WaterWired

Lane Community College's Online Water Conservation Technician Program - Fall 2019 Apps Accepted

Brenda Cervantes of Lane Community College in Eugene, OR, sent me this information on LCC's new online Water Conservation Technician program. It's funded by the National Science Foundation.

Here is the blurb from the website:

The Water Conservation Technician program consists of an inspiring community of students and faculty dedicated to improving community water security and quality using ecologically sustainable practices. Through the two-year Water Conservation Technician online program, you will be prepared for the growing field of Water Conservation and the challenges a shortage of water will bring. 

The Program trains individuals to evaluate water use patterns; develop, implement, market and maintain conservation programs; perform public outreach; recommend water efficiency techniques; integrate alternative water sources, and perform systems analysis to solve problems.

As water-related issues continue to increase, more voluntary and mandatory water conservation opportunities are being created that require a technical skill set like that which is offered within this program. Employment opportunities in Water Conservation are excellent. Students must consider the Western United States when seeking employment as those willing to relocate will have greater employment opportunities. 

What's the starting pay?

• Oregon state wages range from $32,000 to $48,500  annually plus benefits. Wages will vary in other states.

Prepare for a career in the water field as water efficiency technicians, coordinators, or specialists, or as water management specialists and technicians. The program prepares students to design, implement and evaluate water conservation programs.

For more information on the two-year degree programs and training for water professionals contact Roger Ebbage, ebbager@lanecc.edu or (541) 463-6160. 

Here is a video:

Information from an alternate site - the Northwest Water and Energy Institute at LCC:

Graduates Of The Program Are Able To

• Design, implement, evaluate, and market water conservation programs to a broad audience
• Evaluate water usage patterns for rural, urban, residential, and commercial sites; recommend efficiency measures as well as alternate water sources.
• Understand water distribution, flow, and elimination systems; basic hydraulics; quality issues; balance and time of use.
• Understand the many stressors to water accessibility and how they interact to affect supply and demand along with other issues.
• Monitor, collect, interpret and analyze data to evaluate effectiveness of programs and modify them over time.
• Calculate water and cost savings and produce comprehensive cost/benefit analysis reports.

Some relevant job titles are:

• Water Conservation - Program Specialist, Manager

• Water Resource - Analyst, Specialist

• Rainwater Harvesting Tech

• Stormwater - Coordinator, Technician

• Wastewater - Manager, Stores Supervisor, Program Analyst

• Conservation Warden

• Stewardship Coordinator

Looks awfully good. Glad to see such a broad approach. Apply for Fall 2019 now!

Enjoy!

"The purpose of education is not to make men carpenters, but to make carpenters men." -- W.E.B. Du Bois

Josh's Water Jobs and More! 23 April 2019 Updated: 24 April 2019

From Josh:

Slow on all fronts due to the holiday weekend, but still some good ones…

To date, 1.8% of those on the list have contributed in supporting the website. Thank you! One or two more reminders and then I will let you be :) Please support JWJ!

Josh's jobs:

PDF: Download JWJ_23April2019

Word: Download JWJ_23April2019

1) Josh's Jobs

Josh’s Pick:

1) Officer (Transboundary Water Management, Short-term position) – Stockholm International Water Institute (SIWI)(Stockholm): 6 May

Highlighted:

2) Lead Specialist Advisor: Water & Brexit – Natural Resources Wales(United Kingdom): 7 May

3) Lead Specialist Advisor: Water Quality & Brexit – Natural Resources Wales(United Kingdom): 7 May

4) Environment Program Assistant – Charles Stewart Mott Foundation(Flint, MI, USA): 24 May

5) French speakers: Advisor (m/f/d) for Integrated Water Management in the "Transboundary Water Management in the Congo River Basin" Project – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)(DRC): 2 May

6) Research Assistant (Freshwater) – Earthwatch Institute(United Kingdom): 5 May

Minimum experience level requested:

0-2 years

7) Research Associate (Urban) – Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)(Bangkok): 6 May

8) Associate (Water) – AECOM(Dublin): Until filled

9) Remote Sensing (Associate Team Lead) – Quantum Spatial(Corvallis, OR, USA): Until filled

10) Remote Sensing Analyst – Quantum Spatial(Corvallis, OR, USA): Until filled

11) Winyah Bay Coordinator – American Rivers(Horry or Georgetown County, SC, USA): Until filled

12) Quality Assurance Engineer – EMAGIN(Kitchener, ON, Canada): Until filled

13) Water Conservation Specialist – Town of Gilbert(Gilbert, AZ, USA): 5 May

14) Prospect Research Associate – League of Conservation Voters(Washington, DC): 9 May

15) Dale Bryson Water Policy Affiliate – Alliance for the Great Lakes(Chicago, IL, USA): Until filled

16) Stewardship Coordinator – Puget Soundkeeper(Seattle, WA, USA): Until filled

3-4 years

17) Green Growth and Natural Capital Research Consultant – Green Growth Knowledge Platform (GGKP)(Geneva): 30 April

18) Research Associate (Gender, Environment and Development) – Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)(Bangkok): 6 May

19) Process Engineer – EMAGIN(Kitchener, ON, Canada): Until filled

20) Climate Change Advisor – Camris International(Washington, DC): 15 June

21) Arabic speakers: Technical Specialists – Tetra Tech(Jordan): Until filled

22) Senior Operations Specialist (Ecosystems) – Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)(San Francisco): Until filled

23) Healthy Watersheds Program Manager – Puget Soundkeeper(Seattle, WA, USA): Until filled

24) Hydrologist – New Gold(Rainy River District, ON, Canada): 5 June

5-7 years

25) Advocacy Officer (Climate Change & Disaster Risk Reduction) – CARE(Netherlands): 24 April

26) Climate Change Adaptation Expert (Secondment to European Investment Bank)- Atkins(Luxembourg): 30 April

27) Climate Change and Green Growth Officer – African Development Bank (AfDB)(Ivory Coast): 10 May

28) Information Management Officer – United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment)(Germany): 16 May

29) Monitoring and Evaluation Learning Officer/ Senior Officer – Natural Resource Governance Institute(London): 3 May

30) Monitoring and Evaluation Learning Officer/Senior Officer – Natural Resource Governance Institute(New York): 3 May

31) Yampa River Fund Manager – The Nature Conservancy (TNC)(Hayden, CO, USA):  15 May

32) Sustainable Food and Water Program Director – The Nature Conservancy (TNC)(Boulder, CO, USA): 19 May

8-9 years

33) Research Fellow (Humanitarian and DRR) – Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)(Bangkok): 6 May

34) Arabic speakers: Operations Deputy Chief of Party – Tetra Tech(Jordan): Until filled

10+ years

35) Country Director Suriname & Guyana – World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)(Suriname): 30 May

36) Federal Executive Director – Chesapeake Bay Foundation(Washington, DC): 10 May

37) Vice President of Campaigns – League of Conservation Voters(Washington, DC): 10 May

Not specified:

38) German speakers: Leiter (m/w/d) des Projekts Dezentrales Abwassermanagement zur Anpassung an den Klimawandel – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)(Jordan): 2 May

39) U.K. nationals: Environment Planning Officer – Environment Agency(United Kingdom): 5 May

40) Torridge River Restoration Officer x 3 – Devon Wildlife Trust(United Kingdom): 6 May

41) Torridge River Restoration Project Team Leader – Devon Wildlife Trust(United Kingdom): 6 May

42) River Foss Project Officer – Yorkshire Wildlife Trust(United Kingdom): 7 May

43) Project Manager – EMAGIN(Kitchener, ON, Canada): Until filled

44) Canada nationals: Physical Scientist (GIS and Data Management Officer) – Environment and Climate Change Canada(Yellowknife, NT, Canada): 1 May

45) Canada nationals: Technical Lead – British Columbia Public Service(Victoria, BC, Canada): 8 May

46) Canada nationals: CDC Program Ecologist – Ministry of Environment & Climate Change Strategy(Victoria, BC, Canada): 6 May

47) Executive Director – Deschutes River Alliance (DRA)(Portland, OR, USA): 1 May

48) Project Officer (CDP Supply Chain) – CDP(New York): Until filled

49) Berkshire Watershed Director – Housatonic Valley Association(United States): 15 May

50) Environmental Program Manager – Association of Clean Water Administrators(Washington, DC): Until filled

51) Operations Director – Future of Fish(Seattle, WA, USA): 6 May

Not specified (academic):

• Professors/lecturers

52) Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Global Hydrology and Water Security – University of Aberdeen(Scotland): 12 May

53) Lecturer/Sr Lecturer in GIS – National University of Singapore (NUS)(Singapore): 15 May

54) Assistant Professor Numerical Methods and Numerical Models for River Hydraulics – University of Twente(Netherlands): 26 May

• Postdocs

55) Postdoc position on Water and Climate Governance in Deltas – Utrecht University(Netherlands): 11 May

56) Computational Modeling of Extreme Events in Coupled Natural and Human Systems Postdoc – Vermont EPSCoR(Burlington, VT, USA): Until filled

57) 2 Postdoc positions on Sustainable Land and Water Use for Food and Energy – University of Twente(Netherlands): Until filled

58) Postdoc position in Forest Ecosystem Modelling – Karlsruhe Institute of Technology(Germany): Until filled

59) Postdoctoral Research Officer – Bangor University(United Kingdom): 15 May

60) French speakers: Postdoctoral Fellow: Climate and Policy – International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)(Mali): 1 May

61) PostDoc Urban Water Management – Wageningen University & Research(Netherlands): 8 May

62) Post-Doc in Hydrological Research – Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)(Sweden): 15 June

• Researchers/other

63) Research Associate (Department of Environment and Geography) – Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI)(United Kingdom): 9 May

64) Researcher on Identification of Resilient and Ecological Agricultural, Zootechnical and Water Management Practices – Università degli Studi di Udine(Italy): 3 May

65) Director (Climate Change Research and Policy) – Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research(United Kingdom): 8 May

66) Research Assistant or Research Fellow in Perceptions & Behaviour – Cranfield University(United Kingdom): 19 May

67) Water Management Report , the technology innovation challenge, re-use and circular economy in the Italian water supply chains – Politecnico di Milano(Italy): 10 May

68) Water Management Report - Policies, Analysis of potential incentives schemes for water management – Politecnico di Milano(Italy): 10 May

69) Research Director – The Aspen Institute(Flexible, USA): 18 May (30 May)

70) Director (Oregon Climate Change Research Institute) – Oregon State University(Corvallis, OR, USA): 20 May

71) Group manager for researchers in Hydrology – Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI)(Sweden): 31 August

72) Restoring the Natural Water Cycle over Arable Land – Westus(Netherlands): 25 May

WASH:

0-2 years

73) French speakers: Project Director (Sustainable Peri-urban Water and Sanitation Services) – Global Communities(DRC): 31 May

3-4 years

74) French speakers: Responsible wash CTE – ALIMA(DRC): 15 May

75) WASH Project Manager – Première Urgence Internationale (PUI)(Bangladesh): 30 June

5-7 years

76) Portuguese or Spanish speakers: WASH Sector Manager – World Vision(Mozambique): 25 April

77) Portuguese or Spanish speakers: OFDA WASH Technical Lead, SAFCER – World Vision(Mozambique): 6 May

78) Local recruitment: Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist – The World Bank(Sydney): 12 May

79) Local recruitment: Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist – The World Bank(Jakarta): 17 May

80) Emergency Response WASH Coordinator – FHI 360(Mozambique): Until filled

81) French speakers: Conseiller(e) Technique WASH (Programmes humanitaires) – Oxfam Solidarité(Brussels): 12 May

82) German speakers: Water Supply and/or Wastewater Engineer (f/m/d) for International Development Projects Related to Urban Water Supply, Wastewater Systems, Storm Water – GITEC-IGIP GmbH(Germany): 31 May

83) WASH Recovery Delegate – Netherlands Red Cross(Malawi): 3 May

84) Ethiopia nationals: WASH Specialist – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)(Addis Ababa): 29 April

Not specified

85) Private Sector Advisor – WaterAid(London): 12 May

86) Urban WASH Advisor – WaterAid(London): 9 May

87) Program Officer – The Water Project(Concord, NH, USA): Until filled

88) Monitoring & Evaluation Coordinator – Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP)(Dhaka): 27 April

89) Bengali speakers: WASH Engineer – Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP)(Dhaka): 27 April

90) Mozambique nationals: Programme Coordinator – Water and Sanitation for the Urban Poor (WSUP)(Mozambique): 19 May

91) Nigeria nationals: Environmental Health Infrastructure Assistant – International Rescue Committee (IRC)(Nigeria): Until filled

Consultancies:

92) French speakers: Sanitation Consultant (Support to AMCOW and AITF) – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)(Home-Based): 6 May

93) Bid writer consultants – WaterAid(Home-Based): 19 May

94) Gender and Social Environmental Standards Specialist – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)(Home-Based): 29 April

95) Environmental Expert – United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)(Cyprus): 12 May

96) Spanish speakers: Consultant: expert to build capacity on development of Blue Carbon projects – International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)(Home-Based): 7 May

97) French speakers: Consultant en Appui à la cartographie – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)(DRC): 24 April

98) French speakers: Consultant International Individuel pour la formation WASH – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)(Niger): 28 April

99) Consultancy Service for Formulation of Africa’s Blue Economy Strategy – African Union (AU)(Kenya): 15 May

100) Arabic-speaking Trainers / Consultants based in the Middle East – Bioforce Institute(Various): 31 May

101) Guinea nationals: Consultant National Eau et Assainissement – United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)(Guinea): 30 April

RFP:

102) RFP: Mid-Term Evaluation – Lazos de Agua(Home-Based): 31 May

103) Consulting Services: Nile Basin Initiative (NBI) River Flow Forecasting System (NB-RFFS) – Nile Basin Initiative (NBI): 8 May

Internships:

104) PACET Internship – UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)(Germany): 30 April

105) MCII Internship – UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)(Germany): 30 April

106) EVES Internship – UNU Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS)(Germany): 17 May

107) French and German speakers: Praktikant (m/w/d) Umwelt und Klimagovernance in Marokko – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)(Morocco): 29 April

108) German speakers: Praktikum im Bereich/Projekt: Sektorvorhaben Nachhaltige Wasserpolitik – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)(Germany): 28 April

109) Dutch speakers: Stage bij de directie Inclusieve Groene Groei (Cluster Water) – Ministerie van Buitenlandse Zaken(Netherlands): 8 May

110) German speakers: Intern – Sustainable Sanitation Alliance (SuSanA)(Germany): 2 May

Scholarships:

111) PhD Student Position (F/M) – Institute for Interdisciplinary Mountain Research (IGF)(Austria): 1 May

112) 6 PhD positions on Sustainable Land and Water Use for Food and Energy – University of Twente(Netherlands): Until filled

113) 35th cycle Ph.D call 2019/2020 – Politecnico di Milano(Italy): 21 May

114) PhD Programme in Future Earth, Climate Change and Societal Challenges – University of Bologna(Italy): 15 May

115) IDRC Doctoral Research Awards 2019 – International Development Research Centre (IDRC)(Various): 23 May

116) PhD position in Applied Hydrologic Sciences – Forschungszentrum Jülich(Germany): 31 May

117) PhD Assessing Climate Risks for Global Agricultural Production and Consequences for the European Economy – Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam(Amsterdam): 1 June

118) PhD position in Remote Sensing – Forschungszentrum Jülich(Germany): 31 May

119) PhD student: Ecological Modelling in Ecotoxicology – GhentUniversity (Belgium): 15 June

Fellowships:

120) ICIMOD GMBA PhD Fellowship Call for Applications – The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)(Kathmandu): 16 May

Other:

121) U.S. nationals: Watershed Monitoring Education Specialist – AmeriCorps(Vancouver, WA, USA): 31 October

122) U.S. nationals: Snohomish Cons Dist Enviro Educator for Watershed Recovery – AmeriCorps(Lake Stevens, WA, USA): 31 October

Last week’s list, in case you missed it

Post a job

Support Josh’s Water Jobs

2) Additional Jobs from WaterWired

Posted: Last Week

123) Position: Murraysmith (Seattle, WA) - Senior Hydraulic Modeling Engineer. OUF. http://bit.ly/2DjB010  #JobWaWi

124) Position: Murraysmith (Boise, ID) - Hydraulic Modeling/Planning Engineer. OUF. http://bit.ly/2V79FcC  #JobWaWi

125) Position: Murraysmith (Portland, OR) - Hydraulic Modeling Engineer. OUF. http://bit.ly/2Isx5mN  #JobWaWi

126) Position: Grant S&W Conservation District (John Day, OR) - District Manager. Closes: 24 May http://bit.ly/2UO5OCd  #JobWaWi

127) Position: @WDFW (Olympia, WA ) - Fish & Wildlife Biologist - Chehalis Basin Natural Resource Biologist. Closes: 25 April. http://bit.ly/2DjlDWu  #JobWaWi

128) Position: @WDFW (Olympia, WA) - Environmental Planner - Chehalis Basin Strategy Manager. Closes: 26 April. http://bit.ly/2GyUv6X  #JobWaWi

129) Position: @CAPArizona (Phoenix, AZ) - Water Resources Planning Analyst I. Closes: 1 May https://sforce.co/2ULALGU  #JobWaWi

130) Position: McCormick Taylor (MD, VA, NC, SC or FL) - Water Resources Engineer. OUF. http://bit.ly/2PiIEOe  #JobWaWi

131) Position: @EcologyWA (Lacey, WA) - Environmental Assessment Program Manager. Continuous. http://bit.ly/2vbmAM6  #JobWaWi

132) Position: @SFWMD (West Palm Beach, FL) - Lead Engineer. OUF. http://bit.ly/2vjoTN6  #JobWaWi cc: @AWRAFLORIDA

133) Position: @OregonDEQ (Pendleton, OR) - Water Quality Regional Manager (Principal Executive/Manager). Closes: 13 May E) http://bit.ly/2IRIbRR  #JobWaWi

Posted: 24 April 2019

134) Position: @USDA Farm Service Agency (Baker City, OR) - County Program Technician. Closes: 6 May http://bit.ly/2vkzaZD  #JobWaWi

135) Position: Yamhill S&W Conservation District (McMinnville, OR) - Invasive Species Program Coordinator. Closes: 10 May http://bit.ly/2vjNIbN  #JobWaWi

3) Some General Employment Resources

AGU Career Center for research/academic jobs

GoodWorkCanada - Canada's Green Jobs Site

Congressional Research Service Positions 

Check out @AidJobs - Vacancies in aid, development, humanitarian & nonprofit sector (volunteers, consultants or F-T employment) https://aidjobs.org

UN Jobs in Water Resources

UN Jobs in Water Management

UN Jobs in Water and Sanitation

Global Water Jobs

WASH Vacancies

Academic Jobs Online

Higher Education Job Site

Get Hydrology Jobs

AAG Jobs

@BCWaterNews Jobs Click 'View Jobs' at https://bcwaterjobs.com 

@EcologyWA - Current Openings - Updated every few days. Click here. 

King County (WA) Jobs

Geoscience Job Board

California DWR Jobs

AZ Water Career Center 

Florida Water Jobs

NYC DEP 

Nature Conservancy jobs

State of Washington Careers

Idaho DEQ 

OSU Water Resources Program

Water District Jobs

Academic Jobs in Schools of Physical/Earth Sciences

Mac's List - Jobs in Portland and Beyond!

New Zealand Hydrological Society Jobs Board

California Water Jobs 

Government Jobs

Association of Oregon Counties Job Postings

Soil Science Societies Career Center

How to Find Work Overseas, with Marcelle Yeager. https://bit.ly/1pIopLT  

For the full list of Josh's active water jobs, please visit www.joshswaterjobs.com/jobs

"The campus post-tenure review committee will be playing 'Associate Professor Jenga' at the university club next Friday, 3:45pm." - @ass_deans

Elaine J. Hanford's Bulletin Boards: 1) Geoscience; 2) Environmental Science; 3) Coastal Zone Management - 22 April 2019 Happy Earth Day!

Happy 50th Earth Day!

I won't bore you with my story of what I did on the first Earth Day in 1970; you can read about it here. 

One thing I learned: don't follow the advice indicated by this graphic from the January 1963 Popular Science. Even in 1970 we knew this was a bad idea - and not because the gravel is unnecessary! 

I also learned that the date for Earth Day was set for 22 April because it is about midway between spring break and the end of the term in American universities. It was envisioned as a holiday on which students could partake in environmental activities. 

Do you know of a colleague and/or student who would be interested in receiving  these Bulletin Board   listings? Please forward this to them. A quick email to Geosciences-BBoard@att.net with the word “subscribe” in the subject line and the email address will  be added to the weekly distribution. 

Here are Elaine's BBs as Word/PDF documents:     

As PDF: Download Bulletin_Boards_22April2019

As Word: Download Bulletin_Boards_22April2019

The weekly water news is here. 

Geoscience Bulletin Board – 22 April 2019 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

Perspective:  Geology is basic to life – function follows form

• https://www.postregister.com/outdoors/geology-is-basic-to-life/article_2cff57f6-b76e-5390-849e-b6709db8d747.html

Mercury found in rocks around the world suggests volcanic eruptions caused “Great Dying” 252 myo

• https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2019-04/uoc-nes041519.php

Increasing seismic activity & ground deformation on Mauna Loa in Hawaii being monitored

• https://apnews.com/030ec4d039184655b8a303d1bb81bed8

Flüela Wisshorn – large rockslide in the Swiss Alps on 18 March 2019

• https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2019/04/15/wisshorn-1/

Teanaway River in Central Washington shows human logging caused bedrock erosion

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-historic-site-human-caused-bedrock-erosion.html

Rock fall on Fox Glacier caught on film

• https://www.newshub.co.nz/home/new-zealand/2019/04/it-was-massive-man-reacts-to-rockfall-at-franz-josef.html

Hydrographic & geophysical surveys in Celtic Sea & Atlantic Ocean in 2019

• https://afloat.ie/marine-environment/marine-science/item/42272-hydrographic-geophysical-surveys-in-celtic-sea-atlantic-ocean-during-2019
• Marine notice: http://www.dttas.ie/sites/default/files/08%20of%202019%20INFOMAR%20Hydrographic%20and%20geophysical%20survey.pdf

Movie Review:  “We Believe in Dinosaurs” attempting to debunk evolution

• https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/review/we-believe-dinosaurs-review-1201432

North Atlantic warming hole (HAWH) affects jet stream in climate simulations

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-north-atlantic-hole-impacts-jet.html

Group of hydrocarbon degrading bacteria found in microbial samples from the Mariana Trench

• http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Oil-eating_bacteria_found_at_the_bottom_of_the_ocean_999.html

NASA says El Niño conditions are now fully developed across the Pacific Ocean

• http://www.terradaily.com/reports/NASA_Sees_El_Nino_Conditions_Prevail_in_the_Central_Pacific_Ocean_999.html

Planetary geology:  Evidence of solid inner core on Mercury

• https://eos.org/scientific-press/scientists-find-evidence-mercury-has-a-solid-inner-core

Airborne magnetic survey maps out of date & inadequate to assess critical mineral resources

• https://eos.org/project-updates/finding-the-gaps-in-americas-magnetic-maps

13 extreme things about planet Earth

• https://www.treehugger.com/natural-sciences/13-wild-things-know-about-planet-earth.html

Salinity cycles the Lower Colorado River are result of precipitation patterns in the headwaters region

• https://www.usgs.gov/news/salinity-cycles-lower-colorado-river-caused-precipitation-patterns-upper-basin

Analysis of 400-meter core in the Dead Sea improves understanding of microbial survival – the science of geomicrobiology

• http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Necrophagy_A_means_of_survival_in_the_Dead_Sea_999.html

Gulf of Mexico time scale developed from microfossils and biostratigraphic repetitive analysis

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190417102742.htm

Lessons learned from drift analysis of the debris from flight MH370

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190417102731.htm

Horses have evolved over time to optimize endurance travel – one toe is better than three

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190417102731.htm

Coelacanth skull evolution

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190417132756.htm

Why does lightning often strike twice?

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-lightning-reveals-needle-like-positively-leaders.html

Toward improved understanding of the movement & storage of carbon in the ocean

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-solution-riddle-ocean-carbon-storage.html

Vast amounts of plastic rubbish enter the Indian Ocean – and then what?

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-plastic-rubbish-indian-ocean.html

Ocean plastic has increased dramatically in the north Atlantic Ocean

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-sea-sick-plastic-garbage-north.html
• Paper: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-019-09506-1

What the gravitational field of Earth reveals about climate

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-earth-gravity-reveals-climate.html

NASA says surface air temperatures consistent with AIRS measurements from 2003 to 2017

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-nasa-global-trends.html
• Paper: https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/aafd4e/meta

Can the US tap into 264 billion barrels in untapped oil reserves?

• https://www.technology.org/2019/04/17/researchers-believe-they-can-access-a-100-year-supply-of-natural-gas/

New type of monazite identified at pair of ancient meteorite impact sites

• https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2019/04/17/Scientists-find-the-ghost-of-a-new-mineral/9701555506641/

What is Cave Popcorn?

• https://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/earth/geology/what-is-cave-popcorn.htm#mkcpgn=rssnws1

Solitary tsunami-style wave clusters move in harmony with and through each other

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190417130005.htm

Earthquakes continue to shake the Panhandle of Florida and southern Alabama – question is why?

• https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/environment/article229337059.html

North Magnetic Pole is moving from Canada to Siberian territory

• https://www.macleans.ca/society/science/say-goodbye-canada-the-north-pole-is-moving-to-russia/

Glaciology (glacial geology) could once again become an exciting field

• https://calgaryherald.com/entertainment/the-study-of-glaciers-was-once-an-exciting-field-and-could-be-again-but-for-all-the-wrong-reasons/wcm/fec710cc-106f-4f01-8808-86301b7401e8

Recognizing the geological importance of the Walker Lane fault zone along US 395 through Nevada

• https://www.wired.com/story/walker-lane-move-over-san-andreas-fault/

New study adds nearly 2M EQs to catalogue of total seismic events in Southern California

• https://www.theweek.co.uk/100839/fukushima-nuclear-cleanup-why-has-it-taken-so-long
• https://www.sciencenews.org/article/more-million-tiny-earthquakes-revealed-southern-california

Past extinction events lend insight to modern extinctions

• https://natureecoevocommunity.nature.com/users/87830-tiago-r-simoes/posts/48112-lessons-from-the-deep-past

Searching for “missing mass” to explain weak gravitational potential in middle of Indian Ocean

• https://eos.org/project-updates/seismologists-search-for-the-indian-oceans-missing-mass

Video of biggest-ever movement of Taipei 101 damper in response to M6.1 EQ – moved 20 cm

• https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/3683775

Machine learning techniques for geothermal exploration

• https://news.psu.edu/story/570047/2019/04/18/research/theory-meets-application-machine-learning-techniques-geothermal

Multi-disciplinary study of Green River Formation to understand Earth and climate

• https://news.nau.edu/geology-climate-report/#.XLoZW3dFyUk

Hypothesis:  the Anthropocene began (maybe) in 1950

• https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/04/great-debate-over-when-anthropocene-started/587194/

Environmental Science Bulletin Board – 22 April 2019 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

NASA invites “Picture Earth” for Earth Day

• http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/NASA_Invites_You_to_Picture_Earth_for_Earth_Day_999.html
• https://www.nasa.gov/earth/picture-earth-for-earth-day-2019
• Earth Book 2019: https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/ContentFeature/earth-book-2019/downloads/249517_EARTH%20BOOK-TAGGED.pdf

Medieval cathedrals can resist earthquakes but not fire

• https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidbressan/2019/04/16/why-medieval-cathedrals-can-resistearthquakes-but-not-fire/#7bf792b36f3c

Ebola vaccine is 97.5% effective as outbreak in Democratic Republic of the Congo continues

• https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/04/ebola-vaccine-is-97-5-effective-early-outbreak-data-suggests/

Measles can cause serious & life-threatening complications – outbreaks continue across the world

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/israel-flight-attendant-measles-outbreak_n_5cb760a3e4b09dc528ccf851
• https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/04/anti-vaxxers-keep-dragging-health-officials-to-court-as-us-measles-cases-soar/
• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/patient-zero-of-michigan-measles-outbreak-thought-he-was-immune-doctor/ar-BBW2Umh

Measles epidemic continues in Madagascar – 115,000+ cases & 1,200+ deaths

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/madagascar-measles-epidemic-kills-more-than-1200-people/ar-BBVVkYl

What happens when resources are depleted?

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/culture/2019/03/china-resources-cities-must-diversify/
• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/magazine/2014/04/Coal/

CRS Insight:  National Flood Insurance Program, Reinsurance & Catastrophe Bonds

• https://crsreports.congress.gov/product/pdf/IN/IN10965

Health effects of flooding are long-lasting – prayers & perseverance for livestock in Nebraska

• https://www.tsln.com/news/prayers-and-perseverance-nebraska-vet-says-worst-of-livestock-health-effects-still-to-come/

USDOT directing $25M for emergency flood relief for road repairs in Nebraska

• https://www.ttnews.com/articles/dot-announces-25-million-flood-ravaged-nebraska

Los Angeles County, California, believes the myth:  first draft “comprehensive sustainability plan”

• https://www.bdcnetwork.com/la-county’s-first-sustainability-plan-tackles-carbon-air-quality-transportation-resilience
• Plan: https://ourcountyla.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/ourcounty_discussion_draft_.pdf

Removal of fuel from pool has begun at melted Fukushima reactor

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/removal-of-fuel-in-pool-at-fukushimas-melted-reactor-begins/ar-BBVW7UR
• Video: https://www.newsy.com/stories/tepco-resumes-removing-fuel-rods-at-fukushima-power-plant/

First global assessment of the life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from plastics

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-global-life-greenhouse-gas-emissions.html

Plant immune systems help defend them against pathogens

• http://www.terradaily.com/reports/How_plants_defend_themselves_999.html

California loosely suggests local government “de-emphasize” building in very high wild fire risk areas – won’t issue ban & should rebuild Paradise

• https://www.apnews.com/b17b5c9200a64466b49f3f605f9202fe

Looking toward engineering techniques to make Pacific NW residents safer during Cascadia EQ

• https://www.ktvz.com/news/osu-led-indonesia-quake-study-could-make-nw-more-safe/1069229985
• GEER Report: http://www.geerassociation.org/administrator/components/com_geer_reports/geerfiles/GEER_Palu_Version_1.pdf

Taiwan develops first rapid test kit for diagnosing African swine fever (AFS)

• http://focustaiwan.tw/news/ast/201904130018.aspx

Invasive Ward’s weed found in southern California – threat to native species as it spreads

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/invasive-plant-found-in-california-threatens-to-spread-across-southwest/ar-BBW0mKO

Plans for largest Concentrating Solar power (CSP) project in Nevada withdrawn

• https://renewablesnow.com/news/solarreserve-ditches-2-gw-csp-project-in-nevada-report-651010/
• https://news.bloombergenvironment.com/environment-and-energy/solarreserve-withdraws-solar-power-tower-project

“Cease and desist” construction of Purple Line light rail that endangers 66-inch water main

• https://wtop.com/prince-georges-county/2019/04/wssc-asks-purple-line-to-cease-and-desist-construction-near-big-pipe/

Microplastics found in the air in the Pyrenees Mountains

• https://www.npr.org/2019/04/15/713561484/microplastic-found-even-in-the-air-in-frances-pyrenees-mountains

“Our Planet” documentary addresses the 800-pound gorilla – human impact

• https://www.npr.org/2019/04/15/713585983/our-planet-nature-documentary-addresses-the-800-pound-gorilla-human-impact

Weeds are adapting and surviving the latest weedkillers – running out of “easy options”

• https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2019/04/11/710229186/as-weeds-outsmart-the-latest-weedkillers-farmers-are-running-out-of-options

Should you kiss a man with a beard or a dog?  Dogs have fewer human-pathogenic microorganisms

• https://www.huffpost.com/entry/beard-men-germier-dogs_n_5cb63c2fe4b082aab08db5d3

“Nude shopping” – the veggies not the people resulted in more sales of produce

• https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/nude-shopping-boosts-vegetable-and-fruit-sales-drastically.html

“Attenborough Effect” resulted in 53% reduction in single-use plastic over one year

• https://www.treehugger.com/plastic/attenborough-effect-has-cut-single-use-plastic-use-53-percent-last-year.html
• https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/11/attenborough-effect-leads-53-drop-single-use-plastic-12-months-9156711/

Lake Erie Bill of Rights to “exist, flourish & naturally evolve” has angered farmers

• https://www.treehugger.com/clean-water/lake-eries-new-bill-rights-has-angered-ohio-farmers.html
• https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298181&org=GEO&from=news

Perspective:  new hub for the science of endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs)

• https://www.ehn.org/endocrine-disruptors-science-2634440711.html
• HEEDS website: https://heeds.org/

Perspective:  Right-to-farm laws run counter to rural culture & property rights

• https://www.ehn.org/right-to-farm-laws-failing-rural-people-2634037860.html

Some fire ant colonies are ruled by multiple queens

• http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Some_fire_ant_colonies_are_ruled_by_multiple_queens_999.html

Policymakers need to be aware of a decade of research on the health impacts of fracking

• https://www.ehn.org/health-impacts-of-fracking-2634432607.html
• Report: http://oxfordre.com/publichealth/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780190632366.001.0001/acrefore-9780190632366-e-44

Pinpointing high- and low-yield fields leads to better use of fertilizer

• https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298288&org=GEO&from=news
• http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Solving_the_mystery_of_fertilizer_loss_from_Midwest_cropland_999.html

In China, farmers are deliberately raising cockroaches for medicinal purposes, as animal feed, to get rid of food waste – and for human consumption

• http://www.seeddaily.com/reports/Papa_roach_Chinese_farmer_breeds_bugs_for_the_table_999.html

What will the future hold for “ancient lakes” – will they survive?

• https://www.nsf.gov/discoveries/disc_summ.jsp?cntn_id=298267&org=GEO&from=news

USGS continues monitoring flooding in the Midwest

• https://www.usgs.gov/news/usgs-response-record-flooding-midwest-continues

Kangaroo rates use ninja-style kicks to escape snakes (videos)

• http://www.sci-news.com/biology/ninja-kangaroo-rats-07085.html

Role of inland waters in the global carbon cycle

• http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/How_inland_waters_breathe_carbon_and_impact_global_systems_999.html

Evolution of species from water to land led to better parenting

• http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Evolution_from_water_to_land_led_to_better_parenting_999.html

Are revisions to WOTUS an improvement?

• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-epa-water/states-say-half-of-wetlands-would-lose-protection-under-epa-proposal-idUSKCN1RS28V

California banned sale of commercially bred puppies, kittens and baby bunnies

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/ban-the-bunny-california-aims-to-end-post-easter-parade-of-unwanted-rabbits/ar-BBW3LTq

Washington State Senate passes bill to remove “philosophical” exemption from measles vaccine

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/senate-approves-bill-limiting-measles-vaccine-exemptions/ar-BBW3hx0

Candida aurisis resistant to treatment & can be deadly

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/health-news/deadly-germs-lost-cures-how-a-chicago-woman-fell-victim-to-candida-auris-a-drug-resistant-fungus/ar-BBW2wP4

Golan Heights is human-disputed territory – but that is no justification for killing wolves

• https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/2019/04/golan-heights-peace-with-wolves/

Underground tunnel proposed as part of flooding solution for Cypress Creek watershed

• https://communityimpact.com/houston/cy-fair/environment/2019/04/17/underground-tunnel-could-be-part-of-flooding-solution-for-cypress-creek/

Cedar Rapids, Iowa, learns lessons from past floods

• https://www.enr.com/articles/46722-cedar-rapids-learns-from-past-floods-to-protect-city

Tick population is increasing in Alaska – surveillance program ongoing since 2011

• https://www.ktuu.com/content/news/Research-tracking-tick-increase-in-Alaska-508623681.html

New Zealand national environmental snapshot report is sober reading

• http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PO1904/S00215/national-environmental-snapshot-sobering-reading.htm
• Report: http://www.mfe.govt.nz/publications/environmental-reporting/environment-aotearoa-2019

$1M lawsuit filed after brain-eating amoeba allegedly contracted at Texas water park kills surfer

• https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/mom-files-dollar1-million-lawsuit-after-brain-eating-amoeba-at-texas-water-park-kills-son/ar-BBW515j

The on-going saga of the Keystone XL pipeline

• https://www.apnews.com/d32b61aaeb294913936e7950264b5719

New York City council members introduce legislation to ban glyphosate herbicides & other toxic pesticide use in parks and other public spaces

• https://www.ehn.org/monsantos-herbicide-defense-falling-on-deaf-ears-as-nyc-leaders-join-calls-for-ban-2634974362.html

Hurricane Michael upgraded to Category 5 when it hit Florida Panhandle in 2018

• https://www.npr.org/2019/04/19/715134716/hurricane-michael-was-a-category-5-noaa-finds-the-first-since-andrew-in-1992

CRISPR gene-editing technique human trials begin

• https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2019/04/16/712402435/first-u-s-patients-treated-with-crispr-as-gene-editing-human-trials-get-underway

Poachers arrested & body parts from tigers & bears seized in Malaysia

• http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Malaysia_arrests_Vietnam_poachers_seizes_tiger_bear_parts_999.html

Two students have been fined 27 million euro for letting barbecue start forest fire near Lake Como

• http://www.terradaily.com/reports/Two_students_fined_27_million_euro_for_Italy_forest_fire_999.html

GPS data reveal giant tortoises follow same migration routes to find optimal food quality & temperatures

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190418135047.htm

Assessing safety of chemical dispersants used in oil spill clean ups

• https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/04/190415200244.htm

Skysat images of Hindalco tailings failure

• https://blogs.agu.org/landslideblog/2019/04/16/hindalco-tailings-failure-2/

Improved understanding of the role of silicate weathering in the carbon cycle

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-earth-climate-tracer-weathering-intensity.html

After nearly 40 years since the eruption of Mount St Helens, North Fork Toutle River has recovered

• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01227-1

Coastal Zone Management Bulletin Board – 22 April 2019 – compiled by Elaine J. Hanford

North Carolina State Ports Authority to appeal denial to expand turning basin arguing economic benefit for larger ships supersedes environmental concerns

• https://www.coastalreview.org/2019/03/dcm-denies-permit-for-port-project/

• https://www.coastalreview.org/2019/04/ports-authority-set-to-appeal-permit-denial/

Perspective: coastal economy of Connecticut is worth preserving

• https://www.courant.com/opinion/op-ed/hc-op-kane-coastal-economy-0414-20190414-3xuhid3bmfev5byslbkhr3zae4-story.html

Perfect wind conditions create pedestals at Cape Lookout National Seashore

• https://www.coastalreview.org/2019/04/sand-pedestals-spotted-at-cape-lookout/

“Wave Action on Coastal Structures” - theory & methods for alternative solutions to coastal erosion

• https://www.dredgingtoday.com/2019/04/15/wave-action-on-coastal-structures-in-dubai/

Considering renaming Port Hueneme Pier

• https://www.keyt.com/news/ventura-county/city-weighing-changing-the-name-of-the-porthueneme-pier/1069336441

Ecosystem Restoration Council approved Alabama $132M expenditure plan for Gulf Coast recovery

• https://www.alreporter.com/2019/04/15/gulf-coast-ecosystem-restoration-council-approvesstate-

expenditure-plan-for-recovery/

• AGCRC: https://www.restorealabama.org/

Private ownership is better than public ownership of rockweed for Maine fisheries

• https://bangordailynews.com/2019/04/15/opinion/contributors/private-ownership-of-rockweedis-better-for-maine-fisheries-than-public-ownership/

Couple sues for permit to rebuild Nags Head beach home destroyed by fire – located in Ocean

Hazard Area of Environmental Concern (AEC)

• https://www.wnct.com/news/local-news/couple-sues-for-permit-to-rebuild-burned-nags-headbeach-home/1921678921

CRC approved new Inlet Hazard Area (IHA) maps and proposed rule updates

• https://portcitydaily.com/local-news/2019/03/28/development-rules-near-inlets-have-beenbasically-the-same-since-1981-this-year-that-could-change/

• IHA Boundary 2019 Update:

https://files.nc.gov/ncdeq/Coastal%20Management/GIS/2019_Inlet_Hazard_Area_Boundary_Update_20190212.pdf

Highlights of the 21st Conference of the North Carolina Water Research Institute

• https://www.coastalreview.org/2019/04/water-quality-researchers-highlight-studies/

Despite multi-$B costs & concerns for environmental impact, still considering project to build barriers to protect New York & New Jersey from hurricane superstorm surges

• https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/environment/2019/04/16/plans-protect-nj-and-nyanother-hurricane-sandy-costly/3426934002/

• Interim report:

https://www.nan.usace.army.mil/Portals/37/docs/civilworks/projects/ny/coast/NYNJHAT/NYNJHAT%20Interim%20Report%20%20Main%20Report%20Feb%202019.pdf?ver=2019-02-19-165223-023

Review: “Artifishal” documentary film explores murky world of salmon farms & hatcheries

• https://www.treehugger.com/conservation/artifishal-documentary-film-explores-murky-worldsalmon-hatcheries-and-aquaculture.html

Onagawa, Japan, was obliterated by 2011 Tohoku tsunami – outlaws sprawl as it rebuilds

• https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2019/apr/17/the-town-that-outlawed-sprawl-onagawatsunami-rebuild

Meteo-tsunamis are hitting the East Coast – 548 of them between 196 & 2017

• https://www.miamiherald.com/news/nation-world/national/article229322469.html

• Paper: https://journals.ametsoc.org/doi/pdf/10.1175/BAMS-D-18-0206.1

Building a “better” offshore wind turbine to withstand hurricanes

• https://phys.org/news/2019-04-turbine.html

Two new LNG export terminals in Texas & Louisiana receive FERC approval

• https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-lng-tellurian-sempra/u-s-ferc-approves-two-new-lngexport-terminals-in-texas-and-louisiana-idUSKCN1RU1SG

• https://www.theadvocate.com/new_orleans/news/business/article_ebcb0e6e-61f7-11e9-9ae6-2352963255bc.html

• https://www.beaumontenterprise.com/news/article/Feds-give-final-green-light-for-Port-Arthur-LNG-13779486.php

Efforts to transform Isla María Madre prison island into nature reserve in Mexico

• https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-019-01030-y

“Conscience is the inner voice that warns us somebody may be looking.” -- H.L. Mencken (tnx @danfagin)

CRS Report: 'Indian Water Rights Settlements' (16 April 2019)

Here is an updated (16 April 2019) CRS report by Charles V. Stern, Indian Water Rights Settlements.

Download CRS_Indian_Water_Rights_16April2019

Summary

In the second half of the 19th century, the federal government pursued a policy of confining Indian tribes to reservations. These reservations were either a portion of a tribe’s aboriginal land or an area of land taken out of the public domain and set aside for a tribe. The federal statutes and treaties reserving such land for Indian reservations typically did not address the water needs of these reservations, a fact that has given rise to questions and disputes regarding Indian reserved water rights. Dating to a 1908 Supreme Court ruling, courts generally have held that many tribes have a reserved right to water sufficient to fulfill the purpose of their reservations and that this right took effect on the date the reservations were established. This means that, in the context of a state water law system of prior appropriations, which is common in many U.S. western states, many tribes have water rights senior to those of non-Indian users with water rights and access established subsequent to the Indian reservations’ creation. Although many Indian tribes hold senior water rights through their reservations, the quantification of these rights is undetermined in many cases.

Tribes have pursued quantification of their water rights through both litigation and negotiated settlements. The settlements involve negotiation between tribes, the federal government, states, water districts, and private water users, among others. They aim to resolve conflict between rights holders and allow the parties to determine specific terms of water allocation and use with certainty. Over the last 50 years, negotiated settlements have been the preferred course for most tribes because they are often less lengthy and costly than litigation. Additionally, many stakeholders have noted that these negotiated agreements are more likely to allow tribes not only to quantify their water rights on paper but also to procure access to these resources in the form of infrastructure and other related expenses, at least in some cases.

After being negotiated, approval and implementation of Indian water rights settlements require federal action. As of 2019, 36 Indian water rights settlements had been federally approved, with total costs in excess of $5.8 billion. Of these, 32 settlements were approved and enacted by Congress and 4 were administratively approved by the U.S. Departments of Justice and the Interior. After being congressionally authorized, federal projects associated with approved Indian water rights settlements generally have been implemented by the Bureau of Reclamation or the Bureau of Indian Affairs (both within the Department of the Interior), pursuant to congressional directions. Congress has appropriated discretionary and mandatory funding (and, in some cases, both) for these activities, including in recent appropriations bills. In the 116th Congress, H.R. 1904 proposes to extend certain mandatory funds for these settlements in perpetuity (the funding currently expires in FY2029).

Several individual Indian water rights settlements recently have been considered and enacted, including three that were enacted during the 114th Congress. A primary challenge facing new settlements is the availability of federal funds to implement ongoing and future agreements. Indian water rights settlements often involve the construction of major new water infrastructure to allow tribal communities to access water they hold rights to, and obtaining federal funding for these projects can be difficult. As a result, some settlements have been renegotiated to reduce their federal costs.

At issue is under what circumstances (if any) Congress should approve new Indian water rights settlements and whether Congress should fund (and in some cases amend) existing settlements. Some argue that resolution of Indian water rights settlements is a mutually beneficial means to resolve long-standing legal issues, provide certainty of water deliveries, and reduce the federal government’s liability. Others argue against authorization and funding of new settlements, either on general principle or with regard to specific individual settlements and activities.

Here is the map from the 17 July 2018 report (R44148):

Figure 1. Indian Reservations with Water Rights Settlements or Negotiations

Cutting to the chase...

Conclusion

Long-standing disputes over water rights and use involving Indian tribes continue to be negotiated and settled by the executive branch and are thus likely to be an ongoing issue for Congress. This matter includes implementation of ongoing Indian water rights settlements, negotiation of new settlements, and consideration of these settlements for potential enactment and subsequent funding. As of the end of the 115th Congress, 32 settlements had been enacted since 1978, and 4 settlements had been approved administratively. Additional funding for ongoing settlements and authorization of and appropriations for new settlements are likely to be requested in the future. In considering Indian water rights settlements, primary issues for Congress may include the cost, contents, and sufficiency of federally authorized efforts to settle tribal water rights claims, as well as the circumstances under which these settlements are considered and approved by authorizing committees and others (i.e., whether the settlements are accompanied by formal statements of Administration support, cost estimates, etc.). In addition, the preferred extent of federal involvement in implementing settlements, including the question of whether the federal government or tribes should take the lead in developing and constructing projects, may be of interest to Congress.

Enjoy!

"I like being over the hill. I've discovered there's a whole new landscape." - @Janefonda (quoted in @thesundaytimes via @TheWeek)

CRS Report: 'U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Streamgaging Network - Overview and Issues for Congress'

Here is a CRS report (18 April 2019) by Anna E. Normand, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Streamgaging Network: Overview and Issues for Congress.

This one has lots of great information.

Click on the graphics to enlarge them.

Download CRS_USGS_Streamgaging_Issues_Congress_18April2019

Summary

Streamgages are fixed structures at streams, rivers, lakes, and reservoirs that measure water level
and related streamflow—the amount of water flowing through a water body over time. The U.S.
Geological Survey (USGS) in the Department of the Interior operates streamgages in every state,
the District of Columbia, and the territories of Puerto Rico and Guam. The USGS Streamgaging
Network encompasses 10,300 streamgages, which record water levels or streamflow for at least a
portion of the year. Approximately 8,200 of these streamgages measure streamflow year round as
part of the National Streamflow Network. The USGS also deploys temporary rapid deployment gages to measure water levels during storm events, and select streamgages measure water quality.

Streamgages provide foundational information for diverse applications that affect a variety of constituents. The USGS disseminates streamgage data free to the public and responds to over 670 million requests annually. Direct users of streamgage data include a variety of agencies at all levels of government, private companies, scientific institutions, and recreationists. Data from streamgages inform real-time decisionmaking and long-term planning on issues such as water management and energy development, infrastructure design, water compacts, water science research, flood mapping and forecasting, water quality, ecosystem management, and recreational safety.

Congress has provided the USGS with authority and appropriations to conduct surveys of streamflow since establishing the first hydrological survey in 1889. Many streamgages are operated cooperatively with nonfederal partners, who approach the USGS and sign joint-funding agreements to share the cost of streamgages and data collection. The USGS Cooperative Matching Funds (CMF) Program provides up to a 50% match with tribal, regional, state, and local partners, as authorized by 43 U.S.C. §50. The average nonfederal cost-share contribution has increased from 50% in the early 1990s to 63% in FY2018. In the early 2000s, the USGS designated federal priority streamgage (FPS) locations based on five identified national needs. The SECURE Water Act of 2009 (Title IX, Subtitle F, of P.L. 111-11) directed the USGS to operate by FY2019 no less than 4,700 federally funded streamgages. In FY2018, 3,640 of the 4,760 FPSs designated by the USGS were operational, with 52% of their funding from the USGS.

Congressional appropriations and agreements with 1,400 nonfederal partners funded USGS streamgages at $189.5 million in FY2018. The USGS share included $24.7 million for FPSs and $29.8 million for cooperative streamgages through CMF. A dozen other federal agencies provided $40.7 million. Nonfederal partners, mostly affiliated with CMF, provided $94.3 million. In FY2019, Congress appropriated level funding for FPS and CMF streamgages. Congress directed an additional $8.5 million to pilot a Next Generation Integrated Water Observing System (NextGen), establishing dense networks of streamgages in representative watersheds in order to model streamflow in analogous watersheds. The President’s budgetrequest for FY2020 does not include NextGen system funding and would reduce CMF for streamgages by $250,000.

The USGS uses appropriated funding to develop and maintain the USGS Streamgaging Network. The USGS and numerous stakeholders have raised funding considerations including user needs, priorities of partners, federal coverage, infrastructure repair, disaster response, inflation, and technological advances. Some stakeholders advocate for maintaining or expanding the network. Others may argue that Congress should consider reducing the network in order to prioritize other activities and that other entities operate streamgages tailored to localized needs. Congress might also consider whether to invest in streamgage restoration and new technologies.

Congress may consider outlining the future direction for the USGS Streamgaging Network through oversight or legislation. As the USGS faces a deadline by the SECURE Water Act of 2009 to operate no less than 4,700 FPSs by FY2019, Congress directed the USGS through appropriations legislation to invest in the NextGen system. Congress may consider such policy options as pursuing both the FPS mandate and the NextGen system simultaneously, amending the SECURE Water Act of 2009, and the relative emphasis of the NextGen system.

Enjoy!

And don't forget these:

“No society is healthy without both the will to create anew and the will to save the best of the old.” – Wallace Stegner