[House Report 106-389]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]



106th Congress                                                   Report
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
 1st Session                                                    106-389

======================================================================



 
         NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING REAUTHORIZATION ACT OF 1999

                                _______
                                

October 18, 1999.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the 
              State of the Union and ordered to be printed

                                _______


  Mr. Young of Alaska, from the Committee on Resources, submitted the 
                               following

                              R E P O R T

                        [To accompany H.R. 1528]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Resources, to whom was referred the bill 
(H.R. 1528) to reauthorize and amend the National Geologic 
Mapping Act of 1992, having considered the same, report 
favorably thereon without amendment and recommend that the bill 
do pass.

                          Purpose of the Bill

    The purpose of H.R. 1528 is to reauthorize and amend the 
National Geological Mapping Act of 1992.

                  Background and Need for Legislation

    Geologic mapping provides basic information for solving a 
broad range of societal problems. These include the delineation 
and protection of sources of safe drinking water, environmental 
system understanding, and foundations of ecosystems management; 
identification and mitigation of natural hazards, such as 
earthquake-prone areas, volcanic eruptions, landslides and 
other ground failures, and many other land-use planning 
requirements; and assessment of the broad potential for mineral 
resources such as coal, oil and natural gas, constructions 
materials, metals, and other natural resources. The critical 
areas for additional geologic mapping have been identified at 
the State level by State-map advisory committees. These 
critical areas include federal, State, and local priorities.
    It is important to note that at the map scales contemplated 
in the National Geological Mapping Act (NGMA) program--from the 
less detailed 1:100,000 (1 inch = 100,000 inches) for regional 
map sheets to the familiar scale of 1:24,000--the delineation 
of rock types and structures is generally insufficient to 
actually identify ore bodies, or site oil and gas wells. 
However, even at the 1:24,000 scale, human examination of the 
soils and strata is necessary to adequately identify the subtle 
changes that delineate the differences in geologically mappable 
units; thus, geologic mapping cannot be solely performed by 
computer generated, or remotely-sensed data or information. The 
identification of ore bodies and fossil fuel reservoirs, while 
aided by the cooperative mapping program, are left to private 
industry to perform at the more detailed scales usually 
necessary to find commercial deposits.
    Only about one-fifth of the Nation is mapped at a scale 
adequate to meet societal needs. Reauthorization of the NGMA 
will allow federal, State and academic interests to continue to 
address these needs cooperatively. Since its establishment in 
1879, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) has been 
charged with ``classification of the public lands and 
examination of the geological structure, mineral resources and 
products of the national domain.'' While generally receiving 
good marks for its geologic mapping efforts for over a century, 
the National Academy of Sciences in a 1988 report recognized 
that the USGS alone lacked the personnel to overcome this 
deficiency. Traditionally, colleges and universities as well as 
the various State geologic surveys have contributed to the mix 
of geologic maps produced, albeit not always in a coordinated 
manner. The NGMA provides a cooperative framework to attempt to 
meet the Nation's geologic map data needs efficiently.
    Funding for the program is incorporated in the USGS budget. 
State geological surveys and university participants receive 
funding from the program through a competitive proposal process 
that requires 50:50 matching funds from the applicant, insuring 
the value of each proposal is weighed against its cost in 
federal and State appropriated funds. Between fiscal years 1993 
and 1996, approximately $7.5 million of federal funds were 
matched by State monies in the peer-reviewed program for 
geologic map products produced by the 50 State geological 
surveys. In the succeeding fiscal years States cumulatively 
matched approximately 20 percent of the federal appropriation 
for this line item in the USGS budget, and academia received 
approximately 3 percent of the same, also subject to matching 
funds.
    H.R. 1528 is necessary to reauthorize this program after 
fiscal year 2000. Additionally, the bill modifies the current 
federal/state funding ratio to reflect the willingness of USGS 
to increase the proportion of federal dollars to be made 
available for State matching grants for geologic mapping. This 
change reflects the USGS's view that the various State 
legislatures are gradually increasing the funding available to 
their respective geological surveys since the NGMA was first 
enacted in 1992, a measure of the success of the program. The 
amendments to the NGMA were negotiated during the past year by 
the USGS Director and the umbrella organization representing 
the States known as the Association of American State 
Geologists and the American Geological Institute on behalf of 
the education component of the bill.

                            Committee Action

    H.R. 1528 was introduced on April 22, 1999, by 
Congresswoman Barbara Cubin (R-CO). The bill was referred to 
the Committee on Resources, and within the Committee to the 
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources. On June 17, 1999, 
the Subcommittee held a hearing on H.R. 1528. The USGS Chief 
Geologist, Dr. Patrick Leahy, testified for the Administration 
in strong support for the bill, as did Dr. Larry Woodfork, West 
Virginia State Geologist, on behalf of the American Association 
of State Geologists. Dr. William Thomas, Professor of Geology 
at the University of Kentucky on behalf of the American 
Geological Institute, testified in support of the education 
portion of the program funded under the bill. All witnesses 
agreed that the NGMA is a successful example a cooperative 
effort between federal and State agencies, and one that 
produces valuable results.
    On June 30, 1999, the Full Resources Committee met to 
consider the bill. The Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral 
Resources was discharged from further consideration of the bill 
by unanimous consent. No amendments were offered and the bill 
was then ordered favorably reported to the House of 
Representatives by voice vote.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis


Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 is the short title of the bill, the National 
Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999.

Section 2. Findings

    Section 2 amends the NGMA by adding two new findings and 
amending a third.

Section 3. Definitions

    Section 3 adds three new definitions to the NGMA, 
``educational component,'' ``state component,'' and ``federal 
component.''

Section 4. Geologic Mapping Program

    Section 4 amends the NGMA to change the time frame for 
reports to Congress; adds a requirement for interdisciplinary 
studies that add value to geologic mapping, strikes references 
to ``Fedmap,'' ``Statemap,'' and ``Edmap'' and substitutes the 
components defined in Section 3; and limits the use of federal 
appropriated funds for overhead charges.

Section 5. Advisory committee

    Section 5 amends the NGMA advisory committee to provide one 
year to critique and report on the five-year strategic geologic 
mapping plan of Section 6.

Section 6. Geologic Mapping Program 5-year plan

    Section 6 amends the NGMA requirement for the preparation 
of the five-year plan and identifies what is required for 
inclusion within the plan.

Section 7. National Geologic Map Database

    Section 7 amends the National Geologic Map Database by 
requiring the USGS to establish links to federal and State 
geologic map holdings.

Section 8. Biennial report

    Section 8 adjusts the NGMA reporting requirement to 
Congress from annual to biennial.

Section 9. Authorization of appropriations

    Section 9 authorizes federal appropriations for geologic 
mapping from $37 million in fiscal year 2001 to $64 million in 
fiscal year 2005. H.R. 1528 repeats the current authorization 
of appropriations for fiscal years 2000 and 2001. Historically, 
the Administration has not requested full funding, nor has the 
Congress appropriated up to the authorized level for the NGMA. 
For example, in fiscal year 1999, the President requested only 
$20.9 million while Congress appropriated $22.6 million, versus 
the authorization for $28 million. The President's request for 
fiscal year 2000 is only $21.3 million; however, because of the 
reformatting of the entire USGS budget to reflect changes in 
overhead, this equates to a figure of approximately $26 million 
in fiscal year 1999 terms, which is still 15 percent less than 
the $30 million authorized.

            Committee Oversight Findings and Recommendations

    Regarding clause 2(b)(1) of rule X and clause 3(c)(1) of 
rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives, the 
Committee on Resources' oversight findings and recommendations 
are reflected in the body of this report.

                  Federal Advisory Committee Statement

    The advisory committee authorized in the bill is already in 
existence.

                   Constitutional Authority Statement

    Article I, section 8 of the Constitution of the United 
States grants Congress the authority to enact this bill.

                    Compliance With House Rule XIII

    1. Cost of Legislation.--Clause 3(d)(2) of rule XIII of the 
Rules of the House of Representatives requires an estimate and 
a comparison by the Committee of the costs which would be 
incurred in carrying out this bill. However, clause 3(d)(3)(B) 
of that rule provides that this requirement does not apply when 
the Committee has included in its report a timely submitted 
cost estimate of the bill prepared by the Director of the 
Congressional Budget Office under section 402 of the 
Congressional Budget Act of 1974.
    2. Congressional Budget Act.--As required by clause 3(c)(2) 
of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of Representatives and 
section 308(a) of the Congressional Budget Act of 1974, this 
bill does not contain any new budget authority, spending 
authority, credit authority, or an increase or decrease in 
revenues or tax expenditures.
    3. Government Reform Oversight Findings.--Under clause 
3(c)(4) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives, the Committee has received no report of 
oversight findings and recommendations from the Committee on 
Government Reform on this bill.
    4. Congressional Budget Office Cost Estimate.--Under clause 
3(c)(3) of rule XIII of the Rules of the House of 
Representatives and section 403 of the Congressional Budget Act 
of 1974, the Committee has received the following cost estimate 
for this bill from the Director of the Congressional Budget 
Office:

                                     U.S. Congress,
                               Congressional Budget Office,
                                     Washington, DC, July 19, 1999.
Hon. Don Young,
Chairman, Committee on Resources,
House of Representatives, Washington, DC.
    Dear Mr. Chairman: The Congressional Budget Office has 
prepared the enclosed cost estimate for H.R. 1528, the National 
Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999.
    If you wish further details on this estimate, we will be 
pleased to provide them. The CBO staff contacts are Deborah 
Reis (for federal costs) and Marjorie Miller (for the state and 
local impact).
            Sincerely,
                                          Barry B. Anderson
                                    (For Dan L. Crippen, Director).
    Enclosure.

H.R. 1528--National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999

    Summary: H.R. 1528 would authorize the appropriation of 
$245 million over the 1999-2004 period and $64 million in 2005 
for geologic mapping programs at the U.S. Geological Survey. Of 
that total, $58 million in funding for 1999 and 2000 is already 
authorized under current law. CBO estimates that implementing 
H.R. 1528 would result in additional outlays of $185 million 
over the 2001-2004 period, assuming the appropriation of the 
authorized amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect direct 
spending or receipts; therefore, pay-as-you-go procedures would 
not apply.
    H.R. 1528 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA). 
State governments would incur some costs to match the federal 
grant funds authorized by this bill, but these costs would be 
voluntary.
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: Current law 
authorizes the appropriation of $28 million in 1999 and $30 
million in 2000 for geologic mapping. In addition to those 
amounts, H.R. 1528 would authorize the appropriation of $37 
million in 2001, $43 million in 2002, $50 million in 2003, $57 
million in 2004, and $64 million in 2005. To date, $23 million 
has been appropriated for geologic mapping for 1999.
    For the purposes of this estimate, CBO assumes that H.R. 
1528 will be enacted by the end of fiscal year 1999 and that 
all amounts authorized by the bill will be appropriated for 
each fiscal year. Estimated outlays are based on historical 
spending rates for these programs. The estimated budgetary 
impact of H.R. 1528 is shown in the following table. The costs 
of this legislation fall within budget function 300 (natural 
resources and environment).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                           -----------------------------------------------------
                                                              1999     2000     2001     2002     2003     2004
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                        SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION

Spending on geologic mapping under current law:
    Authorization level \1\...............................       28       30        0        0        0        0
    Estimated outlays.....................................       28       30        2        0        0        0
Proposed changes:
    Authorization level...................................        0        0       37       43       50       57
    Estimated outlays.....................................        0        0       35       43       50       57
Spending on geologic mapping, H.R. 1528:
    Authorization level \1\...............................       28       30       37       43       50       57
    Estimated outlays.....................................       28       30       37       43       50       57
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The 1999 and 2000 levels are the amounts authorized under current law (Public Law 105-36); to date, $23
  million has been appropriated for 1999.

    Pay-as-you-go considerations: None.
    Estimated impact on State, local, and tribal governments: 
H.R. 1528 contains no intergovernmental mandates as defined in 
UMRA. As is the case under current law, this bill would require 
that all funds provided under the geologic mapping program for 
grants to states be matched by an equal amount of state funds. 
All state expenditures for this purpose would be voluntary. 
This bill would have no other significant impact on the budgets 
of state, local, or tribal governments.
    Estimated impact on the private sector. This bill contains 
no new private-sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
    Previous CBO estimate: On May 24, 1999, CBO transmitted a 
cost estimate for S. 607, the National Geologic Mapping 
Reauthorization Act of 1999, as ordered reported by the Senate 
Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on May 19, 1999. The 
two bills are identical, as are the two cost estimates.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal costs: Deborah Reis; Impact 
on State, local, and tribal governments: Marjorie Miller.
    Estimate approved by: Robert A. Sunshine, Deputy Assistant 
Director for Budget Analysis.

                    Compliance With Public Law 104-4

    This bill contains no unfunded mandates.

         Changes in Existing Law Made by the Bill, as Reported

  In compliance with clause 3(e) of rule XIII of the Rules of 
the House of Representatives, changes in existing law made by 
the bill, as 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

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SEC. 2. FINDINGS AND PURPOSE.

  (a) Findings.--The Congress finds and declares that--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (7) geologic maps have proven indispensable in the 
        search for needed fossil-fuel and mineral resources; 
        [and]
          (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
          [(8)] (10) a comprehensive nationwide program of 
        geologic mapping of surficial and bedrock deposits is 
        required in order to systematically build the Nation's 
        geologic-map data base at a pace that responds to 
        increasing demand.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

  In this Act:
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (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).
          [(4)] (6) Geologic mapping program.--The term 
        ``geologic mapping program'' means the National 
        Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program established by 
        section 4(a).
          [(5)] (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means 
        the Secretary of the Interior.
          [(6)] (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).
          [(7)] (10) Survey.--The term ``Survey'' means the 
        United States Geological Survey.

SEC. 4. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM.

  (a) * * *
  (b) Responsibilities of the Survey.--
          (1) Lead agency.--The Survey shall be the lead 
        Federal agency responsible for planning, developing 
        [priorities] 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 geologic mapping program 
                implementation plan] 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 
                [within 300 days after the date of enactment of 
                the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization 
                Act of 1997] not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of the National Geologic 
                Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999;
                  (B) appoint, with the advice and consultation 
                of the Association, the advisory committee 
                [within 90 days after the date of enactment of 
                the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization 
                Act of 1997] not later than 1 year after the 
                date of enactment of the National Geologic 
                Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1999 in 
                accordance with section 5; and
                  (C) [within 210 days after the date of 
                enactment of the National Geologic Mapping 
                Reauthorization Act of 1997] not later than 3 
                years after the date of enactment of the 
                National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act 
                of 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 [will coordinate] are 
                        coordinating the development and 
                        implementation of the geologic mapping 
                        program;
                          (ii) how the Survey and the 
                        Association [will] 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 [will lead to] 
                        affect successful implementation of the 
                        geologic mapping program.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

  [(d) Program Components.--The geologic mapping program shall 
include the following components:
          [(1) Federal component.--A Federal geologic mapping 
        component, whose objective shall be determining the 
        geologic framework of areas determined to be vital to 
        the economic, social, or scientific welfare of the 
        Nation. Mapping priorities shall be based on--
                  [(A) national requirements for geologic-map 
                information in areas of multiple-issue need or 
                areas of compelling single-issue need; and
                  [(B) national requirements for geologic-map 
                information in areas where mapping is required 
                to solve critical earth-science problems.
          [(2) Support component.--A geologic mapping support 
        component, whose objective shall be providing 
        interdisciplinary support for the Federal Geologic 
        Mapping Component. Representative categories of 
        interdisciplinary support shall include--
                  [(A) establishment of a national geologic-map 
                data base, established pursuant to section 7;
                  [(B) studies that lead to the implementation 
                of cost-effective digital methods for the 
                acquisition, compilation, analysis, 
                cartographic production, and dissemination of 
                geologic-map information;
                  [(C) paleontologic investigations that 
                provide information critical to understanding 
                the age and depositional environment of fossil-
                bearing geologic-map units, which 
                investigations shall be contributed to a 
                national paleontologic data base;
                  [(D) geochronologic and isotopic 
                investigations that--
                          [(i) provide radiometric age dates 
                        for geologic-map units; and
                          [(ii) fingerprint the geothermometry, 
                        geobarometry, and alteration history of 
                        geologic-map units,
                which investigations shall be contributed to a 
                national geochronologic data base;
                  [(E) geophysical investigations that assist 
                in delineating and mapping the physical 
                characteristics and three-dimensional 
                distribution of geologic materials and geologic 
                structures, which investigations shall be 
                contributed to a national geophysical-map data 
                base; and
                  [(F) geochemical investigations and 
                analytical operations that characterize the 
                major- and minor-element composition of 
                geologic-map units, and that lead to the 
                recognition of stable and anomalous geochemical 
                signatures for geologic terrains, which 
                investigations shall be contributed to a 
                national geochemical-map data base.
          [(3) State component.--A State geologic mapping 
        component, whose objective shall be determining the 
        geologic framework of areas that the State geological 
        surveys determine to be vital to the economic, social, 
        or scientific welfare of individual States. Mapping 
        priorities shall be determined by multirepresentational 
        State panels and shall be integrated with national 
        priorities. Federal funding for the State component 
        shall be matched on a one-to-one basis with non-Federal 
        funds.
          [(4) Education component.--A geologic mapping 
        education component--
                  [(A) the objectives of which shall be--
                          [(i) to develop the academic programs 
                        that teach earth-science students the 
                        fundamental principles of geologic 
                        mapping and field analysis; and
                          [(ii) to provide for broad education 
                        in geologic mapping and field analysis 
                        through support of field studies;
                  [(B) investigations under which shall be 
                integrated with the other mapping components of 
                the geologic mapping program and shall respond 
                to priorities identified for those components; 
                and
                  [(C) Federal funding for which shall be 
                matched by non-Federal sources on a 1-to-1 
                basis.]
  (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.

  (a) Establishment.--
          (1) * * *

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *

          (3) Appointed members.--Not later than [90 days after 
        the date of enactment of the National Geologic Mapping 
        Reauthorization Act of 1997] 1 year after the date of 
        enactment of the National Geologic Mapping 
        Reauthorization Act of 1999, in consultation with the 
        Association, the Secretary shall appoint to the 
        advisory committee two representatives from the Survey 
        (including the Chief Geologist, as Chairman), two 
        representatives from the State geological surveys, one 
        representative from academia, and one representative 
        from the private sector.
  (b) Duties.--The advisory committee shall--
          (1) review and [critique the draft implementation 
        plan] update the 5-year plan prepared by the Director 
        pursuant to section 6;
          (2) review the scientific progress of the geologic 
        mapping program; and
          (3) submit an annual report to the Secretary that 
        evaluates the progress of the Federal, State, and 
        university mapping activities and evaluates the 
        progress made toward fulfilling the purposes of [this 
        Act] sections 4 through 7.

[SEC. 6. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM IMPLEMENTATION PLAN.

  [The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, with the 
advice and review of the advisory committee, prepare an 
implementation plan for the geologic mapping program. The plan 
shall identify the overall management structure and operation 
of the geologic mapping program and shall provide for--
          [(1) the role of the Survey in its capacity as 
        overall management lead, including the responsibility 
        for developing the national cooperative geologic 
        mapping program that meets Federal needs while 
        simultaneously fostering State needs;
          [(2) the responsibilities accruing to the State 
        geological surveys, with particular emphasis on 
        mechanisms that incorporate their needs, missions, 
        capabilities, and requirements into the nationwide 
        geologic mapping program;
          [(3) mechanisms for identifying short- and long-term 
        priorities for each component of the geologic mapping 
        program, including--
                  [(A) for the Federal geologic mapping 
                component, a priority-setting mechanism that 
                responds both to (i) Federal mission 
                requirements for geologic-map information, and 
                (ii) critical scientific problems that require 
                geologic-map control for their resolution;
                  [(B) for the geologic mapping support 
                component, a strong interdisciplinary research 
                program plan in isotopic and paleontologic 
                geochronology, geophysical mapping, and process 
                studies to provide data to and interpret 
                results from geologic mapping;
                  [(C) for the State geologic mapping 
                component, a priority-setting mechanism that 
                responds to--
                          [(i) specific intrastate needs for 
                        geologic-map information; and
                          [(ii) interstate needs shared by 
                        adjacent entities that have common 
                        requirements; and
                  [(D) for the geologic mapping education 
                component, a priority-setting mechanism that 
                responds to requirements for geologic-map 
                information that are driven by Federal and 
                State mission requirements;
          [(4) a mechanism for adopting scientific and 
        technical mapping standards for preparing and 
        publishing general-purpose and special-purpose geologic 
        maps to--
                  [(A) ensure uniformity of cartographic and 
                scientific conventions; and
                  [(B) provide a basis for judgment as to the 
                comparability and quality of map products; and
          [(5) a mechanism for monitoring the inventory of 
        published and current mapping investigations nationwide 
        in order to facilitate planning and information 
        exchange and to avoid redundancy.]

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 reponds 
                        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 DATA BASE.

  [(a) Establishment.--The Survey shall establish a national 
geologic-map data base. Such data base shall be a national 
archive that includes all maps developed pursuant to this Act, 
the data bases developed pursuant to the investigations under 
sections (4)(d)(2) (C), (D), (E), and (F), and other maps and 
data as the Survey deems appropriate.]

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. ANNUAL REPORT.

  [The Secretary shall, within 90 days after the end of each 
fiscal year, submit an annual report to the Committee on 
Resources of the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Energy and Natural Resources of the Senate describing the 
status of the nationwide geologic mapping program and 
describing and evaluating the progress achieved during the 
preceding fiscal year in developing the national geologic-map 
data base. Each report shall include any recommendations for 
legislative or other action as the Secretary deems necessary 
and appropriate to fulfill the purposes of this Act.

[SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

  [(a) In General.--There are authorized to be appropriated to 
carry out the national cooperative geologic mapping program 
under this Act--
          [(1) $26,000,000 for fiscal year 1998;
          [(2) $28,000,000 for fiscal year 1999; and
          [(3) $30,000,000 for fiscal year 2000.
  [(b) Allocation of Appropriated Funds.--
          [(1) In general.--Of the amount of funds that are 
        appropriated under subsection (a) for any fiscal year 
        up to the amount that is equal to the amount 
        appropriated to carry out the national cooperative 
        geologic mapping program for fiscal year 1996--
                  [(A) not less than 20 percent shall be 
                allocated to State mapping activities; and
                  [(B) not less than 2 percent shall be 
                allocated to educational mapping activities.
          [(2) Increased appropriations.--Of the amount of 
        funds that are appropriated under subsection (a) for 
        any fiscal year up to the amount that exceeds the 
        amount appropriated to carry out the national 
        cooperative geologic mapping program for fiscal year 
        1996--
                  [(A) for fiscal year 1998--
                          [(i) 75 percent shall be allocated 
                        for Federal mapping and support mapping 
                        activities;
                          [(ii) 23 percent shall be allocated 
                        for State mapping activities; and
                          [(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated 
                        for educational mapping activities;
                  [(B) for fiscal year 1999--
                          [(i) 74 percent shall be allocated 
                        for Federal mapping and support mapping 
                        activities;
                          [(ii) 24 percent shall be allocated 
                        for State mapping activities; and
                          [(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated 
                        for educational mapping activities; and
                  [(C) for fiscal year 2000--
                          [(i) 73 percent shall be allocated 
                        for Federal mapping and support mapping 
                        activities;
                          [(ii) 25 percent shall be allocated 
                        for State mapping activities; and
                          [(iii) 2 percent shall be allocated 
                        for educational mapping activities.]

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.

  (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.

                                  
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