March 2005 Government
Affairs Update
IN THIS ISSUE …
1. National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program
2. USGS Coalition News
3. Multi-Hazard Implementation Plan Project
4. ACSM/NSPS Lobby Day 2004
5. JGAC Meeting in Nashville
6. NSPS PAC Auction
National Cooperative
Geologic Mapping Program. The National Geologic Mapping Act of 1992 established the National
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program (NCGMP) to implement and coordinate an
expanded geologic mapping effort by the USGS, the State geologic surveys, and
universities. The primary goal of the program is to collect, process, analyze,
translate, and disseminate earth-science information through geologic maps. The
reauthorization of the program is coming up this year and the House Resources
Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral Resources will hold a hearing on
March 25 evaluating the future of the program. Curt Sumner will testify before
the committee on the value of reauthorizing the NCGMP and keeping it in place.
If
members have experience with the Program and would like their comments to be
considered when we prepare Curt’s testimony, please contact ACSM.
USGS Coalition News. Laurence Socci recently
attended a USGS Coalition meeting to discuss the needs of the USGS. One of the
goals of the Coalition is to push for a Survey budget of $1 billion for FY
2005. This is a reasonable request, considering the need to keep the current
programs in place without any cuts. The Coalition is also considering having an
event on Capitol Hill to highlight the 125th anniversary of the USGS.
The Coalition would like to have a representative from each of the Coalition’s
members to meet with Members of Congress to discuss the needs of the USGS. For
more information on the Coalition and its goals, visit the website at www.usgscoalition.org.
Multi-Hazard Implementation
Plan Project. Laurence
Socci, along with other members of the Floodmap Modernization Coalition met recently
with several representatives from FEMA and the Mapping-on-Demand team from Baker
Engineering. As you may recall, Baker Engineering is the National Provider for
the project formerly known as the FEMA Floodmap Modernization Project. The
purpose of the meeting was to discuss the progress FEMA has made in moving
forward with the Map Modernization Project. FEMA has issued its first
allotment of federal funding to its Regions, and it expects to spend $190
million for work to be done in FY 2004 relating to map improvement
activities. FEMA is working on developing the Nationwide Prioritization
List, based to determine which flood zones are to be resurveyed and remapped
first. The contract with Baker Engineering still needs to be approved by
the Department of Homeland Security, so it is not “official” yet. Additionally,
the GAO is expected to release its report within weeks. All parties involved
are assuming that the report will be positive, but if it is not, the entire
project could be delayed.
ACSM/NSPS Lobby Day 2004. Our Lobby Day is getting closer;
here is a reminder to let us know well in advance if you want to participate
this year. It will take place on Wednesday May 12 and Thursday May 13. We
expect to have a full day of meetings with Congressional Members in the House
and Senate. This is your chance to talk about issues important to us. There is
still time to join us. The success of Lobby Day depends on members’
participation. Contact Curt Sumner or Laurence Socci if you are interested in
participating.
JGAC Meeting in Nashville. This year the Joint
Government Affairs Committee meeting is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m.
on Friday April 16. We are planning a full day of activities related to
government affairs. Some of the programs we discussed covering during the day
include a briefing of the current government affairs issues and our plans for
government affairs activities throughout the year, a roundtable discussion
about lobbying on the federal level vs. lobbying on the state level, and an
instructional class on tips for lobbying state and federal representatives. We
encourage members who are interested in government affairs to attend the day’s
activities.
NSPS PAC Auction. The NSPS PAC needs your
help! We are working on a lot of issues this year and many of those issues will
involve big fights. For example, we are proposing RESPA legislation which will
affect a large portion of our members. We predict that the proposed legislation
will face tough opposition from the title insurance industry and the National
Association of Realtors, among other groups. One of our strongest weapons in
our battle to get our legislation passed will be our PAC. But our PAC is only
as strong as its ability to contribute to as many Members of Congress as
possible. As things stand now, we may deplete everything we have in the PAC
fighting to get the legislation through Congress. You have the opportunity to
help us fight this battle by contributing to the PAC Auction in Nashville. You
donation and participation in the PAC
Auction on Sunday April 19 at 7:00
p.m. will be greatly appreciated. We can win with your help.