[Senate Report 115-404]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]


                                                     Calendar No. 691
115th Congress    }                           {               Report
                                 SENATE
 2d Session       }                           {               115-404

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



 
           NATIONAL GEOLOGIC MAPPING ACT REAUTHORIZATION ACT

                                _______
                                

                December 4, 2018.--Ordered to be printed

                                _______
                                

  Ms. Murkowski, from the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, 
                        submitted the following

                              R E P O R T

                         [To accompany S. 1787]

      [Including cost estimate of the Congressional Budget Office]

    The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, to which was 
referred the bill (S. 1787) to reauthorize the National 
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, having considered the same, 
reports favorably thereon without amendment and recommends that 
the bill do pass.

                                Purpose

    The purpose of S. 1787 is to reauthorize the National 
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-285).

                          Background and Need

    The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 established the 
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP or 
Program). The Program is run by the U.S. Geological Survey 
(USGS) and produces geologic maps for the United States. 
Geologic maps are a multipurpose, basic data set that are used 
by public and private entities for resource exploration and 
extraction; natural hazards identification and mitigation; 
ground and surface water management; infrastructure 
development; environmental protection; and Federal land 
management. For example, NCGMP funds have been used to examine 
the headwaters of the Missouri River in the Midwest, ecosystem 
health in Maryland, the San Andreas Fault in California, and 
mineral deposits in Nevada and Alaska.
    The Program is comprised of the following three components: 
Federal geological mapping projects of high-priority Federal 
areas, known as FEDMAP; a matching-funds grant program with 
state geological surveys, known as STATEMAP; and a matching-
funds grant program with universities to train students in 
geologic mapping, known as EDMAP. The maps produced under the 
NCGMP have been used to compile the National Geologic Map 
Database, which is a comprehensive collection of geologic maps 
at different scales. The NCGMP was most recently reauthorized 
in 2009 at $64 million a year for 10 years.
    According to the USGS, only one-third of the United States 
has been geologically mapped at a scale that is suitable for 
mineral development. Reauthorizing this program will allow the 
USGS, state geological surveys, and universities to continue 
surveying and producing modern and digital geologic maps to 
inform land managers across the country about our nation's 
subsurface geology.

                          Legislative History

    S. 1787 was introduced by Senators Murkowski and King on 
September 11, 2017. The Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, 
and Mining held a hearing on S. 1787 on August 22, 2018.
    Companion legislation, H.R. 4033, was introduced in the 
House of Representatives by Representatives Lamborn and Brown 
on October 12, 2017. The Natural Resources Committee's 
Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources held a hearing on 
H.R. 4033 on November 30, 2017. The Natural Resources Committee 
ordered H.R. 4033 favorably reported by unanimous consent on 
December 13, 2017.
    The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources met in 
open business on October 2, 2018, and ordered S. 1787 favorably 
reported.

                        Committee Recommendation

    The Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, in 
open business session on October 2, 2018, by a majority voice 
vote of a quorum present, recommends that the Senate pass S. 
1787.

                      Section-by-Section Analysis


Section 1. Short title

    Section 1 provides a short title.

Section 2. Reauthorization of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992

    Subsection (a) amends section 9(a) of the National Geologic 
Mapping Act of 1992 to reauthorize the Program through fiscal 
year 2023 and makes conforming changes.
    Subsection (b) amends section 5(a)(3) of the National 
Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to replace the term ``Associate 
Director for Geology'' with the term ``Associate Director for 
Core Science Systems.''
    Subsection (c) amends section 3 of the National Geologic 
Mapping Act of 1992 to make technical corrections.

                   Cost and Budgetary Considerations

    The following estimate of the costs of this measure has 
been provided by the Congressional Budget Office:
    S. 1787 would authorize the annual appropriation of $64 
million through 2023 to carry out the National Cooperative 
Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP).
    CBO estimates that implementing S. 1787 would cost $310 
million over the 2019-2023 period, assuming appropriation of 
the authorized amounts. Enacting the bill would not affect 
direct spending or revenues; therefore, pay-as-you-go 
procedures do not apply.
    CBO estimates that enacting S. 1787 would not increase net 
direct spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four 
consecutive 10-year periods beginning in 2029.
    S. 1787 contains no intergovernmental or private-sector 
mandates as defined in the Unfunded Mandates Reform Act (UMRA).
    Estimated cost to the Federal Government: The estimated 
budgetary effect of S. 1787 is shown in the following table. 
The costs of the legislation fall within budget function 300 
(natural resources and environment).

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                    By fiscal year, in millions of dollars--
                                                              --------------------------------------------------
                                                                2019    2020    2021    2022    2023   2019-2023
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 INCREASES IN SPENDING SUBJECT TO APPROPRIATION
 
Authorization Level..........................................      64      64      64      64      64       320
Estimated Outlays............................................      58      61      63      64      64       310
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Basis of estimate: For this estimate, CBO assumes that S. 
1787 will be enacted near the end of 2018 and that the 
authorized amounts will be appropriated for each fiscal year 
beginning in 2019. Estimated outlays are based on historical 
spending patterns.
    The NCGMP is carried out jointly by the U.S. Geological 
Survey and state geological authorities. Under this program, 
federal and state geologists are developing a comprehensive 
geological map of the United States and a related database of 
environmental and scientific information. Under current law, 
$64 million is authorized to be appropriated annually through 
2018 to carry out the NCGMP; in 2018, $24 million was allocated 
for that program.
    CBO estimates that implementing S. 1787 would cost $310 
million over the 2019-2023 period and $10 million after 2023.
    Pay-As-You-Go considerations: None.
    Increase in long-term direct spending and deficits: CBO 
estimates that enacting S. 1787 would not increase net direct 
spending or on-budget deficits in any of the four consecutive 
10-year periods beginning in 2029.
    Mandates: S. 1787 contains no intergovernmental or private-
sector mandates as defined in UMRA.
    Previous CBO estimate: On January 11, 2018, CBO transmitted 
a cost estimate for H.R. 4033, the National Geologic Mapping 
Act Reauthorization Act, as ordered reported by the House 
Committee on Natural Resources on December 13, 2017. The pieces 
of legislation are similar. CBO's estimates of their costs 
differ because of the different time periods used for the 
estimates.
    Estimate prepared by: Federal Costs: Robert Reese; 
Mandates: Jon Sperl.
    Estimate reviewed by: Kim P. Cawley, Chief, Natural and 
Physical Resources Cost Estimates Unit; H. Samuel Papenfuss, 
Deputy Assistant Director for Budget Analysis.

                      Regulatory Impact Evaluation

    In compliance with paragraph 11(b) of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, the Committee makes the following 
evaluation of the regulatory impact which would be incurred in 
carrying out S. 1787. The bill is not a regulatory measure in 
the sense of imposing Government-established standards or 
significant economic responsibilities on private individuals 
and businesses.
    No personal information would be collected in administering 
the program. Therefore, there would be no impact on personal 
privacy.
    Little, if any, additional paperwork would result from the 
enactment of S. 1787, as ordered reported.

                   Congressionally Directed Spending

    S. 1787, as ordered reported, does not contain any 
congressionally directed spending items, limited tax benefits, 
or limited tariff benefits as defined in rule XLIV of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate.

                        Executive Communications

    The testimony provided by the U.S. Geological Survey at the 
August 22, 2018, hearing on S. 1787 follows:

         Statement for the Record of the U.S. Geological Survey

    The vision of the USGS National Cooperative Geologic 
Mapping Program (NCGMP), first authorized by Congress in 1992, 
is to create an integrated, three-dimensional, digital geologic 
framework of the United States and its territories to address 
the Nation's changing resource needs. The NCGMP's mission is to 
characterize, interpret, and disseminate the geologic framework 
model of the Nation through geologic mapping and derivative 
research, to support the responsible use of land, water, 
energy, and minerals, and to mitigate the impact of geologic 
hazards on society, thereby facilitating national security and 
economic growth through informed Earth resource management.
    The partnership program between USGS and the Association of 
American State Geologists is composed of four parts. The first 
is FEDMAP, which funds new science that supports the mapping of 
geological and geophysical processes and structures, as well as 
topical mapping applications. Second is STATEMAP, which 
provides funds to the State geological surveys that are matched 
at least 1:1 with State funding to support the development of 
geologic maps across the country. Next is EDMAP, which has 
provided almost $10 million since 1992 to support over 1,200 
students' STEM education, thereby training the next generation 
of geologic mappers. The National Geologic Map Database, brings 
together these mapping functions to provide all geologic maps 
and related reports, data, and summaries to the public, for 
their use in economic development and decision making. For 
example, the information provided through the National Geologic 
Map Database is essential for understanding the potential for 
critical minerals throughout the national geologic framework. 
This Database is a mandated effort of the USGS and the 
Association of American State Geologists, and has for 22 years 
been a noteworthy example of successful State-Federal 
collaboration to improve efficiencies in managing information 
for public use.
    NCGMP is the authoritative source for production of 
geologic maps in the Nation. Each of the four parts of NCGMP is 
essential to making geologic maps that are accessible and 
useful for scientists, decision-makers, and the public. The 
Department of the Interior believes the expiring authorization 
should be extended.

                        Changes in Existing Law

    In compliance with paragraph 12 of rule XXVI of the 
Standing Rules of the Senate, changes in existing law made by 
S. 1787, as ordered 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


Public Law 102-285 (as amended)

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *



SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.

    In this Act:
          (1) Advisory committee.--The term ``ADVISORY 
        COMMITTEE'' means the advisory committee established 
        under section 5.
          (2) Association.--The term ``Association'' means the 
        Association of American State Geologists.
          (3) Director.--The term ``Director'' means the 
        Director of the United States Geological Survey.
          (4) Education component.--The term ``education 
        component'' means the education component of the 
        geologic mapping program described in [section 6(d)(3)] 
        section 4(d)(3).
          (5) Federal component.--The term ``Federal 
        component'' means the Federal component of the geologic 
        mapping program described in [section 6(d)(1)] section 
        4(d)(1).
          (6) Geologic mapping program.--The term ``geologic 
        mapping program'' means the National Cooperative 
        Geologic Mapping Program established by section 4(a).
          (7) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the 
        Secretary of the Interior.
          (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)] section 4(d)(2).
          (10) Survey.--The term ``Survey'' means the United 
        States Geological Survey.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 4. 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);
                  (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 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 not later than 
                1 year after the date of enactment of the 
                [Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009] 
                National Geologic Mapping Act Reauthorization 
                Act;
                  (B) appoint, with the advice and consultation 
                of the Association, the advisory committee not 
                later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
                of the [Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 
                2009] National Geologic Mapping Act 
                Reauthorization Act in accordance with section 
                5; and
                  (C) submit biennially 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.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 5. ADVISORY COMMITTEE.

    (a) Establishment.--
          (1) In general.--There shall be established a 11-
        member geologic mapping advisory committee to advise 
        the Director on planning and implementation of the 
        geologic mapping program.
          (2) Members ex officio.--Federal agency members shall 
        include the Administrator of the Environmental 
        Protection Agency or a designee, the Secretary of the 
        Interior or a designee from a land management agency of 
        the Department of the Interior, the Secretary of Energy 
        or a designee, and the Secretary of Agriculture or a 
        designee.
          (3) Appointed members.--In consultation with the 
        Association, the Secretary shall appoint to the 
        advisory committee two representatives from the Survey 
        (including the [Associate Director for Geology] 
        Associate Director for Core Science Systems, as Chair), 
        two representatives from the State geological surveys, 
        one representative from academia, and 2 representatives 
        from the private sector.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    (a) In General.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
carry out this Act $64,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2009 
through [2018] 2023.

           *       *       *       *       *       *       *


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