Authorizations

> **43 U.S.C. 31 et seq.** Organic Act of March 3, 1879, as amended,
> establishes the United States Geological Survey. Provides, among other
> matters, that the USGS is directed to classify the public lands and
> examine the geological structure, mineral resources, and products
> within and outside the national domain. Establishes the Office of the
> Director of the United States Geological Survey under the Department
> of the Interior. The Director is appointed by the President by and
> with the advice and consent of the Senate. P.L. 102--285, Sec. 10(a)
> establishes the official name as United States Geological Survey.

**Title 2 -- The Congress**

**2 U.S.C. 681--688** Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act
of 1974. Describes the general Federal budget process, including
rescissions, reservations, and deferrals of budget authority.

**Title 5 -- Government Organization and Employees**

**5 U.S.C.** Includes personnel matters (classification, pay rates,
benefits, etc.), the Freedom of Information Act, the Privacy Act, the
Computer Matching and Privacy Act, and other issues related to general
Federal functions and employment. The Appendices to Title 5 include the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972, Inspector General
mandates, and other matters that include Federal entities such as the
USGS.

**Title 7 -- Agriculture**

**7 U.S.C. 136** Federal Environmental Pesticide Control Act of 1972.
Amends the program established by the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and
Rodenticide Control Act of 1947 for controlling the sale and
distribution of \"economic poisons.\" The law requires registration of
pesticides to avoid unreasonable adverse effects to humans or the
environment.

**7 U.S.C. 2201** Department of Agriculture Organic Act of 1956.
Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to obtain the advice of the
Secretary of the Interior as to whether certain lands that are being
patented, disposed of, or exchanged are mineral in character.

**7 U.S.C. 2204(b)** Rural Development and Policy Act of 1980.
Authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to enter cooperative agreements
with other Federal agencies and other organizations concerning water
management for rural areas.

**Title 15 -- Commerce and Trade**

**15 U.S.C. 631, 631(a)** Small Business Act. Fosters the economic
interests of small businesses and sets forth procedures. Encourages
Federal agencies to use small businesses and women-owned businesses for
services and other contracted activities.

**15 U.S.C. 2901--2908** The National Climate Program Act of 1978.
Establishes a national climate program to assist the Nation and the
world in understanding and responding to natural and human‑induced
climate processes and their known and potential effects. The Department
of the Interior has a mandated role in this Program.

**15 U.S.C. 2921 et seq.** The Global Change Research Act of 1990.
Establishes the United States Global Change Research Program aimed at
understanding and responding to global change, including the cumulative
effects of human activities and natural processes on the environment, to
promote discussions toward international protocols in global change
research, and for other purposes.

**15 U.S.C. 5631 et seq.** Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992.
Enables the United States to maintain leadership in land remote sensing
by providing data continuity for the Landsat program. Assigns
responsibility for the \"National Satellite Land Remote Sensing Data
Archive\" to the Department of the Interior. Authorizes and encourages
the Department of the Interior and other Federal agencies to carry out
research and development programs in applications of these data and
makes Landsat data available to the public.

**Title 16 -- Conservation**

**16 U.S.C. 17 et seq.** National Park Service Organic Act of 1916.
Parts of Title 16, Conservation, as amended and supplemented, apply to
the USGS. Notably, the Outdoor Recreation Act of 1936 authorizes the
Secretary of the Interior to sponsor, engage in, and assist in research
relating to outdoor recreation, directly or by contract or cooperative
agreements, and make payments for such purposes; undertake studies and
assemble information concerning outdoor recreation; and cooperate with
educational institutions and others to assist in establishing education
programs and activities and to encourage public use and benefits from
outdoor recreation.

**16 U.S.C. 661 et seq.** Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to prepare plans to protect
wildlife resources, to conduct surveys on public lands, and to accept
funds or lands for related purposes; authorizes the investigation and
reporting of proposed Federal actions that affect the development,
protection, rearing, and stocking of all species of wildlife and their
habitat in controlling losses, minimizing damages, and providing
recommendations to minimize impacts on fish and wildlife resources.
National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of 1997 (P.L. 105--57)
amends the National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 to
improve the management of the National Wildlife Refuge System, and for
other purposes.

**16 U.S.C. 703--712** Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918, as amended.
Implements four international treaties that individually affect
migratory birds common to the United States, Canada, Mexico, Japan, and
the former Soviet Union. Establishes Federal responsibility for
protection and management of migratory and nongame birds, including the
establishment of season length based on scientific information relative
to zones of temperature, distribution, abundance, breeding habits and
times and lines of migratory flight of migratory birds. Establishes the
Secretary of the Interior\'s responsibility for bag limits and other
hunting regulations and issuance of permits to band, possess, or
otherwise make use of migratory birds.

**16 U.S.C. 715** Migratory Bird Conservation Act of 1900. Establishes
the Migratory Bird Conservation Commission; authorizes the Secretary of
the Interior to conduct investigations and publish documents related to
North American birds.

**16 U.S.C. 742(a) et seq.** Fish and Wildlife Act of 1956. Authorizes
the Secretary of the Interior to conduct investigations, prepare and
disseminate information, and make periodic reports to the public
regarding the availability and abundance and the biological requirements
of fish and wildlife resources; provides a comprehensive national fish
and wildlife policy and authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to take
steps required for the development, management, advancement,
conservation, and protection of fisheries and wildlife resources through
research, acquisition of refuge lands, development of existing
facilities, and other means.

**16 U.S.C. 742(l)** Fish and Wildlife Improvement Act of 1978, as
amended by P.L. 95--616. Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to
enter into cooperative agreements with colleges and universities, State
fish and game agencies, and nonprofit organizations for the purpose of
developing adequate, coordinated, cooperative research and training
programs for fish and wildlife resources.

**16 U.S.C. 797(c)** Following language supports Appropriations language
\"and Federal Energy Regulatory Commission licensees.\" States that,
\"To cooperate with the executive departments and other agencies of
States or National Governments in such investigations; and for such
purposes the several departments and agencies of the National Government
are authorized and directed upon the request of the commission, to
furnish such records, papers and information in their possession as may
be requested by the commission, and temporarily to detail to the
commission such officers or experts as may be necessary in such
investigations.\"

**16 U.S.C. 931--939** Great Lakes Fishery Act of 1956. Implements the
Convention on Great Lakes Fisheries between the United States and
Canada; authorizes construction, operation, and maintenance of sea
lamprey control works; sets forth procedures for coordination and
consultation with States and other Federal agencies; and establishes the
Great Lakes Fisheries Commission.

**16 U.S.C. 1131 and 1133** Wilderness Act of 1964, as amended. Requires
the USGS to assess the mineral resources of each area proposed or
established as wilderness. The studies are to be on a planned and
recurring basis. The original series of studies has been completed, and
no recurring studies have been requested or funded.

**16 U.S.C. 1361 et seq.** Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, as
amended. Establishes a responsibility to conserve marine mammals with
management authority vested in the Department of the Interior for the
sea otter, walrus, polar bear, dugong, and manatee.

**16 U.S.C. 1451 et seq.** Coastal Zone Management Act of 1976. Provides
that each department, agency, and instrumentality of the Executive
Branch of the Federal Government may assist the Secretary of Commerce,
on a reimbursable basis or otherwise, in carrying out research and
technical assistance for coastal zone management.

**16 U.S.C. 1531 et seq.** Endangered Species Act of 1973, as amended.
Provides for the conservation of threatened and endangered species of
fish, wildlife, and plants, and authorizes establishment of cooperative
agreements and grants-in-aid to States that establish and maintain
active and adequate programs for endangered and threatened wildlife and
plants.

**16 U.S.C. 1604.** Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning
Act of 1974, as amended by the National Forest Management Act of 1976.
The USGS is a party in an interagency agreement with the Forest Service
to assess the mineral resources of National Forests.

**16 U.S.C. 2801 et seq.** National Aquaculture Act of 1980. Directs the
Secretary of the Interior to participate in the development of a
National Aquaculture Development Plan and authorizes research,
development, and other activities to encourage the development of
aquaculture in the United States.

**16 U.S.C. 3141 et seq.** Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation
Act of 1980. Designates certain public lands in Alaska as units of the
National Park, National Wildlife Refuge, Wild and Scenic Rivers,
National Wilderness Preservation and National Forest Systems, resulting
in general expansion of all systems and provided comprehensive
management guidance for all public lands in Alaska. Section **3141**
requires the Secretary of the Interior to assess the oil and gas
potential of Federal lands (other than submerged lands on the Outer
continental Shelf) in Alaska north of 68 degrees north latitude and east
of the western boundary of the National Petroleum Reserve--Alaska
(NPRA), other than lands included in the NPRA and in conservation system
units established by the Act. Also authorizes the Secretary of the
Interior to initiate and carry out a study of all Federal lands in
designated areas of Alaska; the study is to assess the potential oil and
gas resources of these lands; review the wilderness characteristics; and
study the wildlife resources of these lands. Section **3142** provides
for a comprehensive and continuing inventory and assessment of the fish
and wildlife resources of the coastal plain of the Arctic National
Wildlife Refuge. Also states that the USGS \"has made and may be called
upon to make water studies pertinent to implementation of the Act.\"
Section **3148** authorizes the Secretary to conduct studies, or collect
and analyze information obtained by permittees, of the oil and gas
potential of non-North Slope Federal lands and environmental
characteristics and wildlife resources that would be affected by the
exploration for and development of such oil and gas. Section **3150**
requires that the Secretary of the Interior assess the oil, gas, and
other mineral potential on all public lands in the State of Alaska to
expand the database with respect to the mineral potential of such lands.
This responsibility has been delegated to the USGS. Section **3151**
requires an annual minerals report be presented to Congress; the
preparation of this report was delegated to the USGS. The annual
reporting requirement was terminated, effective May 15, 2000, pursuant
to section 3003 of P.L. 104--66, as amended.

**16 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.** Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1982.
Designates various underdeveloped coastal barrier islands depicted by
specific maps for inclusions in the Coastal Barrier Resource System.
**P.L. 106--514** Coastal Barrier Resources Reauthorization Act of 2000.
Reauthorizes and amends the Coastal Barrier Resources Act of 1999.
Section **6** authorizes cooperative efforts between the Secretary of
the Interior and the Director of FEMA to provide existing digital
spatial data, including digital orthophotos, and shoreline, elevation,
and bathymetric data of the John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resource
System maps. If data do not exist to carry out this pilot project, the
USGS, in cooperation with other Federal agencies, as appropriate, will
obtain and provide the data required to the Secretary. In addition, all
data used or created to carry out this section shall comply with the
National Spatial Data Infrastructure established by Executive Order
12906 (59 Fed. Reg. 17671 (April 13, 1994)); and any other standards
established by the Federal Geographic Data Committee established by
Office of Management and Budget Circular A--16.

**16 U.S.C. 4701 et seq.** Nonindigenous Aquatic Nuisance Prevention and
Control Act of 1990. Establishes a Federal program to prevent
introduction and control the spread of introduced aquatic nuisance
species.

**Title 22 -- Foreign Relations and Intercourse**

**22 U.S.C. 3201 et seq.** Nuclear Non‑Proliferation Act of 1978.
Provides that under Title V, United States Assistance to Developing
Countries, the USGS assists, through the State Department and the Agency
for International Development, in evaluation of nuclear facilities sites
in other countries.

**Title 25 -- Indians**

**25 U.S.C. 450 et seq.** Tribal Self-Governance Act of 1994. The USGS
participates in the Tribal Self-Governance Program by identifying USGS
activities that may be available for tribal operation under the
Self-Governance Act. The USGS discusses programs and activities with
interested tribal governments.

**Title 29 -- Labor**

**29 U.S.C. 651** Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. Provides
criteria \"... to assure so far as possible every working man and woman
in the Nation safe and healthful working conditions ....\"

**Title 30 -- Mineral Lands and Mining**

**30 U.S.C. 21(a)** Mining and Minerals Policy Act of 1970. Emphasizes
Department of the Interior responsibility for assessing the mineral
resources of the Nation.

**30 U.S.C. 201** Federal Coal Leasing Amendments Act of 1976. Provides
that no lease sale may be held on Federal lands unless the lands
containing the coal deposits have been included in a comprehensive
land‑use plan. Provides that the Secretary is authorized and directed to
conduct a comprehensive exploratory program designed to obtain
sufficient data and information to evaluate the extent, location, and
potential for developing the known recoverable coal resources within the
coal lands. The USGS provides data and information from coal research
and field investigations, which are useful to the BLM to meet the
requirements of the coal leasing program. Further, the Secretary,
(**Sec. 208--1(b)**) through the USGS, \"\... is authorized to conduct
seismic, geophysical, geochemical, or stratigraphic drilling, or to
contract for or purchase the results of such exploratory activities from
commercial or other sources which may be needed to implement the \...\"
exploratory program.

**30 U.S.C. 641** Following language supports Appropriations language
\"administer the minerals exploration program.\" Provides that, \"The
Secretary of the Interior is hereby authorized and directed, in order to
provide for discovery of additional domestic mineral reserves, to
establish and maintain a program for exploration by private industry
within the United States, territories and possessions for such minerals,
excluding organic fuels, as he shall from time to time designate, and to
provide Federal financial assistance on a participating basis for that
purpose.\" (P.L. 85--701.)

**30 U.S.C. 1026** Section **6** of the Geothermal Steam Act Amendments
of 1988. Requires the Secretary of the Interior to (1) maintain a
monitoring program for significant thermal features within units of the
National Park System and (2) establish a research program to collect and
assess data on the geothermal resources within units of the National
Park System with significant thermal features in cooperation with the
USGS. Section **8** requires the USGS to conduct a study of the impact
of present geothermal development in the vicinity of Yellowstone
National Park on the thermal features within the park.

**30 U.S.C. 1028** Energy Policy Act of 1992. Directs the Secretary of
the Interior, through the USGS and in consultation with the Secretary of
Energy, to establish a cooperative government‑ private sector program
with respect to hot dry rock geothermal energy resources on public
lands. Supports recurring assessments of the undiscovered oil and gas
resources of the United States.

**30 U.S.C. 1101, 1121, 1123** Geothermal Energy Research, Development,
and Demonstration Act of 1974. Provides that the Department of the
Interior is responsible for the evaluation and assessment of the
geothermal resource base and the development of exploration
technologies. The Chairman, acting through the USGS and other
appropriate agencies, shall develop and carry out a plan for the
inventorying of all forms of geothermal resources of Federal lands;
conduct regional surveys; publish and make available maps, reports, and
other documents developed from the surveys; and participate with
non-Federal entities in research to develop, improve, and test
technologies for the discovery and evaluation of geothermal resources.

**30 U.S.C. 1201--1202, 1211** Surface Mining Control and Reclamation
Act of 1977, as amended. Establishes the Office of Surface Mining
Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM). OSM depends in part upon the USGS for
a determination of the probable hydrologic consequences of mining and
reclamation operations.

**30 U.S.C. 1419 et seq.** Deep Seabed Hard Mineral Resources Act of
1980. Provides authorization for conducting a continuing program of
ocean research that \"shall include the development, acceleration, and
expansion, as appropriate, of the studies of the ecological, geological,
and physical aspects of the deep seabed in general areas of the ocean
where exploration and commercial development are likely to occur ....\"
The USGS, based on expertise developed in regional offshore geologic
investigations, provides geological and mineral resource expertise in
responding to the requirements of the Act.

**30 U.S.C 1601 et seq.** National Materials and Minerals Policy,
Research and Development Act of 1980. Reemphasizes the responsibility of
the Department of the Interior to assess the mineral resources of the
Nation.

**30 U.S.C. 1901--1902** Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act of
2000. Authorizes appropriations for the establishment of a methane
hydrate research and development program within the DOE. The DOE is
directed to carry out this program in consultation with the U.S. Navy,
USGS, Minerals Management Service, and NSF, through grants, contracts,
and cooperative agreements with universities and industrial enterprises.
Provides for the study of the use of methane hydrate as a source of
energy. Sunsets the methane hydrate research and development program at
the end of FY 2005.

**Title 31 -- Money and Finance**

**31 U.S.C. 501, 901--903** note Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of
1990. Section **501** refers to findings and purpose for the CFO Act.
Sections **901--903** provide for establishment of a CFO in each agency,
describe the authority and functions of agency CFOs, and provide for the
establishment of agency Deputy CFOs.

**31 U.S.C. 1535** Economy Act of 1932, as amended. Authorizes any
agency to obtain goods and services from and reimburse any other agency
if certain criteria are met.

**31 U.S.C. 3302** The custody and possession of public money by Federal
officials is dealt with in this section. (P.L. 97--258.)

**31 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.** Budget Accounting and Procedures Act of 1950.
Federal Managers\' Financial Integrity Act of 1982.

**31 U.S.C. 3512** Federal Financial Management Improvement Act of 1996.
Provides for the implementation of financial management systems that
comply with Federal financial management systems requirements,
applicable Federal accounting standards, and the U.S. Government
Standard General Ledger at the transaction level.

**31 U.S.C. 3701--3720(e)** Debt Collection Improvement Act of 1996.
Maximizes collections of delinquent debts owed to the Federal
Government; describes policies and requirements.

**31 U.S.C. 3901--3907** Prompt Payment Act of 1982, as amended.
Requires Federal agencies to pay interest penalties on overdue payments
to businesses for property or services, and requires the Office of
Management and Budget to prescribe regulations to implement provisions
of the act and subsequent amendments.

**31 U.S.C. 6301--6308** Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of
1977. Provides criteria for distinguishing between contract, grant, and
cooperative agreement relationships and provides discretionary authority
to vest title to equipment or other tangible personal property purchased
with contract, grant, or cooperative agreement funds in nonprofit
research or higher education institutions.

**31 U.S.C. 7501** Single Audit Act of 1984, as amended. Provides for
audits of Federal awards administered by non-Federal entities.

**31 U.S.C. 9701** Independent Office Appropriations Act of 1952; Title
5, Fees and charges for Government services and things of value.
Encourages Federal services and products (\"things of value\") to be as
financially self-sustaining as possible. Authorizes costs to be charged
for Federal services and products based on the costs to the Government,
the value of the service or thing to the recipient, and the public
policy or interest served.

**Title 33 -- Navigation and Navigable Waters**

**33 U.S.C. 883(a)** Great Lakes Shoreline Mapping Act of 1987. Section
**3202(a)** requires that the Director of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration \"\... in consultation with the Director of
the United States Geological Survey, shall submit to the Congress a plan
for preparing maps of the shoreline of the Great Lakes under section
3203.\" Section **3203** requires that \"\... subject to authorization
and appropriation of funds, the Director, in consultation with the
Director of the United States Geological Survey, shall prepare maps of
the shoreline areas of the Great Lakes.\"

**33 U.S.C. 1251--1274, 2901** Federal Water Pollution Control Act
Amendments of 1972, Clean Water Act of 1977, and Water Quality Act of
1987, authorize extensive water quality planning, studies, and
monitoring under the direction primarily of the EPA. Section **1254**
authorizes the Administrator of the EPA to establish national programs
for the prevention, reduction, and elimination of pollution including
the establishment of a water quality surveillance system for the purpose
of monitoring the quality of the navigable waters and ground waters,
utilizing the resources of the USGS and others. The USGS is called upon
to participate in many of these activities, partly by the EPA and partly
by State agencies in the Federal-State Cooperative Program \[now called
the Cooperative Water Program\]. The Act of 1987 includes water quality
work in Chesapeake Bay, the Great Lakes, Estuary and Clean Lakes
Programs, and studies of water pollution problems in aquifers. Estuaries
and Clean Waters Act of 2000. Amends the Federal Water Pollution and
Control Act (commonly known as the Clean Water Act) to include
authorization for the following: Title I, Estuary Restoration; Title II,
Chesapeake Bay Restoration; Title III, National Estuary Program; Title
IV, Long Island Sound Restoration; Title V, Lake Pontchartrain Basin
Restoration; Title VI, Alternative Water Sources; Title VII, Clean
Lakes; and Title VIII, Tijuana River Valley Estuary and Beach Cleanup.
(The Clean Water Act charges States and Tribes with setting specific
water-quality criteria appropriate for their waters and for developing
pollution control programs to meet the criteria. States and Tribes
utilize USGS hydrologic data collection and monitoring to help meet
Clean Water Act requirements. The USGS also is a key Federal partner in
both the Chesapeake Bay Program and the National Estuary Program.)

**33 U.S.C. 1271** Water Resources Development Act of 1992. Establishes
a National Contaminated Sediment Task Force, with USGS as a member, to
conduct a comprehensive national survey of aquatic sediment quality.

**33 U.S.C. 2201 et seq.** Water Resources Development Act of 1990.
Authorizes a program for planning, construction, and evaluation of
measures for fish and wildlife habitat rehabilitation and enhancement;
cooperative effort and mutual assistance for use, protection, growth,
and development of the Upper Mississippi River system; implementation of
a long-term resource monitoring program; and implementation of a
computerized inventory and analysis systems.

**33 U.S.C. 2701, 2761** Oil Pollution Act of 1990. Section **2761**
authorizes the establishment of an Interagency Coordinating Committee on
Oil Pollution Research, of which the Department of the Interior is a
member, to develop a plan for the implementation of the oil pollution
research, development, and demonstration program.

**Title 40 -- Public Buildings, Property, and Works**

**40 U.S.C. 471** Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of
1949. Provides for management, utilization, and disposal of government
property.

**40 U.S.C. 601** Public Buildings Amendment Act of 1972. Prohibits
construction of buildings except by the Administrator of General
Services.

**40 U.S.C. 606** Public Buildings Act of 1959. Establishes criteria for
the approval of proposed construction, alteration, acquisition, and
lease of public buildings by Congress, over a designated threshold of
cost.

**40 U.S.C. 1401** Clinger-Cohen Act, formerly known as the Information
Technology Management Reform Act of 1996, along with the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq.). Provides the opportunity
to improve significantly the way the Federal Government acquires and
manages information technology. Agencies have the clear authority and
responsibility to make measurable improvements in mission performance
and service delivery to the public through the strategic application of
information technology. Executive Order 13011, July 16, 1996, provides
policy and procedures regarding implementation of this Act.

**Title 41 -- Judicial Review of Administrative Decisions**

**41 U.S.C. 251 et seq.** Competition in Contracting Act of 1984.
Provides direction regarding agency procurements, including support for
small businesses, acquisition thresholds regarding soliciting bids, etc.

**41 U.S.C. 433** Federal Acquisition Reform Act of 1996. Mandates the
continued career development and training of the acquisition workforce.

**41 U.S.C. 601--613** Contract Disputes Act of 1978. Describes
procedures regarding the resolution of contract disputes.

**Title 42 -- The Public Health and Welfare**

**42 U.S.C. 300(f) et seq.** Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments of 1996.
Authorizes research \"\... relating to the causes, \... treatment, \...
prevention of \... impairments of man resulting directly or indirectly
from contaminants in water, or to the provision of a dependably safe
supply of drinking water \....\" The USGS and EPA have an interagency
agreement covering aquifer studies conducted by the USGS relating to
sole source aquifers.

**42 U.S.C. 2021(b) et seq.** Low‑Level Radioactive Waste Policy Act of
1980. Requires intra‑State or regional arrangements for disposal of
low‑level radioactive waste by July 1986. The USGS provides
geohydrologic research and technology to Federal and State agencies
developing plans for low-level waste management. The amending Act of
1985 included approval of seven interstate compacts.

**42 U.S.C. 2210(b), 2231** Nuclear Regulatory Commission Authorization
Act. Requires the Secretary of Energy to monitor and report to the
President and Congress on the viability of the domestic uranium
industry. Under a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of
Energy and the Department of the Interior, the USGS provides information
on domestic uranium resources to the Energy Information Agency.

**42 U.S.C. 4321 et seq.** National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as
amended. Requires prior-to-action determination that any major Federal
action will not have a significantly adverse effect upon the
environment. The USGS is called upon to provide technical review or
inputs to resource-related actions proposed by other Federal agencies.

**42 U.S.C. 5121, 5132** Disaster Relief Act of 1974, Section
**202(a).** States that \"The President shall ensure that all
appropriate Federal agencies are prepared to issue warnings of disasters
to State and local officials.\" In addition, Section **202(b)** states
that \"The President shall direct appropriate Federal agencies to
provide technical assistance to State and local governments to insure
that timely and effective disaster warning is provided.\"

**42 U.S.C. 5845(c)** Energy Reorganization Act of 1974. Directs all
other Federal agencies to \"\... (2) \... furnish to the (Nuclear
Regulatory) Commission \... such research services \... for the
performance of its functions; and (3) consult and cooperate with the
Commission on research development matters of mutual interest and
provide such information and physical access to its facilities as will
assist the Commission in acquiring the expertise necessary to perform
its licensing and related regulatory functions.\" The USGS conducts
geological mapping in areas where nuclear reactor construction is
anticipated and conducts investigations of geologic processes that could
imperil the safe operation of the reactors or other critical energy
facilities.

**42 U.S.C. 6217** Energy Act of 2000. Extends energy conservation
programs under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act through FY 2003.
Specifically for the USGS, Section **604,** \"Scientific Inventory of
Oil and Gas Reserves,\" instructs the Secretary of the Interior, in
consultation with the Secretaries of Agriculture and Energy, to conduct
and update regularly an inventory of all onshore Federal lands. The
inventory will identify (1) USGS reserve estimates of the oil and gas
resources underlying these lands, (2) restrictions or impediments to
development of such resources, and (3) furnish such inventory data to
the House Committee on Resources and the Senate Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources. Authorizes appropriations as necessary for
implementation.

**42 U.S.C. 6901 et seq.** Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of
1976 and Hazardous and Solid Waste Amendments of 1984. Requires the EPA
to promulgate guidelines and regulations for identification and
management of solid waste, including disposal. The expertise of the USGS
is a present and potential source of assistance to the EPA in defining
and predicting the hydrologic effects of waste disposal.

**42 U.S.C. 7418, 7401, 7470.** Clean Air Act of 1977, as amended.
Requires Federal facilities to comply with air quality standards to the
same extent as non-governmental entities. Establishes requirements to
prevent significant deterioration of air quality and to preserve air
quality in national parks, national wilderness areas, national monuments
and national seashores.

**42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.** Earthquake Hazards Reduction Act of 1977.
Sets as a national goal the reduction in the risks of life and property
from future earthquakes in the United States through the establishment
and maintenance of a balanced earthquake program encompassing prediction
and hazard assessment research, seismic monitoring and information
dissemination. Subsequent public laws established a National Earthquake
Hazards Reduction Program, of which the USGS is a part. P.L. 96--472
authorizes the establishment of a National Earthquake Prediction
Evaluation Council. P.L. 101--614 (National Earthquake Hazards Reduction
Program Reauthorization Act), P.L. 105--47, and P.L. 106--503
(Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization Act of 2000) reauthorize the
1977 Act, repeal some sections, and add new language in some sections
including the establishment of an Advanced National Seismic Research and
Monitoring System.

**42 U.S.C. 8901 et seq.** Acid Precipitation Act of 1980. Authorizes an
\"Acid Precipitation Program and Carbon Dioxide Study,\" including the
establishment of an Acid Precipitation Task Force (of which the
Department of the Interior is a member) and a comprehensive 10-year
research program. Title IX of the Clean Air Act Amendments of 1990 (P.L.
101--549) calls for continuation of the National Acid Precipitation
Assessment Program (NAPAP) established under the Acid Precipitation Act
of 1980. The USGS is an active participant in the research program and
coordinates interagency monitoring of precipitation chemistry. The USGS
National Coal Resources Data System was named by the EPA as the official
database for information on coal quality. The EPA, utility companies,
and coal mining industries use the database to estimate the amount of
air pollution derived from coal combustion. The USGS is a participant in
studies of acid precipitation as a result of prior work in this field.

**42 U.S.C. 9601 et seq.** Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act of 1980 (CERCLA). Establishes a
Hazardous Substance Superfund (26 U.S.C. 9507) to help finance the
massive cleanup programs needed at sites that are heavily contaminated
with toxic wastes. The USGS is called upon by the EPA and State agencies
to investigate and determine the extent of contamination and remedial
measures at some of these sites.

**42 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.** Nuclear Waste Policy Act of 1982. Defines
the DOE as lead agency with responsibility for siting, building, and
operating high‑level radioactive waste repositories. Requires
participation by the USGS in a consultative and review role to the DOE.
The Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987 (Title V of the Omnibus
Budget Reconciliation Act of 1987) identifies Yucca Mountain, NV, as the
first site to be studied to ascertain suitability for disposal of high
level nuclear waste. The 1987 Act provides that the DOE conduct a survey
of potentially suitable sites for a monitored retrievable storage
facility.

**42 U.S.C. 10301 et seq.** Water Resources Development Act of 1986.
Amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 (P.L. 98--242) by adding
a new Title III, \"Ogallala Aquifer Research and Development.\" P.L.
104--147 amends the Water Resources Research Act of 1984 to extend
authorization of appropriations through FY 2000. P.L. 106--374 amends
the act to extend authorization of appropriations through FY 2005. The
Water Resources Research Act of 1984, as amended, provides for water
resources research, information transfer, and student training in grants
and contract programs that will assist the Nation and the States in
augmenting their science and technology to discover practical solutions
to water shortage and quality deterioration problems. Establishes a
Federal-State partnership in water resources research, education, and
information transfer through a matching grant program that authorizes
State Water Resources Research Institutes at land grant universities
across the Nation.

**Title 43 -- Public Lands**

**43 U.S.C. 31 et seq.** Organic Act of March 3, 1879, as amended,
establishes the United States Geological Survey. Provides, among other
matters, that the USGS is directed to classify the public lands and
examine the geological structure, mineral resources, and products within
and outside the national domain. Establishes the Office of the Director
of the United States Geological Survey under the Department of the
Interior. The Director is appointed by the President by and with the
advice and consent of the Senate. P.L. 102--285, Sec. 10(a) establishes
the official name as the United States Geological Survey.

[Particularly:]{.underline} Section **4** of the Continental Scientific
Drilling and Exploration Act of 1988. Requires that \"The Secretary of
the Department of Energy, the Secretary of the Department of the
Interior through the United States Geological Survey, and the Director
of the National Science Foundation assure an effective, cooperative
effort in furtherance of the Continental Scientific Drilling Program of
the United States.\"

[And:]{.underline} 43 U.S.C. **31(a--h).** National Geologic Mapping Act
of 1992. Establishes in the USGS a National Cooperative Geologic Mapping
Program. States \"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 database; (2) development of a
complementary national geophysical‑map database, geochemical‑map
database, and a geochronologic and paleontologic database that provide
value‑added descriptive and interpretive information to the geologic‑map
database; (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 for the role and
application of geologic‑map information to the resolution of national
issues of land use management.\" Section **31(g)** requires the
Secretary of the Interior to provide biennial reports on the status of
the program, progress in developing the national geologic map database,
and any recommendations the Secretary may have for legislative or other
action to achieve the purposes of the Act to the Committee on Resources
of the House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural
Resources of the Senate. The Act was reauthorized in 1997 (P.L. 105--36)
and 1999 (P.L. 106--148). **31(i)** Requires the National Academy of
Sciences to review and report on the resource research activities of the
USGS. **31(j)** FY 1997 Omnibus Appropriations Act. Requires that,
beginning in FY 1998 and once every five years thereafter, the National
Academy of Sciences shall review and report on the biological research
activity of the USGS.

**43 U.S.C. 32** Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to authorize
one of the geologists to act as Director of the USGS in his/her absence.

**43 U.S.C. 34** States that the scientific employees of the USGS shall
be selected by the Director, subject to the approval of the Secretary of
the Interior exclusively for their qualifications as professional
experts.

**43 U.S.C. 36** Authorizes the purchase of professional and scientific
books and periodicals needed for statistical purposes by the scientific
divisions of the USGS and that the purchases may be paid for out of
appropriations made for the USGS. **36(a)** The Director of the USGS is
authorized \"... to acquire for the United States, by gift or devise,
scientific or technical books, manuscripts, maps, and related materials,
and to deposit the same in the library of the United States Geological
Survey for reference and use as authorized by law.\" **36(b)** \"The
Secretary of the Interior may, on behalf of the United States and for
the use by the United States Geological Survey in gaging streams and
underground water resources, acquire lands by donation or when funds
have been appropriated by Congress by purchase or condemnation \....\"
Following language supports Administrative Provisions language
\"acquisition of lands for gauging stations and observation wells;\":
Provides that, \"The Secretary of the Interior may, on behalf of the
United States and for the use by the Geological Survey in gaging streams
and underground water resources, acquire lands by donation or when funds
have been appropriated by Congress by purchase or condemnation \....\"
**36(c)** Acceptance of contributions from public and private sources;
cooperation with other agencies in prosecution of projects. States that
\"In fiscal year 1987 and thereafter the United States Geological Survey
is authorized to accept lands, buildings, equipment, and other
contributions from public and private sources and to prosecute projects
in cooperation with other agencies, Federal, State, or private.\"

**43 U.S.C. 38** Topographic surveys; marking elevations. Provides for
the establishment and location of permanent benchmarks used in the
making of topographic surveys.

**43 U.S.C. 41** Publications and reports; preparation and sale.
Provides for the publication of geological and economic maps,
illustrating the resources and classification of the lands, and reports
upon general and economic geology and paleontology. Provides for the
scientific exchange and sale of such published material.

**43 U.S.C. 42 et seq.** Distribution of maps and atlases, etc.
Authorizes and directs the Director of the USGS, upon the approval of
the Secretary of the Interior, to distribute topographic and geologic
maps and atlases of the United States. The prices and regulations are to
be fixed by the Director with the approval of the Secretary. Provides
that copies of each map or atlas, not to exceed five hundred, shall be
distributed gratuitously among foreign governments, departments of our
own Government, literary and scientific associations, and to educational
institutions or libraries. States that \"In fiscal year 1984 and
thereafter, all receipts from the sale of maps sold or stored by the
United States Geological Survey shall be available for map printing and
distribution to supplement funds otherwise available, to remain
available until expended.\"

**43 U.S.C. 43** Copies to Senators, Representatives and Delegates.
Provides that one copy of each map and atlas shall be sent to each
Senator, Representative, and Delegate in Congress, if published within
his term, and that a second copy be placed at the disposal of each.

**43 U.S.C. 44** Sale of transfers or copies of data. Provides that the
USGS may furnish copies of maps to any person, concern, institution,
State, or foreign government.

**43 U.S.C. 45** Production and sale of copies of photographs and
records; disposition of receipts. Authorizes the USGS to produce and
sell on a reimbursable basis, copies of aerial or other photographs,
mosaics, and other official records. Discusses the disposition of the
receipts from those sales.

**43 U.S.C. 49** Extension of cooperative work to Puerto Rico.
Authorizes the making of topographic and geological surveys and
conducting investigations relating to mineral and water resources in
Puerto Rico by the USGS.

**43 U.S.C. 50** Provides that the share of the USGS in any topographic
mapping or water resources investigations carried on in cooperation with
any State or municipality shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost
thereof. **50(b)** Recording of obligations against accounts receivable
and crediting of amounts received; work involving cooperation with
State, Territory, etc. \"Before, on, and after October 18, 1986, in
carrying out work involving cooperation with any State, Territory,
possession, or political subdivision thereof, the United States
Geological Survey may, notwithstanding any other provision of law,
record obligations against accounts receivable from any such entities
and shall credit amounts received from such entities to this
appropriation.\" (Note U.S.C. states that \"this appropriation\" refers
to USGS annual appropriation as contained in the Department of the
Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.) Following language
supports Appropriations language \"Provided further, that, heretofore
and hereafter, in carrying out work involving cooperation with any
State, Territory, possession, or political subdivision thereof, the
Geological Survey may, notwithstanding any other provisions of law,
record obligations against accounts receivable from any such entities
and shall credit amounts received from such entities to this
appropriation.\" **50(c)** Payment of costs incidental to utilization of
services of volunteers. \"Appropriations herein and on and after
December 22, 1987, made shall be available for paying costs incidental
to the utilization of services contributed by individuals who serve
without compensation as volunteers in aid of work of the United States
Geological Survey, and ... Survey officials may authorize either direct
procurement of or reimbursement for expenses incidental to the effective
use of volunteers such as, but not limited to, training, transportation,
lodging, subsistence, equipment, and supplies: Provided further, That
provision for such expenses or services is in accord with volunteer or
cooperative agreements made with such individuals, private
organizations, educational institutions, or State or local government.\"
**50(d)** Services of students or recent graduates. \"The United States
Geological Survey may on and after November 19, 1999, contract directly
with individuals or indirectly with institutions or nonprofit
organizations, without regard to section 5 of title 41, for the
temporary or intermittent services of students or recent graduates, who
shall be considered employees for the purposes of chapters 57 and 81 of
title 5, relating to compensation for travel and work injuries, and
chapter 171 of title 28, relating to tort claims, but shall not be
considered to be Federal employees for any other purposes.\"

**43 U.S.C. 51** Funds for mapping and investigations considered
intragovernmental funds. \"Beginning October 1, 1990, and thereafter,
funds received from any State, territory, possession, country,
international organization, or political subdivision thereof, for
topographic, geologic, or water resources mapping or investigations
involving cooperation with such an entity shall be considered as
intragovernmental funds as defined in the publication titled \'A
Glossary of Terms Used in the Federal Budget Process.\'\"

**43 U.S.C. 364 et seq.** Board on Geographic Names, 1947. Establishes
the Board on Geographic Names to provide for uniformity in geographic
nomenclature and orthography throughout the Federal Government and to
promulgate in the name of the Board decisions with respect to geographic
names and principles of geographic nomenclature and orthography.

**43 U.S.C. 371** Reclamation Projects Authorization and Adjustment Act
of 1992. Public Law 104--46 amends the 1992 law to add Section **3001,**
\"Western Water Policy Review Act of 1992.\" Directs the President to
undertake a comprehensive review of Federal activities in the 19 western
States that directly or indirectly affect the allocation and use of
resources, whether surface or subsurface. The Secretary of the Interior,
\"\... given ... responsibilities for ... investigations and reviews
into ground water resources through the Geologic Survey (now United
States Geological Survey) \...\" and the Secretary of the Army \"have
the resources to assist in a comprehensive review \....\"

**43 U.S.C. 1334 et seq.** Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Lands Act.
Authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to prescribe rules and
regulations to provide for the prevention of waste and conservation of
the natural resources of the OCS; to conduct geological and geophysical
explorations of the OCS; directs the Secretary of the Interior to
conduct a study of any region in any gas and oil lease sale to obtain
information necessary for assessment and management of environmental
impacts on human, marine and coastal areas which may be affected by oil
and gas development on such areas.

**43 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.** OCS Lands Act Amendments of 1978. Provides
for management of oil and natural gas in the Outer Continental Shelf and
for other purposes. The Minerals Management Service is responsible for
carrying out all functions in direct support of management of the OCS
program. The USGS provides indirect support to the Department\'s
management activities through the basic mission to examine the
geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the national
domain, which, offshore, includes the EEZ.

**Title 44 -- Public Printing and Documents**

**44 U.S.C. 1318** Classes and sizes of publications; report of mineral
resources; number of copies; reprints; distribution. Provides for
publication, by the Geological Survey, of various reports, including a
report of mineral resources of the United States, bulletins and
professional papers, and monographs. Also specifies, in some instances,
numbers of copies to be printed and the distribution thereof.

**44 U.S.C. 1319** Specific appropriations required for monographs and
bulletins. Scientific reports known as monographs and bulletins of the
USGS may not be published until specific, detailed estimates, and
specific appropriations based on these estimates, are made for them.

**44 U.S.C. 1320** Distribution of publications to public libraries. The
Director of the USGS shall distribute to public libraries that have not
already received them, copies of sale publications on hand at the
expiration of 5 years after date of delivery to the Survey document
room, excepting a reserve number not to exceed two hundred copies.

**44 U.S.C. 1903** Distribution of publications to depositories; notice
to Government components; cost of printing and binding. Upon request of
the Superintendent of Documents, components of the Government ordering
the printing of publications shall either increase or decrease the
number of copies of publications furnished for distribution to
designated depository libraries and State libraries so that the number
of copies delivered to the Superintendent of Documents is equal to the
number of libraries on the list.

**44 U.S.C. 3105--3107, 3301--3324** Federal Records Act, as amended.
Establishes procedures for records management by Federal agencies,
including disposal of records.

**44 U.S.C. 3501** Paperwork Reduction Act. Establishes polices
regarding Federal information, including minimizing the paperwork burden
for all persons and organizations.

**44 U.S.C. 3504** Government Paperwork Elimination Act of 1998,
included as Title XVII of the Omnibus Consolidated and Emergency
Supplemental Appropriations Act of 1999. Provides for the development of
procedures for use and acceptance of electronic signatures by executive
agencies.

**Title 50, Appendix -- War and National Defense**

**50 U.S.C. 98** Strategic and Critical Materials Stock Piling Act of
1946 as amended by the Revision Act of 1979. Supports the USGS programs
for assessment of domestic minerals, especially for strategic and
critical minerals, to complement the Federal mineral stockpile program.
Section **98(g)** following language supports Appropriations language
\"and to conduct inquiries into the economic conditions affecting mining
and materials processing industries \... and related purposes as
authorized by law and to publish and disseminate data ....\" Provides
for scientific, technologic, and economic investigations concerning the
development, mining, preparation, treatment, and utilization of ore and
other mineral substances.

**Public Laws**

**P.L. 81--82, P.L. 82--231** Arkansas River Compact and Yellowstone
River Compact, respectively. Congress has granted consent to many
interstate water compacts. For such compacts, the USGS provides
administrative support for the Federal representative, usually appointed
by the President. Also, the USGS collects hydrologic data for 25
interstate compacts. The data collection is supported partly by the
Federal Program and partly by the Water Resources Investigations
Activity.

**P.L. 93--322** Special Energy Research and Development Appropriation
Act of 1975. Provides funds \"for energy research and development
activities of certain departments ....\" The USGS water resources
investigations in coal hydrology support that legislation.

**P.L. 106--291** FY 2001 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act. Supports Appropriations language \"of which ( ) shall be available
until September 30, ( ), for the operation and maintenance of facilities
and deferred maintenance ....\"

**P.L. 106--498** Klamath Basin Water Supply Enhancement Act of 2000.
Authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to conduct feasibility studies to
augment water supplies for the Klamath Project, Oregon and California,
and for other purposes. The Secretary of the Interior is directed to
complete ongoing hydrologic surveys in the Klamath River Basin that are
currently being conducted by the USGS. Since 1992, USGS scientists have
been conducting hydrological and biological research on many of the
factors affecting Klamath Basin water resources. These studies include
water-quality and quantity issues, endangered species and other fishery
issues, and decreased water supply to wetland areas in National Wildlife
Refuges.

**P.L. 106--541** Water Resources Development Act of 2000. Authorizes
appropriations to the Secretary of the Army for the conservation and
development of water and related resources to construct various projects
for improvements to rivers and harbors of the United States, and for
other purposes. Sections of interest to the USGS: Section **403** (33
U.S.C. 652) Upper Mississippi River Basin Sediment and Nutrient Study.
Section **509**, CALFED Bay-Delta Program Assistance, California.
Section **542**, Lake Champlain Watershed, New York and Vermont. Section
**601**, Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Plan. Section **701**,
Missouri River Valley, Missouri (Missouri River Valley Improvement Act).

**P.L. 107--63** FY 2002 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act.

**P.L. 107--347** E-Government Act of 2002. Establishes a broad
framework of measures that require using Internet-based information
technology to enhance citizen access to Government information and
services. Title III, the Federal Information Security Management Act of
2002, lays out a framework for ensuring the effectiveness of information
security controls over information resources that support Federal
operations and assets and for other purposes.

**P.L. 108--7** FY 2003 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act. Consolidated Appropriations Resolution, 2003. Following language
included in Administrative Provisions of the USGS part of the public
law: \"Provided further, that notwithstanding the provisions of the
Federal Grant and Cooperative Agreement Act of 1977 (31 U.S.C.
6301--6308), the United States Geological Survey is authorized to
continue existing, and hereafter, to enter into new cooperative
agreements directed towards a particular cooperator, in support of joint
research and data collection activities with Federal, State, and
academic partners funded by appropriations herein, including those that
provide for space in cooperator facilities.\"

**P.L. 108--108** FY 2004 Interior and Related Agencies Appropriations
Act.

**P.L. 108--360** Earthquake Hazards Reduction Authorization Act of
2004. Authorizes appropriations through fiscal year 2009 and establishes
an Interagency Coordinating Committee on Earthquake Hazards Reduction,
of which the USGS is a member.

**P.L. 108--447** FY 2005 Consolidated Appropriations Act. Division E
contains the Department of the Interior and Related Agencies
Appropriations Act, 2005. Following language is included: \"of which
\$1,600,000 shall be available until expended for the deferred
maintenance and capital improvement projects that exceed \$100,000 in
cost....\"

**P.L. 109--54** Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related
Agencies Appropriations Act, 2006.