Institute Authorization
The Louisiana Water Resources Research Institute (LWRRI) is part of the National Institutes for Water Resources (NIWR) authorized by Section 104 of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (Public Law 98-242, 98 Stat. 97) as amended by Public Laws 101-397, 104-147, 106-374, and 109-471. The Water Resources Research Act authorizes 54 Water Resources Institutes/Centers in U.S. states and territories administered by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior. The Institutes/Centers are charged with (1) arranging for competent research that addresses water problems or expands understanding of water and water-related phenomena, (2) aiding the entry of new research scientists into the water resources fields, (3) helping to train future water scientists and engineers, and (4) getting results of sponsored research to water managers and the public. The program is administered by the U.S. Geological Survey as the Water Resources Research Act Program under the general guidance of the Secretary of the Interior.