The regulations in this part are issued pursuant to title I of the Water Research Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-242, 98 Stat. 97) which authorizes appropriations to, and confers authority upon, the Secretary of the Interior to promote a national program of water-resources research.

The State Water Research Institute Program, as authorized by section 104 of the Act, has been established as a component of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Secretary of the Interior has delegated to the Director of the USGS authority to take the actions and make the determinations that, under the Act, are the responsibility of the Secretary.

Act means the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (Pub. L. 98-242, 98 Stat. 97).

Fiscal year means a 12-month period ending on September 30.

Director means the Director of the USGS or a designee.

Grant means the funds made available to an institute in a particular fiscal year pursuant to section 104 of the Act and the regulations in this chapter.

Grantee means the college or university at which an institute is established.

Granting agency means the USGS.

Institute means a water resources research institute, center, or equivalent agency established in accordance with Title I of the Act.

Region means any grouping of two or more institutes mutually chosen by themselves to reflect a commonality of water-resources problems.

Scientists means individuals engaged in any professional discipline, including the life, physical or social sciences, and engineers.

Secretary means the Secretary of the Interior or a designee.

State means each of the 50 States, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the District of Columbia, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Mariana Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia.

(a) The information collection requirements contained in sections 401.11 and 401.19 have been approved by the Office of Management and Budget under 44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq. and assigned clearance number 1028-0044. The information will be used to support water related research and provide performance reports on accomplishments achieved under Pub. L. 98-242, 98 Stat. 97 (42 U.S.C. 10303). This information allows the agency to determine compliance with the objectives and criteria of the grant programs. Response is mandatory in accordance with 30 CFR 401.11 and 401.19.

(b) Public reporting burden for the collection of information is estimated to average 84 hours per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding this burden estimate, or any other suggestions for reducing the burden, to Paperwork Management Officer, U.S. Geological Survey, Paperwork Management Section MS 208, Reston, Virginia 22092 and the Office of Management and Budget, Paperwork Reduction Project (1028-0044), Washington, DC 20503.