With the passage of H.R. 2362, the National Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Act of 2005 on June 27 by the U.S. House of Representatives, the nation's ability to identify geological resources for future use by coming generations of Americans moved a step closer to realization.

"Geologic mapping on a federal and state level is critical to the future of the aggregates industry.  The databases of environmental and scientific information developed through cooperative geologic mapping programs help to ensure that future infrastructure needs of a growing society will be met," said NSSGA President and CEO Joy Wilson.  NSSGA has been working for passage of the legislation.

Geologic maps are the primary database for virtually all applied and basic earth-science investigations including land use evaluations and planning, management, assessment, utilization, groundwater and environmental management, and identification of potential aggregate resources.  The Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 established the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program.   This program was designed to foster cooperation and coordination between the U.S. Geological Survey and the State Geological Surveys in generating modern detailed digitized geologic maps in a cost effective and efficient manner. 

Geologic maps provide important information needed for identifying energy, mineral and water resources, and geologic and environmental hazards such as active faults and seismic areas, unstable ground subject to landslides, swelling soils, floodplains and abandoned mined lands.  Understanding the subsurface geology and soil profiles can facilitate better planning for septic systems in rural areas, water treatment facilities, road construction and maintenance, home construction and other infrastructure.  More than 7500 new geologic maps have been produced through this cooperative program.

The bill would authorize appropriations for the program at the existing 2005 authorized level of $64 million for each of the fiscal years 2006 through 2010.  Under current law, authorizations for appropriations for the program will expire at the end of fiscal year 2005.

To date, high quality digital maps have been produced for only about 25 percent of the United States. According to the bill, monies expended in this program reap significant benefits.  An economic analysis of the impact of Kentucky's geologic mapping program showed the economic return to the state was, at a minimum, 25 times the cost of the program itself.

Based near the nation's capital, NSSGA is the world's largest mining association by product volume.  Its member companies represent more than 90 percent of the crushed stone and 70 percent of the sand and gravel produced annually in the U.S. and approximately 115,000 working men and women in the aggregates industry.  During 2004, a total of about 2.86 billion metric tons of crushed stone, sand and gravel, valued at $16 billion, were produced and sold in the United States.