§9707 Estimates of Precipitation Frequency in the United States

Summary

The Administrator must create a program called the NOAA Precipitation Frequency Atlas of the United States to gather, analyze, and share how often rain and other precipitation happen across the United States. Freely Associated States means the Republic of Palau, the Republic of the Marshall Islands, and the Federated States of Micronesia. United States means the 50 States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the Freely Associated States. The Atlas will show where and when heavy precipitation occurs, seasonal patterns, and trends in yearly peak events. It may be the Federal Government’s official source for these estimates. The Atlas must include whatever estimates the Administrator thinks are needed. Updates must happen at least once every 10 years and more often if the Administrator decides. The work and the methods used must follow an appropriate scientific process chosen by the Administrator and be posted on NOAA’s public website. The Administrator may work with other agencies, universities, private groups, and governments at all levels. Congress authorized $3,500,000 for each fiscal year 2022 through 2030 to carry out this work.