THE NATIONAL COOPERATIVE MAPPING PROGRAM: 30 YEARS OF INNOVATIVE COLLABORATION WITH THE ASSOCIATION OF AMERICAN STATE GEOLOGISTS (Invited Presentation)

The role and function of state geological surveys differs from state to state, depending upon legislation and traditions, but nearly all provide basic geologic information to their state’s executive, legislative, and judicial branches as well as the public. In 1823, the first state geological survey was established in North Carolina and by 1840 there were 15 state surveys to map and evaluate mineral, energy, land, and water resources in their state or territory. Demand for a national effort to map geology and mineral resources of the US, especially west of the Mississippi River, led to creation of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in 1879. At that time, 31 states had established a geological survey; by 1908, 42 states had established a state geologic survey and the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) was founded to foster collaboration and to advance the practical application of earth science in the United States.

Support for geologic mapping by state surveys differed, but most relied on either state funds or contractual mapping projects with various Federal agencies such as the USGS. The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 formalized a partnership between the USGS and the AASG in the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) which, among other things, established STATEMAP, a program to provide Federal funds, matched with State funds, to support mapping by AASG member-states. The NCGMP also established EDAMP in 1996 which provides matching funds for graduate-level mapping – well suited for the 20+ AASG-members who reside on campus. Nearly 115 years of collaboration among AASG-member geologic surveys and 31 years of cooperative efforts with USGS partners has fostered geologic mapping at a wide range of scales and all manner of map-types that describe geology, mineral resources, groundwater, hazards, and geomorphology that support critical decisions and advances geological sciences. Opportunities to solve interstate geologic questions, share innovative mapping/analytical techniques, develop national mapping standards, and enhance data delivery abound; several examples highlight the successes.