[House Report 106-389]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
106th Congress Report
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
1st Session 106-389
======================================================================
NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999
_______
October 18, 1999.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the
State of the Union and ordered to be printed
_______
Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the
following
R E P O R T
[To accompany H.R. 1528]
[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]
The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill
(H.R. 1528) to reauthorize and amend the National Geologic
Mapping Act of 1992, having considered the same, report
favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill
do pass.
Purpose of the Bill
The purpose of H.R. 1528 is to reauthorize and amend the
National Geological Mapping Act of 1992.
Background and Need for Legislation
Geologic mapping provides basic information for solving a
broad range of societal problems. These include the delineation
and protection of sources of safe drinking water, environmental
system understanding, and foundations of ecosystems management;
identification and mitigation of natural hazards, such as
earthquake-prone areas, volcanic eruptions, landslides and
other ground failures, and many other land-use planning
requirements; and assessment of the broad potential for mineral
resources such as coal, oil and natural gas, constructions
materials, metals, and other natural resources. The critical
areas for additional geologic mapping have been identified at
the State level by State-map advisory committees. These
critical areas include federal, State, and local priorities.
It is important to note that at the map scales contemplated
in the National Geological Mapping Act (NGMA) program--from the
less detailed 1:100,000 (1 inch = 100,000 inches) for regional
map sheets to the familiar scale of 1:24,000--the delineation
of rock types and structures is generally insufficient to
actually identify ore bodies, or site oil and gas wells.
However, even at the 1:24,000 scale, human examination of the
soils and strata is necessary to adequately identify the subtle
changes that delineate the differences in geologically mappable
units; thus, geologic mapping cannot be solely performed by
computer generated, or remotely-sensed data or information. The
identification of ore bodies and fossil fuel reservoirs, while
aided by the cooperative mapping program, are left to private
industry to perform at the more detailed scales usually
necessary to find commercial deposits.
Only about one-fifth of the Nation is mapped at a scale
adequate to meet societal needs. Reauthorization of the NGMA
will allow federal, State and academic interests to continue to
address these needs cooperatively. Since its establishment in
1879, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been
charged with ``classification of the public lands and
examination of the geological structure, mineral resources and
products of the national domain.'' While generally receiving
good marks for its geologic mapping efforts for over a century,
the National Academy of Sciences in a 1988 report recognized
that the USGS alone lacked the personnel to overcome this
deficiency. Traditionally, colleges and universities as well as
the various State geologic surveys have contributed to the mix
of geologic maps produced, albeit not always in a coordinated
manner. The NGMA provides a cooperative framework to attempt to
meet the Nation's geologic map data needs efficiently.
Funding for the program is incorporated in the USGS budget.
State geological surveys and university participants receive
funding from the program through a competitive proposal process
that requires 50:50 matching funds from the applicant, insuring
the value of each proposal is weighed against its cost in
federal and State appropriated funds. Between fiscal years 1993
and 1996, approximately $7.5 million of federal funds were
matched by State monies in the peer-reviewed program for
geologic map products produced by the 50 State geological
surveys. In the succeeding fiscal years States cumulatively
matched approximately 20 percent of the federal appropriation
for this line item in the USGS budget, and academia received
approximately 3 percent of the same, also subject to matching
funds.
H.R. 1528 is necessary to reauthorize this program after
fiscal year 2000. Additionally, the bill modifies the current
federal/state funding ratio to reflect the willingness of USGS
to increase the proportion of federal dollars to be made
available for State matching grants for geologic mapping. This
change reflects the USGS's view that the various State
legislatures are gradually increasing the funding available to
their respective geological surveys since the NGMA was first
enacted in 1992, a measure of the success of the program. The
amendments to the NGMA were negotiated during the past year by
the USGS Director and the umbrella organization representing
the States known as the Association of American State
Geologists and the American Geological Institute on behalf of
the education component of the bill.
Committee Action
H.R. 1528 was introduced on April 22, 1999, by
Congresswoman Barbara Cubin (R-CO). The bill was referred to
the Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. On June 17, 1999,
the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1528. The USGS Chief
Geologist, Dr. Patrick Leahy, testified for the Administration
in strong support for the bill, as did Dr. Larry Woodfork, West
Virginia State Geologist, on behalf of the American Association
of State Geologists. Dr. William Thomas, Professor of Geology
at the University of Kentucky on behalf of the American
Geological Institute, testified in support of the education
portion of the program funded under the bill. All witnesses
agreed that the NGMA is a successful example a cooperative
effort between federal and State agencies, and one that
produces valuable results.
On June 30, 1999, the Full Resources Committee met to
consider the bill. The Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral
Resources was discharged from further consideration of the bill
by unanimous consent. No amendments were offered and the bill
was then ordered favorably reported to the House of
Representatives by voice vote.
Section-by-Section Analysis
Section 1. Short title
Section 1 is the short title of the bill, the National
Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999.
Section 2. Findings
Section 2 amends the NGMA by adding two new findings and
amending a third.
Section 3. Definitions
Section 3 adds three new definitions to the NGMA,
``educational component,'' ``state component,'' and ``federal
component.''
Section 4. Geologic Mapping Program
Section 4 amends the NGMA to change the time frame for
reports to Congress; adds a requirement for interdisciplinary
studies that add value to geologic mapping, strikes references
to ``Fedmap,'' ``Statemap,'' and ``Edmap'' and substitutes the
components defined in Section 3; and limits the use of federal
appropriated funds for overhead charges.
Section 5. Advisory committee
Section 5 amends the NGMA advisory committee to provide one
year to critique and report on the five-year strategic geologic
mapping plan of Section 6.
Section 6. Geologic Mapping Program 5-year plan
Section 6 amends the NGMA requirement for the preparation
of the five-year plan and identifies what is required for
inclusion within the plan.
Section 7. National Geologic Map Database
Section 7 amends the National Geologic Map Database by
requiring the USGS to establish links to federal and State
geologic map holdings.
Section 8. Biennial report
Section 8 adjusts the NGMA reporting requirement to
Congress from annual to biennial.
Section 9. Authorization of appropriations
Section 9 authorizes federal appropriations for geologic
mapping from $37 million in fiscal year 2001 to $64 million in
fiscal year 2005. H.R. 1528 repeats the current authorization
of appropriations for fiscal years 2000 and 2001. Historically,
the Administration has not requested full funding, nor has the
Congress appropriated up to the authorized level for the NGMA.
For example, in fiscal year 1999, the President requested only
$20.9 million while Congress appropriated $22.6 million, versus
the authorization for $28 million. The President's request for
fiscal year 2000 is only $21.3 million; however, because of the
reformatting of the entire USGS budget to reflect changes in
overhead, this equates to a figure of approximately $26 million
in fiscal year 1999 terms, which is still 15 percent less than
the $30 million authorized.
Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations
Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the
Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations
are reflected in the body of this report.
Federal Advisory Committee Statement
The advisory committee authorized in the bill is already in
existence.
Constitutional Authority Statement
Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.
Compliance With House Rule XIII
1. Cost of Legislation.--Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B)
of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
2. Congressional Budget Act.--As required by clause 3(c)(2)
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in
revenues or tax expenditures.
3. Government Reform Oversight Findings.--Under clause
3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives, the Committee has received no report of
oversight findings and recommendations from the Committee on
Government Reform on this bill.
4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.--Under clause
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate
for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget
Office:
U.S. Congress,
Congressional Budget Office,
Washington, DC, July 19, 1999.
Hon. Don Young,
Chairman, Committee on Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1528, the National
Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999.
If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contacts are Deborah
Reis (for federal costs) and Marjorie Miller (for the state and
local impact).
Sincerely,
Barry B. Anderson
(For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
Enclosure.
H.R. 1528--National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999
Summary: H.R. 1528 would authorize the appropriation of
$245 million over the 1999-2004 period and $64 million in 2005
for geologic mapping programs at the U.S. Geological Survey. Of
that total, $58 million in funding for 1999 and 2000 is already
authorized under current law. CBO estimates that implementing
H.R. 1528 would result in additional outlays of $185 million
over the 2001-2004 period, assuming the appropriation of the
authorized amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect direct
spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would
not apply.
H.R. 1528 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
State governments would incur some costs to match the federal
grant funds authorized by this bill, but these costs would be
voluntary.
Estimated cost to the Federal Government: Current law
authorizes the appropriation of $28 million in 1999 and $30
million in 2000 for geologic mapping. In addition to those
amounts, H.R. 1528 would authorize the appropriation of $37
million in 2001, $43 million in 2002, $50 million in 2003, $57
million in 2004, and $64 million in 2005. To date, $23 million
has been appropriated for geologic mapping for 1999.
For the purposes of this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R.
1528 will be enacted by the end of fiscal year 1999 and that
all amounts authorized by the bill will be appropriated for
each fiscal year. Estimated outlays are based on historical
spending rates for these programs. The estimated budgetary
impact of H.R. 1528 is shown in the following table. The costs
of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural
resources and environment).
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
-----------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
Spending on geologic mapping under current law:
Authorization level \1\............................... 28 30 0 0 0 0
Estimated outlays..................................... 28 30 2 0 0 0
Proposed changes:
Authorization level................................... 0 0 37 43 50 57
Estimated outlays..................................... 0 0 35 43 50 57
Spending on geologic mapping, H.R. 1528:
Authorization level \1\............................... 28 30 37 43 50 57
Estimated outlays..................................... 28 30 37 43 50 57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 1999 and 2000 levels are the amounts authorized under current law (Public Law 105-36); to date, $23
million has been appropriated for 1999.
Pay-as-you-go considerations: None.
Estimated impact on State, local, and tribal governments:
H.R. 1528 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in
UMRA. As is the case under current law, this bill would require
that all funds provided under the geologic mapping program for
grants to states be matched by an equal amount of state funds.
All state expenditures for this purpose would be voluntary.
This bill would have no other significant impact on the budgets
of state, local, or tribal governments.
Estimated impact on the private sector. This bill contains
no new private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
Previous CBO estimate: On May 24, 1999, CBO transmitted a
cost estimate for S. 607, the National Geologic Mapping
Reauthorization Act of 1999, as ordered reported by the Senate
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on May 19, 1999. The
two bills are identical, as are the two cost estimates.
Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Deborah Reis; Impact
on State, local, and tribal governments: Marjorie Miller.
Estimate approved by: Robert A. Sunshine, Deputy Assistant
Director for Budget Analysis.
Compliance With Public Law 104-4
This bill contains no unfunded mandates.
Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported
In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by
the bill, as reported, are shown as follows (existing law
proposed to be omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new
matter is printed in italic, existing law in which no change is
proposed is shown in roman):
NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING ACT OF 1992
* * * * * * *
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.
(a) Findings.--The Congress finds and declares that--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(7) geologic maps have proven indispensable in the
search for needed fossil-fuel and mineral resources;
[and]
(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
[(8)] (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.
* * * * * * *
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(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).
[(4)] (6) Geologic mapping program.--The term
``geologic mapping program'' means the National
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program established by
section 4(a).
[(5)] (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means
the Secretary of the Interior.
[(6)] (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).
[(7)] (10) Survey.--The term ``Survey'' means the
United States Geological Survey.
SEC. 4. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM.
(a) * * *
(b) Responsibilities of the Survey.--
(1) Lead agency.--The Survey shall be the lead
Federal agency responsible for planning, developing
[priorities] 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 geologic mapping program
implementation plan] develop a 5-year strategic
plan for the geologic mapping program in
accordance with section 6, 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
[within 300 days after the date of enactment of
the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization
Act of 1997] not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of the National Geologic
Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999;
(B) appoint, with the advice and consultation
of the Association, the advisory committee
[within 90 days after the date of enactment of
the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization
Act of 1997] not later than 1 year after the
date of enactment of the National Geologic
Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999 in
accordance with section 5; and
(C) [within 210 days after the date of
enactment of the National Geologic Mapping
Reauthorization Act of 1997] not later than 3
years after the date of enactment of the
National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act
of 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 [will coordinate] are
coordinating the development and
implementation of the geologic mapping
program;
(ii) how the Survey and the
Association [will] 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 [will lead to]
affect successful implementation of the
geologic mapping program.
* * * * * * *
[(d) Program Components.--The geologic mapping program shall
include the following components:
[(1) Federal component.--A Federal geologic mapping
component, whose objective shall be determining the
geologic framework of areas determined to be vital to
the economic, social, or scientific welfare of the
Nation. Mapping priorities shall be based on--
[(A) national requirements for geologic-map
information in areas of multiple-issue need or
areas of compelling single-issue need; and
[(B) national requirements for geologic-map
information in areas where mapping is required
to solve critical earth-science problems.
[(2) Support component.--A geologic mapping support
component, whose objective shall be providing
interdisciplinary support for the Federal Geologic
Mapping Component. Representative categories of
interdisciplinary support shall include--
[(A) establishment of a national geologic-map
data base, established pursuant to section 7;
[(B) studies that lead to the implementation
of cost-effective digital methods for the
acquisition, compilation, analysis,
cartographic production, and dissemination of
geologic-map information;
[(C) paleontologic investigations that
provide information critical to understanding
the age and depositional environment of fossil-
bearing geologic-map units, which
investigations shall be contributed to a
national paleontologic data base;
[(D) geochronologic and isotopic
investigations that--
[(i) provide radiometric age dates
for geologic-map units; and
[(ii) fingerprint the geothermometry,
geobarometry, and alteration history of
geologic-map units,
which investigations shall be contributed to a
national geochronologic data base;
[(E) geophysical investigations that assist
in delineating and mapping the physical
characteristics and three-dimensional
distribution of geologic materials and geologic
structures, which investigations shall be
contributed to a national geophysical-map data
base; and
[(F) geochemical investigations and
analytical operations that characterize the
major- and minor-element composition of
geologic-map units, and that lead to the
recognition of stable and anomalous geochemical
signatures for geologic terrains, which
investigations shall be contributed to a
national geochemical-map data base.
[(3) State component.--A State geologic mapping
component, whose objective shall be determining the
geologic framework of areas that the State geological
surveys determine to be vital to the economic, social,
or scientific welfare of individual States. Mapping
priorities shall be determined by multirepresentational
State panels and shall be integrated with national
priorities. Federal funding for the State component
shall be matched on a one-to-one basis with non-Federal
funds.
[(4) Education component.--A geologic mapping
education component--
[(A) the objectives of which shall be--
[(i) to develop the academic programs
that teach earth-science students the
fundamental principles of geologic
mapping and field analysis; and
[(ii) to provide for broad education
in geologic mapping and field analysis
through support of field studies;
[(B) investigations under which shall be
integrated with the other mapping components of
the geologic mapping program and shall respond
to priorities identified for those components;
and
[(C) Federal funding for which shall be
matched by non-Federal sources on a 1-to-1
basis.]
(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 7;
(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,
geochrono-logic, 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.
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
(a) Establishment.--
(1) * * *
* * * * * * *
(3) Appointed members.--Not later than [90 days after
the date of enactment of the National Geologic Mapping
Reauthorization Act of 1997] 1 year after the date of
enactment of the National Geologic Mapping
Reauthorization Act of 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 [critique the draft implementation
plan] update the 5-year plan prepared by the Director
pursuant to section 6;
(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 [this
Act] sections 4 through 7.
[SEC. 6. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.
[The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, with the
advice and review of the advisory committee, prepare an
implementation plan for the geologic mapping program. The plan
shall identify the overall management structure and operation
of the geologic mapping program and shall provide for--
[(1) the role of the Survey in its capacity as
overall management lead, including the responsibility
for developing the national cooperative geologic
mapping program that meets Federal needs while
simultaneously fostering State needs;
[(2) the responsibilities accruing to the State
geological surveys, with particular emphasis on
mechanisms that incorporate their needs, missions,
capabilities, and requirements into the nationwide
geologic mapping program;
[(3) mechanisms for identifying short- and long-term
priorities for each component of the geologic mapping
program, including--
[(A) for the Federal geologic mapping
component, a priority-setting mechanism that
responds both to (i) Federal mission
requirements for geologic-map information, and
(ii) critical scientific problems that require
geologic-map control for their resolution;
[(B) for the geologic mapping support
component, a strong interdisciplinary research
program plan in isotopic and paleontologic
geochronology, geophysical mapping, and process
studies to provide data to and interpret
results from geologic mapping;
[(C) for the State geologic mapping
component, a priority-setting mechanism that
responds to--
[(i) specific intrastate needs for
geologic-map information; and
[(ii) interstate needs shared by
adjacent entities that have common
requirements; and
[(D) for the geologic mapping education
component, a priority-setting mechanism that
responds to requirements for geologic-map
information that are driven by Federal and
State mission requirements;
[(4) a mechanism for adopting scientific and
technical mapping standards for preparing and
publishing general-purpose and special-purpose geologic
maps to--
[(A) ensure uniformity of cartographic and
scientific conventions; and
[(B) provide a basis for judgment as to the
comparability and quality of map products; and
[(5) a mechanism for monitoring the inventory of
published and current mapping investigations nationwide
in order to facilitate planning and information
exchange and to avoid redundancy.]
SEC. 6. 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 reponds
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.
[SEC. 7. NATIONAL GEOLOGIC-MAP DATA BASE.
[(a) Establishment.--The Survey shall establish a national
geologic-map data base. Such data base shall be a national
archive that includes all maps developed pursuant to this Act,
the data bases developed pursuant to the investigations under
sections (4)(d)(2) (C), (D), (E), and (F), and other maps and
data as the Survey deems appropriate.]
SEC. 7. 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 4(d)(1)(C)(ii); and
(C) other maps and data that the Survey and
the Association consider appropriate.
* * * * * * *
[SEC. 8. ANNUAL REPORT.
[The Secretary shall, within 90 days after the end of each
fiscal year, submit an annual report to the Committee on
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate describing the
status of the nationwide geologic mapping program and
describing and evaluating the progress achieved during the
preceding fiscal year in developing the national geologic-map
data base. Each report shall include any recommendations for
legislative or other action as the Secretary deems necessary
and appropriate to fulfill the purposes of this Act.
[SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
[(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to
carry out the national cooperative geologic mapping program
under this Act--
[(1) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
[(2) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
[(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
[(b) Allocation of Appropriated Funds.--
[(1) In general.--Of the amount of funds that are
appropriated under subsection (a) for any fiscal year
up to the amount that is equal to the amount
appropriated to carry out the national cooperative
geologic mapping program for fiscal year 1996--
[(A) not less than 20 percent shall be
allocated to State mapping activities; and
[(B) not less than 2 percent shall be
allocated to educational mapping activities.
[(2) Increased appropriations.--Of the amount of
funds that are appropriated under subsection (a) for
any fiscal year up to the amount that exceeds the
amount appropriated to carry out the national
cooperative geologic mapping program for fiscal year
1996--
[(A) for fiscal year 1998--
[(i) 75 percent shall be allocated
for Federal mapping and support mapping
activities;
[(ii) 23 percent shall be allocated
for State mapping activities; and
[(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated
for educational mapping activities;
[(B) for fiscal year 1999--
[(i) 74 percent shall be allocated
for Federal mapping and support mapping
activities;
[(ii) 24 percent shall be allocated
for State mapping activities; and
[(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated
for educational mapping activities; and
[(C) for fiscal year 2000--
[(i) 73 percent shall be allocated
for Federal mapping and support mapping
activities;
[(ii) 25 percent shall be allocated
for State mapping activities; and
[(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated
for educational mapping activities.]
SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT.
Not later 3 years after the date of enactment of the National
Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 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 4 through 7.
SEC. 9. 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.