8/26/98
Advisory Committee on Water Information Task Force to Review the Federal-State Cooperative Water Program
Terms of Reference
1. Offical Designation
Task Force to Review the Federal-State Cooperative Water Program (Coop Task Force) of the Advisory Committee on Water Information (ACWI).
II. Purpose and Scope
A.	Purpose - The purpose of the Coop Task Force is to assess the effectiveness of the U.S. Geological Survey's (USGS) Federal-State Cooperative Water Program (Coop Program), draft recommendations, and to provide a written report of findings to the ACWI. The report from the Task Force to the ACWI will serve as the basis for the ACWI to recommend possible enhancement or modifications to the USGS for the Coop Program.
B.	Scope - The Task Force is requested to review the activities of the Program by addressing and responding to four broad topics described below. The Task Force will have from September 1998 to June 1999 to complete its work. The Task Force will address the following four topics: Mission - Historically, the Coop Program has been designed to develop hydrologic data and technical analysis needed to assist in meeting the USGS mission of continuously assessing the Nation's water resources, and to provide technical assistance to state, tribal, and local water management agencies in seeking solutions to water-resource issues of national concern through a matched funding arrangement. Is the Coop Program successfully meeting its mission? Is this mission still valid? If not, how should it be altered? Does the Coop Program adequately contribute to the broad USGS mission while keeping abreast of emerging water resources issues at the state and local level? Prioritization - In Fiscal Year 1997, the Congress appropriated $64.5 million dollars for the Coop Program. State and local agencies provided an equal amount of matching funds plus an additional $28.5 million dollars of unmatched funding. Given that there is more funding available from the state and local side than there is matching Federal funding, are matching funds applied to the most important topics and issues? Is there a proper balance between funding of long-term data collection versus short-term interpretive studies? What changes could be made in the approach to project selection to help assure maximum effectiveness for the program? Conduct of work - Nearly all of the work performed in the Coop Program is done by USGS scientists and technicians. This arrangement is designed to enhance quality control, provide national consistency in data collection and methods of analysis, and provide a stable core of experienced water scientists nationwide. Could this arrangement be improved without sacrificing its benefits? What is the appropriate relationship with the private sector, states, universities, etc? What would be the implications of altering current work arrangements on the unique qualities of the Coop Program and water management nationwide? Products - The products developed in the Coop Program need to be useful to cooperators and other users. These users include representatives of all levels of government, the scientific community, the private sector, and the general public. The products also fulfill national needs by building long term national data bases, augmenting activities in other USGS programs, and providing a national picture of water resources through synthesis of information from individual projects across the country. In addition, the Coop Program advances the development and application of new approaches and methodologies relevant to water resources issues. To what extent should the products of the Coop Program support: (1) national level needs, as compared to (2) the needs of cooperators and other information users? Are the products meeting the needs of the primary users as well as the multiple needs of ancillary parties? What changes in products should the USGS consider to strengthen the Coop Program's impact? Are there ways to further stimulate the development of new approaches and methods and to enhance the transfer of these approaches and methods to interested parties?
III. Membership
A.	The chair of the ACWI will designate up to 24 representatives to the Coop Task Force. The Task Force shall comprise a balanced representation of Federal, regional, state, tribal, local, and municipal government agencies, and the private sector. Membership will reflect organizations that use USGS water information, have partnerships with USGS, or have interests in the objectives of the Coop Program.
B.	The Task Force will include individuals from each of the four Water Resources Division Regions.
C.	Federal membership will not exceed six representatives from the following organizations: National Weather Service, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency/Office of Water, and U.S. Department of the Interior. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) will be invited to participate as a nonvoting member.
D.	The Chair of the ACWI may designate up to a maximum of 18 representatives that have a balance of interests and functions. These organizations that participate on the Coop Task Force will represent the following interests: Native Americans, environmental interest groups, industry, local government agencies, professional societies, or river basin commissions.
E.	The Chair will be elected from non-Federal members of the Task Force. The USGS will provide the Executive Secretary for the Task Force.
IV. Meetings and Procedures
A.	The Coop Task Force will begin activities during September 1998. The Chair will announce date, time, and location of each meeting in advance. After the initial two- or three-day meeting, the Task Force will plan further sessions, as necessary. The Task Force report is due to the Executive Secretary of the ACWI by June 30,1999.
B.	Representatives to the Coop Task Force will receive no pay, allowances, or benefits by reason of their service on the Task Force. However, while away from their homes or regular place of business and in performance of service for the Coop Task Force, non-Federal representatives will be allowed travel expenses if needed. Travel expenses will include per diem. Section 5703 of Title 5 of the United States Code describes allowances associated with this expense.
C.	Before transmitting the final report to the Director, USGS, the ACWI will announce the availability of the draft report for public review and comment in the Federal Register.
D.	The Coop Task Force Executive Secretary will prepare and distribute to all members a summary of each meetings. Summaries of each Task Force meeting, recommendations adopted, and copies of all studies and reports issued by the Coop Task Force will be available for public inspection on the World Wide Web and for review and copying at the following location: Water Information Coordination Program U.S. Geological Survey 417 National Center 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive Reston, Virginia 20192
E.	Support services shall be provided by USGS.
F.	Authority - The Coop Task Force is part of the implementation of the Water Information Coordination Program mandated by OMB Memorandum No. 92-01, dated December 10, 1991. The Task Force reports to the ACWI that operates under the Federal Advisory Committee Act.
V. Products
A.	A compilation of Coop Task Force meeting summaries and special studies.
B.	A draft written report describing the findings of the Coop Task Force and its recommendations.
C.	A written summary of the public comments on the draft report.
D.	An oral presentation to the ACWI of the summary findings and recommendations of the Coop Task Force.
E.	A final written report describing the findings of the Coop Task Force and its recommendations presented to the ACWI.
F.	Transmittal of the final report from ACWI to the USGS including any comments, or suggested enhancements, or suggested modifications of the Coop Program resulting from the ACWI review of the Coop Task Force report.