NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999
NOTE: This file contains the 1999 Reauthorization of the National
Geologic Mapping Act, as codified in Chapter 43, Sections 31a-h of the
U.S. Code. The U.S. Code may be found in public libraries. Because the
Code does not contain the Public Law number and preamble to the Act, that
information is given below, followed by the Code.
PUBLIC LAW 106-148
106th Congress
signed December 9, 1999
[the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1997
was:
PUBLIC LAW 105-36
105th Congress
signed August 5, 1997]
[the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 was:
PUBLIC LAW 102-285
102d Congress
signed May 18, 1992]
An Act
To reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the "National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization
Act of 1999"
...
...
TITLE 43. PUBLIC LANDS
CHAPTER 2. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY
43 USCS § 31a
§ 31a. Findings and Purpose
(a) Findings
The Congress finds and declares that --
- (1) during the past 2 decades, the production of geologic maps
has been
drastically curtailed;
- (2) geologic maps are the primary data base for virtually all
applied and
basic earth-science investigations, including --
- (A) exploration for and development of mineral, energy, and
water
resources;
- (B) screening and characterizing sites for toxic and nuclear
waste
disposal;
- (C) land use evaluation and planning for environmental
protection;
- (D) earthquake hazards reduction;
- (E) predicting volcanic hazards;
- (F) design and construction of infrastructure requirements such as
utility lifelines, transportation corridors, and surface-water
impoundments;
- (G) reducing losses from landslides and other ground
failures;
- (H) mitigating effects of coastal and stream erosion;
- (I) siting of critical facilities; and
- (J) basic earth-science research;
- (3) Federal agencies, State and local governments, private
industry, and
the general public depend on the information provided by geologic maps to
determine the extent of potential environmental damage before embarking
on
projects that could lead to preventable, costly environmental problems or
litigation;
- (4) the combined capabilities of State, Federal, and academic
groups to
provide geologic mapping are not sufficient to meet the present and
future
needs of the United States for national security, environmental
protection,
and energy self-sufficiency of the Nation;
- (5) States are willing to contribute 50 percent of the funding
necessary to complete the mapping of the geology within the State;
- (6) the lack of proper geologic maps has led to the poor design of
such
structures as dams and waste-disposal facilities;
- (7) geologic maps have proven indispensable in the search for
needed
fossil-fuel and mineral resources;
- (8) geologic map information is required for the sustainable and
balanced
development of natural resources of all types, including energy,
minerals, land, water, and biological resources;
- (9) advances in digital technology and geographical information
system
science have made geologic map databases increasingly important as
decision
support tools for land and resource management; and
- (10) a comprehensive nationwide program of geologic mapping of
surficial
and bedrock deposits is required in order to systematically build the
Nation's
geologic-map data base at a pace that responds to increasing
demand.
(b) Purpose
The purpose of sections 31a to 31h of this title is to expedite the
production of a geologic-map data base for the Nation, to be located
within
the United States Geological Survey, which can be applied to land-use
management, assessment, and utilization, conservation of natural
resources,
groundwater management, and environmental protection.
§ 31b. Definitions
In sections 31a to 31h of this title:
- (1) Advisory committee -- The term "advisory committee" means the
advisory committee established under section 31d of this title.
- (2) Association -- The term "Association" means the Association
of American State Geologists.
- (3) Director -- The term "Director" means the Director of the
United States Geological Survey.
- (4) Education component -- The term "education component" means
the education component of the geologic mapping program described in
section 6(d)(3).
- (5) Federal component -- The term "Federal component" means the
Federal component of the geologic
mapping program described in section 6(d)(1).
- (6) Geologic mapping program -- The term "geologic mapping
program" means the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
established by section 31c(a) of this title.
- (7) Secretary -- The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the
Interior.
- (8) State -- The term "State" includes the District of Columbia,
the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana
Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
- (9) State component -- The term "State component" means the State
component of the geologic mapping program described in section
6(d)(2).
- (10) Survey -- The term "Survey" means the United States
Geological Survey.
§ 31c. Geologic Mapping Program
(a) Establishment
- (1) In general -- There is established a national cooperative
geologic mapping program between the United States Geological Survey and
the State geological surveys, acting through the Association.
- (2) Design, development, and administration -- The cooperative
geologic mapping program shall be --
- (A) designed and administered to achieve the objectives set forth
in
subsection (c);
- (B) developed in consultation with the advisory committee;
and
- (C) administered through the Survey.
(b) Responsibilities of the Survey
- (1) Lead agency -- The Survey shall be the lead Federal agency
responsible for planning,
developing national priorities and standards for, coordinating, and
managing
the geologic mapping program. In carrying out this paragraph, the
Secretary,
acting through the Director, shall--
- (A) develop a 5-year strategic plan for the geologic mapping
program in
accordance with section 31e of this title, which plan shall be submitted
to
the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives and the
Committee
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate not later than 1 year after
December 9, 1999;
- (B) appoint, with the advice and consultation of the
Association, the
advisory committee not later than 1 year after December 9, 1999 in
accordance
with section 31d of this title; and
- (C) not later than 3 years after December 9, 1999, and biennially
thereafter, submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources
of the United States Senate and to the Committee on Resources of the
House of
Representatives identifying--
- (i) how the Survey and the Association are coordinating the
development and implementation of the geologic mapping program;
- (ii) how the Survey and the Association establish goals, mapping
priorities, and target dates for implementation of the geologic
mapping program; and
- (iii) how long-term staffing plans for the various components of
the geologic mapping program affect successful implementation of the
geologic mapping program.
- (2) Responsibilities of the Secretary -- In addition to paragraph
(1), the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall be responsible for
developing, as soon as practicable --
- (A) in cooperation with the Association, other Federal and
State
agencies, public and private sector organizations and academia, the
geologic-map data base; and
- (B) maps and mapping techniques which achieve the objectives
specified in subsection (c) of this section.
(c) Program objectives
The objectives of the geologic mapping program shall include --
- (1) determining the Nation's geologic framework through
systematic
development of geologic maps at scales appropriate to the geologic
setting and
the perceived applications, such maps to be contributed to the national
geologic map data base;
- (2) development of a complementary national geophysical-map data
base,
geochemical-map data base, and a geochronologic and paleontologic data
base
that provide value-added descriptive and interpretative information to
the
geologic-map data base;
- (3) application of cost-effective mapping techniques that
assemble,
produce, translate and disseminate geologic-map information and that
render
such information of greater application and benefit to the public;
and
- (4) development of public awareness of the role and application
of
geologic-map information to the resolution of national issues of land use
management.
(d) Program components
- (1) Federal component
- (A) In general -- The geologic mapping program shall include a
Federal geologic mapping
component, the objective of which shall be to determine the geologic
framework
of areas determined to be vital to the economic, social, environmental,
or
scientific welfare of the United States.
- (B) Mapping priorities -- For the Federal component, mapping
priorities--
- (i) shall be described in the 5-year plan under section 6;
and
- (ii) shall be based on --
- (I) national requirements for geologic map information in areas
of multiple-issue need or areas of compelling single-issue need;
and
- (II) national requirements for geologic map information in
areas where mapping is required to solve critical earth science
problems.
- (C) Interdisciplinary studies
- (i) In general -- The Federal component shall include
interdisciplinary studies that
add value to geologic mapping.
- (ii) Representative categories -- Interdisciplinary studies under
clause (i) may include --
- (I) establishment of a national geologic map database under
section 31f of this title;
- (II) studies that lead to the implementation of cost-effective
digital methods for the acquisition, compilation,analysis, cartographic
production, and dissemination of geologic map information;
- (III) paleontologic, geochronologic, and isotopic investigations that
provide information critical to understanding the age and history of
geologic map units;
- (IV) geophysical investigations that assist in delineating and
mapping the physical characteristics and 3-dimensional distribution of
geologic materials and geologic structures; and
- (V) geochemical investigations and analytical operations that
characterize the composition of geologic map units.
- (iii) Use of results -- The results of investigations
under clause (ii) shall be contributed to national
databases.
- (2) State component
- (A) In general -- The geologic mapping program shall include a
State geologic mapping
component, the objective of which shall be to establish the geologic
framework
of areas determined to be vital to the economic, social, environmental,
or
scientific welfare of individual States.
- (B) Mapping priorities -- For the State component,
mapping priorities --
- (i) shall be determined by State panels representing a broad
range
of users of geologic maps; and
- (ii) shall be based on --
- (I) State requirements for geologic map information in areas
of
multiple-issue need or areas of compelling single-issue need; and
- (II) State requirements for geologic map information in areas
where mapping is required to solve critical earth science
problems.
- (C) Integration of Federal and State priorities -- A national
panel including representatives of the Survey shall
integrate the State mapping priorities under this paragraph with the
Federal
mapping priorities under paragraph (1).
-
(D) Use of funds -- The Survey and recipients of grants under the
State component shall
not use more than 15.25 percent of the Federal funds made available under
the
State component for any fiscal year to pay indirect, servicing, or
program
management charges.
-
(E) Federal share -- The Federal share of the cost of activities
under the State
component for any fiscal year shall not exceed 50 percent.
- (3) Education component
- (A) In general -- The geologic mapping program shall include a
geologic mapping
education component for the training of geologic mappers, the objectives
of
which shall be--
- (i) to provide for broad education in geologic mapping and field
analysis through support of field studies; and
- (ii) to develop academic programs that teach students of earth
science the fundamental principles of geologic mapping and field
analysis.
-
(B) Investigations --
The education component may include the conduct of
investigations,
which --
- (i) shall be integrated with the Federal component and
the State
component; and
- (ii) shall respond to mapping priorities identified for
the
Federal component and the State component.
- (C) Use of funds -- The Survey and recipients of grants under
the education component shall not use more than 15.25 percent of the
Federal funds made available under the education component for any fiscal
year to pay indirect, servicing, or program management charges.
-
(D) Federal share -- The Federal share of the cost of activities
under the education
component for any fiscal year shall not exceed 50 percent.
§ 31d. Advisory Committee
(a) Establishment
- (1) In general -- There shall be established a 10-member geologic
mapping advisory committee to advise the Director on planning and
implementation of the geologic mapping program.
- (2) Members ex officio -- Federal agency members shall include
the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or a designee,
the Secretary of Energy or a designee, the Secretary of Agriculture or a
designee, and the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology
or a designee.
- (3) Appointed members -- Not later than 1 year after December 9,
1999, in consultation with the Association, the Secretary shall appoint
to the advisory committee two representatives from the Survey (including
the Chief Geologist, as Chairman), two representatives from the State
geological surveys, one representative from academia, and one
representative from the private sector.
(b) Duties
The advisory committee shall --
- (1) review and update the 5-year plan prepared by the Director
pursuant
to section 31e of this title;
- (2) review the scientific progress of the geologic mapping
program;
and
- (3) submit an annual report to the Secretary that evaluates
the progress
of the Federal, State, and university mapping activities and evaluates
the progress made toward fulfilling the purposes of sections 31c through
31f of this title.
§ 31e. Geologic Mapping Program 5-Year Plan
(a) In general
The Secretary, acting through the
Director, shall, with the advice and
review of the advisory committee, prepare a 5-year plan for the geologic
mapping program.
(b) Requirements
The 5-year plan shall identify --
- (1) overall priorities for the geologic mapping program;
and
- (2) implementation of the overall management structure and
operation of
the geologic mapping program, including --
- (A) the role of the Survey in the capacity of overall
management
lead, including the responsibility for developing the national geologic
mapping program that meets Federal needs while fostering State
needs;
- (B) the responsibilities of the State geological surveys,
with
emphasis on mechanisms that incorporate the needs, missions,
capabilities, and
requirements of the State geological surveys, into the nationwide
geologic
mapping program;
- (C) Mechanisms for identifying short and long-term
priorities for
each component of the geologic mapping program, including --
- (i) for the Federal component, a priority-setting
mechanism that
responds to --
- (I) Federal mission requirements for geologic map
information;
- (II) critical scientific problems that require geologic maps
for their resolution; and
- (III) shared Federal and State needs for geologic maps, in
which joint Federal-State geologic mapping projects are in the national
interest;
- (ii) for the State component, a priority-setting mechanism that
responds to--
- (I) specific intrastate needs for geologic map information; and
- (II) interstate needs shared by adjacent States that have common
requirements; and
- (iii) for the education component, a priority-setting mechanism
that responds to requirements for geologic map information that are
dictated by Federal and State mission requirements;
- (D) A mechanism for adopting scientific and technical mapping
standards for preparing and publishing general and special-purpose
geologic maps to --
- (i) ensure uniformity of cartographic and scientific conventions;
and
- (ii) provide a basis for assessing the comparability and quality of
map products; and
- (E) a mechanism for monitoring the inventory of published and
current
mapping investigations nationwide to facilitate planning and information
exchange and to avoid redundancy.
§ 31f. National Geologic Map Database
(a) Establishment
- (1) In general -- The Survey shall establish a national geologic
map database.
- (2) Function -- The database shall serve as a national catalog and
archive, distributed through links to Federal and State geologic map
holdings, that includes --
- (A) all maps developed under the Federal component and the
education component;
- (B) the databases developed in connection with investigations
under
subclauses (III), (IV), and (V) of section 31c(d)(1)(C)(ii) of this
title;
and
- (C) other maps and data that the Survey and the Association
consider
appropriate.
(b) Standardization
- (1) In general -- Geologic maps contributed to the national
archives shall have format,
symbols, and technical attributes that adhere to standards so that
archival
information can be accessed, exchanged, and compared efficiently and
accurately, as required by Executive Order 12906 (59 Fed.Reg. 17,671
(1994)),
which established the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
- (2) Development of standards -- Entities that contribute
geologic maps to the national archives shall develop the standards
described in paragraph (1) in cooperation with the Federal Geographic
Data Committee, which is charged with standards development and other
data coordination activities as described in Office of Management and
Budget revised Circular A-16.
§ 31g. Biennial Report
Not later 3 years after December 9, 1999 and biennially thereafter,
the
Secretary shall submit to the Committee on Resources of the House of
Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
of the Senate a report that --
- (1) describes the status of the national geologic mapping
program;
- (2) describes and evaluates the progress achieved during the
preceding 2 years in developing the national geologic map database;
and
- (3) includes any recommendations that the Secretary may have for
legislative or other action to achieve the purposes of sections 31c
through
31f of this title.
§ 31h. Authorization of Appropriations
(a) In general
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act --
- (1) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 1999;
- (2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
- (3) $37,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
- (4) $43,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
- (5) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003;
- (6) $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and
- (7) $64,000,000 for fiscal year 2005.
(b) Allocation of appropriations
Of any amounts appropriated for any fiscal year in excess of the
amount
appropriated for fiscal year 2000 --
- (1) 48 percent shall be available for the State component; and
- (2) 2 percent shall be available for the education component.
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