Sec. 1. (a) The continuing growth of the population and economy impose ever increasing demands upon the essentially fixed water resources of Indiana. It is necessary that the development, use, and management of these resources be based upon a sound and thorough knowledge and understanding of the location, extent, capabilities, limitations, and characteristics of the basic water resources of Indiana. The need for additional knowledge is urgent in areas such as the following:

(1) Mapping of the location and availability of ground water.

(2) The time of travel of water from point to point on the major streams.

(3) The Indiana climatic factors affecting evaporation losses from impoundments.

(4) The meandering characteristics of alluvial streams.

(5) The drainage areas of streams at selected points.

(b) To accomplish the objectives described in subsection (a), the department of environmental management and the department may conduct applied research in their respective areas of jurisdiction for the purpose of securing the scientific and technical data and information necessary for the solution of problems involving the wise beneficial development, use, and management of the water resources of Indiana. The research shall be accomplished through the use of the money that is made available for these purposes.

(c) The department of environmental management and the department may conduct research under this section:

(1) independently; or

(2) in cooperation with agencies of the state or of the United States.

[Pre-1995 Recodification Citation: 13-2-7-2.]

As added by P.L.1-1995, SEC.18.