123STA T . 13 4 3 PUBLIC LA W 111 – 11 —M A R .3 0, 200 9(A)invest i ga te ,d eve lop , andi m plement ne w met h- odologies and te c hnologies to estimate o r meas u re water resources data in a cost-e f ficient manner
and ( B ) improve methodologies relating to the anal y sis and delivery of data . ( 2 ) PRIO RI TY . —I n providing grants to appropriate entities under paragraph ( 1 ), the S ecretary shall give priority to appro- priate entities that propose the development of new methods and technologies for— (A) predicting and measuring streamflows; (B) estimating changes in the storage of groundwater; ( C ) improving data standards and methods of analysis (including the validation of data entered into geographic information system data b ases); ( D ) measuring precipitation and potential evapotranspiration; and ( E ) water withdrawals, return flows, and consumptive use. ( 3 )P A RT NE R SH I P S.—In recognition of the value of collabora- tion to foster innovation and enhance research and development efforts, the Secretary shall encourage partnerships, including public-private partnerships, between and among F ederal agen- cies, academic institutions, and private entities to promote the ob j ectives described in paragraph (1). ( 4 )A U THORI Z ATION O F APPROPRIATIONS.— T here is author- i z ed to be appropriated to carry out this subsection $5 , 0 00,000 for each of fiscal years 200 9 through 2019. SEC.9508 . NATIO NA LW ATE R A V AILA B ILIT Y AN DU SE ASSESS M ENT P RO G RAM. (a) ESTA BL ISH M ENT.—The Secretary, in coordination with the Advisory Committee and State and local water resource agencies, shall establish a national assessment program to be k nown as the ‘ ‘national water availability and use assessment program ’ ’— (1) to provide a more accurate assessment of the status of the water resources of the U nited States; (2) to assist in the determination of the q uantity of water that is available for beneficial uses; (3) to assist in the determination of the quality of the water resources of the United States; (4) to identify long-term trends in water availability; (5) to use each long-term trend described in paragraph (4) to provide a more accurate assessment of the change in the availability of water in the United States; and ( 6 ) to develop the basis for an improved ability to forecast the availability of water for future economic, energy production, and environmental uses. (b) PRO G RAM ELEMENTS.— (1) W ATER USE.—In carrying out the assessment program, the Secretary shall conduct any appropriate activity to carry out an ongoing assessment of water use in hydrologic accounting units and major aquifer systems located in the United States, including— (A) the maintenance of a comprehensive national water use inventory to enhance the level of understanding with respect to the effects of spatial and temporal patterns of 42USC10368.
