[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 120 (Monday, July 14, 2025)]
[House]
[Pages H3223-H3224]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
{time} 1620
SINKHOLE MAPPING ACT OF 2025
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I move to suspend the rules and pass the
bill (H.R. 900) to direct the Director of the United States Geological
Survey to establish a program to map zones that are at greater risk of
sinkhole formation, and for other purposes, as amended.
The Clerk read the title of the bill.
The text of the bill is as follows:
H.R. 900
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 ``Sinkhole Mapping Act of
2025''.
SEC. 2. SINKHOLE HAZARD IDENTIFICATION.
(a) In General.--Subject to the availability of
appropriations made in advance for such purpose, the Director
of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a
program to--
(1) study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that
cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged
droughts causing shifts in water management practices,
aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and
(2) develop maps that depict zones that are at greater risk
of sinkhole formation.
(b) Use of Certain Data.--In developing maps under
subsection (a)(2), the Director of the United States
Geological Survey shall utilize 3D elevation data (as that
term is defined in section 2 of the National Landslide
Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3101)) collected pursuant to
section 5 of that Act (43 U.S.C. 3104).
(c) Review of Maps.--Once during each 5-year period, or
more often as the Director of the United States Geological
Survey determines is necessary, the Director shall assess the
need to revise and update the maps developed under this
section.
(d) Website.--The Director of the United States Geological
Survey shall establish and maintain a public website that
displays the maps developed under this section and other
relevant information critical for use by community planners
and emergency managers.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to the rule, the gentleman from
Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) and the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms. Hoyle)
each will control 20 minutes.
The Chair recognizes the gentleman from Arkansas.
General Leave
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members
may have 5 legislative days to revise and extend their remarks and
include extraneous material on H.R. 900, the bill now under
consideration.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. Is there objection to the request of the
gentleman from Arkansas?
There was no objection.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may
consume.
Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of Representative Soto's bill, H.R.
900, the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025.
Sinkholes are a natural hazard that cost the United States Government
approximately $300 million per year and pose a serious threat to public
safety.
Sinkholes occur when there is a lack of proper external surface
drainage so when a heavy rainstorm comes through and the ground cannot
drain the water properly a void may form underground. From that point
on, it is often simply a waiting game until the ground gives out and a
dangerous sinkhole develops.
This bill would require the Director of the United States Geological
Survey to establish a program that examines the short- and long-term
causes of sinkholes. This research would provide the government with
more accurate data on the costs incurred from these hazards.
The program would also create maps of areas most at risk of
sinkholes, analyze the areas with the greatest risk of experiencing a
sudden sinkhole and make maps publicly available to help community
planners and government agencies prepare for and avoid these
catastrophes.
Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the such time as I
may consume.
I am excited to see Representative Darren Soto's Sinkhole Mapping Act
on the floor today. This bipartisan legislation will direct the U.S.
Geological Survey to study both the short- and long-term causes of
sinkholes, including extreme weather events, droughts, and groundwater
depletion.
Right now, there is no national, comprehensive mapping to track and
predict sinkholes, leaving communities across the country more
vulnerable to sudden and serious damage. Sinkholes can open without
warning and wreak havoc on our infrastructure, damaging roads, bridges,
buildings, and utilities and putting people's lives and livelihoods at
risk.
We have seen this firsthand on the Oregon coast at Cape Kiwanda,
where ocean wave erosion has carved into the sandstone. In 2023, two
sinkholes appeared there measuring up to 25-feet wide and 30-feet deep
each.
Thankfully, State and local officials acted quickly, identified the
problem, and put safety precautions in place to protect the public.
With effective sinkhole mapping, we can do even more. We can identify
at-risk areas before disaster strikes and take preventive action, like
ground stabilization, to protect lives and reduce the cost of damage.
This bill is a commonsense, forward-looking investment in our
communities and infrastructure, especially as climate change increases
the risk of sinkholes across the country.
I thank my colleagues, Representatives Soto and Bilirakis, for
introducing this bill and their leadership on this issue.
Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 900, and I reserve
the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I yield such time as he may consume
to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Soto), the sponsor of this bill.
Mr. SOTO. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentlewoman from Oregon (Ms.
Hoyle) for her leadership.
I rise in strong support of H.R. 900, the Sinkhole Mapping Act, a
bipartisan piece of legislation which I introduced with my fellow
Floridian, Gus Bilirakis.
Mr. Speaker, sinkholes pose a significant problem for Florida and
many States, yet we don't have a comprehensive mapping system to help
first responders and community planners, as was mentioned by our
chairman, Chairman Westerman. I thank him for bringing this bill today.
Sinkholes cost over $300 million a year. We see that in Florida
homes, community centers, and businesses being affected by this. Having
a database that displays potential sinkholes in our Sunshine State and
across the Nation would absolutely be critical. That is what this bill
does.
This bill directs the U.S. Geological Survey to study the short- and
long-term mechanisms that trigger sinkholes. This includes extreme
storms, prolonged droughts, shifts in water management practices,
ongoing aquifer depletion, and other major water uses. It is all about
having a public website displaying maps depicting zones at greater risk
of sinkhole formation, helping save lives and helping us have more
resilient communities.
I thank Chairman Westerman, Ranking Members Huffman and Hoyle, as
well as Representatives Bilirakis, Frost, Castor, Wilson, Costa,
Harder, Fitzpatrick, and Bell for joining me.
Mr. Speaker, I urge a ``yes'' vote.
Ms. HOYLE of Oregon. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the
legislation, and I yield back the balance of my time.
Mr. WESTERMAN. Mr. Speaker, Mr. Soto's bill will help leverage modern
technology and mapping data to gain a better understanding of the
sinkhole hazards facing the country and empower local communities to
prepare for and mitigate these hazards.
Mr. Speaker, I urge adoption of the bill, and I yield back the
balance of my time.
The SPEAKER pro tempore. The question is on the motion offered by the
gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman) that the House suspend the
rules and pass the bill, H.R. 900, as amended.
[[Page H3224]]
The question was taken; and (two-thirds being in the affirmative) the
rules were suspended and the bill, as amended, was passed.
A motion to reconsider was laid on the table.
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