A NEW DECADAL STRATEGY FOR THE FUTURE OF GEOLOGIC MAPPING IN THE U.S

The National Geologic Mapping Act (NGMA) of 1992 mandated the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP), consisting of interdisciplinary studies, geologic mapping and training by federal (FEDMAP), state (STATEMAP), and university (EDMAP) partners, made consistent and available as the National Geologic Map Database (NGMDB). All four components of NCGMP share the common responsibility identified in the NGMA to expedite the production of a geologic database for the Nation, so that appropriate geologic maps can be developed containing information applicable to land-use management, assessment, and utilization and/or conservation of natural resources, groundwater management, and environmental protection. In close partnership with the Association of American State Geologists, NCGMP continues to lead the Nation toward a safer, healthier and more sustainable future through geologic mapping.

The new NCGMP Decadal Strategic Plan (NDSP) outlines a renewal of the program as the Nation’s authoritative source for foundational geologic knowledge, and is centered on a vision to create an integrated, three-dimensional (3D), digital geologic map of the United States to address the changing needs of the Nation. In carrying out our mission, the NCGMP will work towards achieving preeminence in field mapping and utilization of state of the art remote sensing and geophysical technologies, thereby attaining the infrastructure needed for efficient and effective construction of a 3D National Geologic Framework Model (NGFM). NCGMP will lead efforts toward the completion of a seamless 3D nationwide geologic map by 2030, based on renewed fieldwork, compilation, and enhanced 3D geologic map standards, and enabled by the NGFM.