15 USC 9707 – Estimates of precipitation frequency in the United States
(a) Definitions
In this section:
(1) Freely Associated States
The term “Freely Associated States” means the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia, which have each entered into a Compact of Free Association with the United States.
(2) United States
The term “United States” means the 50 States of the United States, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Freely Associated States.
(b) In general
Terms Used In 15 USC 9707
- association: when used in reference to a corporation, shall be deemed to embrace the words "successors and assigns of such company or association" in like manner as if these last-named words, or words of similar import, were expressed. See 1 USC 5
- State: means a State, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, or any other territory or possession of the United States. See 1 USC 7
The Administrator shall establish a program, to be known as the “NOAA Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the United States”, to compile, estimate, analyze, and communicate the frequency of precipitation in the United States.
(c) Functions
The NOAA Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the United States—
(1) shall better inform the public and provide information on—
(A) temporal and spatial distribution of heavy precipitation;
(B) analyses of seasonality in precipitation; and
(C) trends in annual maximum series data; and
(2) may serve as the official source of the Federal Government on estimates of precipitation frequency and associated information with respect to the United States.
(d) Requirements
(1) Coverage
The NOAA Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the United States shall include such estimates of the frequency of precipitation in the United States as the Administrator determines appropriate.
(2) Frequency
Such estimates—
(A) shall be conducted not less frequently than once every 10 years; and
(B) may be conducted more frequently if determined appropriate by the Administrator.
(3) Publication
Such estimates and methodologies used to conduct such estimates shall be—
(A) subject to an appropriate, scientific process, as determined by the Administrator; and
(B) published on a publicly accessible website of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
(e) Partnerships
The Administrator may partner with other Federal agencies, members of the private sector, academic cooperative partnerships, or nongovernment associations to assist in carrying out the functions described in subsection (c).
(f) Consultation
In carrying out this section, the Administrator may consult with relevant Federal, State, local, Tribal, and Territorial government agencies, research institutions, and the private sector, as the Administrator determines necessary.
(g) Coordination
In carrying out this section, the Administrator may coordinate with other Federal agencies.
(h) Authorization of appropriations
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section, from amounts otherwise authorized to be appropriated to the Administrator to carry out this chapter, $3,500,000 for each of fiscal years 2022 through 2030.