FORMATION AND GROWTH OF THE USGS COALITION: ADVANCING SCIENCE IN THE SERVICE OF SOCIETY

The USGS Coalition is an alliance of nearly 70 organizations united by a commitment to the continued vitality of the unique combination of biological, geographical, geological, and hydrological programs of the U.S. Geological Survey. The USGS Coalition supports increased federal investment in USGS programs that underpin responsible natural resource stewardship, improve resilience to natural and human-induced hazards, and contribute to the long-term health, security and prosperity of the nation.

The USGS plays a crucial role in protecting the public from natural hazards such as floods and earthquakes, assessing water quality, providing emergency responders with geospatial data to improve homeland security, analyzing the strategic and economic implications of mineral supply and demand, and providing the science needed to manage our natural resources and combat invasive species that can threaten agriculture and public health.

During the past ten years, total federal spending for non-defense research and development has risen by 64 percent from $45 billion to $74 billion in constant dollars. By contrast, funding for the USGS has been nearly flat. Even this flat funding for the USGS reflects congressional restoration of proposed budget cuts.

The need for USGS science in support of decisionmaking has never been greater. During the past year, natural hazards have adversely affected many communities across the country, including landslides in California, hurricanes in Florida, as well as droughts, floods, and forest fires in many parts of the country. After the devastating earthquake and tsunami in the Indian Ocean, people around the globe have a greater appreciation of the need to improve environmental monitoring, forecasting, and warning systems that can prevent natural hazards from becoming natural disasters.

Greater investment in the USGS is required to meet the tremendous needs of the future. That investment should be used to strengthen USGS partnerships, improve monitoring networks, produce high-quality digital geospatial data and deliver the best possible science to address societal problems and inform decisionmakers.