GOALS 

of the 

U.S. Geological Survey 
The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey is to provide geologic, topographic, and hydrologic information 

that contributes to the wise management of the Nation's 

natural resources and that promotes the health, safety, 

and well-being of the people. This information consists 

of maps, data bases, and descriptions and analyses of 

the water, energy, and mineral resources, land surface, 

underlying geologic structure, and the dynamic processes of the Earth. 
GOALS 

of the 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Circular 1010 
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

MANUEL LUJAN, Jr., Secretary 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Dallas L. Peck, Director 

Any use of trade, product, or firm names in this publication is for descriptive 

purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government 

First printing 1986 

Second printing 1990 

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1986 

Free on application to the 

Books and Open-File Reports Section 

U.S. Geological Survey 

Federal Center, Box 25425 

Denver, CO 80225 

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication Data 

Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey. 

(U.S. Geological Survey circular ; 1010) 

Supt. of Docs. no.: I 19.4/2.990 

1. Geological Survey (U.S.) I. Radlinski, W.A. II. Geological Survey 

(U.S.) Ill. Series. 

QE76.G63 1986 353.0085'55 86-600238 
Foreword 

The material needs of society are ultimately met by the resources of the 

Earth-its land, water, and mineral endowment. In using these resources, we 

may affect our environment and alter our options for land and other resource 

uses. How can we ensure an adequate supply of this natural wealth for future 

generations? In what ways are we irreversibly altering our natural environment? How can we avoid undesirable or unacceptable side effects of man's use 

of the land and prevent or mitigate potential hazards from active earth processes? To respond to these and similar questions, continued research in basic 

earth science is needed to develop knowledge about the Earth, its structure, 

and its resources; to place this knowledge in a coherent scientific and global 

context; and to apply it to meet society's current and future needs. 

Over a century ago, the Congress of the United States determined that the 

Nation needed a Federal agency "under the Interior Department" to examine 

the geologic structure, mineral resources, and other products of the "national 

domain" and to provide information about the Earth for use by the Congress, 

Federal agencies, and the public in reaching informed decisions concerning the 

development, use, and protection of our natural resources. As a result, the 

Congress established the Geological Survey in 1879. Since that time, the mission of the Survey has evolved in response to changing national needs and 

priorities, advancements in science and technology, and additional legislation. 

The Survey has been, from its very inception, an integral part of the larger 

national and international earth-science community. It cooperates with other 

Federal, State, and local agencies, as well as with academic and industrial 

groups, both in the United States and elsewhere, to ensure a continuous and 

mutually beneficial collection and exchange of information, ideas, and results. 

This document describes the current goals of the Survey in response to its 

mission and authorizations. It also describes the national needs for earthscience information to which these goals are responsive. A preliminary edition 

was circulated for comment to members of the Geological Survey and various 

officials of Federal, State, and local earth-science-related organizations. All 

suggestions received were considered in the preparation of this final document. 

Both the preliminary and final editions were compiled by a Geological Survey 

team consisting of W. A. Radlinski, Peter F. Bermel, Timothy E. Calkins, 

Russell H. Campbell, Robert M. Hirsch, David W. Moody, Benjamin A. Morgan 

III, Norman E. Schmidt, Jr., Ethan T. Smith, Frederick B. Sower, Lowell E. 

Starr, Richard E. Witmer, andE-an Zen. As the needs of the Nation and the 

state of the science change, the document will be reviewed and revised. Comments are invited. 

Dallas L. Peck, 

Director, U.S. Geological Survey 

III 

Contents 

Page 

Foreword~ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . III 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 

Mission............................................................ 2 

National needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 

Goals.............................................................. 7 

Authorizations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 

Chronological list of authorizing legislation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 

v 

INTRODUCTION 

The purpose of this document is to inform the general public, including potential users of services and 

products of the U.S. Geological Survey, members of 

Congress and other public officials, Survey employees, and other interested individuals, about the 

role of the Survey in satisfying the earth-science 

needs of our Nation. Understanding this role can 

lead to better legislation, increased cooperation, better informed management decisions, and greater 

public awareness of available products and services. 

Another purpose of the document, of equal importance, is for internal use in setting program objectives, in establishing priorities, and in preparing 

program proposals and budget requests. Together, 

these items form the basis for a strategic plan for the 

future of the Survey. 

This document is organized into four sections: 

(1) Mission-functions that the Survey is authorized 

and funded to perform; (2) National Needs-examples of problems that require earth-science information for effective and intelligent decisionmaking; 

(3) Goals-a desired state, process, or product that 

the Survey plans to achieve in order to fulfill its 

mission and address future needs for earth-science 

knowledge; and (4) Authorizations-legislative and 

executive documents that have authorized and 

funded Survey activities, including a chronological 

list of pertinent legislation. 

Relationships among national needs, goals, and 

other activities that lead to satisfaction of these national needs are shown in a figure preceding the 

Goals section. Objectives for each of the goals, which 

in turn determine program priorities, levels of effort, 

and estimates of work completion, are not included 

in this document. Objectives are being set forth in a 

follow-on report available from the Director, U.S. 

Geological Survey. 

The Survey provides services to all segments of 

society. Its clients include individuals in Federal, 

State, and local governments, the U.S. Congress, 

universities, private enterprise, and the general 

public, as well as foreign governments and other 

organizations. It distributes annually over 80,000 

book publications and 7 1/2 million maps, mostly in 

small-quantity individual orders. The fact that over 

two dozen Federal agencies contribute funds to the 

Survey for products and services and over 900 State 

and local agencies cooperate with the Survey on a 

cost-sharing basis indicates the broad diversity of 

the Survey's work in satisfying national needs. 1 

I The United States Geological Suroey Yearbook includes lists of these Federal agencies and cooperators and is available from the Superintendent of 

Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, DC 20402. The 

Yearbook contains a summary of annual accomplishments and a list of the 

principal offices and officials of the Survey with addresses and telephone 

numbers. The Yearbook also provides guidance on how to obtain information and publications, as does Circular 900, Guide ta Obtaining USGS 

Information, which is available free upon request from the Books and 

Open-File Reports Section, U.S. Geological Survey, Federal Center, Box 

25425, Denver, CO 80225. 

Introduction 1 
MISSION 

The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey is to 

provide geologic, topographic, and hydrologic information that contributes to the wise management of 

the Nation's natural resources and that promotes 

the health, safety, and well-being of the people. This 

information consists of maps, data bases, and descriptions and analyses of the water, energy, and 

mineral resources, land surface, underlying geologic 

structure, and dynamic processes of the Earth. 

To accomplish its mission, the Survey: 

• Conducts and sponsors research in geology, hydrology, mapping, and related sciences. 

• Produces and updates geographic, cartographic, 

and remotely sensed information in graphic and 

digital forms. 

• Describes the onshore and offshore geologic 

framework and develops an understanding of its 

formation and evolution. 

• Assesses energy and mineral resources, determines their origin and manner of occurrence, and 

develops techniques for their discovery. 

• Collects and analyzes data on the quantity and 

quality of surface water and ground water, on 

water use, and on quality of precipitation. 

• Assesses water resources and develops an 

understanding of the impact of human activities 

and natural phenomena on hydrologic systems. 

• Evaluates hazards associated with earthquakes, 

volcanoes, floods, droughts, toxic materials, landslides, subsidence, and other ground failures, and 

develops methods for hazards prediction. 

• Participates in the exploration of space and prepares geologic and other maps of the planets and 

their satellites. 

2 Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey 

• Publishes reports and maps, establishes and 

maintains earth-science data bases, and disseminates earth-science data and information. 

• Provides scientific and technical assistance for 

the effective use of earth-science techniques, 

products, and information. 

• Coordinates topographic, geologic, and land-use 

mapping, digital cartography, and water-data activities. 

• Develops new technologies for the collection, coordination, and interpretation of earth-science 

data. 

• Provides scientific support and technical advice 

for legislative, regulatory, and management decisions. 

• Cooperates with other Federal, State, and local 

agencies, and with academia and industry. 
NATIONAL NEEDS 

Sustained economic growth in the United States 

. during the 20th century has been accompanied by 

rapid growth in population and per capita consumption of agricultural and industrial products. Improving, even simply maintaining, this high standard of 

living for a growing population places everincreasing demands on the Nation's land, water, energy, and mineral resources. As a result, there is 

growing competition for land use among, for example, food and forest production, shelter and living 

space, transportation, and recreation. The management of the Nation's resources, including selections 

for conservation and development with a minimum 

of adverse impact on the environment, places increasing demands on earth science to provide detailed and comprehensive information to assure the 

wisest choices. Some of the national needs and ways 

in which earth sciences can address them are listed 

below. 

ENERGY 

• Nearly all components of the American economy 

depend on energy. Use of nonrenewable energy 

resources, such as oil, gas, coal, and uranium, 

requires continuing efforts by earth scientists to 

locate and understand the genesis of these resources and to maintain current knowledge of the 

worldwide energy supply, demand, and potential. 

• Development of such energy resources as hydroelectric, geothermal, solar, or fusion power requires informed decisions about alternative uses 

of land, water, and materials. 

• Extraction of some energy-producing materials 

from the Earth carries with it the risk of serious 

environmental damage, as well as threats to human health and safety. Examples are wastes 

from the mining and processing of energyproducing materials, increased output of atmospheric pollutants that affect the quality of precipitation, destruction of habitats because of mining 

activity, land subsidence from subsurface withdrawals of water, oil, and coal, and pollution of 

water from the disposal of energy-related wastes. 

Solutions to these problems require understandings of the geology and of the chemical, 

physical, and biological processes occurring in 

the air, on the land surface, and in the water and 

ground. 

MINERALS 

• Our society consumes large quantities of mineral 

resources. At the same time, urban growth, recreational development, and withdrawal of public 

lands prevent many areas from being developed 

for mineral extraction. Accurate descriptions of 

mineral resources of public and private lands, 

both onshore and offshore, are needed to achieve 

informed policy decisions about the use of the 

Nation's lands and offshore areas, to assure the 

long-term availability of minerals, and to select 

the most appropriate alternative land uses. 

• Several major mineral districts in the United 

States are nearly depleted. Important mineral deposits either may be undetected or are not cur~ 

rently being exploited because of low grade or 

difficult accessibility. New techniques are needed 

to detect undiscovered deposits and to use lower 

grade mineral deposits. 

• Many strategic and critical minerals needed to 

sustain our society are not found in abundance 

within the United States and have to be imported. Study of the origins of these minerals and 

their world distribution may lead to the development of methods to identify new domestic deposits and lessen our reliance on uncertain foreign sources. 

WATER 

• Water is needed to sustain life and to ensure the 

future growth of the economy, particularly for the 

production of food and energy. Hydrologic information contributes to descriptions of the location, 

quantity, quality, and use of water resources and 

prediction of the effects of droughts and water 

development on- the adequacy of water supplies. 

Planners and managers use this information to 

locate, design, and operate water-supply facilities 

such as reservoirs, well fields, and watertreatment plants and to plan for regional and 

local economic development. 

National Needs 3 
• Protection of water resources from contaminants 

and from wastes discharged into streams, injected into aquifers, or placed on the land or 

underground is essential to public health and the 

quality of life. An understanding of the chemical, 

physical, and biological mechanisms that affect 

the transport and fate of contaminants is necessary to detect their presence and predict their 

behavior. This kind of knowledge is essential to 

planning effective management strategies for 

protecting the quality of water resources and for 

locating, designing, and operating waste storage 

and disposal facilities. 

• Allocation of water resources is based on court 

decrees, interstate compacts, international 

treaties, and water law. Accurate information 

about our water resources is needed to apportion 

available resources, monitor fulfillment of legal 

obligations, and resolve disputes. 

LAND 

• Proper management of the land and offshore 

areas requires accurate and comprehensive information about its location, characteristics, configuration, and current and potential uses. Topographic, geologic, and land-use maps, digital 

cartographic data bases, and remotely sensed 

data contribute to an understanding of the land 

as a resource. As changes in the natural and manmade features of the land occur, the need for current and more detailed geographic information 

increases. 

• The capacity of the land to support human enterprise is finite. Multiple and conflicting demands 

for land are often unavoidable, and difficult 

choices among uses must be made. Examples of 

possible conflicting uses include those of 

wilderness, agriculture, urban growth, mineral, 

energy, and water resources development, and 

waste disposal. In deciding how to use the land, 

the benefits to society must be evaluated and the 

effects on the land and its animal and plant life 

determined. 

4 Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey 

FOOD AND FIBER 

• A better understanding of the relationships 

among geology, topography, weathering, and erosion is needed to identify soils that can best support agricultural production. This understanding 

can contribute to more effective land-use decisions. 

• Irrigation frequently necessitates artificial 

drainage to prevent water saturation of the soil 

and the accumulation of naturally occurring salts 

and minerals at concentrations toxic to plants or 

animals. However, the drainage process itself can 

lead to contamination of surface and ground 

water. Understanding of soil physics and the geochemistry of surface- and ground-water flow systems is necessary to design drainage systems that 

minimize these problems and protect water supplies and downstream water quality. 

• Geologic resource investigations are needed to assure the continued availability of mineral fertilizers. Research is needed to predict the impact of 

fertilizers and pesticides on soil, ground water, 

surface water, and sediments to assure the continued production of food without irreparable environmental damage. 

HOUSING AND TRANSPORTATION 

• The suitability of any site developed to accommodate our growing population depends in part on 

the engineering properties of rocks and soils, the 

slope of the land, and the potential for natural 

hazards. Topographic, geologic, and hydrologic 

maps are among the kinds of information that are 

used to evaluate site suitability. 

• The design and construction of transportation facilities, such as pipelines, powerlines, tunnels, 

bridges, waterways, roads, railroads, and airports, are more efficient if information on topographic, geologic, and hydrologic characteristics 

of the area is known before final site selection. 

Better know ledge of these characteristics can 

lead to more efficient, more reliable, and safer 

transportation systems. 
• The availability of nearby sources of construction 

materials, such as sand, gravel, and limestone, is 

a significant cost factor in the development of 

housing and transportation. Knowledge of the location, quantity, and quality of these resources is 

obtained by geologic investigations and is disseminated in geologic maps and reports. 

HEALTH AND SAFETY 

• Human contact with certain earth materials in 

their native state or in the course of extraction, 

processing, use, and subsequent disposal can pose 

threats to health. Earth-science knowledge can 

contribute to better decisions to protect society 

from adverse consequences of or miscomprehensions associated with the use of these materials 

by identifying those that pose potential health 

hazards and by contributing to an understanding 

of how such problems may be avoided or mitigated. 

• Geologic and hydrologic hazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, droughts, 

tsunamis, subsidence, and landslides threaten 

public safety and can cause great economic losses. 

Earth-science information is used to define flood 

plains and other hazard zones and to evaluate 

risk. The ability to predict these hazards is essential for land-use planning, engineering design, 

and emergency-preparedness decisions to reduce 

the loss of life, property, and natural resources. 

• Human activities create vast quantities of waste 

material, some of which is toxic or radioactive. 

Some of this waste must be isolated from the biosphere for a long time and be disposed of in underground repositories, in sanitary landfills, and offshore. Earth-science knowledge is vital for the 

safe and lasting disposition of the society's waste 

materials, as well as for the possible reclamation 

of the waste material and of the disturbed sites. 

NATIONAL SECURITY 

• Up-to-date maps and earth-science data are 

needed for an understanding of the configuration 

and characteristics of the land surface and the 

distribution of water supplies and earth materials for possible military operations in defense of 

our country. Knowledge of the availability of 

strategic and critical minerals on a global scale is 

also necessary in planning for the Nation's security. 

• Remote detection and identification of underground nuclear tests require knowledge of the 

Earth's. internal structure and of the physical 

properties of rocks, and the ability to discriminate such tests from earthquakes. Planning for 

the containment of underground tests of nuclear 

weapons and storage of weapo'ns and associated 

radioactive wastes require geologic and hydrologic information. 

• National defense and security depend upon the 

capability to quickly and accurately locate feat~res on the Earth's surface. Modern navigational methods for transportation systems require extensive knowledge about the geodetic 

and g.eophysical characteristics and the topographic and oceanographic features of the Earth. 

National Needs 5 
NEEDS 

IDENTIFIED 

PROGRAMS 

PREPARED 

FUNDS 

APPROPRIATED 

AUTHORIZATIONS 

MADE 

OBJECTIVES 

SET 

WORK 

PERFORMED 

MISSIONS 

ESTABLISHED 

GOALS 

DETERMINED 

NEEDS 

SERVED 

Schematic diagram showing how the U.S. Geological Survey responds to national needs. 

6 Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey 
GOALS 

Goals identify a desired state, process, or product 

and serve to guide an organization toward the future. The following goals indicate where the U.S. 

Geological Survey contributes to the national welfare within the context of its mission. Fulfillment of 

the goals requires constant improvement of our 

knowledge about the Earth and its natural processes, including its deep structure, its history, and 

its place in the evolution of the solar system. Many 

of the goals are responsive to more than one of our 

national needs and several respond to most of them 

in some degree. In a document to follow, the Survey 

will identify the objectives it has set to meet each of 

the goals. Although national needs for earth-science 

information are met principally by the Survey, other 

Federal, State, and local agencies, industry, and 

academia make major contributions to meeting 

these needs through their separate programs. Additionally, the Survey works with other Federal agencies, State, local, and foreign governments, academic 

institutions, and other members of the earth-science 

community in the furtherance of its own mission, in 

helping to meet their needs for earth-science data, 

and in the interest of improving coordination in 

earth-science research. The Survey enters into this 

work under a wide variety of formal relationships. 

They include Memoranda of Understanding, Interagency Agreements, Joint Funding Agreements, Cooperative Agreements, and Protocols, as well as 

grants and contractual arrangements. 

TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING 

Expand knowledge about the location and configuration of natural and manmade features of 

the Nation's land and water areas to satisfy the 

needs of government, industry, and the public 

for accurate and up-to-date topographic information. 

This information is required by a wide variety of 

users, such as those who manage the land, develop 

its resources, have responsibility for environmental 

protection or national security, or seek recreational 

opportunities. Map information is the basic foundation necessary for the efficient conduct of landresource and other earth-science studies. Basic data 

are acquired from field surveys, use of aerial photographs and other remotely sensed data, and from 

other cartographic and geographic sources. This information is published as topographic and other 

maps at various scales and the data are maintained 

in digital data bases. 

GEOLOGIC FRAMEWORK 

Increase knowledge of the geologic structure of 

the Nation, including the continental shelf and 

the Exclusive Economic Zone, to provide the 

scientific framework for energy, mineral, and 

hazards investigations and to meet future responsibilities. 

Such knowledge includes an understanding of the 

deep structure and composition of the Earth, its history of formation and evolution, and its relation to 

other planets and moons in the solar system. The 

knowledge is acquired by geological and geophysical 

mapping; testing conceptual models and measuring 

physical and chemical properties of rocks and minerals; determining the absolute and relative ages of 

rocks and minerals; documenting the time and character of evolutionary changes in organisms and of 

past changes in the Earth's climate and magnetic 

field; and participating in the exploration of the 

solar system. 

ENERGY AND MINERAL 

RESOURCE ASSESSMENT 

Increase knowledge of the distribution and 

quality of national and global mineral and energy resources for use in the formulation of 

policies that involve the long-term availability 

of these resources and the wise use of the Nation's land, mineral, and energy resources. 

Resource evaluation techniques include geologic 

mapping, resource-distribution modeling, geophysical and geochemical investigations, international 

cooperation, open exchange of scientific information, 

and basic research in these specialties. An important 

aspect of this work is the need to provide estimates 

of the statistical uncertainties involved and the development of methods to reduce these uncertainties. 

Goals 7 
WATER RESOURCES ASSESSMENT 

Increase knowledge of the distribution and 

quality of the Nation's ground water and 

surface water resources for use in the formulation and evaluation of policies and programs 

that assure the most efficient use of the Nation's 

water resources. 

This entails knowing aquifer properties, the general configuration of water levels, and patterns of 

ground-water recharge, circulation, and discharge; 

average runoff, its seasonal variation, and low flow 

and flood characteristics of the Nation's rivers; the 

chemical, physical, and biological quality of these 

resources; and the quality of precipitation, including 

geographic variations and time trends. This knowledge is developed by analyzing data collected over 

many years, mapping the resources, interpreting 

these observations in light of the relevant natural 

and human factors, and providing estimates of 

statistical uncertainties. 

WATER USE 

Improve knowledge of the way society uses 

water so as to support water management and 

to increase the accuracy of water-use forecasts. 

Such information assists water resource managers to plan, design, and operate dams, well fields, 

water distribution systems, water treatment plants, 

and other water-related facilities. The development 

of a full range of water management options depends, in part, upon the knowledge of existing 

water-use processes, ways in which they may be altered, and the impact the processes have on water 

quality and the environment. This knowledge is acquired by collecting and analyzing data about the 

location, amount, and purposes of withdrawals from 

ground water and surface water systems; the location, amounts, and quality of water returned to hydrologic systems; and the amount of water used. 

ENERGY AND MINERAL 

RESOURCE PROCESSES 

Enhance the ability to discover hidden or as yet 

unrecognized types of energy and mineral deposits that may be economically important energy and mineral resources by developing in8 Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey 

formation on the natural processes by which 

materials in the Earth are formed, transported, 

and concentrated. 

Such information will improve our understanding 

of the origins and occurrence of this wealth and contribute to predictions of the nature and locations of 

new deposits. This knowledge is obtained by field 

investigations, deep drilling, laboratory experiments and analyses, and construction and field testing of conceptual models. 

HYDROLOGIC PROCESSES 

Increase understanding of the processes that 

affect the properties and movement of water 

and its dissolved and suspended constituents 

through hydrologic systems. 

This understanding provides water resource managers with the capability to predict the effects of 

natural phenomena and human actions on the hydrologic system. Increased understanding is 

achieved by fundamental research on and simulation of physical, chemical, and biological processes. 

This leads to improved methods for prediction of 

water availability, water-related hazards such as 

floods or subsidence, and the fate and transport of 

heat, chemical contaminants, and sediments carried 

by water. 

GEOGRAPHIC PROCESSES 

Increase knowledge of the processes that affect 

the location, distribution, and changes in land 

use and land cover and improve predictions of 

the effects of natural stresses and those caused 

by man on land-resource systems. 

This is accomplished by integrating and analyzing, in a geographic framework, information on 

physical, biological, and human processes. Methods 

are developed that relate the interactions of man in 

his physical environment to changes in land use and 

land cover. Such relationships can then be used in 

planning and decisionmaking to predict the impact 

of events on the environment. 
GLOBAL AND INTERNATIONAL 

GEOSCIENCE 

Develop initiatives that increase knowledge of 

global earth science, including: the dynamics of 

plate tectonics; the record of past and present 

ocean basins and their circulation; the geologic 

record of ancient climates; and active solidearth processes. 

These initiatives include study of the Earth's 

mantle and core, global occurrence of earthquakes 

and volcanoes, comparative study of the Earth and 

other planets, and long lead-time research in unconventional, strategic, and critical mineral and energy 

resources. The investigations are carried out by use 

of advanced drilling technology, by geophysical techniques that provide a subsurface view of the Earth's 

crust, by the use of advanced space systems, and by 

sensors or orbiting satellites to monitor changes in 

the physical, chemical, and biological properties and 

processes of the Earth such as earthquakes, climate 

patterns, pollution, and acid rain. International cooperation includes the provision of technical assistance for nations to design their own research efforts 

and participation in joint ventures of international 

scope and is carried out through international agreements and efforts conducted with other Federal 

agencies on global geoscience projects. 

GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION 

SYSTEMS 

Develop and maintain geographic information 

systems to satisfy national needs for the analysis and display of earth-science data from various sources. 

Data about the location, use, ownership, and physical characteristics of the land, integrated into a 

standardized spatial reference system, are needed 

for wise management of the Nation's resources. Such 

data are acquired from various sources, identified 

with coordinate values, digitized, and stored in a 

computerized system that provides for ready manipulation, analysis, and output. 

HAZARDS PREDICTION 

Improve the ability to predict the location, time, 

and severity of natural and manmade hazards 

in order to minimize loss of life and property. 

Losses from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, 

flooding, landslides, and glaciers can be reduced by 

developing predictive methods and by a more complete understanding of the nature and rates of the 

dynamic interactions of these earth processes. An 

important aspect of predicting such events is the 

need to provide statistical estimates of their uncertainty. 

HAZARDS ASSESSMENT 

Improve the ability to identify and delineate 

areas subject to natural and manmade hazards 

and to provide the means to select the most efficient approach to prevent or reduce the risks of 

loss of life and economic disruption. 

Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, subsidence, droughts, and landslides are potentially hazardous natural processes. Soil erosion, ground water 

depletion, and toxic and nuclear waste contamination are problems that man created whose resolution 

involves active earth processes. Geological and hydrological investigations locate potential hazards, 

determine their causes and character, and provide 

the basic information for technological approaches to 

diminish their effects on public health and safety, 

property, and environment. 

TIMELY REPORTING OF EVENTS 

AND CONDITIONS 

Provide timely reporting, and forecasts when 

possible, of important hydrologic and geologic 

events and conditions of immediate concern to 

the public and to governmental bodies. 

The timely reporting of hydrologic conditions is 

needed for the efficient operation of water supply 

and navigation facilities, for efficient water quality 

and flood control, and for implementation of court 

decrees, treaties, and compacts. Certain geologic 

events, such as earthquakes, volcanic activity, landslides, or magnetic field changes, require the rapid 

Goals 9 
determination of the location, magnitude, or nature 

of the event for immediate and effective responses. 

The timely documentation of these conditions and 

events is accomplished by the continued operation of 

networks of sensors, including stream gages and 

seismometers, and by the rapid processing, analysis, 

and dissemination of relevant information and 

warnings. 

COORDINATION 

Improve the coordination of earth-science data 

collection, research, and mapping so as to minimize duplication of effort, increase data accessibility, and reduce costs. 

Coordination is carried out by sharing plans, results of investigations, technologies, and data bases 

and by standardizing information formats. Extensive coordination is accomplished through cooperative programs with State and local agencies and formal agreements and joint committees with other 

Federal agencies and governments. 

EARTH-SCIENCE STANDARDS 

Establish standards for definition, accuracy, 

and format of earth-science information to improve communication and facilitate the exchange of information among users. 

Standards are developed in operational programs 

and are reviewed by professional colleagues and 

users. Standards also are revised as the result of 

improved technology, evolving scientific thought, 

and as a result of changing user requirements. Some 

standards are developed in concert with other Federal agencies, professional organizations, or international councils. Selected earth-science standards are 

submitted for review and promulgation as Federal 

standards. 

INFORMATION DISSEMINATION 

Improve dissemination of the knowledge developed by Survey programs so as to enhance 

timely public and private sector access to an 

understanding of earth-science information 

and technologies. 

This is achieved by publishing maps, scientific and 

technical reports, popular publications, films, and 

data bases in ways that are responsive to changing 

10 Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey 

needs. It is also achieved by issuing news releases 

and by operating public information centers and 

clearinghouses that enable potential users to readily 

identify and obtain existing information. In addition, the Survey participates in and sponsors conferences, symposia, workshops, and public forums. 

TRAINING AND ASSISTANCE 

Assist organizations outside the Survey, especially academic institutions and State agencies, 

to increase their capability to conduct earthscience research, to develop and disseminate 

technologies that can help solve resourcerelated problems, and to train an adequate supply of earth-science professionals. 

This is accomplished by: cooperative programs 

with State and local agencies; grants to academic 

institutions (e.g., the Water Resources Research Institutes); grants to a variety of research organizations; cosponsoring symposia with professional associations; making available to others the various 

Geological Survey training activities; and providing 

advice and assistance to resource-management 

agencies. 

MISSION SUPPORT 

Provide competent personnel, adequate facilities, and modern equipment and instrumentation in order to improve the Survey's productivity and its ability to carry out its mission 

effectively. 

Improvements in efficiency and effectiveness are 

pursued by developing and maintaining a competent 

and innovative work force; by ensuring an adequate 

technological base for earth-science research 

through development or acquisition of state-of-theart instrumentation, facilities, computer hardware 

and software, and other equipment; by developing 

and sharing new methodologies for research; by 

making maximum use of available capabilities 

within the private sector, other Federal agencies, 

and State and local governments; by encouraging 

scientific interaction and providing access to the scientific community at large; and by maintaining an 

ongoing program of productivity improvement 

through automation, training, and review of management procedures. 
AUTHORIZATIONS 

The U.S. Geological Survey derives authority for 

its activities from specific pieces of legislation, including its annual appropriation acts and various 

executive orders. The Survey was established by an 

Act of Congress on March 3, 1879, that authorized 

"appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1880, 

and for other purposes." This Act is commonly referred to as the Survey's Organic Act, codified in 43 

U.S.C. 31 as follows: 

Organic 

Act 

Geographic 

Scope 

Geologic 

Surveys 

Topographic 

Surveys 

"The Director of the Geological Survey, which office is established, under the Interior 

Department, shall be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of 

the Senate. This officer shall have the direction of the. Geological Survey and the 

classification of the public lands and examination of the geological structure, mineral 

resources, and products of the national domain. The Director and members of the 

Geological Survey shall have no personal or private interests in the lands or mineral 

wealth of the region under survey, and shall execute no surveys or examinations for 

private parties or corporations." 

The Survey's authorizations were made more specific over the years by additional 

legislation (listed in the following section) that clarifies its role and authority. For 

example, the geographic scope of the Survey's activities was expanded beyond the 

national domain when on August 23, 1958, the Secretary of the Interior was authorized 

by P.L. 85-743 (43 U.S.C. 1457) "to perform surveys, investigations, and research in 

geology, biology, minerals and water resources, and mapping ... in Antarctica and the 

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands"; and on September 5, 1962, when the Survey was 

authorized by P.L. 87-626 (43 U.S.C. 31b) to conduct "such examinations outside the 

national domain where determined by the Secretary to be in the national interest." 

Authority for conducting geologic surveys is expressly contained in the 1879 Organic 

Act. Chemical and physical research was recognized and undertaken as an essential 

part of geologic investigations. Specific appropriation for work was initially made by 

Congress in an act of October 2, 1888 (25 Stat. 505, 526). The Wilderness Act of 1964 (16 

U.S.C. 1131) authorized the Survey to assess the mineral resources of areas proposed or 

established as wilderness. The Disaster Relief Act of 1974 (42 U.S.C. 5132) authorized 

the issuance of disaster warnings. Specific authority for an earthquake hazards reduction program was given to the Survey in an act of October 7, 1977 (42 U.S.C. 7701 et 

seq.). Authority for the Survey's astrogeology programs comes from the National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 (42 U.S.C. 2473). 

Authority for making topographic surveys is inherent in the language of the 1879 

Organic Act. In appropriating funds for the fiscal year 1889 (25 Stat. 505, 526), Congress 

made specific provision for topographic surveys. Further recogrtition was given in an act 

of June 11, 1896 (43 U.S.C. 38), requiring that, in making topographic surveys, elevations "shall be determined and marked by iron or stone posts or permanent bench 

marks"; and by the joint resolution of February 18, 1897 (43 U.S.C. 42), authorizing and 

directing the dispersal of topographic and geologic maps and atlases of the United 

States, made and published by the Geological Survey. Cooperative (joint) funding with 

State and local government agencies was first referenced in the appropriations act of 

March 7, 1928 (45 Stat. 231), which provided that the share of the Geological Survey in 

any topographic investigation carried out in cooperation with any State or municipality 

shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost. 

Authorizations 11 
Water 

Resources 

Investigations 

Authority for conducting water resources investigations is inherent in the language of 

the 1879 Organic Act. It was further recognized in an act of October 2, 1888 (25 Stat. 

505, 526), which authorized the survey of irrigable lands in arid regions, reservoir sites, 

gaging of streams, etc., for irrigation. In an August 18, 1894, statute (28 Stat. 372, 398), 

Congress made funds available to the Geological Survey for "gaging the streams and 

determining the water supply of the United States, including the investigations of 

underground current and artesian wells in arid and semi-arid sections." Authority to 

exercise these functions by the Geological Survey is also indicated in an act of June 11, 

1896 (29 Stat. 413, 453), providing that "hereafter the reports of the Geological Survey 

in relation to the gaging of streams and to the methods of utilizing the water resources 

may be printed in octavo form .... "; and the joint resolution of May 16, 1902 (44 

U.S.C. 260), providing that "hereafter the publications of the Geological Survey shall 

consist of ... water-supply and irrigation papers .... " Cooperative (joint) funding of 

water resources investigations was first referenced in the appropriations act of March 

7, 1928 (45 Stat. 231), which provided that the share of the Geological Survey in any 

water resource investigation carried out in cooperation with any State or municipality 

shall not exceed 50 percent of the cost. 

The Survey's legislation authorities were supplemented in later years by authorizations from the 

Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the 

Executive Office as follows: 

National 

Mapping 

Coordination 

Water 

Data 

Coordination 

Digital 

Cartographic 

Data 

OMB Circular A-16, issued by the Bureau of the Budget on January 16, 1953, and 

revised May 6, 1967, names the Department of the Interior (delegated to the Geological 

Survey) as "responsible for the National Topographic Map Series of the United States 

and outlying areas of sovereignty and jurisdiction and for the National Atlas of the 

United States of America." It also calls for the Department to operate a "Map Information Office" and to exercise "governmentwide leadership in assuring coordinated planning and execution" of these and the "cartographic activities of other Federal agencies 

related thereto .... " The Map Information Office has evolved into the National Cartographic Information Center (NCIC). 

OMB Circular A-67, issued by the Bureau of the Budget on August 28, 1964, gives the 

Department of the Interior (delegated to the Geological Survey) responsibility "for the 

design and operation of the national network for acquiring data on the quantity and 

quality of surface and ground waters, including sediment load of streams," and responsibility "for exercising leadership in achieving effective coordination of national network and specialized water data acquisition activities." 

A memorandum to heads of departments from the Director, OMB, on April 4, 1983, 

assigns the Department of the Interior (delegated to the Geological Survey) the chair of 

a Federal Interagency Coordinating Committee on Digital Cartography "to improve the 

use of digital cartographic base data within the Federal Government and to provide a 

framework for its proper management .... " This memorandum was renewed on March 

18, 1986, and is in effect until March 15, 1989. 

12 Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey 
Exclusive 

Economic 

Zone 

Presidential Proclamation No.,5030, dated March 10, 1983, established the Exclusive 

Economic Zone (EEZ) of the United States. The EEZ extends to a distance of 200 

nautical miles offshore the United States and its territories and possessions. Within the 

EEZ, the United States has the sovereign rights for the purpose of exploring, exploiting, 

conserving, and managing natural resources, both living and nonliving, of the seabed 

and subsoil and the supeijacent waters and, with regard to other activities, for the 

economic exploitation and exploration of the zone. The Geological Survey conducts 

programs for the geologic assessment of the EEZ in response to the President's challenge 

to the Department of the Interior "to map and explore this new frontier." 

A chronological list oflegislation that authorizes the 

programs and activities of the Geological Survey follows. Appropriation acts are listed only in those 

cases where some significantly new activity is authorized. Wherever the language of a law gives the 

authority to the Secretary of the Interior, he, in tum, 

has delegated the authority to the Director, U.S. Geological Survey. 

~K~,.-~: :!:-> ~:~~:~ ~ ;~~ 

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Authorizations 13 
AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION OF THE 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Popular Title 

or Subject 

Appropriations Act of 

1879 

Appropriations 

Act of 1889 

Appropriations 

Act of 1894 

Appropriations 

Act of 1896 

Distribution of Maps 

and Atlases, etc. 

Joint Resolution of 

May 16, 1902 

Sale of Data 

Production and Sale of 

Photographs and 

Records 

USGS Share of Cost for 

Work in Cooperation 

with State and Local 

Governments 

Extension of Cooperative Work to Puerto 

Rico 

Public Law 

Number 

None 

None 

None 

None 

Pub. Res. 13 

54th Congress 

Pub. Res. 22 

57th Congress 

Pub. Law 383 

59th Congress 

Pub. Law 328 

60th Congress 

Pub. Law 100 

70th Congress 

Pub. Law 29 

74th Congress 

14 Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey 

Date 

Mar. 3, 1879 

Oct. 2, 1888 

Aug. 18, 1894 

June 11, 1896 

Feb. 18, 1897 

May 16, 1902 

June 30, 1906 

Mar. 4, 1909 

Mar. 7, 1928 

June 17, 1935 

Purpose 

Establishes the Geological Survey for the classification of 

the public lands and examination of the geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the national domain. 

(43 U.S.C. 31(a)) 

Authorizes the publication, exchange, and sale of geological and economic maps, and reports on general and economic geology and paleontology. 

(43 u.s.c. 41) 

Provides for chemical and physical research as part of geologic investigations, and for topographic surveys. 

Provides for gaging streams and determining the water 

supply. 

Authorizes the establishment and location of permanent 

benchmarks used in making topographic surveys. 

(43 U.S.C. 38) 

Authorizes the publication of Geological Survey reports 

on gaging of streams and methods of utilizing water resources. 

(44 U.S.C. 1318) 

Authorizes the Director to distribute the topographic and 

geologic maps and atlases of the United States, and provides also that a copy of each map and atlas shall be sent 

to each member of Congress. 

(43 U.S.C. 42 and 43) 

Authorizes publication by the Geological Survey of water 

supply and irrigation papers. 

(44 U.S.C. 1318) 

Authorizes the Geological Survey to furnish copies of 

maps to any person, concern, institution, State, or foreign 

government, with receipts to be deposited in the general 

fund of the Treasury. 

(43 u.s.c. 44) 

Authorizes the Director to. produce and sell copies of photographs, mosaics, and other official records. 

(43 u.s.c. 45) 

Directs that the Geological Survey's share in any topographic mapping or water resources investigations carried out in cooperation with any State or municipality 

shall not exceed 50 percent of that cost. 

(43 u.s.c. 50) 

Authorizes the Geological Survey to make topographic 

and geologic surveys and to conduct investigations relating to mineral and water resources in Puerto Rico. 

(43 u.s.c. 49) 
AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION OF THE 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-continued 

Popular Title 

or Subject 

Production and Sale of 

Photographs and 

Records 

Standardization of 

Geographic Names 

Appropriations Act of 

Fiscal Year 1953 

National Aeronautics 

and Space Act of 1958 

Mineral Discovery 

Loan Program Act of 

1958 

Appropriations Act of 

Fiscal Year 1959 

Acquisition of Lands 

for Use in Gaging 

Streams and Underground Resources 

Examination of the 

Geological Structure 

Outside the National 

Domain 

Wilderness Act of 1964 

Delmarva Peninsula 

Hydrologic Study 

Public Law 

Number 

Pub. Law 206 

80th Congress 

Pub. Law 242 

80th Congress 

Pub. Law 470 

82nd Congress 

P.L. 85-568 

P.L. 85-701 

P.L. 85-743 

P.L. 86-406 

P.L. 87-626 

P.L. 88-577 

P.L. 89-618 

Date 

July 21, 1947 

July 25, 1947 

July 9, 1952 

July 29, 1958 

Aug. 21, 1958 

Aug. 23, 1958 

Apr. 4, 1960 

Sept. 5, 1962 

Sept. 3, 1964 

Oct. 4, 1966 

Purpose 

Authorizes the Director to produce and sell copies of 

aerial photographs and provides for receipts to be deposited in the Treasury to the credit of the current appropriations. 

(43 u.s.c. 45) 

Directs the Secretary to assume responsibility for all 

functions relating to domestic geographic names, including staff support to the interdepartmental U.S. Board of 

Geographic Names. 

(43 U.S.C. 364) 

Authorizes payment of compensation and expenses of persons on the rolls of the Geological Survey appointed to 

represent the United States in the negotiation and administration of interstate compacts. (Same administrative 

provision appears in current appropriations acts.) 

Authorizes the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to cooperate or contract with Federal departments 

and agencies in the performance of its functions. 

(42 u.s.c. 2473) 

Authorizes the Secretary to provide a program for exploration by private industry within the United States, its 

territories and possessions, for minerals, excluding organic fuels, and to provide Federal financial assistance. 

(30 U.S.C. 641) (Activities under the Act not funded since 

1974.) 

Authorizes the Secretary to perform surveys, investigations, and research in geology, biology, minerals and 

water resources, and mapping in Antarctica and the 

Trust Territory of the Pacific Islands. 

(43 U.S.C. 1457 note) 

Authorizes the Secretary to acquire lands on behalf of the 

Geological Survey for use in gaging streams and underground resources. 

(43 U.S.C. 36b) 

Authorizes the examination of the geological structure, 

mineral resources, and products outside the national 

domain. 

(43 U.S.C. 31(b)) 

Authorizes the Geological Survey and Bureau of Mines to 

assess the mineral resources of each area proposed or established as wilderness if no prior mineral survey was 

done. 

(16 u.s.c. 1131) 

Authorizes the Secretary to make a comprehensive 5-year 

study and investigation of the water resources of th•3 Delmarva Peninsula. 

(42 U.S.C. 1962d-7) 

Authorizing Legislation 15 
AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION OF THE 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-continued 

Popular Title 

or Subject 

Classes and Sizes of 

Publications 

Federal Water Pollution Control Act 

Amendments of 1972 

Flood Disaster Protection Act of 1973 

Disaster 

Relief Act 

of 1974 

Geothermal Energy 

Research, Development, and Demonstration Act of 197 4 

Federal Land Policy 

and Management Act 

of 1976 

Surface Mining Control 

and Reclamation Act of 

1977 

Earthquake Hazards 

Reduction Act of 1977 

Earthquake Hazards 

Reduction Act Amendments of 1980 

Public Law 

Number 

P.L. 90-620 

P.L. 92-500 

P.L. 93-234 

P.L. 93-288 

P.L. 93-410 

P.L. 94-579 

P.L. 95-87 

P.L. 95-124 

P.L. 96-472 

16 Goals of the U.S. Geological Survey 

Date 

Oct. 22, 1968 

Oct. 18, 1972 

Dec. 31, 1973 

May 22, 1974 

Sept. 3, 1974 

Oct. 21, 1976 

Aug. 3, 1977 

Oct. 7, 1977 

Oct. 19, 1980 

Purpose 

Requires that publications of the Geological Survey shall 

include maps, folios, and atlases required by law. Further 

provides for printing and reprinting of Geological Survey 

reports and distribution to Congress and the Library of 

Congress. 

(44 u.s.c. 1318) 

Also authorizes the Geological Survey to send publications to public libraries. 

(44 u.s.c. 1320) 

Directs EPA to have a water quality surveillance system 

that will use the resources of the Geological Survey. 

(33 U.S.C. 1254(a)) 

Directs the Secretary of the Interior (through the U.S. 

Geological Survey) and heads of other Federal departments and agencies to give high-priority assistance to the 

Secretary of HUD in the mapping of flood-hazard areas 

and flood-risk zones. 

(42 U.S.C. 4101c) 

Directs the President to insure that all appropriate Federal agencies are prepared to issue warnings of disaster 

to State and local officials and that appropriate Federal 

agencies provide technical assistance to State and local 

governments to insure that timely and effective disaster 

warning is provided. 

(42 U.S.C. 5132) 

Directs the Geological Survey to provide a schedule and 

objectives for inventorying geothermal resources, and 

names the Survey as the action agency in support of the 

Geothermal Energy Coordination and Management Project, for developing a plan for a resource inventory, conducting regional surveys, and publishing maps. 

(30 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.) 

Directs the Secretary by 1991 to have the Geological Survey and the Bureau of Mines conduct minerals surveys of 

areas proposed to be recommended as wilderness prior to 

such recommendations being finalized. 

(43 u.s.c. 1782) 

Establishes an Advisory Committee on Mining and Mineral Research under the State mining and mineral resources and research institutes program, with the Director of the Geological Survey as a member. 

(30 U.S.C. 1229(a)) 

Directs the Geological Survey to be part of an earthquake 

hazards reduction program, which encompasses prediction, hazards reduction, and research. 

(42 U.S.C. 7701 et seq.) 

Authorizes the Director to issue earthquake predictions 

or advisories after notifying FEMA. 

(42 u.s.c. 7704(f)) 
AUTHORIZING LEGISLATION OF THE 

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY-continued 

Popular Title 

or Subject 

Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation 

Act 

Appropriations Act of 

Fiscal Year 1983 

Nuclear Waste Policy 

Act of 1982 

Appropriations Act of 

Fiscal Year 1984 

Water Resources Research Act of 1984 

Land Remote Sensing 

Commercialization Act 

of 1984 

Barrow Gas Field 

Transfer Act of 1984 

High Plains States 

Ground-Water Demonstration Program Act 

of 1983 

Hazardous and Solid 

Waste Amendments of 

1984 

Public Law 

Number 

P.L. 96-487 

P.L. 97-394 

P.L. 97-425 

P.L. 98-146 

P.L. 98-242 

P.L. 98-365 

P.L. 98-366 

P.L. 98-434 

P.L. 98-616 

"U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICEo 1990 - 262-092 - 226/00170 

Date 

Dec. 2, 1980 

Dec. 30, 1982 

Jan. 7, 1983 

Nov. 4, 1983 

Mar. 22, 1984 

July 17, 1984 

July 17, 1984 

Sept. 28, 1984 

Nov. 8, 1984 

Purpose 

Authorizes the Secretary to assess oil and gas and other 

mineral resources on Federal lands in Alaska. 

(16 U.S.C. 3150) 

Authorizes the Geological Survey to accept contributions 

from public and private sources. 

Authorizes the Geological Survey to act in a consultative 

and review role to the DOE for siting, building, and operating high-level radioactive waste repositories. 

(42 U.S.C. 10101 et seq.) 

Authorizes the Geological Survey to retain receipts from 

the sale of all published maps. Also transfers responsibility for issuing grants to State water resources research 

institutes from the Office of Water Policy to the Geological Survey. · 

Authorizes the Secretary to make cost-sharing·grants to 

designated State water resources research and technology 

institutes for research and training and to make matching grants to those State institutes, as well as other academic institutions, State or local governments, or the private sector for water research and technology 

development. 

(42 U.S.C. 10301) 

Encourages continued research in remote sensing in the 

Department of the Interior; the legislative report recommends utilization of the EROS Data Center as a remote 

sensing data archive. 

(15 u.s.c. 4201) 

Authorizes the Secretary to transfer the Barrow gas 

fields to the North Slope Borough of Alaska, and requires 

the Geological Survey to provide follow-up assistance to 

the North Slope Borough. 

Authorizes the Bureau of Reclamation to establish 

demonstration projects for ground water recharge of 

aquifers in the High Plains States and directs the Bureau 

to consult with the Geological Survey and other agencies 

in the two-phase program. 

(43 u.s.c. 390g) 

Provides for establishment of a National Ground Water 

Commission (NGWC); the Director of the Geological Survey is to provide, if requested by NGWC, personnel on a 

reimbursable basis. 

Authorizing Legislation 17