Draft USGS Water Strategy Collides With Tough Budget Situation

By Brett Walton

Data collection and watershed modeling, resource assessments and supply forecasts, as well as flood preparations are top priorities for the U.S. Geological Survey, the federal government’s premiere water research agency, according to its draft 10-year strategy for water science, which was released on Monday.

Yet, despite their significance, some of these programs — especially data collection and monitoring — will see a cut in funding next fiscal year, if the U.S. Congress follows President Barack Obama’s budget proposal.

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