National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992
PL 102-285 (H.R.2763), enacted 05/18/1992

106 STAT. 166 
PUBLIC LAW 102-285—MAY 18,1992 
Public Law 102-285 
102d Congress 
An Act 
—r-j p L,co^— 
'^° enhance geologic mapping of the United States, and for other purposes. 
[H.R. 2763] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of 
National 
the United States of 
America in Congress assembled, 
Geologic 
^PPJ^Sno 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
Act of 1992. 
Conservation. 
This Act may be cited as the "National Geologic Mapping Act 
Environmental 
gf 1992" 
protection. 
43 u s e 31a 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE. 
note. 
43 use 31a. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The Congress finds and declares that— 
(1) during the past 2 decades, the production of geologic 
maps has been drastically curtailed; 
(2) geologic maps are the primary data base for virtually 
all applied and basic earth-science investigations, including— 
(A) exploration for and development of mineral, energy, 
and water resources; 
(B) screening and characterizing sites for toxic and 
nuclear waste disposal; 
(C) land use evaluation and planning for environmental 
protection; 
(D) earthqu£ike hazards reduction; 
(E) predicting volcanic hazards; 
(F) design and construction of infirastructure require-
ments such as utility lifelines, transportation corridors, 
and surface-water impoundments; 
(G) reducing losses from landslides and other ground 
failures; 
(H) mitigating effects of coastal and stream erosion; 
(I) siting of critical facilities; and 
(J) basic earth-science research; 
(3) Federal agencies. State and local governments, private 
industry, and the general public depend on the information 
V. 
provided by geologic maps to determine the extent of potential 
environmental damage before embarking on projects that could 
lead to preventable, costly environmental problems or htigation; 
(4) the combined capabilities of State, Federal, and academic 
groups to provide geologic mapping are not sufficient to meet 
the present and future needs of the United States for national 
security, environmental protection, and energy self-sufficiency 
of the Nation; 
(5) States are wilUng to contribute 50 percent of the funding 
necessary to complete the mapping of the geology within the 
State; 
(6) the lack of proper geologic maps has led to the poor 
design of such structures as dams and waste-disposal facilities; 
(7) geologic maps have proven indispensable in the search 
for needed rossil-fuel and mineral resources; and 
PUBLIC LAW 102-285—MAY 18, 1992 
106 STAT. 167 
(8) a comprehensive nationwide program of geologic mapping 
is required in order to systematically build me Nation's geo-
logic-map data base at a pace that responds to increasing 
demsind. 
(b) PURPOSE.—^The purpose of this Act is to expedite the produc-
tion of a geologic-map data base for the Nation, to be located 
within the United States Geological Survey, which can be applied 
to l£ind-use memagement, assessment, and utilization, conservation 
of natural resources, groundwater management, and environmental 
protection. 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
43 USC 31b. 
As used in this Act: 
(1) The term "advisory committee" means the advisory com-
mittee established under section 5. 
(2) The term "Director" means the Director of the United 
States Geological Survey. 
(3) The term "geologic mapping program" means the National 
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program established by section 
4(a). 
(4) The term "Secretary" means the Secretary of the Interior. 
(5) The term "Survejr" means the United States Geological 
Survey. 
SEC. 4. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM. 
43 USC 31c. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—There is established in the United States 
Geological Survey a NationsJ Cooperative Geologic Mapping Pro-
gram. The geologic mapping program shall be developed in con-
sultation with the advisory committee and shall be designed and 
administered to achieve the objectives set forth in subsection (c). 
(b) RESPONSIBILITIES OF USGS.—(1) The Survey shall be the 
lead Federal agency responsible for planning, developing priorities, 
coordinating, and managing the geologic mapping program. In car-
rying out this paragraph, the Secretary, acting through the Director, 
shall— 
(A) develop a geologic mapping progr£un implementation pl£ui 
in accordsmce with section 6, which plan shall be submitted 
to the Committee on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House 
of Representatives and the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the Senate within 300 days after the date of 
enactment of this Act; 
(B) appoint, with the advice and consultation of the State 
geological surveys, the advisory committee within 90 days after 
the date of enactment of this Act in accordance with section 
5; and 
(C) within 210 days after the date of enactment of this Reports. 
Act, submit a report to the Committee on Energy and Natural 
Resources of the United States Senate and to the Committee 
on Interior and Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives 
identifying— 
(i) how the Survey will coordinate the development and 
implementatibn of the geologic mapping program; 
(ii) how the Survey will establish goals, mapping prior-
ities, and target dates for implementation of the geologic 
mapping program; 
(iii) how long-term staffing plans for the various compo-
nents of the geologic mapping program will lead to success-
ful implementation of the geologic mapping program; and 
106 STAT. 168 
PUBLIC LAW 102-285—MAY 18, 1992 
(iv) the degree to which geologic mapping activities 
traditionally funded by the Survey, including the use of 
conmiercially available aerial photography, geodesy, profes-
sional land surveying, photogrammetric mapping, cartog-
raphy, photographic processing, and related services, can 
be contracted to professional private mapping firms. 
(2) In addition to paragraph (1), the Secreta^, acting through 
the Director, shall he responsible for developing, as soon as 
practicable— 
(A) in cooperation with the State geological surveys, other 
Federal £ind State agencies, public and private sector organiza-
tions and academia, the geologic-map data base; and 
(B) maps and mapping techniques which achieve the objec-
tives specified in subsection (c). 
(c) PROGRAM OBJECTIVES.—^The objectives of the geologic mapping 
program shall include— 
(1) determining the Nation's geologic framework through sys-
tematic development of geologic maps at scales appropriate 
to the geologic setting and the perceived apphcations, such 
maps to be contributed to the national geologic map data base; 
(2) development of a complementary national geophysical-
map 
data 
base, 
geochemical-map 
data 
base, 
and 
a 
geochronologic and paleontologic data base that provide value-
added descriptive and interpretive information to the geologic-
map data base; 
(3) application of cost-effective mapping techniques that 
assemble, produce, translate and disseminate geologic-map 
information and that render such information of greater 
application and benefit to the public; and 
(4) development of public awareness for the role and applica-
tion of geologic-map information to the resolution of national 
issues of land use management. 
(d) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.—^The geologic mapping program shall 
include the following components: 
(1) A Federal geologic mapping component, whose objective 
shall be determining the geologic framework of areas deter-
mined to be vital to the economic, social, or scientific welfare 
of the Nation. Mapping priorities shall be based on— 
(A) national requirements for geologic-map information 
in areas of multiple-issue need or areas of compelling sin-
gle-issue need; and 
(B) national requirements for geologic-map information 
in areas where mapping is required to solve critical earth-
science problems. 
(2) A geologic mapping support component, whose objective 
shall be providing interdisciplinary support for the Federal 
Geologic Mapping Component. Representative categories of 
interdisciplinary support shall include— 
(A) establishment of a nationsd geologic-map data base, 
• r 
established pursuant to section 7; 
(B) studies that lead to the implementation of cost-effec-
tive digital methods for the acquisition, compilation, 
analysis, cartographic production, and dissemination of geo-
logic-map information; 
(C) paleontologic investigations that provide information 
critical to miderstanding the age and depositional environ-
ment of fossil-bearing geologic-map units, which investiga-
PUBLIC LAW 102-285—MAY 18,1992 
106 STAT. 169 
tions shall be contributed to a national paleontologic data 
base; 
(D) geochronologic and isotonic investigations that (i) 
provide radiometric age dates for geologic-map units and 
(ii) fingerprint the geothermometry, geobarometiy, and 
alteration history of. geologic-map units, which investiga-
tions shall be contributed to a national geochronologic data 
base; 
(E) geophysical investigations that assist in delineating 
and mapping the physical characteristics and three-dimen-
sional distribution of geologic materials and geologic struc-
tures, which investigations shall be contributed 
tea 
national geophysical-map data base; and 
(F) geochemical investigations and anal3^cal operations 
that characterize the msgor- and minor-element com-
position of geologic-map units, and that lead to the rec-
ognition of stable and anomalous geochemical signatures 
for geologic terrains, which investigations shall be contrib-
uted to a national geochemical-map data base. 
(3) A State geologic mapping component, whose objective 
shall be determining the geologic firamework of areas that the 
State geological surveys determine to be vital to the economic, 
social, or scientific welfare of individual States. Mapping prior- 
^ 
ities shall be determined by multirepresentetional Stote panels 
and shall be integrated with national priorities. Federal funding 
for the State component shall be matehed on a one-to-one 
basis with non-Federal funds. 
(4) A geologic mapping education component, whose objective 
shedl be— 
(A) to develop the academic programs that teach earth-
science students the fundamental principles of geologic 
mapping and field analysis; and 
(B) to provide for broad education in geologic mapping 
and field analysis through support of 
field 
teaching 
institutes. 
Investigations conducted under the geologic mapping education 
component shall be integrated with the other mapping compo-
nents of the geologic mapping program, and shall respond to 
priorities identified for those components. 
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
43 USC 31d. 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—^There shall be estebHshed a sixteen mem-
ber geologic mapping advisory committee to advise the Director 
on planning and implementation of the geologic mapping program. 
The President shall appoint one representetive each fi:t)m the President. 
Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the 
Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy. Within 90 days £uid with the advice and consultetion of 
the State Geological Surveys, the Secretary shall appoint to the 
advisory committee 2 representetives firom the Survey (including 
the Chief Geologist, as Chsdrman), 4 representatives firom the Stete 
geological surveys, 3 representetives firom academia, and 3 rep-
resentatives from the private sector. 
(b) DUTIES.—^The advisory committee shall— 
(1) review and critique the draft implementation plan pre-
pared by the Director pursuant to section 6; 
106 STAT. 170 
PUBLIC LAW 102-285—MAY 18, 1992 
(2) review the scientific progress of the geologic mapping 
program; and 
Repoj^- 
(3) submit an annual report to the Secretary that evaluates 
the progress of the Federal and State mapping activities and 
evaluates the progress made toward fulfilling the purposes 
of this Act. 
43 u s e 31e. 
SEC. 6. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN. 
The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, with the advice 
and review of the advisory committee, prepare an implementation 
plan for the geologic mapping program. The plan shall identify 
the overall management structure and operation of the geologic 
mapping program and shall provide for— 
(1) the role of the Survey in its capacity as overall manage-
ment lead, including the responsibiUty for developing the 
national geologic mapping program that meets Federal needs 
while simultaneously fostering State needs; 
(2) the responsibilities accruing to the State geological sur-
veys, with particular emphasis on mechanisms that incorporate 
their needs, missions, capabihties, and requirements into the 
nationwide geologic mapping program; 
(3) mechanisms for identifying short- and long-term priorities 
for 
each component 
of the 
geologic mapping 
program, 
including— 
(A) for the Federal geologic mapping component, a prior-
ity-setting mechanism that responds both to (i) Federal 
mission requirements for geologic-map information, and 
(ii) criticed scientific problems that require geologic-map 
control for their resolution; 
(B) for the geologic mapping support component, a strong 
interdisciplinary research program plan in isotopic and 
paleontologic geochronology, geophysical mapping, and 
process studies to provide data to and interpret results 
from geologic mapping; 
(C) for the State geologic mapping component, a priority-
setting mechanism that responds to (i) specific intrastate 
needs for geologic-map information, and (ii) interstate 
needs shared by adjacent entities that have common 
requirements; and 
(D) for the geologic mapping education component, a 
'"' priority-setting mechanism that responds to requirements 
for geologic-map information that are driven by Federal 
and State mission requirements; 
(4) a description of the degree to which the S u r v ^ can 
acquire, archive, and use Side-Looking Airborne Radar (SLAB) 
or Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (IFSAR) data in 
a manner that is technically appropriate for geologic or related 
mapping studies; 
(5) a mechanism for adopting scientific and technical map 
standards for preparing and pubUshing general-purpose and 
special-purpose geologic maps to (A) assure uniformity of car-
tographic and scientific conventions, and (B) provide a basis 
for judgment as to the comparabiUty and quaUty of map prod-
ucts; and 
(6) a mechanism for monitoring the inventory of published 
eind current mapping investigations nationwide in order to 
PUBLIC LAW 102-285—MAY 18, 1992 
106 STAT. 171 
facilitate planning £ind information exchange and to avoid 
redundancy. 
SEC. 7. NATIONAL GEOLOGIC-MAP DATA BASE. 
Historic 
(a) ESTABLISHMENT.—^The Survey shall estabUsh a national geo- 43usc^3if!^ 
logic-map data base. Such data base shall be a national archive 
that includes all maps developed pursuant to this Act, the data 
bases developed pursuant to the investigations under sections 
(4)(d)(2) (C), (D), (E), and (F), and other maps and data as the 
Survey deems appropriate. 
(b) STANDARDIZATION.—Gteologic maps contributed to the national 
archives should have standardized format, S3mibols, and technicsd 
attributes so that archival information can be assimilated, manipu-
lated, accessed, exchanged, and comp£ired efficiently and accurately. 
SEC. 8. ANNUAL REPORT. 
43 USC 31g. 
The Secretary shall, within 90 days after the end of each fiscal 
year, submit an annual report to the Conunittee on Interior and 
Insular Affairs of the House of Representatives suid the Committee 
on Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate describing the 
status of the nationwide geologic mapping program, £ind describing 
and evaluating progress achieved during the preceding fiscal year 
in developing the national geologic-map data base. Each report 
shall include any recommendations for legislative or other action 
as the Secretary deems necessary and appropriate to fiilfill the 
purposes of this Act. 
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
43 USC 31h. 
There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act 
the following: 
(1) For Federal mapping activities under this Act, $12,500,000 
for fiscal year 
1993, $14,000,000 for fiscal year 
1994, 
$16,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and $18,000,000 for fiscal 
year 1996. 
(2) For FedergJ support activities under this Act, $9,500,000 
for fiscal year 
1993, $10,000,000 for fiscal year 
1994, 
$10,500,000 for fiscal year 1995, and $11,000,000 for fiscal 
year 1996. 
(3) For State mapping activities under this Act, $15,000,000 
for fiscal year 
1993, $18,000,000 for fiscal year 
1994, 
$21,000,000 for fiscal year 1995, and $25,000,000 for fiscal 
year 1996. 
(4) For educational support activities under this Act, $500,000 
for fiscal year 1993, $750,000 for fiscal year 1994, $1,000,000 
for fiscal year 1995, and $1,500,000 for fiscal year 1996. 
SEC. 10. UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND UNITED STATES 
BUREAU OF MINES. 
(a) UNITED STATES GEOLOGICAL SURVEY.—The Geological Survey 43 use 3i 
estaWished by the Act of March 3, 1879 (43 U.S.C. 31(a)), is des- "°*«-
106 STAT. 172 
PUBLIC LAW 102-285-MAY 18, 1992 
ignated as and shall hereafter be known as the United States 
Geological Survey. 
30 use 1 
(b) UNITED STATES BUREAU OF MINES.—The Bureau of Mines 
°°^- 
estabhshed by the Act of May 16, 1910 (30 U.S.C. 1), is designated 
as and shall hereafter be known as the United States Bureau 
of Mines. 
Approved May 18, 1992. 
LEGISLATIVE fflSTORY—H.R. 2763 (S. 1179): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 102-333 (Comm. on Interior and Insular Affairs). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 102-217 accompanying S. 1179 (Comm. on Energy and 
Natural Resources). 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD: 
Vol. 137 (1991): Nov. 19, considered and passed House. 
Vol. 138 (1992): Mar. 31, considered and passed Senate, amended. 
Apr. 30, House concurred in Senate amendments.