OFFICE OF WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH STATEMENTS OF JOHN C. CALHOUN, JR., ACTING DIRECTOR; EUGENE D. EATON, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR; AND JOSEPH M. BREEN, BUDGET OFFICER ESTABLISHMENT UNDER PUBLIC LAW 88-379 Chairman HAYDEN. We will hear from the Office of Water Resources Research. Mr. CALHOUN. My name is John Calhoun. I am appearing with Mr. Eaton and Mr. Breen. Chairman HAYDEN. Public Law 88-379 established a water resources research program to be administered by the Secretary of the Interior. It is estimated that $1,535,000 will be needed for the program in fiscal year 1965. The justification will be placed in the record. (The justification referred to follows:) DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Office of Water Resources Research Request (for 10 months from Sept. 1, 1964). PURPOSE AND NEED FOR SUPPLEMENTAL FUNDS $1,535, 000 8 The appropriation proposed for fiscal year 1965 will provide for development of procedures and rules for planning with universities and colleges for implemention of the program authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-379, approved July 17, 1964), and for partial implementation during the current year. The requested funds will allow for the making of grants approximating 23 percent of the amounts authorized by the act. JUSTIFICATION The Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-379, approved July 17, 1964) authorizes financial support for the establishment and maintenance of water resources research centers at land-grant colleges and universities; for water research at other colleges, universities, and centers of competence; and for promotion of a more adequate national program of water research. The act further provides that the Secretary of the Interior is responsible for the proper administration thereof. The Secretary, in the implemenation of the act has established in the Department of the Interior the Office of Water Resources Research, which will report to the Secretary, in order to achieve a proper degree of coordination with other Government agencies and to insure the avoidance of duplication or other unproductive expenditures of money or technical manpower in the total national program for water resources research. For the partial program to be funded by the appropriation now requested, we propose a staff of eight persons (director, associate director, three scientistengineers, an executive officer, and two secretaries). For full scale initial-stage operation of the program we propose a staff of 22, comprised of a director, associate director, 5 scientist-engineers, 7 supporting program positions, and 8 administrative positions. This staff will (a) review applications to assure that the applicants are eligible to receive financial support consistently with the require ments of the act, that the activities for which the grants are sought have technical merit, that the applicants will be competent to accomplish the programs or projects proposed, that the proposed expenditures have reasonable and proper relationship to the accomplishments expected to result, that the activities are planned and will be carried on with due regard for avoidance of duplication of other research, and of undue displacement of water scientists and engineers elsewhere engaged in water research, and like substantive factors; (b) prepare and process grant and contract agreements, and monitor compliance with such agreements; (c) establish and keep current records and statistics relative to the program; (d) develop advice to water resources research centers and others relative to the research areas most important for additional attention and emphasis, as required by the act; (e) establish and maintain cooperation among the centers and between the centers and Federal and other organizations concerned with water resources, as required by the act; (f) prepare reports and referrals for the Secretary to make to the President and the Congress; and (g) related duties. The Director, pursuant to delegation by the Secretary of the Interior, is responsible for approval of grant, contract, or other applications for financial support. At this time it is anticipated with a high degree of confidence that 15 institutes will apply and will be found to be qualified to receive grants and to be competent to utilize them effectively pursuant to section 100 (a) of the act, and that $250,000 of matching-fund grants may be made pursuant to section 101. In the full-scale initial phase of operation, applications may be received from 51 States for university research center grants, and from 150 to 200 or more specific research project applicants. The services of experts and consultants on an intermittent basis will also be utilized in the program. A principal activity of the consultants will be to act, individually or in panels, in advisory review of applications for grants and contracts by making findings relative to the merit of proposed projects, the value of the results expected to be secured from them, the competence of the applicants to accomplish the work, and other relevant factors, which advice will be considered by the Director in making determinations and approvals. In addition, at least annually a special advisory panel of outstanding scientists, engineers, and laymen experienced in public affairs related to water resources will advise relative to the overall program. The Office of Water Resources Research will discharge the responsibility of the Secretary with respect to the water research programs authorized by this act and will administer them pursuant to rules and regulations prescribed by the Secretary. The Office will be responsible for the propriety of all payments and will establish necessary safeguards to insure that designated institutes have the capability of effective performance. The Office will furnish such advice and assistance as will best promote the purposes of the act, will participate in coordinating research initiated under this act by the institutes, and will assist in the establishment and maintenance of cooperation by and between the institutes and between them and other research organizations, the Department of the Interior and other Federal establishments. The Office will be responsible for the making of (a) grants in support of one research center in each State, (b) matching grants for specific research projects at such centers, and (c) grants, contracts, matching or other arrangements with educational institutions, private foundations or other institutions, private firms and individuals, local, State, and Federal Government agencies undertaking research into any aspects of water problems related to the mission of the Department of the Interior, and for the submission of such, proposed grants, contracts, matching, or other arrangements to the President of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives. Section 100 (a), $1,125,000 This section of the act authorizes grants in the amount of $75,000 for each of the 50 States and Puerto Rico. State interest and pressure for this legislation have been great. A number of proposals already have been formulated and are ready to be submitted as soon as funds are available. It is expected that at least 15 such applications will be received by October 15, 1964. The authorized amount of $75,000 represents the minimum requirement for initiation of these programs. The act recognizes this as it provides for subsequent increases to $87,500 in the second and third years and $100,000 thereafter. Section 101 (a), $250,000 Since this legislation has been under consideration for a considerable length of time, it has been possible for the State university centers to develop both program plans and sources of financing to meet this matching money. Water resources research is presently grossly inadequate so interest is heavy. Therefore, it is imperative that the requested amount be appropriated to meet the need and avoid further loss of time in moving ahead in this important research field. Administration, $160,000 The estimate for administration of this program is based on the best information available at this time and it is firmly believed that the ramifications and contemplated workload of the program will support the proposed staffing and operating expenses. The initial cost of equipping the new office will be high and it is expected that travel expenses will be considerable. During the first year of the program, on-site visits and examinations will have to be made to applicant establishments for consultation and inspection to ascertain that the applicant is capable of fulfilling the requirements of the act. Chairman HAYDEN. Would you please describe the organization which has been set up, and indicate the expected full strength of the Office of Water Resources Research? Mr. CALHOUN. Mr. Chairman. The organization that has been authorized by the Secretary to implement this act is an Office of Water Resources Research which is directly responsible to the Secretary. It is presently under my administration as Acting Director, and the Associate Director is Mr. Eaton. At this time that is our only staff. In the request which we have before you we have asked for an item of $160,000 for nucleus staffing of this Office, which would give us eight individuals. This will be sufficient to administer the program at a minimum level for the amount of money which has been requested. For the full program it will require a complement of approximately 22 people to administer the Office. EXPECTED ACTIVITIES Chairman HAYDEN. Please describe fully your expected activities this fiscal year. Mr. CALHOUN. Yes, sir. I have prepared a statement which I have placed before you. There is material in it on that point. If you have no objection, I would like to introduce it in the record, and then I will cover the particular point that you have in mind. Chairman HAYDEN. You may do that. (The statement referred to follows:) STATEMENT BY JOHN C. CALHOUN, JR., ACTING DIRECTOR, OFFICE OF WATER RESOURCES RESEARCH Mr. Chairman and members of the committee, it is a pleasure to have this opportunity to appear before you and present this budget request which provides for initiation of the program to establish water resources research centers and to promote a more adequate national program of water research as authorized by the Water Resources Research Act of 1964 (Public Law 88-379). This legislation recognizes the urgent need in every State and region of the United States for increased knowledge and competence in dealing with water resources problems. Intermittent and permanent water shortages exist or threaten many communities and many areas. Water supply deficiencies both of quantity and of quality are serious impediments to the economic development and well-being of people. They constitute a present or potential limit on community growth, and on agricultural, industrial, and recreational development. Authoritative reports estimate that, for approximately one-fifth of the United States, water supply will limit economic and population growth by 1980 unless new and improved methods are developed to increase the usefulness of available water resources. In recognition of this urgency in the water resources field, Secretary Udall acted immediately upon the President's approval of Public Law 88-379 to establish the Office of Water Resources Research to carry on the program which Congress has authorized. The Office of Water Resources Research was established as an operating unit directly responsible to Secretary Udall under my leadership as Acting Director. Mr. E. D. Eaton has been appointed Associate Director. This present request is for funds to initiate the program in fiscal year 1965. The requested amount of $1,535,000 provides for allotments to 15 States for water resources research institutes or centers in the amount of $75,000 per State as authorized in section 100 (a) of the act. It also provides for $250,000 for matching grants to State water research institutes for specific research projects as authorized by section 101(a). The estimate includes $160,000 for nucleus staffing of the Office of Water Resources Research and is the minimum required for program development and administration in fiscal year 1965. The Office of Water Resources Research, to which the Secretary has assigned responsibility for the program, will have a small staff to perform four major functions: (1) to develop the program for the establishment and continued support of competent and qualified centers of water resources research; (2) to develop the program of grants on the basis of the merit of the proposals and the need for the knowledge expected to be produced without duplication of other State or Federal research, or displacement of scientists and engineers; (3) to provide coordination of the research at the research centers of the various States and with other State, Federal, and nongovernmental research; and (4) to administer the program to assure effective utilization of appropriated funds and qualified manpower, to assure proper accountability of the grants, and to assure that the program is responsive to water resource needs of the Nation, its regions, and its States. Performance of these functions will require staff that is highly knowledgeable about water problems and existing research, and that has mature judgment in conferring and counseling with the research centers and others participating in the program. A principal purpose of the act is to stimulate and supplement present programs for research on water resources problems, and to encourage the training of scientists and engineers to work in this field. Pursuant to the provisions of the act, this will be accomplished through financial assistance to one water resources research center in each State, and through grants and other arrangements to assist in meeting the expenses of specific water resources research by these institutes and others. The act specifies that the institute shall be established at a land-grant university or college unless the legislature of the State has provided otherwise by specific enactment. Water resources research and the training of water scientists and engineers will go hand in hand. The research will be under the leadership of the university faculty members concerned with the various subjects related to water resources |