation panel stated that ‘‘the institute program, with its federal-state matching requirement, is an important 

and significant part of the Nation’s water resources research infrastructure.’’ Given this record, the Committee finds that a five-year 

review cycle provides sufficient accountability and oversight while 

respecting the limited resources of the National Water Research Institutes and period of time required to demonstrate research outcomes. S. 3363 amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 

to require the Secretary of the Interior to conduct a careful and detailed evaluation of each institute at least once every 5 years. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE LEGISLATION

This bill would amend the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 

to reauthorize grants for and require applied water supply research 

regarding the water resources research and technology institutes 

established under that Act. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title 

Section 1 provides that this Act may be cited as the ‘‘Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2010’’. 

Section 2. Water Resources Research Act Amendments 

Section 2 provides for amendments to the Water Resources Research Act. Amends the purposes of the Act to address the need for 

additional research into alternative methods to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of treatment works. Requires the Secretary 

of the Interior to conduct a careful and detailed evaluation of each 

institute at least once every 5 years. Reauthorizes grant programs 

under the Act for an additional five years at current funding levels. 


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LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

In the 111th Congress, on May 13, 2010, Senator Cardin introduced S. 3363, which was cosponsored by Senators Crapo, Mikulski 

and Risch. The bill was received, read twice and referred to the 

Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works. The full 

committee met on May 20, 2010 to consider the bill, and ordered 

S. 3363 to be reported favorably without amendment. 

ROLLCALL VOTES

The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to consider S. 3363 on May 20, 2010. The bill was ordered favorably reported by voice vote. 

REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT

In compliance with section 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the committee finds that S. 3363 does not create any additional regulatory burdens, nor will it cause any adverse impact on the personal privacy of individuals. 

MANDATES ASSESSMENT

In compliance with the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act of 1995 

(Public Law 104–4), the committee notes that the Congressional 

Budget Office has found, ‘‘S. 3363 contains no intergovernmental or 

private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments.’’ 

CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

MAY 28, 2010. 

Hon. BARBARA BOXER, 

Chairman, Committee on Environment and Public Works, 

U.S. Senate, Washington, DC. 

DEAR MADAM CHAIRMAN: The Congressional Budget Office has 

prepared the enclosed cost estimate for S. 3363, the Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2010. 

If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be pleased 

to provide them. The CBO staff contact is Jeff LaFave. 

Sincerely, 

DOUGLAS W. ELMENDORF. 

Enclosure. 

S. 3363—Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2010 

Summary: S. 3363 would reauthorize grants from the U.S. Geological Survey to colleges and universities to support research related to increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of new and existing water treatment systems. This legislation would authorize the 

appropriation of $12 million a year over the 2012–2016 period for 

such grants. In addition, S. 3363 would authorize the appropriation 

of $6 million annually over the 2012–2016 period for the Secretary 

of the Interior to fund additional research and to synthesize the results of research conducted by colleges and universities on interstate water issues. 


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Assuming appropriation of the authorized funds, CBO estimates that implementing S. 3363 would cost $66 million over the 2011– 

2015 period. 

Pay-as-you-go procedures would not apply to this legislation because it would not affect direct spending or revenues. 

S. 3363 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA) 

and would impose no costs on state, local, or tribal governments. 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of S. 3363 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources 

and environment). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2011–2015 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Research Grants: 

Authorization Level .................................................................. 0 12 12 12 12 48 

Estimated Outlays ................................................................... 0 10 11 12 12 45 

Funding for Additional Research: 

Authorization Level .................................................................. 0 6 6 6 6 24 

Estimated Outlays ................................................................... 0 4 5 6 6 21 

Total Changes: 

Authorization Level a ................................................................ 0 18 18 18 18 72 

Estimated Outlays ................................................................... 0 14 16 18 18 66 

a Under current law, $18 million is authorized to be appropriated for the water resources activities that would be reauthorized by S. 3363 

in 2011. 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 3363 

will be enacted before the end of 2010 and that the specified 

amounts will be appropriated for each year starting in 2012. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for those 

activities. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 3363 contains no 

intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA. 

The bill would benefit institutes of higher education that participate as research and technology centers under the Water Resources 

Act of 1984. Any costs to those entities would be incurred voluntarily as a condition of receiving federal assistance. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Jeff LaFave; Impact on 

State, Local, and Tribal Governments: Ryan Miller; Impact on the 

Private Sector: Amy Petz. 

Estimate approved by: Theresa Gullo, Deputy Assistant Director 

for Budget Analysis. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with section 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing Rules 

of the Senate, changes in existing law made by the bill as reported 

are shown as follows: Existing law proposed to be omitted is enclosed in øblack brackets¿, new matter is printed in italic, existing 

law in which no change is proposed is shown in roman: 

* * * * * * * 

WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH ACT OF 1984 

SEC. 10301. Congressional findings and declarations 


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(1) the existence of an adequate supply of water of good quality for the production of materials and energy for the Nation’s 

needs and for the efficient use of the Nation’s energy and 

water resources is essential to national economic stability and 

growth, and to the well-being of the people; 

* * * * * * * 

(6) it is necessary to provide for the research and development of technology for the conversion of saline and other impaired waters to a quality suitable for municipal, industrial, 

agricultural, recreational, and other beneficial uses; 

(7) additional research is required into increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of new and existing treatment works 

through alternative approaches, including— 

(A) nonstructural alternatives; 

(B) decentralized approaches; 

(C) water use efficiency; and 

(D) actions to reduce energy consumption or extract energy from wastewater; 

ø(7)¿(8) the Nation must provide programs to strengthen research and associated graduate education because the pool of 

scientists, engineers, and technicians trained in fields related 

to water resources constitutes an invaluable natural resource 

which should be increased, fully utilized, and regularly replenished; øand¿ 

ø(8)¿(9) long-term planning and policy development are essential to ensure the availability of an abundant supply of high 

quality water for domestic and other uses; and 

ø(9)¿(10) the States must have the research and problemsolving capacity necessary to effectively manage their water resources. 

* * * * * * * 

ø(e) Evaluation of water resources research program—The Secretary shall conduct a careful and detailed evaluation of each institute at least once every 3 years to determine that the quality and 

relevance of its water resources research and its effectiveness at 

producing measured results and applied water supply research as 

an institution for planning, conducting, and arranging for research 

warrants its continued support under this section. If, as a result of 

any such evaluation, the Secretary determines that an institute 

does not qualify for further support under this section, then no further grants to the institute may be made until the institute’s qualifications are reestablished to the satisfaction of the Secretary.¿ 

(e) EVALUATION OF WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH PROGRAM.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall conduct a careful and 

detailed evaluation of each institute at least once every 5 years 

to determine— 

(A) the quality and relevance of the water resources research of the institute; 

(B) the effectiveness of the institute at producing measured results and applied water supply research; and 

(C) whether the effectiveness of the institute as an institution for planning, conducting, and arranging for research 

warrants continued support under this section. 


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(2) PROHIBITION ON FURTHER SUPPORT.—If, as a result of an 

evaluation under paragraph (1), the Secretary determines that 

an institute does not qualify for further support under this section, no further grants to the institute may be provided until the 

qualifications of the institute are reestablished to the satisfaction of the Secretary. 

* * * * * * 

* 

(f) Authorization of appropriations in general 

(1) There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this 

section, to remain available until expended, 12,000,000 øfor 

each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011¿for each of fiscal years 

2012 through 2016. 

* * * * * * * 

(g) Additional appropriations where research focused on water 

problems of interstate nature 

(1) There is further authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary of the Interior the sum of 6,000,000 øfor each of fiscal 

years 2007 through 2011¿ for each of fiscal years 2012 through 

2016 only for reimbursement of the direct cost expenses of additional research or synthesis of the results of research by institutes which focuses on water problems and issues of a regional or interstate nature beyond those of concern only to a 

single State and which relate to specific program priorities 

identified jointly by the Secretary and the institutes. Such 

funds when appropriated shall be matched on a not less than 

dollar-for-dollar basis by funds made available to institutes or 

groups of institutes, by States or other non-Federal sources. 

Funds made available under this subsection shall remain 

available until expended. 

* * * * * * * 

Æ 


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