THE COOPERATIVE GEOLOGIC MAPPING ACT -- FROM THE TOWN TO THE WORLD

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) and the State Geological Surveys share a >100 year history of cooperative geological mapping and data preservation. This history has not been without controversy. However, despite growing pains, this partnership has emerged as a model for effective federal/state productivity. Key elements that have evolved over the past century include the development of effective standards for map production and display, and a shared commitment to data preservation and access. With an emerging recognition of the importance of geological data on the global landscape, the United States has joined with more than 130 nations in the OneGeology initiative to ensure that geological data are global resources. This presentation will explore the factors that transformed a collection of individual state and federal projects into a coordinated system for data collection, display, and access, and present a vision for the future of geological data on the global stage.