USGS Gets Major Budget Boost in Obama's 2016 Proposal
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has received a significant budget boost in the Obama administration's fiscal year 2016 proposal. The budget, totaling $1.195 billion, marks a 14.3% increase from the previous year. This substantial rise aims to support key themes such as climate resilience, energy strategy, water and natural hazards science, minerals research, and landscape understanding.
The budget proposal allocates funds across various programs. Core system science will see an almost 20% jump to $127 million, with increases for the National Geographic Program, 3D Elevation Program, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program, and Science Synthesis, Analysis and Research Program. Water resources funding increases less than 1% to $222.9 million, focusing on water availability, quality, and stream flow information. Natural hazards budget rises 8.3% to $146.4 million, with increases for earthquake, volcano, and coastal hazards activities. Energy, minerals, and environmental health budget is boosted almost 12% to $103.3 million, while climate and land use change budget rises 41% to $191.8 million. State geologists and other organizations have praised the budget request, highlighting increases in specific programs and initiatives.
The USGS Acting Director Suzette Kimball has expressed satisfaction with the budget, acknowledging its recognition of the agency's role in addressing key administration priorities and partner needs. Despite optimism, USGS is aware of the challenges in meeting the entire federal agencies' budget desires. The U.S. House Committee on Appropriations, responsible for creating the budget request, aims to fund the USGS for the fiscal year 2016, aligning with or adjusting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) request.
