A USGS Water Science Strategy U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey

Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges — Evolving from an organization that was created to inventory the Nation’s public lands and natural resources, the mission of the 21st century USGS is most simply expressed in its maxim “Science for a Changing World.” Facing Tomorrow’s Challenges — U.S. Geological Survey Science in the Decade 2007–2017 Circular 1309 (Animated slide)

Science Strategy and Realignment Aligned leadership and science staff with the 7 science directions Climate and Land Use Change; Ecosystems; Natural Hazards; Water; Core Science Systems; Energy and Minerals; Environmental Heath Open and transparent planning process that includes scientists and managers, stakeholders Strategic Science Planning Teams appointed for each of the 7 science directions Draft science plan will be made available for public comment

Water Science Strategic Planning Team (SSPT) Charged with developing a science strategy for USGS water activities and supporting programs Consists of senior scientists and managers from all USGS major science disciplines Builds on USGS core strengths that support interdisciplinary science Co-Chairs: Eric Evenson (609) 771-3904 email: eevenson@usgs.gov Randall Orndorff (703) 648-4316 email: rorndorf@usgs.gov

Water Science Strategic Planning Team (SSPT) Name Position Duty Station Eric J Evenson Coordinator, National Water Census Trenton, NJ Randall C Orndorff Director, Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center Reston, VA Charles Blome Geology and Environmental Change Science Team, Denver, CO Denver, CO John Karl Böhlke National Research Program - Water – Eastern Region Paul Hershberger Field Station Leader/Research Fisheries Biologist Marrowstone Marine Field Station, Nordland, WA Victoria Langenheim Geology and Geophysics Science Center – Menlo Park, CA Menlo Park, CA Gregory McCabe National Research Program - Water – Central Region Scott Morlock Data Section Chief – Indiana Water Science Center Indianapolis, IN Howard Reeves Research Hydrologist – Michigan Water Science Center East Lansing, MI James Verdin Member – NIDIS Team – EROS Data Center, Sioux Falls, SD Boulder, CO Holly Sarvis Weyers Director – North Carolina Water Science Center Raleigh, NC Tamara M. Wood Hydrologist, Oregon Water Science Center Portland, OR

Integration of science activities will be a major theme. Global Change Core Science Natural Hazards Energy and Minerals Data Integration; decision-support systems; data management; product delivery Changes in precipitation, ET, flow, temperature, timing characteristics, etc. Water needs for energy development and energy production; energy needs for producing water Floods, debris flows, high flow hydrologic techniques etc. Environmental Health Ecosystems Water quality and flow impacts to environ. Health and human health Water quality and flow needs for ecosystems Water Integration of science activities will be a major theme. Here are some examples of cross-cutting issues.

Key Questions Broadly, what areas of science will be needed to address Water Availability issues of the future? What specific areas of Water-related research should USGS advance in the next 5-10 years? What types of Water-related products should USGS aim to produce in the next 5-10 years? What does Water need from other Missions? And...What does Water have to offer to other Missions?

Send Additional Comments conversation@usgs.gov