April 14, 2011
Executive Committee
Members
 PRESIDENT
James C. Cobb
Kentucky Geological Survey
 PAST-PRESIDENT
David R. Wunsch
New Hampshire Geological Survey
 PRESIDENT-ELECT
Vicki S. McConnell
Oregon Dept. of Geology and
Mineral Industries
 VICE-PRESIDENT
L. Harvey Thorleifson
Minnesota Geological Survey
 TREASURER
Jonathan D. Arthur
Florida Geological Survey
 SECRETARY
Robert F. Swenson
Alaska Geological Survey
EDITOR
Michael E. Hohn
West Virginia Geology & Economic
Survey
HISTORIAN
William M. Kelly
New York State Geological Survey
STATISTICIAN
Rick Allis
Utah Geological Survey
Dr. Marcia McNutt
Director
U.S. Geological Survey
National Center
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192-0002
Dear Marcia:
The Association of American State Geologists and all of our members are concerned about
the federal budget situation and especially the cuts to USGS partners. Most state
geological surveys have experienced cuts to their budgets from their state because states
are under grave financial constraints. This letter is to appeal to you to not
disproportionately cut StateMap funding in the FY11 and FY12 budgets. The funding
model for StateMap goes back 20 years and has developed one of the most effective
partnerships at the USGS so I ask you to take these concerns into account when
apportioning these budget cuts within the Bureau. Disproportionate cuts to the states
would cause great turmoil among the state surveys and harm one of the most effective
partnerships at the USGS.
Our concerns are obviously for both the FY11 and FY12 budgets and how the Bureau
allocates these cuts to its partners. The jobs of as many as 90 persons at state geological
surveys could be on the line for the 46 states participating in StateMap. Therefore we are
appealing to you to not disproportionately cut StateMap in the Bureau’s allocations of the
cuts anticipated for FY11 and FY12. Drastic cuts to StateMap for FY11 will have extremely
grave impacts to states because more than half the fiscal year is already over and salaries
for those geologists on StateMap funds have already been spent. Deep cuts could derail
many state mapping programs entirely and have a ripple effect on the stability of the
state surveys themselves.
AASG is actively raising support for the USGS among many of the people who matter in
Washington. Our members have recently given testimony in support of the USGS at
Congressional hearings. I know you were also present for these hearings. I will not go
into detail about our other activities because I understand the restrictions placed upon
federal employees in certain matters and respect the intent of those rules but they are
substantial.
In 1992, AASG fought for and passed the National Geologic Mapping Act. Currently, there
is $28.1 million in this program of which $21.2 million goes to the USGS, $6.9 million
goes to 46 state geological surveys, and less than $1 million to EdMap. The original
agreement between the USGS and AASG was to hold states at only 18 percent indirect
costs and mandate 50 percent state matching funds. This agreement was made in 1992
and has been in place for 20 years. The funding model for this program was set in stone
when the program began.
The 46 states actively involved make this a program of truly national scope and the USGS
as program manager responsible to see that it stays on track. The record of
accomplishments in StateMap of 7,500 new geologic maps is likely unequalled by any
program in any agency.
In my 36 years of cooperation with the USGS, I believe state surveys contribute as much
or more as any group in terms of cooperation, data, support, and expertise to the USGS
and vice versa. I believe the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program is much
more than a grants program for state geological surveys. It is a true cooperation between
state surveys and the USGS helping to keeping basic geological sciences active in many
areas where that would be impossible without NCGMP. It delivers completed products
each year but what it also delivers is a strong connection between state surveys and the
USGS. It is a model of state-federal cooperation.
I personally want to thank you for the time you took to call-in for our meeting on Mar. 14
when the AASG met with USGS officials. We are always pleased to meet with USGS
personnel to maintain what I think is one of the best partnerships for both parties. I know
you were headed out of town and dealing with airports and security and all that entails
and still making yourself available is greatly appreciated. It was good to welcome the new
USGS personnel Kevin Gallagher and Doug Howard and start what we all hope will be
many years of great cooperation.
Very sincerely yours,
James C. Cobb, President, Association of American State Geologists
Director and State Geologist, Kentucky Geological Survey,
And, the Executive Committee of AASG by consent
Vicki McConnell (OR), President-elect,
Harvey Thorleifson (MN), Vice President,
Bob Swenson (AK), Secretary
Jonathan Arthur (FL), Treasurer
Nick Tew (AL), Past President
Don Hoskins (PA), Honorary Members Representative
cc – all state geologists