SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the availability for public review of the report, "External Task Force Review of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) Federal-State Cooperative Water Program," Circular 1192, August 1999. Review of this report is sought under the Terms of Reference of the ACWI Task Force to Review the Federal-State Cooperative Water Program.

The ACWI has been established under the authority of the Office of Management and Budget Memorandum 92-01 and the Federal Advisory Committee Act. The purpose of the ACWI is to provide a forum for water-information users and professionals to advise the Federal Government about activities and plans which may improve the effectiveness of meeting the Nation's water information needs. The USGS established the Federal-State Cooperative Water Program Task Force as approved by the ACWI at the meeting of August 1998. Additional information about the ACWI, including the Task Force, is available at http://water.usgs.gov/wicp/

The Task Force report is now available for public review and comment. The report may be accessed at http://water.usgs.gov/pubs/circ/circ1192/ A printed copy of the report may be obtained by contacting the U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, 409 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192; (703) 648-5216.

DATES: Comments on the report should be provided no later than February 29, 2000. Comments should be sent to Dr. Ethan T. Smith (Executive Secretary), Chief, Water Information Coordination Program, U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, 417 National Center, Reston, Virginia 20192; (703) 648-5022.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The USGS Federal-State Cooperative Water Program is the largest single source of hydrologic data and information in the cou ntry. Hydrologic monitoring, assessments, investigations, and research conducted under the program support both national interests and cooperator needs. Costs for the program are jointly funded by the USGS and some 1,200 State, Tribal, and local government partners. The Federal-State Cooperative Water Program is a unique partnership, rather than a grants program. State, Tribal, and local cooperators transfer their share of the funding to the USGS for work on specific projects. The resulting data and information are archived and shared nationwide. More information is available in the Federal-State Cooperative Water-Resources Program Fact Sheet available at http://water.usgs.gov/wid/html/COOP.html

The Task Force conducted the first external review of the Coop Program in its 100-year history. The purpose of the Task Force was to gather information, to assess the effectiveness of the program, and to draft recommended improvements. The Task Force has completed their work and has published their findings and recommendations in a report, USGS Circular 1192. The report is titled "External Task Force Review of the United States Geological Survey Federal-State Cooperative Water Program, August 1999."

(Signed)

Date:  12/22/99