Missions, Organization, and Budget Missions The U.S. Geological Survey was established by an Act of Congress on March 3, 1879, to answer the need for a permanent agency at the Federal level to conduct, on a continuing, systematic, and scientific basis, investigations of the "geological structure, mineral resources, and products of the national domain." Although a number of laws and executive orders have expanded and modified the scope of the Survey's responsibilities over its 106-year history, the Survey has remained principally a scientific and technical investigation agency as contrasted with an administrative or regulatory one. Today, the Survey is mandated to assess onshore and offshore energy and mineral resources; to provide information for society to mitigate the impact of floods, earthquakes, landslides, volcanoes, and droughts; to monitor and assess the quality of the Nation's ground- and surface-water supplies; to study the impact of man on the Nation's water resources; and to provide mapped information on the Nation's landscape and land use. Numerous technological advances and initiatives are contributing to a variety of program activities, including the compilation and production of cartographic data, investigations about the mineral and petroleum resources of the Exclusive Economic Zone, and real-time hydrologic data collection. The Survey is the principal source of scientific and technical expertise in the earth sciences within the Department of the Interior and the Federal Government. The Yearbook provides highlights of the wide range of earth science research and services in the fields of geology, hydrology, and cartography. Organization The U.S. Geological Survey is headquartered in Reston, Va. Its activities are administered through the major program divisions of National Mapping, Geologic, and Water Resources. These program operations are supported by the Administrative and the Information Systems Divisions. The Survey conducts its functions through an extensive field organization of some 200 offices located throughout the 50 States and Puerto Rico. At the national level, the functions of the Survey are coordinated through assistant directors for administration, program analysis, research, information systems, intergovernmental affairs, and engineering geology. Budget In fiscal year 1985, the U.S. Geological Survey had obligational authority for $604.7 million. Of this total, $416.4 million came from direct appropriations, $0.6 million in unobligated balances transferred from the Bureau of Reclamation's water resources research grants activities, $0.1 million from contributed funds, and $187.6 million from reimbursements. The Survey received funds for reimbursable work performed under agreements with other Federal agencies, State and local governments, international organizations, and foreign governments. The Water Resources Investigations Mission The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Division is to provide the hydrologic information and understanding needed for the best use and management of the Nation's water resources for the benefit of the people of the United States. To accomplish this mission, the Division, in cooperation with State and local governments and other Federal agencies: Systematically collects data needed to continually determine and evaluate the quantity, quality, and use of the Nation's water resources; • Conducts analytical and interpretive water-resources appraisals to describe the occurrence and availability of, and the physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of, surface and ground water; • Conducts supportive basic and problem-oriented research into hydraulics, hydrology, and related fields of science and engineering to improve the basis for field investigations and measurement techniques and to understand hydrologic systems in order to predict quantitatively their response to natural or manmade stress; Provides to the public the water-resources data and the results of waterresources investigations and research through reports, maps, computerized information services, and other forms of public releases; • Coordinates the activities of Federal agencies in the acquisition of waterresources data for streams, lakes, reservoirs, estuaries, and ground water; and • Provides scientific and technical assistance in hydrology to other Federal, State, and local agencies, to licensees of the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, and, on behalf of the U.S. Department of State, to international agencies. Programs The four Water Resources Division programs are the Federal Program, the Federal-State Cooperative Program, the Assistance to Other Federal Agencies, and the Non-Federal Reimbursable Program. Federal Program. -This program is specifically identified in annual congressional appropriations and provides for the collection of water-resources data, investigations of resources, and research activities in areas where the Federal interest is paramount. These interests include water resources in the public Maroon Bells, near Aspen, Colorado. |