The many scientists who interacted in this assessment have firmly concluded that substantive progress requires: 1) Comprehensive, multidisciplinary studies of hydrological systems in critical geochemical, geologic, and ecological settings at field scales. 2) Upgrading geoscience education that trains graduate researchers with emerging tools and K-12 youngsters in basic understanding of geoscience and the water cycle. 3) A 'Hydrologic Observing Facility' to facilitate deployment of cutting-edge instrumentation and organization of data sets for efficient access. A science framework with this vision will produce clear and visible payoffs for researchers, educators, and water managers through a substantially improved understanding of risk, vulnerability, and predictability of water resources under growing environmental stresses."

"The National Water Initiative aims to meet grand challenges facing the nation's water resources in the 21st. Century, increase the nation's adaptability in the face of greater pressure on these resources, and equip citizens and decision-makers with the knowledge necessary to protect, sustain, and manage the nation's waters as vital national assets. The Initiative also aims to contribute to the global base of knowledge increasingly needed for sustainable water management systems worldwide in a variety of landscapes and social, cultural, and economic conditions. . . The nation's waters—coastal and estuarine, rivers, lakes, and ground water—are essential and priceless national assets. Disturbingly, they also face daunting grand national challenges: (i) water, quality, and health; (ii) hydrologic hazards and human-altered hydrologic systems; (iii) environmental and ecosystem services; (iv) environmental remediation and restoration; (v) changing use and competition; (vi) water delivery and use systems, including renovation and rehabilitation; (vii) ground water management, including conjunctive use; and (viii) public understanding for sustainability of national water assets. . . . The National Water Initiative aims to advance research-based knowledge and its timely application to grand challenges to our nation's waters. To do this, the Initiative advocates an 8-part action program: (i) establish a National Partnership to advance and achieve the vision; (ii) develop a Comprehensive Research Strategy to ensure the knowledge base for addressing and resolving grand challenges to the nation's water in a timely manner; (iii) support research—especially fundamental and adaptive studies—through a new, federally-