43 U.S.C. § 31l — Earth Mapping Resources Initiative
submitted 5 years ago by Pub. L. 117-58 to r/title-43-PUBLIC-LANDS · 481 words · no verdicts yet
This law creates the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative inside the U.S. Geological Survey to map the country's mineral resources. It must finish a full national mapping effort within 10 years, prioritize critical minerals, and make the data public. Congress authorized $320,000,000 for fiscal years 2022 through 2026.
(a) Definition. "Critical mineral" means whatever section 1606(a) of title 30 says it means.
(b) Establishment. The law creates the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative inside the Geological Survey.
(c) Purpose. The Initiative must speed up the Survey's core job of mapping resources by combining topographic, geologic, geochemical, and geophysical maps; pulling together geospatial and resource data; and interpreting mineral data both underground and above ground.
(d) Cooperative agreements. The Survey's Director may sign agreements with state geological surveys to carry out the Initiative. This does not stop the Director from also using other existing contracting tools.
(e) Comprehensive mapping modernization. Within 10 years of November 15, 2021, the Initiative must finish an initial full national mapping and data-integration effort covering both the surface and the subsurface. For minerals, it must look at the whole ore body rather than just one commodity, so it captures every recoverable critical mineral in a deposit. It must prioritize mapping critical minerals. It must also map areas with mine waste, to better understand above-ground mineral resources in places already disturbed, and analyze samples — including samples in the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program — for critical minerals.
(f) Availability. The Initiative must make its mapping data and metadata publicly available online on an ongoing basis.
(g) Integration of data sources. The Initiative must combine data from the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program, the USGS's USMIN Mineral Deposit Database, the 3D Elevation Program, and other relevant sources, including geothermal data.
(h) Funding. Congress authorized $320,000,000 for the Secretary to carry out this section for fiscal years 2022 through 2026, and that money stays available until it is spent.
In this section, the term “critical mineral” has the meaning given the term in section 1606(a) of title 30.
There is established within the United States Geological Survey an initiative, to be known as the “Earth Mapping Resources Initiative” (referred to in this section as the “Initiative”).
The purpose of the Initiative shall be to accelerate efforts to carry out the fundamental resources and mapping mission of the United States Geological Survey by—
providing integrated topographic, geologic, geochemical, and geophysical mapping;
accelerating the integration and consolidation of geospatial and resource data; and
providing interpretation of subsurface and above-ground mineral resources data.
In carrying out the Initiative, the Director of the United States Geological Survey may enter into cooperative agreements with State geological surveys.
Nothing in paragraph (1) precludes the Director of the United States Geological Survey from using existing contracting authorities in carrying out the Initiative.
Not later than 10 years after November 15, 2021, the Initiative shall complete an initial comprehensive national modern surface and subsurface mapping and data integration effort.
In carrying out paragraph (1) with regard to minerals, mineralization, and mineral deposits, the Initiative shall focus on the full range of minerals, using a whole ore body approach rather than a single commodity approach, to emphasize all of the recoverable critical minerals in a given surface or subsurface deposit.
In carrying out paragraph (1) with regard to minerals, mineralization, and mineral deposits, the Initiative shall prioritize mapping and assessing critical minerals.
In carrying out paragraph (1), the Initiative shall also—
map and collect data for areas containing mine waste to increase understanding of above-ground critical mineral resources in previously disturbed areas; and
provide for analysis of samples, including samples within the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program established under section 15908(b) of title 42 for the occurrence of critical minerals.
The Initiative shall make the geospatial data and metadata gathered by the Initiative under subsection (e)(1) electronically publicly accessible on an ongoing basis.
The Initiative shall integrate data sources, including data from—
the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program established by section 31c(a)(1) of this title;
the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program established under section 15908(b) of title 42;
the USMIN Mineral Deposit Database of the United States Geological Survey;
the 3D Elevation Program established under section 3104(a) of this title; and
other relevant sources, including sources providing geothermal resources data.
There is authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary to carry out this section $320,000,000 for the period of fiscal years 2022 through 2026, to remain available until expended.
Source credit: (Pub. L. 117–58, div. D, title II, § 40201, Nov. 15, 2021, 135 Stat. 958.)
- 2021Enacted · Pub. L. 117-58 · 135 Stat. 958
A history note hasn’t been published yet. The record shows enactment by Pub. L. 117-58 on 2021-11-15.
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