National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999
PL 106-148 (H.R.1528), enacted 12/09/1999

PUBLIC LAW 106-148—DEC. 9, 1999 
113 STAT. 1719 
Public Law 106-148 
106th Congress 
An Act 
To reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992. 
Dec. 9, 1999 
[H.R. 1528] 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives 
of 
the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
National Geologic 
Mapping 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
Reauthorization 
Act of 1999. 
This Act may be cited as the "National Geologic Mapping 
43 use 3 la note. 
Reauthorization Act of 1999". 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Section 2(a) of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 
(43 U.S.C. 31a(a)) is amended— 
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking "and" at the end; 
(2) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (10); 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following: 
"(8) geologic map information is required for the sustainable 
and balanced development of natural resources of all types, 
including 
energy, 
minerals, 
land, 
water, 
and 
biological 
resources; 
"(9) adveinces in digital technology and 
geographical 
information system science have made geologic map databases 
increasingly important as decision support tools for land and 
resource management; and"; and 
(4) in paragraph (10) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)), 
by inserting "of surficial and bedrock deposits" after "geologic 
mapping". 
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS. 
Section 3 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 
U.S.C. 31b) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) as 
paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and (10), respectively; 
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following: 
"(4) EDUCATION COMPONENT.—The term 'education compo-
nent' means the education component of the geologic mapping 
program described in section 6(d)(3). 
"(5) FEDERAL COMPONENT.—The term 'Federal component' 
means the Federal component of the geologic mapping program 
described in section 6(d)(1)."; and 
(3) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as redesignated by 
paragraph (1)) the following: 
"(9) 
STATE 
COMPONENT.—The term 'State 
component' 
means the State component of the geologic mapping program 
described in section 6(d)(2).". 
113 STAT. 1720 
PUBLIC LAW 106-148—DEC. 9, 1999 
SEC. 
4
. 
GEOLOGIC 
MAPPING 
PROGRAM. 
Section 4 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 
U.S.C. 31c) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (b)(1)— 
(A) in the first sentence, by striking "priorities" and 
inserting "national priorities £ind standards for"; 
(B) in subparagraph (A)— 
(i) by striking "develop a geologic mapping program 
implementation plan" and inserting "develop a 5-year 
strategic plan for the geologic mapping program"; and 
(ii) by striking "within 300 days after the date 
of enactment of the National Geologic Mapping 
Reauthorization Act of 1997" and inserting "not later 
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the 
National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 
1999"; 
(C) in subparagraph (B), by striking "within 90 days 
after the date of enactment of the National Geologic Map-
ping Reauthorization Act of 1997" £uid inserting "not later 
than 1 year after the date of the enactment of the National 
Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999"; and 
(D) in subparagraph (C)— 
(i) in the matter preceding clause (i), by striking 
"within 210 days after the date of enactment of the 
National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 
1997" and inserting "not later than 3 years after the 
date of the enactment of the National Geologic Map-
ping Reauthorization Act of 1999, and biennially there-
after"; 
(ii) in clause (i), by striking "will coordinate" and 
inserting "are coordinating"; 
(iii) in clause (ii), by striking "will establish" and 
inserting "establish"; and 
(iv) in clause (iii), by striking "will lead to" and 
inserting "affect"; and 
(2) by striking subsection (d) and inserting the following: 
"(d) PROGRAM COMPONENTS.— 
"(1) FEDERAL COMPONENT.— 
"(A) IN GENERAL.—The geologic mapping program shall 
include a Federal geologic mapping component, the objec-
tive of which shall be to determine the geologic framework 
of areas determined to be vital to the economic, social, 
environmental, or scientific welfare of the United States. 
"(B) MAPPING PRIORITIES.—For the Federal component, 
mapping priorities— 
"(i) shall be described in the 5-year plan under 
section 6; and 
"(ii) shall be based on— 
"(I) national requirements for geologic map 
information in areas of multiple-issue need or 
areas of compelling single-issue need; and 
"(II) national requirements for geologic map 
information in areas where mapping is required 
to solve critical earth science problems. 
"(C) INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.— 
PUBLIC LAW 106-148—DEC. 9, 1999 
113 STAT. 1721 
"(i) IN GENERAL.—The Federal component shall 
include interdisciplinary studies that add value to geo-
logic mapping. 
"(ii) REPRESENTATIVE CATEGORIES.—Interdiscipli-
nary studies under clause (i) may include— 
"(I) establishment of a national geologic map 
database under section 7; 
"(II) studies that lead to the implementation 
of cost-effective digital methods for the acquisition, 
compilation, analysis, cartographic production, and 
dissemination of geologic map information; 
"(III) paleontologic, geochrono-logic, and iso-
topic investigations that provide information crit-
ical to understanding the age and history of geo-
logic map units; 
"(IV) geophysical investigations that assist in 
delineating gmd mapping the physical characteris-
tics and 3-dimensional distribution of geologic 
materials and geologic structures; and 
"(V) geochemical investigations and analj^ical 
operations that characterize the composition of 
geologic map units. 
"(iii) USE OF RESULTS.—The results of investiga-
tions under clause (ii) shall be contributed to national 
databases. 
"(2) STATE COMPONENT.— 
"(A) IN GENERAL.—The geologic mapping program shall 
include a State geologic mapping component, the objective 
of which shall be to establish the geologic framework of 
areas determined to be vital to the economic, social, 
environmental, or scientific welfare of individual States. 
"(B) MAPPING PRIORITIES.—For the State component, 
mapping priorities— 
"(i) shall be determined by State panels rep-
resenting a broad range of users of geologic maps; 
and 
"(ii) shall be based on— 
"(I) State requirements for geologic map 
information in areas of multiple-issue need or 
areas of compelling single-issue need; and 
"(II) State requirements for geologic map 
information in areas where mapping is required 
to solve critical earth science problems. 
"(C) INTEGRATION OF FEDERAL AND STATE PRIORITIES.— 
A national panel including representatives of the Survey 
shall integrate the State mapping priorities under this 
paragraph with the Federal mapping priorities under para-
graph (1). 
"(D) USE OF FUNDS.—The Survey and recipients of 
grants under the State component shall not use more than 
15.25 percent of the Federal funds made available under 
the State component for any fiscal year to pay indirect, 
servicing, or program management charges. 
"(E) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost 
of activities under the State component for any fiscal year 
shall not exceed 50 percent. 
"(3) EDUCATION COMPONENT.— 
113 STAT. 1722 
PUBLIC LAW 106-148—DEC. 9, 1999 
"(A) IN GENERAL.—^The geologic mapping program shall 
include a geologic mapping education component for the 
training of geologic mappers, the objectives of which shall 
be— 
"(i) to provide for broad education in geologic map-
ping and field analysis through support of field studies; 
and 
"(ii) to develop academic programs that teach stu-
dents of earth science the fundamental principles of 
geologic mapping and field analysis. 
"(B) INVESTIGATIONS.—The education component may 
include the conduct of investigations, which— 
"(i) shall be integrated with the Federal component 
£ind the State component; and 
"(ii) shall respond to mapping priorities identified 
for the Federal component and the State component. 
"(C) USE OF FUNDS.—The Survey and recipients of 
grants under the education component shall not use more 
than 15.25 percent of the Federal funds made available 
under the education component for any fiscal year to pay 
indirect, servicing, or program management charges. 
"(D) FEDERAL SHARE.—The Federal share of the cost 
of activities under the education component for any fiscal 
year shall not exceed 50 percent.". 
SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE. 
Section 5 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 
U.S.C. 31d) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a)(3), by striking "90 days after the date 
of enactment of the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization 
Act of 1997" and inserting "1 year after the date of the enact-
ment of the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act 
of 1999"; and 
(2) in subsection (b)— 
(A) in paragraph (1), by striking "critique the draft 
implementation plan" and inserting "update the 5-year 
plan"; and 
(B) in paragraph (3), by striking "this Act" and 
inserting "sections 4 through 7". 
SEC. 6. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM 6-YEAR PLAN. 
The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 is amended by 
striking section 6 (43 U.S.C. 31e) and inserting the following: 
43 use 31e. 
"SEC. 6. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM 5-YEAR PLAN. 
"(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting through the Director, 
shall, with the advice and review of the advisory committee, prepare 
a 5-year plan for the geologic mapping program. 
"(b) REQUIREMENTS.—The 5-year plan shall identify— 
"(1) overall priorities for the geologic mapping program; 
and 
"(2) implementation of the overall management structure 
and operation of the geologic mapping program, including— 
"(A) the role of the Survey in the capacity of overall 
management lead, including the responsibility for devel-
oping the national geologic mapping program that meets 
Federal needs while fostering State needs; 
PUBLIC LAW 106-148—DEC. 9, 1999 
113 STAT. 1723 
"(B) the responsibilities of the State geological surveys, 
with emphasis on mechanisms that incorporate the needs, 
missions, capabilities, and requirements of the State 
geological surveys, into the nationwide geologic mapping 
program; 
"(C) mechanisms for identifying short- and long-term 
priorities for each component of the geologic mapping pro-
gram, including— 
"(i) for the Federal component, a priority-setting 
mechanism that responds to— 
"(I) Federal mission requirements for geologic 
map information; 
"(II) critical scientific problems that require 
geologic maps for their resolution; and 
"(III) shared Federal and State needs for geo-
logic maps, in which joint Federal-State geologic 
mapping projects are in the national interest; 
"(ii) for the State component, a priority-setting 
mechanism that responds to— 
"(I) specific intrastate needs for geologic map 
information; and 
"(II) interstate needs shared by 
adjacent 
States that have common requirements; and 
"(iii) for the education component, a priority-set-
ting mechanism that responds to requirements for geo-
logic map information that are dictated by Federal 
£ind State mission requirements; 
"(D) a mechanism for adopting scientific and technical 
mapping standards for preparing and publishing genersd-
ana special-purpose geologic maps to— 
"(i) ensure uniformity of cartographic and scientific 
conventions; eind 
"(ii) provide a basis for assessing the comparability 
and quality of map products; and 
"(E) a mechanism for monitoring the inventory of pub-
lished and current mapping investigations nationwide to 
facilitate planning and information exchange and to avoid 
redundancy.". 
SEC. 7. NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAP DATABASE. 
Section 7 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 
U.S.C. 31f) is amended by striking the section heading and all 
that follows through subsection (a) and inserting the following: 
"SEC. 7. NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAP DATABASE. 
"(a) ESTABLISHMENT.— 
"(1) IN GENERAL.—The Survey shall estabhsh a national 
geologic map database. 
"(2) FUNCTION.—^The database shall serve as a national 
catalog and archive, distributed through links to Federal and 
State geologic map holdings, that includes— 
"(A) all maps developed under the Federal component 
and the education component; 
"(B) the databases developed in connection with inves-
tigations under subclauses (III), (IV), and (V) of section 
4(d)(l)(C)(ii); and 
"(C) other maps and data that the Survey and the 
Association consider appropriate.". 
113 STAT. 1724 
PUBLIC LAW 106-148—DEC. 9, 1999 
SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT. 
The National Greologic Mapping Act of 1992 is amended by 
striking section 8 (43 U.S.C. 31g) and inserting the following: 
43 use 31g. 
"SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT. 
Deadline. 
"Not later 3 years after the date of the enactment of the 
National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999 and bienni-
ally thereafter, the Secretary shall submit to the Committee on 
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate a report that— 
"(1) describes the status of the national geologic mapping 
program; 
"(2) describes and evaluates the progress achieved during 
the preceding 2 years in developing the national geologic map 
database; and 
"(3) includes any recommendations that the Secretary may 
have for legislative or other action to achieve the purposes 
of sections 4 through 7.". 
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 is amended by 
striking section 9 (43 U.S.C. 31h) and inserting the following: 
43 use 31h. 
"SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
"(a) IN GENERAL.—There are authorized to be appropriated 
to carry out this Act— 
"(1) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; 
"(2) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2000; 
"(3) $37,000,000 for fiscal year 2001; 
"(4) $43,000,000 for fiscal year 2002; 
"(5) $50,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; 
"(6) $57,000,000 for fiscal year 2004; and 
"(7) $64,000,000 for fiscal year 2005. 
"(b) ALLOCATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—Of any amounts appro-
priated for any fiscal year in excess of the amount appropriated 
for fiscal year 2000— 
"(1) 48 percent shall be available for the State component; 
and 
PUBLIC LAW 106-148—DEC. 9, 1999 
113 STAT. 1725 
"(2) 2 percent shall be available for the education compo-
nent.". 
Approved December 9, 1999. 
LEGISLATIVE HISTORY—H.R. 1528 (S. 607): 
HOUSE REPORTS: No. 106-389 (Comm. on Resources). 
SENATE REPORTS: No. 106-78 accompanying S. 607 (Comm. on Energy and Nat-
111*3.1 H6S011TC6S) 
CONGRESSIONAL RECORD, Vol. 145 (1999): 
Oct. 26, considered and passed House. 
Nov. 19, considered and passed Senate.