[Senate Report 115-404]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
Calendar No. 691
115th Congress } { Report
SENATE
2d Session } { 115-404
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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.
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.
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.
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 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 [section 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 [section 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.
(9) State component.--The term ``State component''
means the State component of the geologic mapping
program described in [section 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
[Omnibus 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 [Omnibus 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.
* * * * * * *
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 [Associate 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 [2018] 2023.
* * * * * * *
[all]