[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 607 Introduced in Senate (IS)]
106th CONGRESS
1st Session
S. 607
To reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
March 15, 1999
Mr. Craig (for himself and Mr. Murkowski) introduced the following
bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To reauthorize and amend the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``National Geologic Mapping
Reauthorization Act of 1999''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Section 2(a) of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43
U.S.C. 31a(a)) is amended--
(1) in paragraph (7), by striking ``and'' at the end;
(2) by redesignating paragraph (8) as paragraph (10);
(3) by inserting after paragraph (7) the following:
``(8) geologic map information is required for the
sustainable and balanced development of natural resources of
all types, including energy, minerals, land, water, and
biological resources;
``(9) advances in digital technology and geographical
information system science have made geologic map databases
increasingly important as decision support tools for land and
resource management; and''; and
(4) in paragraph (10) (as redesignated by paragraph (2)),
by inserting ``of surficial and bedrock deposits'' after
``geologic mapping''.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
Section 3 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C.
31b) is amended--
(1) by redesignating paragraphs (4), (5), (6), and (7) as
paragraphs (6), (7), (8), and (10), respectively;
(2) by inserting after paragraph (3) the following:
``(4) Education component.--The term `education component'
means the education component of the geologic mapping program
described in section 6(d)(3).
``(5) Federal component.--The term `Federal component'
means the Federal component of the geologic mapping program
described in section 6(d)(1).''; and
(3) by inserting after paragraph (8) (as redesignated by
paragraph (1)) the following:
``(9) State component.--The term `State component' means
the State component of the geologic mapping program described
in section 6(d)(2).''.
SEC. 4. GEOLOGIC MAPPING PROGRAM.
Section 4 of the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 (43 U.S.C.
31c) is amended--
(1) in subsection (b)(1)--
(A) in the first sentence, by striking
``priorities'' and inserting ``national priorities and
standards for'';
(B) in subparagraph (A)--
(i) by striking ``develop a geologic
mapping program implementation plan'' and
inserting ``develop a 5-year strategic plan for
the geologic mapping program''; and
(ii) by striking ``within 300 days after
the date of enactment of the National Geologic
Mapping Reauthorization Act of 1997'' and
inserting ``not later than 1 year after the
date of 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;
``(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.''.
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