Charter for the High Plains Aquifer Coalition

Comprising the

Kansas Geological Survey, A Division of the University of Kansas

and

New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, A Division of New Mexico Tech

and

Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division, A Division of the University of Nebraska

and

Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, A Division of the University of Texas

and

Colorado Geological Survey, A Division of the Department of Natural Resources

and

Oklahoma Geological Survey, A Division of the University of Oklahoma

and

South Dakota Geological Survey, A Division of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources

and

Wyoming State Geological Survey, An Agency of the State of Wyoming

and

U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior

This Charter (hereinafter referred to as Agreement) between the Kansas Geological Survey, the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources, the Colorado Geological Survey, the Oklahoma Geological Survey, the Texas Bureau of Economic Geology, the Nebraska Conservation and Survey Division, the South Dakota Geological Survey, the Wyoming State Geological Survey, and the U.S. Geological Survey (hereinafter referred to as the Parties) records the Parties' desire to cooperate in joint investigations and scientific exchanges concerning the earth sciences (including hydrology, geology, geochemistry, geochronology, geophysics, geotechnical and geological engineering and related investigations) on topics of mutual interest. This agreement is specifically undertaken to advance the understanding of the three-dimensional distribution, character, and nature of the sedimentary deposits that comprise the High Plains Aquifer in the eight-state Mid-continent region. It recognizes that the distribution, withdrawal, and recharge of groundwater, and the interaction with surface waters is profoundly affected by the geology and the natural environment of the High Plains Aquifer in all eight States--New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Colorado, Kansas, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming--thereby establishing a commonality of interests among the Parties and citizens of these states. The Parties have agreed that reaching a fuller understanding of the three-dimensional framework and hydrogeology of the High Plains Aquifer is needed to provide regional and national policymakers with the earth-science information required to make wise decisions regarding urban and agricultural land use, the protection of aquifers and surface waters, and the environmental well being of the citizens of this geologically unique region.

ARTICLE 1

The Parties agree to conduct exchanges and cooperate on the basis of equality, reciprocity, and mutual benefit.

ARTICLE 2

1. Research on the regional geologic framework, particularly the completion of detailed, quadrangle-size (1:24,000 scale), surface and subsurface geologic maps and models in digital format, and the public dissemination of these maps and models, as well as interpretive information derived from them.
2. Research on geologic processes relating to deposition of sedimentary sequences--their definition, nature, extent, origin, and bounding surfaces - forming the High Plains Aquifer and adjacent aquifers.
3. Other areas of earth-science research and development as may be mutually agreed upon.
4. Research on the region's hydrogeology and its fluid systems.
5. Research on processes controlling the quantity and quality of water recharging the High Plains aquifer, including the effect of past and future changes in climate and land-use activities on recharge.
6. Research on enhancing the recharge of the High Plains aquifer.
7. Research on the porosity, permeability, storativity, and specific yield of the aquifer.
8. Research on the geological and hydrological processes controlling regional differences and temporal changes in water quality.
9. Research on the vertical and lateral exchange of groundwater between different formations that make up the High Plains and adjacent aquifers and the effect of such exchange on water quality in the High Plains aquifer.
10. Research on the age of groundwater recharging and moving through the aquifer.
11. Research on improved techniques for modeling the occurrence, movement, and quality of water in the High Plains aquifer.
12. Research on using geophysical techniques, procedures, and models for regional application in mapping subsurface deposits in the Mid-continent region.
13. Transfer of technology and information among the Parties and to both the private and public sectors.

ARTICLE 3

1. Joint research and development projects, which may include joint planning and/or joint project execution and/or a cost-sharing arrangement, which will be specified in future Annexes to this Agreement.
2. Exchange of scientific, engineering, and technical information including publications, reports, technical data, samples, specimens, and other materials, including numerical models, data bases, computer codes, results, and methods of research and development as needed for the cooperative projects. These exchanges will be specified in future Annexes to this Agreement.
3. Exchange and/or sharing of instruments and components to help characterize, model, predict, test or verify earth materials, surface waters, and groundwaters, and their occurrences, as specified in future Annexes to this Agreement.
4. Collaborative exchange visits of individual scientists.
5. Joint organization of symposia, conferences, and workshops and joint publications that will be specified in future Annexes to this Agreement.
6. Such other scientific and technically-related cooperative activities as may be mutually agreed upon among the Parties that will further the objectives of this Agreement and which will be specified in future Annexes to this Agreement.

ARTICLE 4

1. Areas of technical expertise including climatology, agronomy, and soil science, surface-water engineering and water-resource management.
2. Areas of public policy including groundwater conservation or management districts, public utitlities, water-user groups, environmental advocacy groups.
3. Governmental bodies including regulatory agencies and county and state government.

ARTICLE 5

ARTICLE 6

ARTICLE 7

ARTICLE 8

ARTICLE 9

Agreed at Socorro, New Mexico; Austin, Texas, Norman, Oklahoma, Lawrence, Kansas; Denver, Colorado; Lincoln, Nebraska; Vermillion, South Dakota; Laramie, Wyoming; and Reston, Virginia and to remain in force for 5 years from the latest date shown below, or until extended by mutual agreement of the Parties.

Signatures

For the New Mexico Bureau of Mines and Mineral Resources New Mexico Tech By__________________________ Name: Peter Scholle Title: State Geologist Date ________________________		For the Kansas Geological Survey University of Kansas By__________________________ Name: M. Lee Allison Title: State Geologist Date __________________________
For the Bureau of Economic Geology University of Texas By _________________________ Name: Scott Tinker Title: State Geologist Date _______________________		For the Nebraska Conservation and Survey University of Nebraska By ___________________________ Name: Mark Kuzila Title: State Geologist Date __________________________
For the Colorado Geological Survey Department of Natural Resources By _________________________ Name: Vicki Cowart Title: State Geologist Date: _______________________		For the Oklahoma Geological Survey University of Oklahoma By ____________________________ Name: Charles Mankin Title: State Geologist Date ___________________________
For the South Dakota Geological Survey Department of Environmental and Natural Resources By __________________________ Name: Derric Iles Title: State Geologist Date: ________________________		For the Wyoming State Geological Survey State of Wyoming By ____________________________ Name: Lance Cook Title: State Geologist Date: __________________________
For the U.S. Geological Survey Department of the Interior By __________________________ Name: William Carswell Title: Regional Hydrologist Date: __________________________

Policy Statement