US Codex
U.S.C.
Browse by date

View an earlier version

Latest
1 year ago
Aug 28, 2025
5 years ago
Aug 28, 2021
Browse all versions by date
Notes

43 U.S.C. §§ 31c–31f

4 sections in range

§31c. Geologic mapping program

43 U.S.C. § 31c

(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 31e of this title, 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 March 12, 2019;
(B)
appoint, with the advice and consultation of the Association, the advisory committee not later than 1 year after March 12, 2019, in accordance with section 31d of this title; 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.
(2)
Responsibilities of the Secretary— In addition to paragraph (1), the Secretary, acting through the Director, shall be responsible for developing, as soon as practicable—
(A)
in cooperation with the Association, other Federal and State agencies, public and private sector organizations and academia, the geologic-map data base; and
(B)
maps and mapping techniques which achieve the objectives specified in subsection (c).
(c)
Program objectives— The objectives of the geologic mapping program shall include—
(1)
determining the Nation’s geologic framework through systematic development of geologic maps at scales appropriate to the geologic setting and the perceived applications, such maps to be contributed to the national geologic map data base;
(2)
development of a complementary national geochronologic and paleontologic data base that provides value-added descriptive and interpretative information to the geologic-map data base;
(3)
application of cost-effective mapping techniques that assemble, produce, translate and disseminate geologic-map information and that render such information of greater application and benefit to the public; and
(4)
development of public awareness of the role and application of geologic-map information to the resolution of national issues of land use management.
(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 31e of this title; 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;
(II)
national requirements for geologic map information in areas where mapping is required to solve critical earth science problems; and
(III)
the needs of land management agencies of the Department of the Interior.
(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 31f of this title;
(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.
(4)
Abandoned mine land and mine waste component—
(A)
In general— The geologic mapping program shall include an abandoned mine land and mine waste geologic mapping component, the objective of which shall be to establish the geologic framework of abandoned mine land and other land containing mine waste.
(B)
Mapping priorities— For the component described in subparagraph (A), the priority shall be mapping abandoned mine land and other land containing mine waste where multiple critical mineral (as defined in section 1606(a) of title 30) and metal commodities are anticipated to be present, rather than single mineral resources.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 102–285, § 4, May 18, 1992, 106 Stat. 167; Pub. L. 103–437, § 16(a)(1), Nov. 2, 1994, 108 Stat. 4594; Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1108; Pub. L. 106–148, § 4, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1720; Pub. L. 111–11, title XI, § 11001(c)–(e), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1414, 1415; Pub. L. 116–9, title V, § 5002(a)(2), Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 768; Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title II, § 40202(a), Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 959.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2021—Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 117–58 added par. (4).

2019—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (B). Pub. L. 116–9 substituted “March 12, 2019” for “March 30, 2009”.

2009—Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(c)(1), substituted “not later than 1 year after March 30, 2009;” for “not later than 1 year after December 9, 1999;”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(c)(2), substituted “not later than 1 year after March 30, 2009, in accordance” for “not later than 1 year after December 9, 1999, in accordance”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(c)(3), substituted “submit biennially” for “not later than 3 years after December 9, 1999, and biennially thereafter, submit” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(d), struck out “geophysical-map data base, geochemical-map data base, and a” after “national” and substituted “provides” for “provide”.

Subsec. (d)(1)(B)(ii)(III). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(e), added subcl. (III).

1999—Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 106–148, § 4(1)(A), substituted “national priorities and standards for” for “priorities” in first sentence.

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 106–148, § 4(1)(B), substituted “develop a 5-year strategic plan for the geologic mapping program” for “develop a geologic mapping program implementation plan” and “not later than 1 year after December 9, 1999” for “within 300 days after August 5, 1997”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 106–148, § 4(1)(C), substituted “not later than 1 year after December 9, 1999,” for “within 90 days after August 5, 1997,”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 106–148, § 4(1)(D)(i), substituted “not later than 3 years after December 9, 1999, and biennially thereafter” for “within 210 days after August 5, 1997” in introductory provisions.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(i). Pub. L. 106–148, § 4(1)(D)(ii), substituted “are coordinating” for “will coordinate”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 106–148, § 4(1)(D)(iii), substituted “establish” for “will establish”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(iii). Pub. L. 106–148, § 4(1)(D)(iv), substituted “affect” for “will lead to”.

Subsec. (d). Pub. L. 106–148, § 4(2), added subsec. (d) and struck out former subsec. (d) which set out the Federal, support, State, and education components of the geological mapping program.

1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(1), added subsec. (a) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (a). Text read as follows: “There is established in the United States Geological Survey a National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program. The geologic mapping program shall be developed in consultation with the advisory committee and shall be designed and administered to achieve the objectives set forth in subsection (c) of this section.”

Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(A), (D), substituted “the Survey” for “USGS” in heading and realigned text margins.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(B)(i), (ii), inserted heading and realigned margins.

Subsec. (b)(1)(A). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(B)(iii), substituted “Committee on Resources” for “Committee on Natural Resources” and “August 5, 1997” for “May 18, 1992”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(B). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(B)(iv), substituted “Association” for “State geological surveys” and “August 5, 1997” for “May 18, 1992”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(B)(v)(I), (II), in introductory provisions, substituted “August 5, 1997” for “May 18, 1992” and “Committee on Resources” for “Committee on Natural Resources”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(i). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(B)(v)(III), inserted “and the Association” after “the Survey”.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(ii). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(B)(v)(III), (IV), inserted “and the Association” after “the Survey” and “and” after semicolon at end.

Subsec. (b)(1)(C)(iii), (iv). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(B)(v)(V), substituted period for “; and” at end of cl. (iii) and struck out cl. (iv) which read as follows: “the degree to which geologic mapping activities traditionally funded by the Survey, including the use of commercially available aerial photography, geodesy, professional land surveying, photogrammetric mapping, cartography, photographic processing, and related services, can be contracted to professional private mapping firms.”

Subsec. (b)(2). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(C)(i), inserted heading.

Subsec. (b)(2)(A). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(2)(C)(ii), substituted “Association” for “State geological surveys”.

Subsec. (c)(2). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(3)(A), substituted “interpretative information” for “interpretive information”.

Subsec. (c)(4). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(3)(B), substituted “public awareness of” for “public awareness for”.

Subsec. (d)(1). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(4)(A), inserted heading.

Subsec. (d)(2). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(4)(B)(i), inserted heading.

Subsec. (d)(2)(D). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(4)(B)(ii), added subpar. (D) and struck out former subpar. (D) which read as follows: “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;”.

Subsec. (d)(3). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(4)(C), inserted heading.

Subsec. (d)(4). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(b)(4)(D), added par. (4) and struck out former par. (4) which read as follows: “A geologic mapping education component, whose objective shall be—

“(A) to develop the academic programs that teach earth-science students the fundamental principles of geologic mapping and field analysis; and

“(B) to provide for broad education in geologic mapping and field analysis through support of field teaching institutes.

Investigations conducted under the geologic mapping education component shall be integrated with the other mapping components of the geologic mapping program, and shall respond to priorities identified for those components.”

1994—Subsec. (b)(1)(A), (C). Pub. L. 103–437 substituted “Natural Resources” for “Interior and Insular Affairs” before “of the House”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Change of Name

Committee on Resources of House of Representatives changed to Committee on Natural Resources of House of Representatives by House Resolution No. 6, One Hundred Tenth Congress, Jan. 5, 2007.

Wage Rate Requirements

For provisions relating to rates of wages to be paid to laborers and mechanics on projects for construction, alteration, or repair work funded under div. D or an amendment by div. D of Pub. L. 117–58, including authority of Secretary of Labor, see section 18851 of Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare.

§31d. Advisory committee

43 U.S.C. § 31d

(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 Core Science Systems, as Chair), two representatives from the State geological surveys, one representative from academia, and 2 representatives from the private sector.
(b)
Duties— The advisory committee shall—
(1)
review and update the 5-year plan prepared by the Director pursuant to section 31e of this title;
(2)
review the scientific progress of the geologic mapping program;
(3)
provide a scientific overview of geologic maps (including maps of geologic-based hazards) used or disseminated by Federal agencies for regulation or land-use planning; and
(4)
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 sections 31c through 31f of this title.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 102–285, § 5, May 18, 1992, 106 Stat. 169; Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(c), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1110; Pub. L. 106–148, § 5, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1722; Pub. L. 111–11, title XI, § 11001(f), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1415; Pub. L. 116–9, title V, § 5002(b), Mar. 12, 2019, 133 Stat. 768.)

Editorial Notes

Amendments

2019—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 116–9 substituted “Associate Director for Core Science Systems” for “Associate Director for Geology”.

2009—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(f)(3), substituted “11-member” for “10-member”.

Subsec. (a)(2). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(f)(1)(A), inserted “the Secretary of the Interior or a designee from a land management agency of the Department of the Interior,” after “Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency or a designee,”, inserted “and” after “Energy or a designee,”, and struck out “, and the Assistant to the President for Science and Technology or a designee” before period at end.

Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(f)(1)(B), substituted “In consultation” for “Not later than 1 year after December 9, 1999, in consultation”, “Associate Director for Geology, as Chair” for “Chief Geologist, as Chairman”, and “2 representatives from the private sector” for “one representative from the private sector”.

Subsec. (b)(3), (4). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(f)(2), added par. (3) and redesignated former par. (3) as (4).

1999—Subsec. (a)(3). Pub. L. 106–148, § 5(1), substituted “1 year after December 9, 1999,” for “90 days after August 5, 1997,”.

Subsec. (b)(1). Pub. L. 106–148, § 5(2)(A), substituted “update the 5-year plan” for “critique the draft implementation plan”.

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 106–148, § 5(2)(B), substituted “sections 31c through 31f of this title” for “sections 31a to 31h of this title”.

1997—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(c)(1), added subsec. (a) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (a). Text read as follows: “There shall be established a sixteen member geologic mapping advisory committee to advise the Director on planning and implementation of the geologic mapping program. The President shall appoint one representative each from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Energy, the Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy. Within 90 days and with the advice and consultation of the State Geological Surveys, the Secretary shall appoint to the advisory committee 2 representatives from the Survey (including the Chief Geologist, as Chairman), 4 representatives from the State geological surveys, 3 representatives from academia, and 3 representatives from the private sector.”

Subsec. (b)(3). Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(c)(2), substituted “Federal, State, and university mapping activities” for “Federal and State mapping activities”.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Termination of Advisory Committees

Advisory committees established after Jan. 5, 1973, to terminate not later than the expiration of the 2-year period beginning on the date of their establishment, unless, in the case of a committee established by the President or an officer of the Federal Government, such committee is renewed by appropriate action prior to the expiration of such 2-year period, or in the case of a committee established by Congress, its duration is otherwise provided by law, see section 1013 of Title 5, Government Organization and Employees.

§31e. Geologic mapping program 5-year plan

43 U.S.C. § 31e

(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.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 102–285, § 6, as added Pub. L. 106–148, § 6, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1722.)

Editorial Notes

Prior Provisions

A prior section 31e, Pub. L. 102–285, § 6, May 18, 1992, 106 Stat. 170; Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(d), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1110, provided for the preparation of a geologic mapping program implementation plan, prior to repeal by Pub. L. 106–148, § 6, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1722.

§31f. National geologic map database

43 U.S.C. § 31f

(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 with funding provided by the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, including under the Federal, State, and education components;
(B)
the databases developed in connection with investigations under subclauses (III), (IV), and (V) of section 31c(d)(1)(C)(ii) of this title; and
(C)
other maps and data that the Survey and the Association consider appropriate.
(b)
Standardization—
(1)
In general— Geologic maps contributed to the national archives shall have format, symbols, and technical attributes that adhere to standards so that archival information can be accessed, exchanged, and compared efficiently and accurately, as required by Executive Order 12906 (59 Fed. Reg. 17,671 (1994)), which established the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.
(2)
Development of standards— Entities that contribute geologic maps to the national archives shall develop the standards described in paragraph (1) in cooperation with the Federal Geographic Data Committee, which is charged with standards development and other data coordination activities as described in Office of Management and Budget revised Circular A–16.
Notes, amendments, and revision history

(Pub. L. 102–285, § 7, May 18, 1992, 106 Stat. 171; Pub. L. 105–36, § 3(e), Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 1110; Pub. L. 106–148, § 7, Dec. 9, 1999, 113 Stat. 1723; Pub. L. 111–11, title XI, § 11001(g), Mar. 30, 2009, 123 Stat. 1415.)

Editorial Notes

References in Text

Executive Order 12906, referred to in subsec. (b)(1), is set out as a note under section 1457 of this title.

Amendments

2009—Subsec. (a)(1). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(g)(1), substituted “geologic-map” for “geologic map”.

Subsec. (a)(2)(A). Pub. L. 111–11, § 11001(g)(2), added subpar. (A) and struck out former subpar. (A) which read as follows: “all maps developed under the Federal component and the education component;”.

1999—Pub. L. 106–148 substituted “geologic map database” for “geologic-map data base” in section catchline, added subsec. (a), and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (a). Text read as follows: “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 sections 31a to 31h of this title, the data bases developed pursuant to the investigations under sections 31c(d)(2)(C), (D), (E), and (F) of this title, and other maps and data as the Survey deems appropriate.”

1997—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–36 added subsec. (b) and struck out heading and text of former subsec. (b). Text read as follows: “Geologic maps contributed to the national archives should have standardized format, symbols, and technical attributes so that archival information can be assimilated, manipulated, accessed, exchanged, and compared efficiently and accurately.”