Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
september 2017
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federal agencies
Bill introduced to reauthorize geologic mapping program through 2023
September 14, 2017
On September 14, Senators Murkowski (R-AK) and King (I-ME) introduced a bill (S.1787) to reauthorize the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) through 2023. Overseen by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the program was established in the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 in order to create detailed geologic maps of the US. It was last reauthorized in 2009, and is set to expire in 2018.
The NCGMP works with Federal, State, and university partners in FEDMAP, STATEMAP, and EDMAP, respectively, to produce maps that are then added to the National Geologic Map Database. For STATEMEP and EDMAP, the program matches funds on a 1:1 level for proposed mapping projects. The program partners extensively with the American Association of State Geologists (AASG) to determine Federal and State mapping priorities, as well as carry out the mapping.
Understanding the geology of an area is essential for making well-informed policy decisions. The reauthorization of the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), which was introduced earlier in the month, would now require the completion of a series of geologic and hazard risk maps so that decision makers can better identify at-risk areas and mitigate disasters. Making decisions on resource and land management also starts with geologic maps. Still, less than a third of the U.S. is mapped at the level of detail needed to make these decisions.
The President’s fiscal year 2018 Budget Request proposed cutting the program by $2 million, but the House rejected those cuts in the appropriations bill which was passed in their omnibus package. The Senate has yet to markup an Interior appropriations bill.
Sources: Library of Congress, US Geological Survey
Bill introduced to reauthorize geologic mapping program through 2023
September 11, 2017
On September 11, Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) introduced a bill (S.1787), cosponsored by Senators Angus King (I-ME) and Dan Sullivan (R-AK), to reauthorize the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) through 2023. The program, overseen by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), was originally established through the National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 to expedite the production of geologic maps of the United States, which are used by public and private entities for resource exploration and extraction, natural hazards mitigation, ground and surface water management, environmental protection, and federal land management. The Act was last reauthorized in 2009, and is currently set to expire in 2018.
The NCGMP works with federal, state, and university partners in three separate program components to produce mapping data which is presented in the National Geologic Map Database. For state (STATEMAP) and education (EDMAP) programs, funds are awarded through a competitive grant process which requires the applying state or university to match any federal funding awarded for mapping projects. Funds for federal geological mapping projects (FEDMAP) are also distributed through a review process that includes external stakeholders, such as other federal agencies and the American Association for State Geologists (AASG), which collaborate with the NCGMP to determine mapping priorities and carry out the mapping projects.
Understanding the geology of an area is essential for making well-informed policy decisions. Geologic maps lay the foundation for minimizing risks from natural hazards and help ensure responsible environmental stewardship, mitigate natural hazards, and foster economic growth. Still, less than a third of the U.S. is mapped at the level of detail needed to make these important decisions for resource and land management.
S.1787 was referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Sources: Library of Congress, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
White House issues plans for prompt National Environmental Policy Act reviews
September 14, 2017
On September 14, the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) published a list of actions that it will take to revise the federal environmental review and authorization processes for infrastructure projects. The proposed actions primarily address the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires federal agencies to assess environmental effects of proposed actions prior to making decisions. Of note, NEPA is responsible for decision making on permit applications, adopting federal land management actions, and constructing highways and other publicly owned facilities.
President Donald Trump has declared U.S. infrastructure, as well as environmental reviews and permitting processes, a top priority for his administration. The swift action by the CEQ is in response to Executive Order 13807, “Establishing Discipline and Accountability in the Environmental Review and Permitting Process for Infrastructure Projects” signed by President Trump on August 15, 2017. The executive order directs federal agencies to follow transparent and coordinated processes for conducting environmental reviews, reduce the timeline of reviews and authorization decisions for new major infrastructure projects to an average of 2 years, and implement “One Federal Decision” requiring a lead federal agency for each infrastructure project to coordinate a single Record of Decision that combines any individual agency decisions related to the project. In the September 14 Federal Register notice, the CEQ announced its plans to comply with requirements of the executive order, and intends to develop a framework for implementing “One Federal Decision” with the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
The ultimate goal of NEPA is to foster action that protects, restores, and enhances our environment. Following its enactment in 1970, Congress developed a procedure referred to as the environmental impact assessment process to implement NEPA’s policies. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), NEPA has been effective in providing public officials with the information they need to make better decisions and it has since been replicated throughout the world.
Sources: Council on Environmental Quality, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of the Federal Register
Congress considers presidential nominations to key agency positions
September 27, 2017
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a hearing on September 27 for four presidential nominations, including Howard “Skip” Elliott to head the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration, and Rear Admiral Timothy Gallaudet, an oceanographer and climate expert, to be Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.
On September 19, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a hearing to consider various nominations for key positions at the Department of Energy (DOE), the Department of the Interior (DOI), and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Joseph Balash, nominated to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior for Land and Mineral Management on July 19, is now pending Senate confirmation. In August, the Senate confirmed two new members of the FERC, Neil Chatterjee and Robert Powelson, while Richard Glick and Kevin McIntyre are still pending confirmation to fill the remaining two FERC seats. If confirmed, McIntyre would serve as chairman of the Commission.
Administrator Scott Pruitt is currently the only Senate-confirmed appointee at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). On September 5, the Trump Administration included three nominees to fill assistant administrator positions at the EPA among 46 nominations sent to the Senate. David Ross, currently a Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General and Director of the Environmental Protection Unit for the Wisconsin Department of Justice, was nominated to head the Office of Water. Matthew Leopold, a former general counsel for the Florida Department of Environmental Protection, would join the Office of General Council, and William Wehrum, a partner and head of the Administrative Law Group at Hunton & Williams, would serve at the Office of Air and Radiation. The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works will hold a hearing on October 4 to consider these nominations along with Michael Dourson, another EPA nominee for the Office of Chemical Safety and Pollution Prevention who is still awaiting confirmation.
Sources: CNN, U.S. Senate, White House Office of the Press Secretary