Miscellaneous

About This Report The Water Science Strategy expands on the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Science Strategy, “Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges—U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007–2017” (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007), which developed seven integrated science Mission Areas. This water strategy builds on the strengths of water science in the USGS and links to other science disciplines and Mission Areas of the Bureau and our many partners outside of the USGS. In addition, it recognizes that “in the coming decades of the 21st century the United States faces serious and complex water problems. Constraints on availability of water—quantity and quality—will impact what we do and where we do it as a society. To face these problems the Nation will need more, new, and improved water science, information and tools to manage and adapt to these constraints” (National Research Council, 2009). This report is addressed primarily to policymakers who will determine the future resources with which the USGS has to conduct its work, so that they will be apprised of the technical and societal issues that the Bureau will face in the future. The USGS Science Strategy, “Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges—U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007–2017” (U.S. Geological Survey, 2007) included a science direction on “A Water Census of the United States—Quantifying, Forecasting, and Securing Freshwater for America’s Future.” The Water Census is to inform the public and decisionmakers about (1) the status of freshwater resources and how they are changing; (2) water use for human, environmental, and wildlife needs; (3) freshwater availability related to natural storage and movement; (4) means of identifying water sources not commonly thought to be a resource; and (5) forecasts of likely outcomes of water availability and quality. Six specific strategic actions were put forth in the Science Strategy to address the aspects of a water census. The “U.S. Geological Survey Water Science Strategy—Observing, Understanding, Predicting, and Delivering Water Science to the Nation,” takes the fairly broad strategic actions of the Water Census and develops the steps and actions to move the USGS forward to a strategic focus.