2 days ago
There Might Not Be a Map for That: Budget Cuts Threaten Geological Surveys
Every spring for the last 31 years, Reed Lewis has traversed Idaho to do what technology still cannot: examine rocks, collect samples and make a map that is critical for mining, oil and gas and other industries. He knows getting an early start is essential, as summer smoke and winter snows limit the days that are useful for gathering data.
Dr. Lewis, a geologist for the state of Idaho, is normally in the field by June at the latest. But halfway through the month, he's stuck at his desk.
That's because amid uncertainty over the federal budget, funds from Washington that pay for geological mapping have not arrived. 'It's starting to be worrisome,' Dr. Lewis said. The concern is widespread; no states have received their 2025 mapping money.
What's more, one line in the Trump administration's proposed budget could hamstring the ability of states to create basic geologic maps for years to come.
Geologists in every state use federal funds to study wildfires, water resources, hazards and to map the locations of mineral deposits and energy sources. In addition to mining and fossil fuel industries, the free and publicly available maps are used by geothermal energy and real estate companies.
Private companies might map a small area of particular interest but they generally do not share the information.
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