The Secretary, in consultation with the Advisory Committee and the Panel and consistent with this section, shall proceed with implementation of the Federal priority streamgage program.
Each site described in subparagraph (A) shall conform with the Federal needs established through regular solicitation of feedback, such as that documented in the report titled “Re-prioritization of the U.S. Geological Survey Federal Priority streamgage program, 2022” [1] (Open-file Report 2023–1032).
The Federal share of the Federal priority streamgage network established pursuant to this subsection shall be 100 percent of the cost of carrying out the Federal priority streamgage network.
Except as provided in subparagraph (B), there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as are necessary to operate the Federal priority streamgage program for the period of fiscal years 2009 through 2028, to remain available until expended.
The Secretary shall develop a systematic groundwater monitoring program for each major aquifer system located in the United States.
In selecting monitoring activities consistent with the monitoring program described in paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give priority to those activities for which a State, a Tribe or local governmental entity agrees to provide for a substantial share of the cost of establishing or operating a monitoring well or other measuring device to carry out a monitoring activity.
In recognition of the value of collaboration to foster innovation and enhance research and development efforts, the Secretary shall encourage partnerships, including public-private partnerships, between and among Federal agencies, academic institutions, and private entities to promote the objectives described in paragraph (1).