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Idaho Geologic Survey seeks partial state funding for database manager and expands data preservation work
Summary
The Joint Finance Committee reviewed a request from the Idaho Geologic Survey for additional general‑fund support to convert a partially grant‑funded database manager position to sustained state funding and discussed expanding physical core/data repositories to support mineral exploration and state economic interests.
The Joint Finance Committee heard the Idaho Geologic Survey (IGS) outline FY2026 budget priorities that center on converting a grant‑funded database manager to a partially state‑funded permanent position and expanding data‑preservation efforts to better support mineral exploration and public access to geologic information.
Kevin Campbell of the Legislative Services Office presented the budget overview and introduced Dr. Claudio Berti, Idaho State Geologist and director of IGS. Campbell said IGS currently has 12.47 authorized FTE and historically spends the full amount of its appropriations. He described capital purchases in FY2024 (research microscopes and a seismometer for the Idaho Seismic Network) and noted that in FY2025 the survey received funding for 0.19 FTE of a database manager; the FY2026 request seeks an additional 0.13 FTE to continue that role.
Dr. Claudio Berti told the committee that the database manager position has been supported largely with grant funds (including abandoned mine land funds used to provide match) and that moving to a permanent state match would protect a role he described as “fundamental to our agency.” He explained that the position helps maintain Idaho’s geologic information systems and that loss of the role would jeopardize the survey’s ability to manage and deliver nonproprietary geologic data used by industry, government and the public.
Committee members asked about IGS’s role in supporting exploration and strategic minerals. Dr. Berti said IGS does not work as a contractor for mining companies but supplies public geologic mapping, data and applied research useful to private exploration and public planning. He described the survey’s data preservation program and the absence of a comprehensive physical core repository in Idaho. “There is a large interest from the company to partner with us,” Berti said, and he argued a physical repository and expanded data preservation would avoid repeated permitting, redundant drilling and unnecessary infrastructure impacts.
On funding, Dr. Berti said the population of grants that previously supported parts of the database manager’s salary is declining and that the position also enables the survey to generate matching federal funds (he said the position can produce 2:1 federal match). He told the panel that, if state funding is not provided, the position could be lost with consequences for public data continuity.
Why it matters: IGS data underpins infrastructure planning, water and seismic hazard assessments, and mineral and critical‑mineral exploration. Committee members asked for additional information about the timeline to convert the database manager to a full FTE and for cost estimates and return‑on‑investment information for establishing a physical core repository.
Ending: Dr. Berti committed to provide additional cost and implementation detail, including examples from other states and the economic benefits of preserving physical and analytical exploration data.
