Funding history of the U.S. Geological Survey Federal data collection and analysis program, 1973-1982

Federal program activities in the collection and analysis of hydrologic data are funded in six categories established in order of priority. Over the period 1973 to 1982, the funding available for the programs supported in each category has increased, but when viewed without the effect of inflation the purchasing power of the programs has generally decreased. Funding for adjudications, compacts, and treaties increased continuously from $588,600 in 1973 to $1,035,500 in 1981, and then decreased to $1,014,200 in 1982. However, when adjusted for inflation, based on a 1972 constant dollar, the constant dollars decreased from $555,800 in 1973 to $411,900 in 1982, which indicates that purchasing power was 26% less in 1982 than in 1973. Funding for the other five categories--the National Stream Quality Accounting Network, National Benchmark Network, Other Federal Agencies within the Department of the Interior, and General Federal Agencies Outside the Department of the Interior, and General Federal Hydrologic Interests--increased during the period, but the funding increase did not keep pace with inflation. During this 1973-82 period the U.S. Geological Survey has worked to make the Federal Data Collection and Analysis Program more cost effective by more efficient operational procedures and improved instrumentation, laboratory, and computation procedures. (USGS)