Idaho Geologic Survey seeks to convert grant funding into permanent database support; director urges investment in data preservation

Kevin Campbell, Legislative Services Office analyst, presented the Idaho Geologic Survey (IGS) budget. IGS is the state’s lead agency for collecting, interpreting and sharing geologic and mineral data for Idaho. The analyst said IGS has 12.47 authorized full‑time positions and that personnel costs represented roughly 76.5% of total expenses in 2024.

Director Claudio Berti told the committee a previously grant‑funded database manager position is now facing the end of grant support. "This position has been historically grant funded… having that supported on grants leaves it in a very precarious situation," Berti said. He asked for additional general fund support — a FY2026 request for 0.13 FTE toward the database manager — arguing the role is fundamental to maintaining Idaho’s geologic data systems and that the position helps generate income by matching federal money 2:1.

Berti also discussed the survey’s work on data preservation and the potential value of a physical core repository. He said IGS’s public data are nonproprietary and that preserving physical core samples and analyses would reduce duplication of effort and the need for repeated permitting and drilling. "There is a large interest from the company to do that, to partner with us in doing so," Berti said, and he offered to return to the committee with cost and location estimates for creating a repository and a return‑on‑investment analysis from other states.

Why it matters: IGS’s data underlie decisions on resource development, infrastructure and hazard assessment. Campbell and Berti said the requested portion of permanent funding would stabilize a core technical role that supports grants and federal matches. Berti emphasized the practical uses of geologic data for water, energy and mineral resources and for infrastructure planning.

The committee asked about the mix of grant and state funding for the role; Berti said the position previously was funded by abandoned mine lands program dollars routed through the Department of Lands and that those funds are not guaranteed in perpetuity. The director said the database manager position adds capacity that in turn supports additional positions and federal matching funds.

Ending: No vote was taken. The director committed to provide more detail on repository costs and on the timeline for converting the database manager to full funding; the committee will consider the request during upcoming budget deliberations.