March
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. GIFTS NEEDED FOR THE
ACSM/NSPS PAC AUCTION!!!-Please consider donating a tempting and/or novel gift
(minimal value $25). See attached
information sheet for instructions on how to send or bring your gift to the
conference. For further
information: Susan
Frank sfrank@acsm.net
; 240-632-9716, ext. 103.
We can win with your help!
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