Follow-up on Ideas for New USGS Program Directions Date: Wed, 29 Jan 1997 16:51:21 -0500 To: "E - All WRD Employees" From: "Robert M Hirsch, Chief Hydrologist, Reston, VA" (Robert Hirsch) Subject: Follow-up on Ideas for New USGS Program Directions Cc: " , WRD Archive File, Reston, VA" , "Joanne C Taylor, Secretary (Typing), Reston, VA" In Reply Refer To: Mail Stop 409 MEMORANDUM January 29, 1996 To: All Water Resources Division Employees From: Robert M. Hirsch (signed) Chief Hydrologist Subject: Follow-up on Ideas for New USGS Program Directions On September 27, 1996, all Water Resources Division (WRD) employees were invited to submit their ideas for new U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) program directions. I am pleased to report that we received 47 new ideas. Most of the new ideas came from one or two individuals. Five ideas came from the WRD Science Advisory Committee (with one individual identified as primary contact). I would like to thank all of you who submitted ideas. The full text of each of the ideas is available at url: http://water.usgs.gov/usgs/ideas (or under "Internal Reports and Announcements" on WRD's internal home page). The ideas fit into three categories: I. PROGRAM IDEAS FOR FY 2000 AND BEYOND Our original goal in asking for the ideas was to identify new science ideas or ideas for new products or services that could be developed over time into a new area of emphasis for the USGS. Many of the ideas met this criterion; more than we can work on at this time. For consideration as new program directions in FY 2000 and beyond, we needed to reduce the number sent forward to the USGS Science Council. Based on the additional characteristics of relevance, scale, and opportunity for interdisciplinary work, WRD identified five new areas for emphasis: * Scientific Information for Stream Corridor Management * Effects of Reservoirs on Water Quality and Downstream Habitat * Scientific Basis for Wetlands Restoration and Management * Environmental Effects of Resource Extraction * Effects of Human Activities on the U.S. Coastal Zone Each of these areas is a combination of two ore more separate ideas submitted by WRD employees. These five ideas have been shared with all USGS program managers and considered as potential topics for further development through interdivisional workshops or other mechanisms. II. POTENTIAL NEW PROGRAM DIRECTIONS FOR FY 1999 Some of the 47 ideas are under consideration as possible new program directions in FY 1999. Included in this group are ideas for mercury studies, urban watershed investigations, and public lands hydrology. In addition, we will be considering initiative ideas that have already been developed related to real-time hazard information and enhancement of our ground-water resources investigations. Because of the timing of our budget process, we need to put our ideas for FY 1999 forward within the next few months. Given the uncertainties in the budget process, it is far too early to say whether any of these new program directions will actually begin in FY 1999. We will keep you advised of any significant developments. III. IDEAS FOR EXISTING PROGRAMS Among the 47 ideas, there are several that do not seem to be the right scale for a new USGS program but are still good ideas. Part of the reason for making the full text of these ideas available on the intranet is to encourage employees and managers to think about the ideas as potential projects within our existing Federal programs or the Federal-State Cooperative Program. Even if no new funds are available, the ideas may present opportunities for new directions when existing projects end. In conclusion, I want to again thank those employees who submitted new ideas. Although some were selected for additional development in the near term, we will keep all of the ideas in mind for future consideration. Additional ideas are welcome at any time. ************************************************************* Robert M. Hirsch Phone: 703/648-5215 Chief Hydrologist Fax: 703/648-5002 409 National Center Internet: rhirsch@usgs.gov U.S. Geological Survey Reston, VA 20192 *************************************************************