§31l Earth Mapping Resources Initiative

Summary

Creates the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative inside the U.S. Geological Survey to speed up and improve maps and data about the Nation’s resources. It must combine different kinds of mapping and data (like land shape, rock types, chemistry, and underground structure), pull together and link geospatial and resource data, and help interpret where minerals are above and below ground. The USGS can work with State geological surveys and use its normal contracting tools. The Initiative must put its geospatial data and metadata online for the public as it is collected. Within 10 years after November 15, 2021, the Initiative must finish an initial national surface and subsurface mapping and data integration effort. For mineral work, it must use a whole-ore-body approach (not single-commodity) and give priority to critical minerals. It must also map mine-waste areas and analyze samples, including ones in the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program, for critical minerals. The Initiative must merge data from existing programs (for example, national geologic mapping, the USMIN mineral database, the 3D Elevation Program, and other relevant sources like geothermal data). Congress authorized $320,000,000 for fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until spent. Critical mineral — defined in 30 U.S.C. 1606(a).