89–010 

Calendar No. 691 

115TH CONGRESS REPORT " ! SENATE 2d Session 115–404 

NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING ACT REAUTHORIZATION 

ACT 

DECEMBER 4, 2018.—Ordered to be printed 

Ms. MURKOWSKI, from the Committee on Energy and Natural 

Resources, submitted the following 

R E P O R T 

[To accompany S. 1787] 

[Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office] 

The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 

referred the bill (S. 1787) to reauthorize the National Geologic 

Mapping Act of 1992, having considered the same, reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that the bill do 

pass. 

PURPOSE

The purpose of S. 1787 is to reauthorize the National Geologic 

Mapping Act of 1992 (Public Law 102–285). 

BACKGROUND AND NEED

The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 established the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP or Program). The Program is run by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

and produces geologic maps for the United States. Geologic maps 

are a multipurpose, basic data set that are used by public and private entities for resource exploration and extraction; natural hazards identification and mitigation; ground and surface water management; infrastructure development; environmental protection; 

and Federal land management. For example, NCGMP funds have 

been used to examine the headwaters of the Missouri River in the 

Midwest, ecosystem health in Maryland, the San Andreas Fault in 

California, and mineral deposits in Nevada and Alaska. 

2 

The Program is comprised of the following three components: 

Federal geological mapping projects of high-priority Federal areas, 

known as FEDMAP; a matching-funds grant program with state 

geological surveys, known as STATEMAP; and a matching-funds 

grant program with universities to train students in geologic mapping, known as EDMAP. The maps produced under the NCGMP 

have been used to compile the National Geologic Map Database, 

which is a comprehensive collection of geologic maps at different 

scales. The NCGMP was most recently reauthorized in 2009 at $64 

million a year for 10 years. 

According to the USGS, only one-third of the United States has 

been geologically mapped at a scale that is suitable for mineral development. Reauthorizing this program will allow the USGS, state 

geological surveys, and universities to continue surveying and producing modern and digital geologic maps to inform land managers 

across the country about our nation’s subsurface geology. 

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY

S. 1787 was introduced by Senators Murkowski and King on September 11, 2017. The Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and 

Mining held a hearing on S. 1787 on August 22, 2018. 

Companion legislation, H.R. 4033, was introduced in the House 

of Representatives by Representatives Lamborn and Brown on October 12, 2017. The Natural Resources Committee’s Subcommittee 

on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing on H.R. 4033 on 

November 30, 2017. The Natural Resources Committee ordered 

H.R. 4033 favorably reported by unanimous consent on December 

13, 2017. 

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met in 

open business on October 2, 2018, and ordered S. 1787 favorably 

reported. 

COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION

The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in 

open business session on October 2, 2018, by a majority voice vote 

of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 1787. 

SECTION-BY-SECTION ANALYSIS

Section 1. Short title 

Section 1 provides a short title. 

Section 2. Reauthorization of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 

1992 

Subsection (a) amends section 9(a) of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to reauthorize the Program through fiscal year 

2023 and makes conforming changes. 

Subsection (b) amends section 5(a)(3) of the National Geologic 

Mapping Act of 1992 to replace the term ‘‘Associate Director for Geology’’ with the term ‘‘Associate Director for Core Science Systems.’’ 

Subsection (c) amends section 3 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to make technical corrections. 

3 

COST AND BUDGETARY CONSIDERATIONS

The following estimate of the costs of this measure has been provided by the Congressional Budget Office: S. 1787 would authorize the annual appropriation of $64 million 

through 2023 to carry out the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP). 

CBO estimates that implementing S. 1787 would cost $310 million over the 2019–2023 period, assuming appropriation of the authorized amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures do not apply. 

CBO estimates that enacting S. 1787 would not increase net direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 

10-year periods beginning in 2029. 

S. 1787 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). 

Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated budgetary effect of S. 1787 is shown in the following table. The costs 

of the legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural resources 

and environment). 

By fiscal year, in millions of dollars— 

2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2019– 

2023 

INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION 

Authorization Level ................................................................................. 64 64 64 64 64 320 

Estimated Outlays .................................................................................. 58 61 63 64 64 310 

Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 1787 

will be enacted near the end of 2018 and that the authorized 

amounts will be appropriated for each fiscal year beginning in 

2019. Estimated outlays are based on historical spending patterns. 

The NCGMP is carried out jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey 

and state geological authorities. Under this program, federal and 

state geologists are developing a comprehensive geological map of 

the United States and a related database of environmental and scientific information. Under current law, $64 million is authorized to 

be appropriated annually through 2018 to carry out the NCGMP; 

in 2018, $24 million was allocated for that program. 

CBO estimates that implementing S. 1787 would cost $310 million over the 2019–2023 period and $10 million after 2023. 

Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None. 

Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO estimates that enacting S. 1787 would not increase net direct spending 

or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 10-year periods 

beginning in 2029. 

Mandates: S. 1787 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA. 

Previous CBO estimate: On January 11, 2018, CBO transmitted 

a cost estimate for H.R. 4033, the National Geologic Mapping Act 

Reauthorization Act, as ordered reported by the House Committee 

on Natural Resources on December 13, 2017. The pieces of legislation are similar. CBO’s estimates of their costs differ because of the 

different time periods used for the estimates. 

Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Robert Reese; Mandates: 

Jon Sperl. 

4 

Estimate reviewed by: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss, Deputy 

Assistant Director for Budget Analysis. 

REGULATORY IMPACT EVALUATION

In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following evaluation 

of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in carrying out 

S. 1787. The bill is not a regulatory measure in the sense of imposing Government-established standards or significant economic responsibilities on private individuals and businesses. 

No personal information would be collected in administering the 

program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal privacy. 

Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the enactment of S. 1787, as ordered reported. 

CONGRESSIONALLY DIRECTED SPENDING

S. 1787, as ordered reported, does not contain any congressionally directed spending items, limited tax benefits, or limited tariff 

benefits as defined in rule XLIV of the Standing Rules of the Senate. 

EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATIONS

The testimony provided by the U.S. Geological Survey at the August 22, 2018, hearing on S. 1787 follows: 

STATEMENT FOR THE RECORD OF THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL

SURVEY

The vision of the USGS National Cooperative Geologic 

Mapping Program (NCGMP), first authorized by Congress 

in 1992, is to create an integrated, three-dimensional, digital geologic framework of the United States and its territories to address the Nation’s changing resource needs. 

The NCGMP’s mission is to characterize, interpret, and 

disseminate the geologic framework model of the Nation 

through geologic mapping and derivative research, to support the responsible use of land, water, energy, and minerals, and to mitigate the impact of geologic hazards on society, thereby facilitating national security and economic 

growth through informed Earth resource management. 

The partnership program between USGS and the Association of American State Geologists is composed of four 

parts. The first is FEDMAP, which funds new science that 

supports the mapping of geological and geophysical processes and structures, as well as topical mapping applications. Second is STATEMAP, which provides funds to the 

State geological surveys that are matched at least 1:1 with 

State funding to support the development of geologic maps 

across the country. Next is EDMAP, which has provided 

almost $10 million since 1992 to support over 1,200 students’ STEM education, thereby training the next generation of geologic mappers. The National Geologic Map Database, brings together these mapping functions to provide 

5 

all geologic maps and related reports, data, and summaries 

to the public, for their use in economic development and 

decision making. For example, the information provided 

through the National Geologic Map Database is essential 

for understanding the potential for critical minerals 

throughout the national geologic framework. This Database is a mandated effort of the USGS and the Association 

of American State Geologists, and has for 22 years been a 

noteworthy example of successful State-Federal collaboration to improve efficiencies in managing information for 

public use. 

NCGMP is the authoritative source for production of 

geologic maps in the Nation. Each of the four parts of 

NCGMP is essential to making geologic maps that are accessible and useful for scientists, decision-makers, and the 

public. The Department of the Interior believes the expiring authorization should be extended. 

CHANGES IN EXISTING LAW

In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the Standing 

Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by S. 1787, as 

ordered reported, are shown as follows (existing law proposed to be 

omitted is enclosed in black brackets, new matter is printed in 

italic, existing law in which no change is proposed is shown in 

roman): 

NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING ACT OF 1992 

Public Law 102–285 (as amended) 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 

In this Act: 

(1) ADVISORY COMMITTEE.—The term ‘‘ADVISORY COMMITTEE’’ means the advisory committee established under 

section 5. 

(2) ASSOCIATION.—The term ‘‘Association’’ means the Association of American State Geologists. 

(3) DIRECTOR.—The term ‘‘Director’’ means the Director of 

the United States Geological Survey. 

(4) EDUCATION COMPONENT.—The term ‘‘education component’’ means the education component of the geologic mapping 

program described in øsection 6(d)(3)¿ section 4(d)(3). 

(5) FEDERAL COMPONENT.—The term ‘‘Federal component’’ 

means the Federal component of the geologic mapping program 

described in øsection 6(d)(1)¿ section 4(d)(1). 

(6) GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘geologic mapping program’’ means the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program established by section 4(a). 

(7) SECRETARY.—The term ‘‘Secretary’’ means the Secretary 

of the Interior. 

(8) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ includes the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the Commonwealth of 

the Northern Mariana Islands, American Samoa, Guam, and 

the Virgin Islands. 

6 

(9) STATE COMPONENT.—The term ‘‘State component’’ means 

the State component of the geologic mapping program described in øsection 6(d)(2)¿ section 4(d)(2). (10) SURVEY.—The term ‘‘Survey’’ means the United States 

Geological Survey. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 4. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—There is established a national cooperative 

geologic mapping program between the United States Geological Survey and the State geological surveys, acting through the 

Association. 

(2) DESIGN, DEVELOPMENT, AND ADMINISTRATION.—The cooperative geologic mapping program shall be— 

(A) designed and administered to achieve the objectives 

set forth in subsection (c); 

(B) developed in consultation with the advisory committee; and 

(C) administered through the Survey. 

(b) RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SURVEY.— 

(1) LEAD AGENCY.—The Survey shall be the lead Federal 

agency responsible for planning, developing national priorities 

and standards for, coordinating, and managing the geologic 

mapping program. In carrying out this paragraph, the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall— 

(A) develop a 5-year strategic plan for the geologic mapping program in accordance with section 6, which plan 

shall be submitted to the Committee on Resources of the 

House of Representatives and the Committee on Energy 

and Natural Resources of the Senate not later than 1 year 

after the date of enactment of the øOmnibus Public Land 

Management Act of 2009¿ National Geologic Mapping Act 

Reauthorization Act; 

(B) appoint, with the advice and consultation of the Association, the advisory committee not later than 1 year 

after the date of enactment of the øOmnibus Public Land 

Management Act of 2009¿ National Geologic Mapping Act 

Reauthorization Act in accordance with section 5; and 

(C) submit biennially a report to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources of the United States Senate 

and to the Committee on Resources of the House of Representatives identifying— 

(i) how the Survey and the Association are coordinating the development and implementation of the 

geologic mapping program; 

(ii) how the Survey and the Association establish 

goals, mapping priorities, and target dates for implementation of the geologic mapping program; and 

(iii) how long-term staffing plans for the various 

components of the geologic mapping program affect 

successful implementation of the geologic mapping 

program. 

* * * * * * * 

7 

SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 

(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 

(1) IN GENERAL.—There shall be established a 11-member 

geologic mapping advisory committee to advise the Director on 

planning and implementation of the geologic mapping program. 

(2) MEMBERS EX OFFICIO.—Federal agency members shall include the Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or a designee, the Secretary of the Interior or a designee 

from a land management agency of the Department of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy or a designee, and the Secretary 

of Agriculture or a designee. 

(3) APPOINTED MEMBERS.—In consultation with the Association, the Secretary shall appoint to the advisory committee two 

representatives from the Survey (including the øAssociate Director for Geology¿ Associate Director for Core Science Systems, 

as Chair), two representatives from the State geological surveys, one representative from academia, and 2 representatives 

from the private sector. 

* * * * * * * 

SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 

(a) IN GENERAL.—There is authorized to be appropriated to carry 

out this Act $64,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 through 

ø2018¿ 2023. 

* * * * * * * 

Æ