43 USC 31c - Geologic mapping program

U.S Code last checked for updates: May 03, 2024

§ 31c.

Geologic mapping program

(a)

Establishment

(1)

In general

(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 31e of this title, 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 March 12, 2019;

(B)

appoint, with the advice and consultation of the Association, the advisory committee not later than 1 year after March 12, 2019, in accordance with section 31d of this title; 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.

(2)

Responsibilities of the Secretary

In addition to paragraph (1), the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall be responsible for developing, as soon as practicable—

(A)

in cooperation with the Association, other Federal and State agencies, public and private sector organizations and academia, the geologic-map data base; and

(B)

maps and mapping techniques which achieve the objectives specified in subsection (c).

(c)

Program objectives

The objectives of the geologic mapping program shall include—

(1)

determining the Nation’s geologic framework through systematic development of geologic maps at scales appropriate to the geologic setting and the perceived applications, such maps to be contributed to the national geologic map data base;

(2)

development of a complementary national geochronologic and paleontologic data base that provides value-added descriptive and interpretative 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 of the role and application of geologic-map information to the resolution of national issues of land use management.

(d)

Program components

(1)

Federal component

(A)

In general

(B)

Mapping priorities

For the Federal component, mapping priorities—

(i)

shall be described in the 5-year plan under section 31e of this title; 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;

(II)

national requirements for geologic map information in areas where mapping is required to solve critical earth science problems; and

(III)

the needs of land management agencies of the Department of the Interior.

(C)

Interdisciplinary studies

(i)

In general

(ii)

Representative categories

Interdisciplinary studies under clause (i) may include—

(I)

establishment of a national geologic map database under section 31f of this title;

(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 isotopic investigations that provide information critical to understanding the age and history of geologic map units;

(IV)

geophysical investigations that assist in delineating and mapping the physical characteristics and 3-dimensional distribution of geologic materials and geologic structures; and

(V)

geochemical investigations and analytical operations that characterize the composition of geologic map units.

(iii)

Use of results

(2)

State component

(A)

In general

(B)

Mapping priorities

For the State component, mapping priorities—

(i)

shall be determined by State panels representing 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

(D)

Use of funds

(E)

Federal share

(3)

Education component

(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 mapping and field analysis through support of field studies; and

(ii)

to develop academic programs that teach students 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 and the State component; and

(ii)

shall respond to mapping priorities identified for the Federal component and the State component.

(C)

Use of funds

(D)

Federal share

(4)

Abandoned mine land and mine waste component

(A)

In general

(B)

Mapping priorities

(Pub. L. 102–285, § 4, May 18, 1992, 106 Stat. 167; Pub. L. 103–437, § 16(a)(1), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4594; Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1108; Pub. L. 106–148, § 4, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1720; Pub. L. 111–11, title XI, § 11001(c)–(e), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1414, 1415; Pub. L. 116–9, title V, § 5002(a)(2), Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 768; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title II, § 40202(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 959.)

cite as: 43 USC 31c