The State Component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program

The primary objective of the STATEMAP component of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) is to establish the geologic framework of areas determined to be vital to the economic, social, or scientific welfare of individual states and the nation. The state Geologist/Survey Director/Chief Scientist (or similar position) shall determine mapping priorities in consultation with a multidiscipline State Mapping Advisory Committee (SMAC). These priorities shall be determined on the basis of: (1) state requirements for geologic map information in areas of multiple issue need or areas of compelling single-issue need, and (2) state requirements for geologic map information in areas where mapping is required to solve critical earth science problems. Priorities are not dependent on past agreements with the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). STATEMAP, mandated by Public Law 102-285 ("National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992") and subsequent revisions, fulfills the NCGMP mission by generating new two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) geologic maps and map databases for contribution to the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB). STATEMAP directly supports Executive Order ( EO) 14154 ("Unleashing American Energy") and Secretarial Orders 3417 ("Addressing the National Energy Emergency") and 3418 ("Unleashing American Energy") , and 3436 ("Unlocking Critical and Strategic Minerals from Mine Waste, Cutting Red Tape, and Restoring American Dominance in Strategic Mineral Production") which call for the USGS to "prioritize efforts to accelerate the ongoing, detailed geologic mapping of the United States" and increase "public availability of data and maps of mine waste." The geologic mapping supported by STATEMAP provides foundational, standardized geologic information (i.e., data) necessary to manage land and water resources of the U.S., discover and assess energy and mineral resources (including critical and rare earth minerals), understand and mitigate natural hazards, support economic development, and inform national security decisions. STATEMAP mapping efforts also support the development of modern infrastructure, including highways, bridges, and pipelines in almost every state, by providing information necessary for land-use planning, as well as information on aggregate resources and building materials.