While USGS is planning to shut down vital flood gauges, the agency is planning to expand its use of unmanned aerial drones, obtained from the military, to survey the habitat of pygmy rabbits in Idaho in August, observe Elk in Washington in July, and count sheep in Nevada in October. While these studies may provide some interesting information about rabbits, sheep and other animals, cancelling or delaying them is not life threatening. Yet shutting down vital flood gauges, by the agency’s own admission, could be. By sequestering lower priority spending within the agency, these gauges—which only cost the federal government $29 million last year —could be maintained. I would, therefore, recommend canceling the sheep counting and other drone studies and redirecting the savings towards maintaining flood gauges.

Source: U.S. Senator Tom Coburn, “Letter to Interior Secretary Sally Jewell,” Office of Senator Tom Coburn, 4/30/13