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Show Section 3 of the bill defines the responsibility of the Geological Survey acting under the Secretary of the Interior for several subdivisions of the accelerated mapping program. Subsection ( a) of section 3 provides for the completion of the topographic mapping of the United States within a period of 20 years, the first 4 years of which would be required for- an orderly expansion of topographic mapping from the present authorized level of activities to a level of activities sufficient in size and scope- to complete the program during 14 succeeding years of mapping at a maximum level, about three times the size of the present program, and 2 years at a decreasing rate of activity required beyond that point to complete the program. Subsection ( b) of section 3 makes similar provisions for the geologic mapping of the United States, but the number of years specified for the expansion is 5 instead of the 4 provided for the topographic mapping program, leaving 25 years for operation at the maximum level. This would require a program approximately three times the size of our present authorized program. Subsection ( c) of section 3 authorizes- accelerated topographic and geologic mapping programs in Alaska and in other Territories and possessions on a scale and scope sufficient to meet the needs for the effective development of resources and the orderly settlement of such Territories and possessions. Since it is difficult at this time to visualize clearly just how rapidly the needs will develop, there is no provision for the completion of the mapping programs within a specified period of time. Subsection ( d) of section 3 makes provision-• for geological mapping of submarine areas offshore from the United States, its Territories and possessions as may be required for the effective and orderly development of the mineral and other resources. The extent of these offshore resources are largely unknown but the bill provides for the development of an appropriate scientific foundation for their exploration and utilization. Section 4 of the bill provides for an accelerated program for the Coast and Geodetic Survey under authority granted to the Secretary of Commerce, especially in those parts of its activity related to the other surveying and mapping programs. Subsection ( a) of section 4 provides for the establishment of adequate geodetic control points- in advance of the needs of the surveying and mapping programs provided for in this Act. Subsection ( b) of section 4 authorizes the Coast and Geodetic Survey to- provide surveys and charts with adequate submarine contours of offshore areas of the United States, its Territories and possessions, at scheduled rates which will make suitable data available in time to meet the requirements for effective and orderly development of mineral and of aquatic and other marine resources. This will provide topographic maps for the offshore areas that correspond to the topographic maps of the land areas by the Geologic Survey. Such maps are fundamental to navigation and to the study of fishery and of possible mineral resources. Section 5 authorizes a 20- year program to complete the soil mapping of the country and for similar maps as needed for the development of resources in Alaska and other Territories and possessions. This program is the special function of the Bureau of Plant Industry, Soils, and Agricultural Engineering acting through the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture. There will be an advantage in properly coordinating this program with the topographic and geologic mapping programs. It will provide both an increase in effectiveness and save a great deal in manpower and expenses. The land- grant colleges and various non- Federal agencies participate actively in the soil- mapping program. It should be possible to schedule the cooperative phases more definitely and increase the non- Federal participation. Section 6 of the bill provides for a 10- year program for the completion of the cadastral surveying of the public domain and other Federal public lands within the United States. Approximately 116,000,000 acres of the public domain in the 11 Western States has not been surveyed and approximately 50,000,000 acres is in need of resurvey, since the old markers and the incompleteness of the surveys makes this necessary to meet modern needs. Such acceleration of the programs in Alaska and other Territories and possessions as may be required are also authorized. These surveys will be of great aid in managing the resources belonging to the public and such surveys are helpful in the various mapping programs and in the administration and development of the resources of the public domain. Section 7 of the bill stipulates that the various agencies responsible for the surveying and mapping programs- shall develop and support effective procedures of collaboration and cooperation with each other and with other agencies concerned, both Federal and non- Federal, to the end that the accelerated program established by this Act shall be carried out as effectively and economically as possible and without duplication of activities. This provision is aimed to insure that all features of the comprehensive program shall be planned and coordinated for greatest effectiveness and maximum economy. There is an orderly sequence in carrying out the various types of surveys and charts. The control surveys by the Coast and Geodetic Survey which establishes elevations and horizontal locations provide the framework on which the topographic maps are based, and these in turn provide an effective foundation for mapping. The cadastral surveys on the public domain are greatly aided by the control surveys of the Coast and Geodetic Survey and supply much useful data for topographic and geologic mapping programs. 21 |
