19–010 

Calendar No. 465 

112TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2d Session 112–189 

WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH AMENDMENTS ACT 

OF 2012 

JULY 19, 2012.—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. 2104] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Environment and Public Works, to which was 

referred a bill (S. 2104) 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

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 2012 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 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 an additional focus research related 

to increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of new and existing 

treatment works through alternative approaches 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 2012’’. 

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) water use efficiency; and (4) actions to reduce energy 

consumption or 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 the 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 


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

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 2012 through 

2017. 

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 Amendments Act of 2012 (S. 

2104) was introduced by Senator Cardin on February 14, 2012 and 

is co-sponsored by Senators Boxer, Inhofe, Sessions, Boozman and 

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

Committee on Environment and Public Works. The Committee met 

to consider S. 2104 on June 21, 2012. The bill was ordered favorably reported by voice vote. 

Similar legislation (S. 3363) was approved by the Environment 

and Public Works Committee in the 111th Congress. The Water 

Resources Research Act was first authorized in 1964, and was most 

recently authorized in 2006 in Public Law 109–471, the Water Resources Research Act Amendments of 2006. The current authorization expired in Fiscal Year (FY) 2011. 

HEARINGS

No committee hearings were held on S. 2104. 

ROLLCALL VOTES

The Committee on Environment and Public Works met to consider S. 2104 on June 21, 2012. 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. 2104 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. 2104 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.’’ 


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CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE COST ESTIMATE

JULY 2, 2012. 

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. 2104, the Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2012. 

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. 2104—Water Resources Research Amendments Act of 2012 

Summary: S. 2104 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 $7.5 million a year over the 2013–2017 period for 

such grants. In addition, S. 2104 would authorize the appropriation 

of $1.5 million annually over the 2013–2017 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. 

Assuming appropriation of the authorized funds, CBO estimates 

that implementing S. 2104 would cost $42 million over the 2013– 

2017 period. Enacting S. 2104 would not affect direct spending or 

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

S. 2104 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. 2104 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— 

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2013– 

2017 

CHANGES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Research Grants: 

Authorized Level .................................................................. 8 8 8 8 8 38 

Estimated Outlays ............................................................... 6 7 8 8 8 35 

Funding for Additional Research: 

Authorization Level .............................................................. 2 2 2 2 2 8 

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

Total Changes: 

Authorization Level a .............................................. 9 9 9 9 9 45 

Estimated Outlays .................................................. 7 8 9 9 9 42 

Note: Components may not sum to totals because of rounding. 

a The United States Geological Survey received a $7 million appropriation in 2012 for the Water Resources Research Act Program. 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 2104 

will be enacted near the end of fiscal year 2012 and that the specified amounts will be appropriated for each year starting in 2013. 


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Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns for 

those activities. 

Intergovernmental and private-sector impact: S. 2104 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: Melissa Merrell; 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: 

* * * * * * * 

PL 98–242

SEC. 101. This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Water Resources Research Act of 1984’’. 

SEC. 102. 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 


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(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. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 104. (a) ESTABLISHMENT; DESIGNATION OF SITE BY STATE

LEGISLATURE OR GOVERNOR.—Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the Interior (hereafter in this chapter referred to as the 

‘‘Secretary’’) under this section, one water resources research and 

technology institute, center, or equivalent agency (hereafter in this 

chapter referred to as the ‘‘institute’’) may be established in each 

State (as used in this chapter, the term ‘‘State’’ includes the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the District of Columbia, the Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Mariana 

Islands and the Federated States of Micronesia) at a college or university which was established in accordance with the Act approved 

July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 503) [7 U.S.C.A. § 301 et seq.], or at some 

other institution designated by act of the legislature of the State 

concerned. If there is more than one such college or university in 

a State established in accordance with such Act of July 2, 1862, the 

institute in such State shall, in the absence of a designation to the 

contrary by act of the legislature of the State, be established at the 

one such college or university designated by the Governor of the 

State. Two or more States may cooperate in the establishment of 

a single institute or regional institute, in which event the sums 

otherwise allocated to institutes in each of the cooperating States 

shall be paid to such single or regional institute. 

(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; 

(C) the entry of new research scientists, engineers, and 

technicians into water resources fields; and 

(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 


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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 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. 

(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, ø$12,000,000 for 

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

fiscal years 2012 through 2017. 

(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 ø$6,000,000 for each of fiscal 

years 2007 through 2011¿$1,500,000 for each of fiscal years 

2012 through 2017 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 


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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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