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Experts tell subcommittee Earth MRI reauthorization would fill mapping gaps, aid planning
Summary
State geologists and the Association of American State Geologists urged reauthorization of the USGS Earth MRI program (HR 9640), saying publicly available, standardized geologic data supports mining, groundwater mapping and infrastructure planning across states.
Witnesses including Dr. Rory Day Stearrit, president of the Association of American State Geologists, and Virginia State Geologist Matt Heller told the subcommittee Earth MRI’s public geologic data advances both economic development and environmental decision‑making.
"Earth MRI is working, and it deserves reauthorization," Dr. Day Stearrit said, noting the program’s precompetitive data model and that 46 states and Puerto Rico have participated. He told members the program has identified dozens of commodities at risk of supply chain disruption and that continued airborne geophysics and on‑the‑ground verification are needed to fill mapping gaps.
Matt Heller said Virginia’s Earth MRI projects have produced new maps, identified heavy mineral sand deposits and located mine‑waste stockpiles that state agencies are now sampling and assessing. "The resulting maps and reports are published as precompetitive data that encourages private sector exploration," Heller said, citing completed projects that covered hundreds of square miles and produced hundreds of geochemical samples.
Members asked how the program helps with remediation of abandoned mine lands, geologic hydrogen assessment, and cross‑state coordination. Witnesses recommended continuing cooperative agreements with state surveys and ensuring USGS‑state partnerships maintain the on‑the‑ground verification element that turns geophysical data into actionable maps.
The subcommittee heard broad bipartisan support for reauthorization and requested written follow‑up on geochemical data inventories and project specifics; no vote took place at the hearing.
