Congress Advances Water Data Requirements and Evidence Capacity in Water Resources Development Act

WASHINGTON, D.C., December 10, 2024 – The Data Foundation acknowledges the inclusion of Sec. 1155 in the bipartisan agreement on the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (S. 4367), which demonstrates Congress’s acknowledgement of the importance of federal water data management and integration. Passed by the House on December 10, the provision of WRDA aligns with and reinforces key aspects of the Foundations for Evidence-Based Policymaking Act of 2018, particularly the requirements for federal agencies to develop learning agendas and strengthen data infrastructure.

While 23 of 24 major federal agencies published learning agendas required by the Evidence Act, the Department of Defense – including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – remains the only Department that has not yet complied with this 5-year-old statutory requirement. The framework outlined in WRDA Sec. 1155, with its emphasis on data standardization, sharing, and public accessibility, provides a timely opportunity for the Defense Department to align its water resource management activities with government-wide evidence-building expectations through the development of an agency-wide learning agenda.

"The provision about water data in WRDA reinforces Congress's commitment to building data infrastructure that enables evidence-informed decision-making while promoting transparency and accessibility," said Dr. Nick Hart, President and CEO of the Data Foundation. "The Department of Defense should use this opportunity to not only improve water data management practices but also fulfill its obligations under the Evidence Act by developing and publishing a comprehensive learning agenda over the next year."

The Data Foundation also welcomes congressional direction for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to study improvements and enhancements to data sharing at the Army Corps, including evaluation of Evidence Act implementation and compliance with information quality requirements. This study will provide valuable insights into opportunities for strengthening the Corps' data infrastructure and evidence-building capacity.

The Data Foundation encourages Congress to continue its oversight of Evidence Act implementation across all federal agencies, including the Defense Department, while identifying opportunities to align domain-specific data management practices with the Evidence Act's framework. The Data Foundation, and members of our Data Coalition, look forward to working with policymakers to support implementation of both the Evidence Act and water resource data management requirements that advance the use of evidence and data for public good.

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About the Data Foundation

The Data Foundation is a national non-profit organization that champions the use of open data and evidence-informed public policy to make society better for everyone. We are the trusted authority on the use of open, accessible data to fuel a more efficient, effective, and accountable government; spark innovation; and provide insights to the country’s most pressing challenges. As a nonpartisan think tank, we conduct research, collaborative thought leadership, and advocacy programs that advance practical policies for the creation and use of accessible, trustworthy data. In 2024, the Data Foundation was recognized by Candid Guidestar with the Platinum Seal of Transparency and received 4-Stars from Charity Navigator.