[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 40 (Monday, March 15, 1999)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2652-S2654]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. CRAIG (for himself and Mr. Murkowski):
  S. 607. A bill reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping 
Act of 1992; to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.


       THE NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999

  Mr. CRAIG. Mr. President, I am today introducing along with Senator 
Murkowski, the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999. 
This is an act that has been very beneficial to the Nation and deserves 
to be reauthorized.
  The National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Act (NCGMA) was originally 
signed into law in 1992. The purpose of this geologic mapping program 
is to provide the nation with urgently needed geologic maps that can be 
and are used by a diverse clientele. These maps are vital to 
understanding groundwater regimes, mineral resources, geologic hazards 
such as landslides and earthquakes, geology essential for all types of 
land use planning, as well as providing basic scientific data. The 
NCGMA contains three parts; FedMap--the U.S. Geological Survey's 
geologic mapping program, StateMap--the state geological survey's part 
of the act, and EdMap--a program to encourage the training of future 
geologic mappers at our colleges and universities.
  StateMap is a competitive program wherein the states submit proposals 
for geologic mapping that are critiqued by a peer review panel. A 
requirement of this section of the legislation is that each federal 
dollar be matched one-for-one with state funds. Each participating 
state has a StateMap Advisory Committee to insure that its proposal 
addresses priority areas and needs. The success of this program insured 
reauthorization of similar legislation in 1997 with widespread 
bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.
  According to a recent poll conducted by the Association of American 
State Geologists, the 50 states have produced over 1,900 new geologic 
maps since the program authorized by this legislation started. There 
are an additional 300 maps currently being completed. Also, the states 
have digitized 650 existing geologic maps (1:24,000 scale) so they can 
be used as a computer data base. All of these maps have been submitted 
to the U.S. Geological Survey for inclusion in a national geologic map 
database. One of the purposes of this database is to eventually provide 
a digital geologic map of the entire nation at a scale of 1:100,000. 
This national database will assure that future maps will be easy to use 
by anyone.
  The Edmap and Fedmap sections of the legislation support mapping 
projects led by Universities and regional mapping projects that address 
needs for geologic information to deal with land, water, mineral 
resource, natural hazard mitigation and environmental protection 
issues. Fed map projects are coordinated with State and university 
mapping portions of the program, through regional meetings, liaison 
groups and national reviews of ongoing projects.
  Mr. President, the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act 
benefits numerous citizens every day by assuring there is accurate and 
usable geologic information available to communities and individuals so 
better and safer resource use decisions can be made. I encourage my 
colleagues to support this legislation and am committed to its timely 
consideration.
  Thank you, Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that a copy of the 
bill be printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 607

       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

[[Page S2653]]

     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 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 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 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 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;

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       ``(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 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.''.
                                 ______