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U.S. Code as of:
01/19/04
Section 31c. 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) of this section;
(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
December 9, 1999;
(B) appoint, with the advice and consultation of the
Association, the advisory committee not later than 1 year after
December 9, 1999, in accordance with section 31d of this title;
and
(C) not later than 3 years after December 9, 1999, and
biennially thereafter, submit 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) of this section.
(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 geophysical-map
data base, geochemical-map data base, and a geochronologic and
paleontologic data base that provide 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
The geologic mapping program shall include a Federal geologic
mapping component, the objective 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 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; and
(II) national requirements for geologic map information
in areas where mapping is required to solve critical earth
science problems.
(C) Interdisciplinary studies
(i) In general
The Federal component shall include interdisciplinary
studies that add value to geologic mapping.
(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
The results of investigations 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 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
A national panel including representatives of the Survey
shall integrate the State mapping priorities under this
paragraph with the Federal mapping priorities under paragraph
(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
(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
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.
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