Cooperator Meeting for the Data Program Operatted by the U.S. Geological Survey June 26 2003

• Description: Cooperator Meeting for the Data Program Operatted by the U.S. Geological Survey June 26 2003 Handwrittend notes
• State: CO
• Date: 6/26/2003
• Title: Cooperator Meeting for the Data Program Operatted by the U.S. Geological Survey June 26 2003
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Meeting

MUSGS
science for a changing world
National Streamf low Information Program
Questions and Answers
Q: Under NSIP will all USGS streamgaging be funded strictly by
appropriations to the USGS? What about the Cooperative
Water Program and other Federal Agencies?
A: The Cooperative Water Program and other Federal agencies will still
play a major role. Through their partnerships with the USGS, State
and local cooperators will add to the network to increase the
information content beyond what the Federal network will provide.
Coop and OFA will be more cost - effective than they are today
because NSIP would pay for the fixed cost of the network, so the
per- streamgage costs they pay would decrease by about 40 percent.
Q: Is this plan only about streamflow and not water quality?
A: The NSIP plan is designed to improve monitoring of streamflow,
although some NSIP streamgages will have precipitation, temperature,
and water - quality sensors. An additional benefit of the planned NSIP
network is that it provides a backbone for enhanced water - quality
monitoring because meaningful water - quality monitoring requires flow
information to determine consitituent volume. Typically,
60 percent of the cost for monitoring water quality at streamgaging
stations (with about 20 samples per year for a wide range of nutrients
and major ions) is for streamgaging activities, and 40 percent for the
water - quality sampling and analyses. The NSIP network will thus
make a major contribution to water - quality monitoring by providing
flow information at thousands of locations nationwide. The NSIP plan
would also reduce the costs for streamgages which are not part of the
Federal network, which would make water - quality sampling at these
locations less costly as well. Finally, the information delivery system
proposed for NSIP will provide for better delivery and archiving of
water quality data as well as for streamflow data, and better regional
estimates of flow characteristics will also be available from NSIP,
which are needed for water - quality permits and TMDLs.
Q. Will all gaging in NSIP be done by USGS?
A: No, just as is the case now, some States and other Federal agencies
have gaging programs and provide data to USGS data bases. USGS
accepts their data after putting the data through an accepted quality
assurance process. The USGS would provide funds to those
agencies to bring their gages up to full NSIP standards.
Q: Who is the USGS working with in developing NSIP plans?
A: There is ongoing discussion of these plans by the Streamgaging Task
Force of the Federal Advisory Committee on Water Information.
The USGS also works closely with the Interstate Council on Water
Policy, the Wester States Water Council, and other water - related
organizations. The USGS will also be seeking formal review of NSIP
from the National Research Council in FY 2001. Finally, many States
are forming State Water Monitoring Councils. The USGS will seek
every opportunity to work with those councils.
Q: Recreational safety does not appear as an NSIP goal. Will
NSIP serve the recreation community?
A: Although recreation safety is not one of the five Federal interests of
NSIP, many of the streamgages identified are very important to the
recreational boating community. The funding stability that NSIP will
provide would forestall continued loss of gages vital to the recre-
ational community. Also, because the USGS will cover fixed costs,
the funding of new sites that are important for recreation will be more
affordable for other Federal, State or local agencies.
Q: How can I comment on the NSIP plans or keep track
of what is happening to the design and implementation?
A: Go to the web site http: / /water.usizs og v /nsip or contact,
Assistant Chief OSW, J. Michael Norris at mnorris @usgs.gov.
What would full implementation of NSIP cost and what has been expended thus far and in fiscal year 2002?
U.S, Department of the Interior Information Sheet
U.S. Geological Survey April 2001
Ex enditures
Full NSIP Implementation
FY 99
$M
FY 00
$M
FY 01
$M
FY 02
Estimate
$M
Capital Costs
$M
(FY 2000 dollars)
Annual Costs
$M /year
(FY 2000 dollars)
Capital Costs
Federal Network
1.2
3.4
0.0
56
Data Delivery Enhancements
0.2
1.5
0.0
8
Total Capital Costs
1.4
4.9
0.0
64
Annual Costs
Network Fixed Costs entire USGS network
0.8
0.8
37
Station 0 & M base Federal network only)
4.6
4.3
7.8
7,8
28
Floods and Droughts
0.3
0.4
0.4
4
Regional Analyses
4
Research and Development
0.2
1.0
0.9
5
Total Annual Costs
4.6
4.8
10.0
9.9
78
TOTAL EXPENDITURES
4.6
6.2
14.9
9.9
64
78
U.S, Department of the Interior Information Sheet
U.S. Geological Survey April 2001