[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 1528 Enrolled Bill (ENR)]
H.R.1528
One Hundred Sixth Congress
of the
United States of America
AT THE FIRST SESSION
Begun and held at the City of Washington on Wednesday,
the sixth day of January, one thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine
An Act
To reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Geologic Mapping
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) advances 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 component'
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).''.
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 and 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 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''; 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 Mapping Reauthorization
Act of 1999, and biennially thereafter'';
(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 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 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.--
``(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 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
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.''.
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 enactment 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 5-YEAR PLAN.
The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 is amended by striking
section 6 (43 U.S.C. 31e) and inserting the following:
``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 developing
the national geologic mapping program that meets Federal needs
while fostering State needs;
``(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 program,
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 geologic
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-setting
mechanism that responds to requirements for geologic map
information that are dictated by Federal and State mission
requirements;
``(D) a mechanism for adopting scientific and technical
mapping standards for preparing and publishing general- and
special-purpose geologic maps to--
``(i) ensure uniformity of cartographic and scientific
conventions; and
``(ii) provide a basis for assessing the comparability
and quality of map products; and
``(E) a mechanism for monitoring the inventory of published
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 establish 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
investigations under subclauses (III), (IV), and (V) of section
4(d)(1)(C)(ii); and
``(C) other maps and data that the Survey and the
Association consider appropriate.''.
SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT.
The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 is amended by striking
section 8 (43 U.S.C. 31g) and inserting the following:
``SEC. 8. BIENNIAL REPORT.
``Not later 3 years after the date of the enactment of the National
Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999 and biennially 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:
``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 appropriated
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
``(2) 2 percent shall be available for the education
component.''.
Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Vice President of the United States and
President of the Senate.