[The Following has been typed from the original text of Director Darman's memorandum]
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
OFFICE OF MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20503
December 10, 1991
M-92-01
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
FROM: Richard Darman/s/Director
SUBJECT: Coordination of Water Resources Information
The attachment to this memorandum provides information regarding the responsibilities
of Federal agencies for coordinating water resources information programs and
activities. Its purpose is to ensure effective decisionmaking for natural resources
management and environmental protection at all levels of government and in the
private sector.
Questions or comments may be referred to OMB's Natural Resources Division,
telephone (202) 395-4586.
Attachment
COORDINATION OF WATER RESOURCES INFORMATION
Attachment
Because water-related responsibilities are dispersed throughout the Executive
Branch, identifying opportunities to make the best use of available resources
requires communication and collaboration among dozens of Federal organizations.
To ensure coordination of water information programs, the Department of the
Interior, through the U.S. Geological Survey, is designated as the lead agency
for the Water Information Coordination Program (WICP). All other Federal organizations
funding, collecting, or using water resources information should assist the
U.S. Geological Survey in ensuring the implementation of an effective WICP.
Federal interests and funding for water resources information are integrally
tied to partnerships with non-Federal entities. Therefore, the U.S. Geological
Survey and other Federal organizations participating in the WICP shall work
together and independently, consistent with their mission responsibilities,
to establish routine communications and more effective working relationships
with State and local agencies, with Indian Tribes, and with the private sector,
as appropriate.
For the purposes of this memorandum and the WICP, the following definitions
apply:
Water resources include: streams, lakes, reservoirs, ground water, estuaries,
and other aquatic habitats influenced primarily by fresh water.
Water information includes: data on surface and ground water quality and quantity,
sediment, erosion, transport, water chemistry, and precipitation information
critical to water resources management.
Water information activities include: field data collection; laboratory analysis;
data processing and interpretation; database management; development and distribution
of consensus standards; quality control and quality assurance; and water resources
appraisals, assessments, and investigations. Research activities are not included.
In consultation and collaboration with the participating agencies, the WICP
will evaluate the effectiveness of existing water-information programs
and will document modifications needed to respond to changes in legislation,
technology, and other conditions. In addition, the participating agencies
should conduct a nationwide review and evaluation of water-quality monitoring
activities. Following review and evaluation, the participating agencies
should report to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), with recommendations
for needed improvements. The review, evaluation, and report of recommendations
should be completed within one year of the date of this memorandum.
The WICP will be established and maintained to achieve the objectives
stated below.
To provide procedures at the national, interstate, and State
levels to conduct interagency business related to the WICP, to exchange
information, and to foster collaboration. At the national level, the
procedures shall include an Interagency Coordinating Committee for Water
Information and a Federal Advisory Committee on Water Data for Public
Use. The U.S. Geological Survey shall chair and provide support
services for these committees. OMB shall be a member of the national
committees.
To plan, design, and operate a cost effective national network
for water-data collection and analysis that meets the priority
water-information needs of the Federal government and, to the extent
possible within available resources, the needs of the non-Federal
community that are tied to national interests. The U.S. Geological
Survey shall have principal responsibility for operating the national
network.
To coordinate funding, staffing, and the provision of other
resources needed to support interagency water-information activities for
ensuring the best use of available resources. To the extent possible,
each agency is responsible for providing resources to support
water-information activities critical to their missions and for
collaborating with the U.S. Geological Survey and other agencies to
avoid duplication of efforts.
To collaborate, as appropriate, with other groups that are
coordinating related categories of information, such as spatial data and
meteorological information. Regarding spatial data, the Interagency
Committee should plan and implement actions to establish water resources
components of a national spatial-data infrastructure.
To develop uniform standards, guidelines, and procedures for the collection, analysis, management, and dissemination of water information
in order to improve quality, consistency, and accessibility
nationwide
To establish a National Water Information Clearinghouse that
should index and disseminate information so as to improve the awareness
of, availability of, and access to existing water information holdings
of Federal agencies and the non-Federal sector. Through the
Clearinghouse and associated information systems, the U.S. Geological
Survey and other agencies shall maintain the national historical
water-information files needed to meet current and future
requirements.
To publish and distribute documents that inform others about the conclusions, recommendations, and activities resulting from the WICP.
Prior to initiating or expanding water information programs, agency
heads should ensure that such plans are coordinated with other agencies,
through the Interagency Committee. Based on the results of such
interagency reviews, agency heads should certify that their plans
represent the most effective and economical alternative for meeting
their requirements. The U.S. Geological Survey will prepare an annual
report to OMB that documents funding and program activities conducted to
fulfill this requirement. Water information needs that are temporary
and that result from emergency conditions are exempt from this
requirement.
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