By Laura Szymanski, GSA Science Policy Fellow

GSA’s Director for Geoscience Policy, Kasey White, testified in support of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) at the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment and Related Agencies hearing held 26 February 2019.

Kasey White leads members of the Geology and Public Policy Committee (GPPC) on Congressional Visits on 25 February 2019. From left to right: Robbie Gries, Kasey White, Monica Gowan, Steve Mattox, and Lily Jackson.
Kasey White leads members of the Geology and Public Policy Committee (GPPC) on Congressional Visits on 25 February 2019. From left to right: Robbie Gries, Kasey White, Monica Gowan, Steve Mattox, and Lily Jackson.

This hearing was the first non-tribal public witness testimony since March of 2015 and was led by Chairwoman Betty McCollum (D-MN-04).  The range of topics discussed at the hearing spanned the purview of the subcommittee, including the Department of the Interior, which covers the Bureau of Land Management, the National Park Service, and the USGS; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA); the Forest Service within the USDA; and the Smithsonian Institute.  This was an opportunity for the Appropriations Subcommittee to hear testimony from key stakeholders to provide direction for fiscal year 2020 appropriation bills.

More than 40 witnesses testified and witnesses represented a diverse community with representation from nonprofit organizations, state and local agencies, and the public.

Representing GSA, Kasey White testified in the section, Environment, Climate Change, and Science, and spoke on behalf of the USGS.  White’s testimony urged Congress to provide $1.2 billion to the USGS for fiscal year 2020 and highlighted key programs, including the Earthquake Early Warning System, the National Cooperative Geological Mapping Program, and the 3D elevation mapping program.

The President’s budget request is expected to be released on Monday, 11 March 2019 with further details released the following week.  Congress will then review the budget request and amend through the appropriations process.

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