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Strategic Objective

Assess National and International Energy and Mineral Resources

Strategic Objective

Assess national and international energy and mineral resources.

Lead Office: USGS

Themes:

Natural Resources and Environment General Science, Space, and Technology

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Overview
Progress Update

Overview

The USGS provides research, assessments, maps, and data to understand and communicate national and global energy and mineral resource accumulation, distribution, and potential. These products are provided to resource managers and policymakers to support informed policy and management decisions on land and resource use and the evaluation of trade-offs and environmental risks.

Progress Update

Performance has slowly declined from FY 2011 through 2014 due to a decrease in funding. However, FY 2015 performance increased despite a slight decrease in funding. The improved performance was made possible by making more information available online. Performance lags funding by two to three years, so performance is expected to decrease in FY 2016 and 2017 because the budget declined in FY 2013 and 2014.

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Strategic Goals

Strategic Goal:

Provide Water and Land Data to Customers

Statement:

The Department, through the USGS, will lead the effort to create a scientific framework that will provide knowledge of the ever-changing Earth. We will invest in cyber-infrastructure, nurture and cultivate programs in Earth systems science informatics, and participate in efforts to build and connect a global integrated science and computing platform. The USGS will gather, integrate, and present data in multi-dimensional ways to advance and refine our understanding of the Earth and its geologic and ecologic systems. Three-dimensional models of ground water aquifers and energy and mineral deposits in the subsurface will be generated to help identify prospective areas for exploration and utilization. We will produce vegetation maps to pinpoint areas with high risks of wildland fire occurrence. We will deliver high resolution geospatial databases and topographic map images to support public purposes and enhance resource management.

Strategic Objectives

Monitor and Assess Water Availability and Quality

Statement:

Monitor and assess water availability and quality.

Description:

The USGS Water Science Strategy (Strategy), outlined in Circular 1383-G Observing, Understanding, Predicting, and Delivering Water Science to the Nation, identifies water science goals and objectives that serve the Nation and address the water challenges for the future. The Strategy outlines areas where hydrologic science can make substantial contributions to the Nation and identifies opportunities for the USGS to better use its hydrologic science capabilities to address Administration priorities to ensure healthy watersheds and sustainable, secure water supplies. The Strategy is intended to inform long-term approaches to USGS program planning, technology investment, partnership development, and workforce and human capital strategies. The choice of strategic water science priority actions, goals and objectives is based on the guiding principles to observe, understand, predict and deliver water information that allows society to meet the water challenges of the Nation, current and future. While the Strategy does not cover all facets of USGS work in hydrology, it builds on a hierarchy of planning documents and provides a science-based response to the overarching issues of water availability and hydrologic hazards.

Water science actively promotes the use of information by decision makers to minimize loss of life and property as a result of water-related natural hazards, such as floods, droughts, and land movement; effectively manages groundwater and surface water resources for domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, recreational, and ecological uses; protects and enhances water resources for human health, aquatic health, and environmental quality; and contributes to the wise physical and economic development of our Nation's resources for the benefit of present and future generations.

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Generate Geologic Maps

Statement:

Generate geologic maps.

Description:

The USGS conducts national-focused Earth-system science, along with its many partners, to deliver an understanding of the Earth’s complex geologic structure. Products include geologic maps, three-dimensional geologic models, interpretive studies, and scientific publications, all of which are essential for informed public policy decision making and economic development. Detailed, accurate information about the nature and origin of the geology of an area, portrayed through geologic maps and three-dimensional frameworks, is essential for identifying mineral, oil, and gas resources, finding and protecting groundwater, guiding earthquake damage prediction, identifying landslide and post-wildfire hazards, guiding transportation planning, and generally improving the quality of life and economic vitality of the Nation.

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