Water Resources Research Act of 1983
PL 98-242 (S.684), enacted 03/22/1984

PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
98 STAT. 97 
Public Law 98-242 
98th Congress 
An Act 
To authorize an ongoing program of water resources research, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
TITLE I 
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 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 grow-
ing 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, agricul-
tural, recreational, and other beneficial uses; and 
(7) 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. 
SEC, 103. It is the purpose of this Act to assist the Nation and the 
States in augmenting their water resources science and technology 
as a way to— 
(1) assure supplies of water sufficient in quantity and quality 
to meet the Nation's expanding needs for the production of food, 
materials, and energy; 
(2) discover practical solutions to the Nation's water and 
water resources related problems, particularly those problems 
related to impaired water quality; 
(3) assure the protection and enhancement of environmental 
and social values in connection with water resources manage-
ment and utilization; 
Mar. 22, 1984 
[S. 684] 
Water Resources 
Research Act of 
1984. 
42 use 10301 
note. 
42 u s e 10301. 
Science and 
technology. 
42 use 10302. 
98 STAT. 98 
PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
Research and 
development. 
42 u s e 10303. 
7 u s e 301. 
Grants. 
(4) promote the interest of State and local governments as 
well as private industry in research and the development of 
technology that will reclaim weste water and to convert saline 
and other impaired waters to waters suitable for municipal, 
industrial, agricultural, recreational, and other beneficial uses; 
(5) coordinate more effectively the Nation's water resources 
research program; and 
(6) promote the development of a cadre of trained research 
scientists, engineers, and technicians for future water resources 
problems. 
SEC. 104. (a) Subject to the approval of the Secretary of the 
Interior (hereafter in this Act referred to as the "Secretary") under 
this section, one water resources research and technology institute, 
center, or equivalent agency (hereafter in this Act referred to as the 
"institute") may be established in each State (as used in this Act, 
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 Trust Territory 
of the Pacific Islands) at a college or university which was estab-
lished in accordance with the Act approved July 2, 1862 (12 Stat. 
503; 7 U.S.C. 301ff), entitled "An Act donating public lands to the 
several States and territories which may provide colleges for the 
benefit of agriculture and the mechanic arts" or at some other 
institution designated by act of the legislature of the State con-
cerned. 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) Each institute shall— 
(1) plan, conduct, or otherwise arrange for competent research 
with respect to water resources, including investigations and 
experiments of either a basic or practical nature, or both; 
promote the dissemination and application of the results of 
these efforts; and provide for the training of scientists and 
engineers through such research, investigations, and experi-
ments, and 
(2) cooperate closely with other colleges and universities in 
the State that have demonstrated capabilities for research, 
information dissemination, and graduate training in order to 
develop a statewide program designed to resolve State and 
regional water and related land problems. 
Each institute shall also cooperate closely with other institutes and 
other organizations in the region to increase the effectiveness of the 
institutes and for the purpose of regional coordination. 
(c) 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 one non-Federal dollar for every 
Federal dollar during the fiscal years ending September 30, 1985, 
and September 30, 1986, one and one-half non-Federal dollars for 
each Federal dollar during the fiscal years ending September 30, 
1987, and September 30, 1988, and two non-Federal dollars for each 
Federal dollar during the fiscal year ending September 30, 1989. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
98 STAT. 99 
(d) Prior to and as a condition of the receipt each fiscal year of 
funds appropriated under subsection (f) of this section, each institute 
shall submit to the Secretary for his approval a water research 
program that includes assurances, satisfactory to the Secretary, that 
such program was developed in close consultation and collaboration 
with the director of that State's department of water resources or 
similar agency, other leading water resources officials within the 
State, and interested members of the public. The program described 
in the preceding sentence shall include plans to promote research, 
training, information dissemination, and other activities meeting 
the needs of the State and Nation, and shall encourage regional 
cooperation among institutes in research into areas of water man-
agement, development, and conservation that have a regional or 
national character. 
(e)(1) The Secretary shall establish procedures for a careful and 
detailed evaluation of each institute to determine that the quality 
and relevance of its water resources research and its effectiveness as 
an institution for planning, conducting and arranging for research 
warrants its continued support under this section in the national 
interest. The evaluation of each institute shall be made by a team of 
knowledgeable individuals including employees of the Department 
of the Interior, university faculty or administrators, water research 
institute directors from other institutes, State or local water re-
source agency personnel, and private citizens selected for this pur-
pose. The Secretary may also secure the cooperation of the National 
Research Council/National Academy of Science. The evaluation 
team shall visit the institute and shall assess the scientific quality of 
its research program, the potential effectiveness of its research in 
meeting water resource needs, and the demonstrated performance 
in making research results available to users in the State and 
elsewhere. Criteria for making the determination that an institute 
is an effective instrument for water resources research shall include 
the following: accreditation in sufficient disciplines to successfully 
mount a multidisciplinary research program; sufficient resources, 
including laboratory, library, computei*, and support facilities; a 
sufficiently close administrative relation and physical proximity to 
the university and to all the parts of it needed to provide an 
effective working relationship with researchers in a wide range of 
disciplines; and institutional commitment to the support and con-
tinuation of an effective water research program. 
(2) The Secretary shall arrange for each of the institutes support-
ed under this section to be evaluated under this subsection within 
two years after its establishment and to be reevaluated at intervals 
not to exceed four years. 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 qualification is reestablished to 
the satisfaction of the Secretary. 
(f)(1) For the purpose of carrying out this section, there is author-
ized to be appropriated to the Secretary the sum of $10,000,000 for 
each of the fiscal years ending September 30,1985, through Septem-
ber 30,1989, such sums to remain available until expended. 
(2) Any sums appropriated under this subsection but which fail to 
be obligated by the close of the fiscal year for which they were 
appropriated shall be transferred by the Secretary and available for 
obligation during the succeeding fiscal year under the terms of 
section 106 of this Act. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
98 STAT. 100 
PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
Grants. 
42 use 10304. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
Grants. 
Contracts with 
U.S. 
42 u s e 10305. 
SEC. 105. (a)(1) In addition to the grants authorized by section 104 
of this Act, the Secretary is authorized to make grants, on a doUar-
for-dollar matching basis, to the institutes estabUshed under such 
section, as well as other qualified educational institutions, private 
foundations, private firms, individuals, and agencies of local or State 
government for research concerning any aspect of a water resource-
related problem which the Secretary may deem to be in the national 
interest. Such grants shall be made with such advice and review by 
peer or other expert groups of appropriate interdisciplinary compo-
sition as the Secretary deems appropriate on the basis of the merits 
of the project and the need for the knowledge such project is 
expected to produce upon completion. 
(2) Research funded under this section should to the extent possi-
ble utilize the best qualified graduate students so the Nation profits 
from the education and training benefits resulting from the use of 
the latest in technological developments in solving water problems. 
(3) In cases where" the Secretary determines, in accordance with 
criteria established by him, that research under this section is of a 
basic nature which would not otherwise be undertaken, the Sec-
retary may approve grants under this section with a matching 
requirement other than that specified in paragraph (1) of this 
subsection. 
(b) Each application for a grant under this section shall state the 
nature of the project to be undertaken, the period during which it 
will be pursued, the qualifications of the personnel who will direct 
and conduct it, the importance of the project to the Nation as well as 
to the region and State concerned, its relation to other research 
projects previously or currently being pursued, and the extent to 
which it will provide an opportunity for the training of water 
resources scientists. 
(c) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary the 
sum of $20,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section for 
each of the fiscal years ending September 30,1985, through Septem-
ber 30,1989, such sums to remain available until expended. 
SEC. 106. (a)(1) The Secretary shall make grants or contracts in 
addition to those authorized under sections 104 and 105 to educa-
tional institutions, private firms, private foundations, individuals, 
and agencies of local or State governments for technology develop-
ment concerning any aspect of water-related technology which the 
Secretary may deem to be of State, regional, and national impor-
tance, including technology associated with improvement of waters 
of impaired quality and the operation of test facilities. Such grants 
or contracts shall be made on the basis of the merit and feasibility of 
the project based on expert evaluation as deemed appropriate by the 
Secretary, taking care to protect proprietary information of private 
firms or individuals associated with the technology. 
(2) The Secretary may establish any condition for the matching of 
funds by the recipient of any grant or contract under this section 
which the Secretary considers to be in the best interest of the 
Nation considering the technology needs for water resources in the 
Nation. 
(b) Each application for a grant or contract under this section 
shall state the nature of the project to be undertaken, the qualifica-
tions of the personnel who will direct and conduct it, the facilities of 
the organization performing the technology development, the impor-
tance of the project to the Nation, region, and State concerned, and 
the potential benefit to be accrued from the development. 
PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
98 STAT. 101 
(c)(1) There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary the 
sum of $6,000,000 for the purpose of carrying out this section for 
each of the fiscal years ending September 30,1985, through Septem-
ber 30,1989, such sums to remain available until expended. 
(2) In addition to sums available under the terms of paragraph (1) 
of this subsection, the Secretary is also authorized to obligate funds 
under this section if such funds are transferred under the terms of 
section 104(f)(2) of this Act. 
SEC. 107. From the sums appropriated pursuant to this Act, not 
more than 15 per centum shall be utilized for administrative costs. 
SEC. 108. The type of research and development to be undertaken 
under the authority of sections 105 and 106 of this Act and to be 
encouraged by the institutes established under section 104 of this 
Act shall include the following: 
(1) Aspects of the hydrologic cycle; 
(2) Supply and demand for water; 
(3) Demineralization of saline and other impaired waters; 
(4) Conservation and best use of available supplies of water 
and methods of increasing such supplies; 
(5) Water reuse; 
(6) Depletion and degradation of groundwater supplies; 
(7) Improvements in the productivity of water when used for 
agricultural, municipal, and commercial purposes; 
(8) The economic, legal, engineering, social, recreational, 
biological, geographic, ecological, and other aspects of water 
problems; 
(9) Scientific information dissemination activities, including 
identifying, assembling, and interpreting the results of scientific 
and engineering research on water resources problems; and 
(10) Providing means for improved communication of research 
results, having due regard for the varying conditions and needs 
for the respective States and regions. 
SEC. 109. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the Secre-
tary shall be governed by the provisions of sections 9 (except subsec-
tions (1) and (n)) and 10 of the Federal Nonnuclear Energy, Research, 
and Development Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-577; 88 Stat. 1887, 
1891; 42 U.S.C. 5908-5909) with respect to patent policy and to the 
definition of title to and licensing of inventions made or conceived in 
the course of work performed, or under any contract or grant made, 
pursuant to this Act. Subject to such patent policy, all research or 
development contracted for, sponsored, cosponsored, or authorized 
under authority of this Act shall be provided in such manner that 
all information, data, and know-how, regardless of their nature or 
mediums, resulting from such research and development shall (with 
such exceptions and limitations, if any, as the Secretary may find to 
be necessary in the interest of national defense) be usefully availa-
ble for practice by the general public. 
SEC. 110. (a) Public Law 95-467 is repealed. 
(b) Rules and regulations issued prior to the date of enactment of 
this Act under the authority of Public Law 95-467 shall remain in 
full force and effect under this Act until superseded by new rules 
and regulations promulgated under this Act. 
SEC. 111. Any new spending authority described in subsection 
(cX2) (A) or (B) of section 401 of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974 
which is provided under this Act shall be effective for any fiscal year 
only to such extent or in such amounts as are provided in advance in 
appropriations Acts. 
Appropriation 
authorization. 
42 use 10306. 
Research and 
development. 
42 use 10307. 
Patents. 
42 use 10308. 
Repeal. 
42 u s e 7801 
et seq. 
42 use 7801 
note. 
42 use 10309. 
2 u s e 651. 
98 STAT. 102 
PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
TITLE II 
Public lands. 
Wrightsviiie 
SEC. 201. (a)(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of law and 
Beach, Nx:. 
subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall convey, not later than 
January 24, 1984, and without consideration, all right, title, and 
interest of the United States in the real property description in 
subsection (b) of this section to the town of Wrightsviiie Beach, 
North Carolina. 
(2) The conveyance of real property described in subsection (b)(1) 
of this section, which constitutes the Wrightsviiie Beach Test Facil-
ity, to such town shall be made by the Secretary on the condition 
that, during the period beginning on the date of such conveyance 
and ending on January 24,1988, such facility is— 
(A) maintained in a working order which is comparable to the 
condition of such facility on the date of such conveyance, and 
(B) operated and maintained primarily for desalinization of 
other related research. 
(b) The real property referred to in subsection (a) is real property 
located in the town of Wrightsviiie Beach, North Carolina, as 
follows: 
(1) Real property which constitutes the Wrightsviiie Beach 
Test Facility and may be described as beginning at a point in 
the old northern line of United States Highway 76, said point 
located north 51 degrees 05 minutes west 530.00 feet as meas-
ured with said line from the southeast corner of tract numbered 
1 as shown by "Map Showing Property of State of North 
Carolina" recorded in map book 7, page 40, New Hanover 
County Registry; running thence from said beginning north 38 
degrees 55 minutes east 660.00 feet to a point; thence north 51 
degrees 05 minutes west 129.80 feet to a point; thence north 38 
degrees 56 minutes 30 seconds east 157.89 feet to a point; thence 
north 77 degrees 32 minutes 30 seconds east 101.40 feet to a 
point; thence north 12 degrees 07 minutes west 151.19 feet to a 
point in the southern line of United States Highway 74; thence 
with said southern line south 77 degrees 53 minutes west 563.57 
feet to a point; thence south 38 degrees 55 minutes west 554.52 
feet to a point in the old northern line of United States High-
way 76; thence with said old northern line south 51 degrees 05 
minutes east 538.47 feet to the point of beginning, containing 
9.57 acres. 
(2)(A) Real property which is adjacent to such Facility and 
may be described as beginning at a point in the old northern 
right of way line of United States Highway 76 (Wrightsviiie 
Causeway) at the southeastern corner of tract numbered 1 as 
shown by "Map Showing Property of State of North Carolina" 
recorded in map book 7, page 40, New Hanover County Registry; 
said southeast corner north 51 degrees 05 minutes west 862.6 
feet as measured with said northern line from its intersection 
with the extension of the western line of Island Drive, Shore 
Acres; running thence from said beginning south 38 degrees 55 
minutes west 150.00 feet to a point in the new northern right of 
way line of United States Highway 76; thence with said line 
north 51 degrees 05 minutes west 530.00 feet to a point; thence 
north 38 degrees 55 minutes east 150.00 feet to a point in said 
old northern right of way line; thence continuing north 38 
degrees 55 minutes east 660.00 feet to a point; thence continuing 
north 38 degrees 55 minutes east 140.11 feet to a point; thence 
PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
98 STAT. 103 
north 12 degrees 27 minutes 30 seconds west 108.44 feet to a 
point; thence north 77 degrees 32 minutes 30 seconds east 34.31 
feet to a point; thence north 12 degrees 07 minutes west 151.19 
feet to a point in the southern line of United States Highway 74; 
thence north 77 degrees 53 minutes east 240.00 feet to the 
northernmost corner of said tract numbered 1, map book 7, page 
40; thence with the eastern lines of said tract numbered 1 south 
12 degrees 07 minutes east 723.8 feet to its easternmost corner; 
thence continuing with said eastern line south 38 degrees 55 
minutes west 723.8 feet to the point of beginning, containing 
14.079 acres. 
(B) Beginning at a point in the old northern right of way of 
United States Highway 76 (Causeway Drive) and the southern 
line of tract numbered 1 as shown by map, "Property of State of 
North Carolina" recorded in map book 7, page 40, New Hanover 
County Registry, said point located north 51 degrees 05 minutes 
west 1068.47 feet as with said line from the southeastern corner 
of said tract numbered 1; running thence from said beginning 
with said line north 51 degrees 05 minutes west 322.62 feet to a 
point in the new right of way of United States Highway 76; 
thence with said new right of way north 19 degrees 27 minutes 
15 seconds west 32.01 feet to an iron rod; thence continuing with 
said new right of way north 33 degrees 42 minutes 15 seconds 
east 94.98 feet to an iron rod in the southern right of way of 
United States Highway 74; thence with said southern line north 
77 degrees 53 minutes east 570.17 feet to an iron pipe; thence 
south 38 degrees 55 minutes west 554.55 feet to the point of 
beginning, containing 2.72 acres and being the western portion 
of said tract numbered 1 recorded in map book 7, page 40. 
SEC. 202. (aXD Notwithstanding any other provision of law and Rosweii, N. Mex. 
subject to paragraph (2), the Secretary shall convey, not later than Public lands. 
December 31, 1983, and without consideration, all right, title, and 
interest of the United States in the real property described in 
subsection (b) of this section, which constitutes the Roswell Test 
Facility, to the city of Roswell, New Mexico. 
(2) Such conveyance shall be made on the condition that, during 
the period beginning on the date of such conveyance and ending on 
December 31,1987, such facility is— 
(A) maintained in a working order which is comparable to the 
condition of such facility on the date of such conveyance, and 
(B) operated and maintained primarily for desalinization or 
other related research. 
O
t
)
) The real property referred to in subsection (a) of this section 
shall consist of so much of the real property located in the county of 
Chaves, New Mexico, as constitutes the Roswell Test Facility. Such 
real property shall consist o
f
— 
(1) the lands at the Roswell site as conveyed to the United 
States by the city of Roswell, New Mexico, by warranty deed 
dated April 13,1961, said deed being recorded in the office of the 
county clerk of the county of Chaves, New Mexico, at book 205, 
page 406, and more fully describing such lands as being— 
A tract of land lyiiig and being situated in the southwest 
quarter of section 32, township 10 south, range 25 east, New 
Mexico principal meridian, and being more particularly 
described £is; beginning at a point on the west line of said 
section 32 which bears north 3 degrees 58 minutes east at 
137 feet distant from the southwest corner of said section 
98 STAT. 104 
PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
32; thence north 3 degrees 58 minutes east, a distance of 455 
feet; thence north 78 degrees 03 minutes east, a distance of 
531.9 feet; thence south 25 degrees 00 minutes east, a 
distance of 450.1 feet; thence southwesterly along a curve to 
the right, the arc which bears south 77 degrees 43 minutes 
west, a distance of 760.4 feet to the point of beginning, 
containing 6.94304 acres, and 
(2) the lands at the Roswell site as conveyed to the United 
States by the city of Roswell, New Mexico, by warranty deed 
dated June 18,1968, said deed being recorded in the office of the 
county clerk of the county of Chaves, New Mexico, at book 250, 
page 390, and more fully describing such lands as being— 
A tract of land lying and being situated in the west half 
of the west half of the southwest quarter of section 32, 
township 10 south, range 25 east, New Mexico principal 
meridian, and being more particularly described as follows: 
Beginning at a point on the west line of said section 32 
which bears north 3 degrees 57 minutes east 592 feet dis-
tant from the southeast corner of said section 32; thence 
north 3 degrees 58 minutes east, a distance of 911.5 feet; 
thence south 39 degrees 33 minutes east, a distance of 
179.00 feet; thence south 27 degrees 35 minutes east, a 
distance of 1,193.00 feet; thence southwesterly along the 
north highway right-of-way line on a curve to the right of 
5,655 feet radius through an included angle of 0 degrees 13 
minutes, a distance of 21.31 feet; thence north 25 degrees 00 
minutes west, a distance of 444.26 feet; thence south 78 
degrees 03 minutes west, a distance of 531.9 feet to the point 
of beginning containing 5,795 acres, more or less. Note: The 
east boundary of this tract of land lies 50 feet west of the 
center line of the Hagerman canal, together with water 
rights appurtenant thereto. 
SEC. 203. Each conveyance issued by the Secretary pursuant to the 
provisions of this title shall contain a clause providing that the title 
to the lands and facilities conveyed shall revert to the United States 
should such lands or facilities be used for other than a public 
purpose following the date of conveyance. 
THOMAS P. O'NEILL, JR. 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 
STROM THURMOND 
President of the Senate pro Tempore 
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES, 
March 21 (legislative day, March 19), 1984. 
The Senate having proceeded to reconsider the bill (S. 684) entitled 
"An Act to authorize an ongoing program of water resources re-
search, and for other purposes", returned by the President of the 
United States with his objections, to the Senate, in which it originat-
ed, it was 
PUBLIC LAW 98-242—MAR. 22, 1984 
98 STAT. 105 
Resolved, That the said bill peiss, two-thirds of the Senators 
present having voted in the affirmative. 
WILLIAM F . HILDENBRAND 
Secretary. 
-
I certify that this Act originated in the Senate. 
WILLIAM F . HILDENBRAND 
Secretary. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, U.S., 
March 22, 1984. 
The House of Representatives having proceeded to reconsider the 
bill (S. 684) entitled "An Act to authorize an ongoing program of 
water resources research, and for other purposes", returned by the 
President of the United States with his objections, to the Senate, in 
which it originated, and passed by the Senate on reconsideration of 
the same, it was 
Resolved, That the said bill pass, two-thirds of the House of 
Representatives agreeing to pass the same. 
BENJAMIN J. GUTHRIE 
Clerk. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—S. 684 (H.R. 2911): 
HOUSE REPORT No. 98-416 accompanying H.R. 2911 (Comm. on Interior and Insular 
Affairs). 
SENATE REPORT No. 98-91 (Comm. on Environment and Public Works). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 129 (1983): May 25, considered and passed Senate. 
Oct. 31, H.R. 2911 considered and passed House; S. 684, amend-
ed, passed in lieu. 
Nov. 18, Senate concurred in House amendments with an 
amendment. 
Vol. 130 (1984): Feb. 7, House concurred in Senate amendment. 
WEEKLY COMPILATION OF PRESIDENTIAL DOCUMENTS, Vol. 20, No. 8 (1984): 
Feb. 21, Presidential veto message. 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 130 (1984): 
Mar. 21, Senate overrode veto. 
Mar. 22, House overrode veto.