Report to DOI

Federal Advisory Committee
for the
National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
Annual Report - 1999

Reauthorization Act of 1997 and Plans for Reauthorization for FY 2001

On April 16, 1998, the Federal Advisory Committee reviewed the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992, as amended by the National Geologic Reauthorization Act of 1997, to determine if revisions should be made prior to the next reauthorization of the Act for the period starting in FY 2001. The Committee made a series of suggestions as listed below and keyed to the sections of the 1992 Act:

Section 2 -Findings of Congress: The Committee determined that the basic findings remain valid. It was noted, however, that the Act does not adequately address the importance of geologic maps in maintaining sustainable resources of all types (minerals, energy, water, and biologic resources). The Committee recommended that this concept be incorporated, and that geologic map information must be integrated with other geospatial information to maximize usefulness. The Committee also felt that the Act should stress the need to increase efforts in surficial geology and in use of emerging technologies for digital map production.

Section 2, Subsection (b) -Purpose of the Act: The Committee had several suggestions. 1) The purpose of the Act should be moved to an earlier point in the document. 2) The Mapping Program should expand the definition of the term "database" to include Geographic Information Systems. 3) The USGS role as the coordinator of national standards for geologic maps and for meta-data should be explained in more detail. 4) Emphasis should be added on the role of the Act for stewardship of mapping and for education.

Section 4, Subsection (b) -Responsibilities of the Survey: The Committee recommended that the section should be rewritten to specify that the USGS responsibilities for reporting be met within the first year of reauthorization, or on an annual basis, as appropriate, rather than specifying time limits of 300 days, 90 days, and 210 days.

Section 4, Subsection (b), Paragraph (1) Subparagraph (A) - Responsibilities of the Secretary; Lead Agency: The Committee recommended that the terms "five-year plan" be substituted for "annual" and "national" plan, but that an annual review would be appropriate. It was recommended that the five-year plan be compatible with the requirements of the Government Performance and Results Act. Section 4, Subsection (b), Paragraph (1), Subparagraph (c) The Committee recommended that items (i.), (ii.), and (iii.) should be revised to be compatible with Subsection b.

Section 4, Subsection (c), -Program Objectives: The Committee found that the Mapping Program is making adequate progress in each of the objectives, within the appropriated funding limits. However, the Committee concluded that appropriated funding for the Mapping Program is inadequate to meet the demand for geologic mapping.

The Committee found that the Mapping Program is making adequate progress in developing complementary geophysical, geochemical, geochronology, and paleontologic databases; however, performance could be measurably enhanced by improving coordination on both an internal and external basis.

In the application of cost-effective mapping techniques, the Committee found that good progress has been made, but that there are no methods in place to allow a rigorous assessment of cost effectiveness. The Committee recommended that the Mapping Program and its partners develop ways to make geologic maps more widely and easily usable.

In the development of public awareness, the Committee concluded that the Mapping Program and its partners should develop outreach plans that are better coordinated between Federal and State agencies, and academia.

Section 4, Subsection (d), Paragraph (1) Program Components; Federal Component: The Committee found that the criteria for prioritization should be clarified, for example in a five-year plan; however, care should be taken to ensure that the criteria are not so specific as to loose flexibility. Also, the need to coordinate with other Federal agencies was emphasized.

Section 4, Subsection (d), Paragraph (2) Program Components; Support Component: The Committee recommended that the language be updated to show that the FEDMAP and SUPPORTMAP components are already combined and should simply be referred to as FEDMAP.

Section 4, Subsection (d), Paragraph (3) Program Components; State Component: The Committee recommended that this section be rewritten to parallel the construction of the FEDMAP component. It should be pointed out that standards for both FEDMAP and STATEMAP are the same and are being developed jointly by USGS and AASG. It was also recommended that the term "environment" be added to the list of justifications for geologic maps. The Committee further recommended that the Mapping Program should explore the possibility of allowing other Federal agencies to participate in STATEMAP and EDMAP.

Section 4, Subsection (d), Paragraph (4) Program Components; Education Component: The Committee determined that additional funds are needed for this component of the Mapping Program and that it should be emphasized that the prime purpose of EDMAP is to train the next generation of geologic mappers. The Committee also determined that the current requirement for endorsement of projects by state surveys or by USGS is adequate for aligning priorities between program components and that surveys should recognize that the prime role of EDMAP is education in geologic mapping. Contributing to the national geologic map database and addressing immediate societal needs are secondary goals for EDMAP.

Section 5, Subsection (b) -Advisory Committee; Duties: The Committee recommends that item 1, "review and critique the draft implementation plan" should be revised to be consistent with suggestions for Section 4, Subsection b, Paragraph (1) Subparagraph (A), and to acknowledge that the implementation plan was completed under the original authorization. Substitution of "annual review" should be sufficient.

Section 6 -Geologic Mapping Program Implementation Plan: As in Section 5, this section should be replaced with a reference to the existing Implementation and 5-year plans.

Section 7 -National Geologic-Map Database: The Committee recommends that, consistent with current USGS Geologic Division Science Strategy, the database should serve as a searchable index for all USGS Geologic Division data, in addition to serving as a distributed database that links to state survey geologic map metadata. The database should also access digital USGS map data, and the database should link to appropriate servers in States and other agencies.

Section 9 -Authorization of Appropriations: The Committee recommended that authorization levels be evaluated in subsequent years to determine if they should be increased under subsequent reauthorizations. The Committee felt that the current manner of setting authorization levels between the Mapping Program components is still appropriate, although the language dealing with increases above the base funding level could be simplified and reviewed for consistency.

Implementation plan

It was noted that the draft Implementation Plan was reviewed and finalized by the Federal Advisory Committee in 1996, and that the final version was submitted to the Secretary of the Interior and the Committees on Resources in the House and Senate at that time. The current advisory committee reviewed the Implementation Plan in the context of additional revisions that are needed under the 1997 reauthorization.

Section III-B-2 -Advisory Committee: This section should be revised to reflect the new composition of the Committee under the 1997 reauthorization. It was further suggested that increased government and private sector representation could be obtained by seeking informal participation by observers.

Section III-B-3- Proposal Review: It was recommended that the FEDMAP program component include representatives from state geological surveys, universities, and the private sector for annual project reviews. In addition, involvement of representatives from local groups, such as regional planning commissions, may be appropriate for some reviews.

Section IV-B-1 -Geologic Mapping Support Component: The reference under this section that the States can contract for interdisciplinary support services from the Federal support component by "using funds from the STATEMAP component" should be eliminated, as it is in conflict with U.S. government policy on use of grant funds. A similar change should be made on the following page and under section IV-C-3-b. The Committee recommends that alternative means be developed to support these activities in the state and university components.

Miscellaneous: The Committee recommends that the primary function of EDMAP, to train the next generation of geologic mappers, should be added to the Implementation Plan. A section should be added that discusses the framework for developing regional (multi-state and USGS) coalitions for geologic mapping. A section should be added on mechanisms for measuring success of outcomes.

Alignment of Five-year and Implementation Plans with Geologic Division Science Strategy

In 1997 the Advisory Committee reviewed the Mapping Program's five- year plan. In 1998 the Committee reviewed "Geology for a Changing World -A Science Strategy for the Geologic Division" and a five-page "Draft Action Plan, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, Geology for a Changing World, Science Goals, 2000-2010." The latter describes steps that are being taken by the Mapping Program to respond to the Geologic Division strategy.

The Committee noted that the Geologic Division strategy specifies seven principal science goals for the Division and States that geologic mapping is "essential to achieving each of these seven goals." The Committee concluded that the action plan adequately describes how the Mapping Program can respond to the seven goals, but notes that links to Climate Change and Ecosystems should be strengthened.

The Committee suggested that a stronger focus on STATEMAP and EDMAP should be added to the action plan, and that the ability of the Program to bring multi-disciplinary efforts to bear on earth science issues and links to other programs could be emphasized.

The Committee suggested that examples of good interactions and coordination with EPA, USDA, DOE, and other Federal agencies should be added.

The Committee found that the seven categories of primary earth science issues addressed by FEDMAP projects are appropriate and align well with the Geologic Division goals.

The Committee noted that many of the Geologic Division goals are focused on impacts of humans and population centers and recommends that the Geologic Mapping program should be driven first by issues, and mapping should focus on geographic areas that require geologic information. Consequently, a focus on "urbanizing" areas and other areas of high environmental impact is appropriate.

The Committee endorses the recent change in the FEDMAP prospectus for FY 1999, in which geologic mapping support for the National Park Service is integrated into the seven primary issue theme areas being addressed by geologic mapping.

The Government Performance and Results Act (GPRA) pilot plan for the Geologic Mapping Program lists six separate goals for the Mapping Program. A single goal that attempts to integrate the six goals has been drafted. This single goal is entitled: "Business Activity 5, Land and Water Use." The Committee reviewed the goals but did not reach consensus. Concern was expressed that having only one goal could put the Mapping Program in jeopardy; however, it was recognized that multiple goals are likely to be impossible to track and to use effectively under GPRA given the size of the Mapping Program.

The Committee endorses the use of regional workshops to assess map- user needs and to develop State-Federal partnerships and regional coalitions to leverage resources and support. In addition, the Committee recommended that input from other Federal agencies be solicited when developing regional coalitions.

The Committee recognized the potential difficulty in communicating the multi-purpose value of geologic maps in the public policy arena. Focusing on a smaller number of high-profile issues may help, but the Committee recommends that a broad range of issues needs to be maintained when describing the uses of geologic maps. Differences in priority issues from one region of the country to another and between Federal, State, and private sectors require this breadth, especially when describing the national-scope of the Mapping Program.

The Committee recognized the value that may accrue from exchange of professional positions from agency to agency, and, to the degree it is mutually acceptable, the Mapping Program should encourage exchanges of staff between the USGS and its state and academic partners.

The Committee is aware of geologic mapping partnerships between program projects and private-sector firms. It is recommended that such partnerships for geologic mapping should only be developed where they are cost-effective and appropriate for the issues. The Mapping Program should also seek to increase its work on behalf of other Federal agencies.

Outreach and Information Dissemination on the Value of Geologic Mapping

The Advisory Committee believes that the Geologic Mapping Program is relatively effective in communicating the value of geologic mapping to certain segments, such as Congress, but the Mapping Program should improve its outreach to the Department of Interior, the Executive Branch, and the public. A goal for the Program should be to seek ways to align Geologic Mapping priorities that are shared by map users in the public with Executive Branch initiatives. In this manner, the cooperative partnership that is a foundation for the Mapping Program could be effectively used to direct geologic mapping activities toward goals that are common to local, State, and Executive Branch priorities.

Another area for improvement in outreach is the public and the national media. Although many effective outreach activities are ongoing within individual projects, and by program partners, there are few national-level activities that communicate the value of geologic map information to the public and the media. The Mapping Program should explore ways to better communicate this information to the national audience. It is recommended that program managers work with national organizations, such as the American Geological Institute, to improve this outreach component.

Recommendations Concerning STATEMAP and EDMAP Requests for Proposals

Several specific recommendations were forwarded to the Advisory Committee on behalf of the STATEMAP and EDMAP awards panels. The panels recommended minor changes to the Requests for Proposals and these proposed changes were endorsed by the Committee.

The Committee endorsed the EDMAP panel recommendation that starting with the FY 1999 funding cycle, seniors in undergraduate colleges may be eligible for matching funds support for geologic mapping projects as part of their senior theses. The EDMAP review panel will consider the undergraduate applicants separately from the graduate student applicants, thus ensuring fair competition. An as yet undetermined, but small, percentage of total EDMAP funds will be allotted to undergraduate mapping on a trial basis.

The Committee also suggested that a mechanism be created to allow EDMAP panel members the opportunity to review the map products from previous years prior to making funding decisions in the current awards year and to provide feedback to the mappers and their faculty advisors.

The Committee also recommended that an endorsement for a student- mapping project by either a state geological surveyor the USGS not be interpreted as committing those organizations to publish the results.

Committee Actions and Plans- FY 1998-1999

In addition to preparing this report, members of the Advisory Committee will be available to provide additional advice to the Director of the USGS and his representatives during the year, either individually or as a group. The next scheduled meeting of the Advisory Committee is set for September 21-22, 1999.