39–010 

Calendar No. 341 

113TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2d Session 113–143 

WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH AMENDMENTS ACT OF 

2013 

APRIL 1, 2014.—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. 970] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was 

referred a bill (S. 970) 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 with an amendment and recommends 

that the bill, as amended, do pass. 

GENERAL STATEMENT AND BACKGROUND

The Water Resources Research Act of 1964, P.L. 88–379, provided for the establishment of a Water Resources Research Institute at the land grant college in each of the fifty states and U.S. 

territories. The institutes were charged with (1) arranging for competent research that addresses water problems or expands understanding of water and water-related phenomena, (2) aiding the 

entry of new research scientists into the water resources fields, (3) 

helping to train future water scientists and engineers, and (4) getting results of sponsored research to water managers and the public. The program is administered by the U.S. Geological Survey as 

the Water Resources Research Act Program under the general 

guidance of the Secretary of the Interior. 

The Water Resources Research Act of 1984 reauthorized appropriations for the program; it has since been reauthorized in the 


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101st, 104th, 106th, and 109th Congresses. The most recent authorization expired in FY2011. 

The Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2013 authorizes $7,500,000 per year for grants to each institute to fund research that fosters: (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 the dissemination of research to water managers 

and the public. Grants must be matched by two-to-one with nonfederal funding. In FY 2010, Congress appropriated approximately 

$5,500,000 for this grant program resulting in a $92,335 base grant 

for each institute. 

The Water Resources Research Amendments Act further authorizes a national competitive grant program to address regional 

water issues that is authorized at $1,500,000 per year. In FY 2010 

approximately $1,000,000 was appropriated. These competitive 

grants must be matched one-to-one with non-federal funding. 

OBJECTIVES OF THE LEGISLATION

The Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2013 reauthorizes the Water Resources Research Act of 1984, which provides 

grant funding to 54 established Water Resources Research Institutes in each state, territory and the District of Columbia for applied water supply research. It also adds green infrastructure research and development as an additional focus of the program and 

expands the existing program reporting requirement to include status reporting on the grant funding matches. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title 

This section provides that the Act may be cited as the ‘‘Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2013’’. 

Section 2. Water Resources Research Act amendments 

Subsection (a) amends 42 U.S.C. 10301 to declare that additional 

research is required into water-related alternative technologies, including: (1) nonstructural alternatives; (2) decentralized approaches; (3) energy use efficiency; (4) water use efficiency; and (5) 

actions to extract energy from wastewater. 

Subsection (b) amends 42 U.S.C. 10303(b)(1) to clarify the scope 

of research to be performed by the funded institutes. 

Subsection (c) amends 42 U.S.C. 10303(c) to require the Secretary of the Interior to report annually to the Committee on Environment and Public Works and the Committee on the Budget of 

the United States Senate, and the Committee on Transportation 

and Infrastructure and Committee on the Budget of the United 

States House of Representatives, on whether each funding recipient 

complied with the federal funding matching requirement during 

the preceding year. 

Subsection (d) amends 42 U.S.C. 10303(e) to require the Secretary to conduct a careful and detailed evaluation of the quality, 

relevance and effectiveness of the research of each institute at least 

once every five years. If the evaluation concludes that an institute 


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is not relevant or effective, no further grants to the institute may 

be provided until the qualifications of the institute are reestablished to the satisfaction of the Secretary. 

Subsection (e) amends 42 U.S.C. 10303(f)(1) to authorize appropriations of $7,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2013 through 

2018. 

Subsection (f) amends 42 U.S.C. 10303(g)(1) to authorize appropriations of $1,500,000 for each of the fiscal years 2012 through 

2017 for research focused on water problems of interstate nature. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

The Water Resources Research Act was first authorized in 1964, 

and was most recently authorized in 2006 in PL 109–471, the 

Water Resources Research Act Amendments of 2006. Nearly identical bills have been reported favorably by voice vote by the Senate 

Environment and Public Works Committee in both the 111th and 

112th Congresses. 

The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to consider S. 970 on February 6, 2014. An amendment of a clarifying nature was offered by Senator Cardin and Vitter and was adopted by 

voice vote. The amendment replaced the term ‘‘reduce energy consumption’’ with the term ‘‘energy use efficiency’’. The bill, as 

amended, was approved by voice vote. 

HEARINGS

No committee hearings were held on S. 970. 

ROLLCALL VOTES

The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to consider S. 970 on February 6, 2014. The bill was ordered favorably 

reported by voice vote. No rollcall votes were taken. 

REGULATORY IMPACT STATEMENT

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

Rules of the Senate, the committee finds that S. 970 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 found, ‘‘S. 970 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform 

Act (UMRA).’’ 

FEBRUARY 25, 2014. 

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. 970, the Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2013. 


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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. 970—Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2013 

Summary: S. 970 would authorize appropriations for 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 $7.5 million a year through 2018 for 

such grants. In addition, S. 970 would authorize the appropriation 

of $1.5 million annually through 2018 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. 

Assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts, CBO esti- mates that implementing S. 970 would cost $39 million over the 

2014–2019 period. Enacting S. 970 would not affect direct spending 

or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. 

S. 970 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates 

as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary impact of S. 970 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— 

2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2014– 

2019 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Research Grants: 

Authorization Level ............................................. 2 8 8 8 8 0 32 

Estimated Outlays .............................................. 1 7 8 8 8 2 32 

Funding for Additional Research: 

Estimated Authorization Level ............................ 1 2 2 2 2 0 7 

Estimated Outlays .............................................. 1 2 2 2 2 * 7 

Total Changes:a

Estimated Authorization Level ............................ 3 9 9 9 9 0 39 

Estimated Outlays .............................................. 2 8 9 9 9 2 39 

Notes: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding; * = less than $500,000. 

a The United States Geological Survey received a $6.5 million appropriation in 2014 for the Water Resources Research Act program.

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 970 

will be enacted in fiscal year 2014 and that the specified amounts 

will be appropriated for each year including a supplemental appropriation for 2014. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for those activities. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 970 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: Lisa Ramirez-Branum; Impact 

on the private sector: Amy Petz. 


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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: 

(42 U.S.C. 10301)

SEC. 10301. Congressional findings and declarations 

The Congress finds and declares that— 

(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; 

(2) the management of water resources is closely related to 

maintaining environmental quality, productivity of natural resources and agricultural systems, and social well-being; 

(3) there is an increasing threat of impairment to the 

quantity and quality of surface and groundwater resources; 

(4) the Nation’s capabilities for technological assessment 

and planning and for policy formulation for water resources 

must be strengthened at the Federal, State, and local governmental levels; 

(5) there should be a continuing national investment in 

water and related research and technology commensurate with 

growing national needs; 

(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; 

(C) energy use efficiency; 

(D) water use efficiency; and 

(E) actions to 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; and 

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; øand¿ 


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

(42 U.S.C. 10303)

SEC. 10303. Water resources research and technology institutes 

(a) Establishment; designation of site by State legislature or 

Governor 

(b) Scope of research; other activities; cooperation and coordination Each institute shall— 

(1) plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent applied and peer reviewed research that fosters— 

(A) improvements in water supply reliability; 

(B) the exploration of new ideas that— 

(i) address water problems; or 

(ii) expand understanding of water and øwater-related phenomena¿ water resources; 

(D) the dissemination of research results to water 

managers and the publicø.¿ ; and 

(c) Grants; matching funds øFrom the¿ 

(1) IN GENERAL.—From the sums appropriated pursuant to 

subsection (f) of this section, the Secretary shall make grants 

to each institute to be matched on a basis of no less than 2 

non-Federal dollars for every 1 Federal dollar, such sums to be 

used only for the reimbursement of the direct cost expenditures 

incurred for the conduct of the water resources research program. 

(2) REPORT.—Not later than December 31 of each fiscal 

year, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Environment and Public Works of the Senate, the Committee on the 

Budget of the Senate, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives, and the Committee 

on the Budget of the House of Representatives a report regarding the compliance of each funding recipient with this subsection for the immediately preceding fiscal year. 

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 3 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 


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

warrants continued support under this section. 

(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, ø12,000,000 for 

each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011¿ $7,500,000 for each of 

fiscal years 2013 through 2018. (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 ø6,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2007 through 2011¿ $1,500,000 for each of fiscal 

years 2013 through 2018 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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