Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025
Officially: “Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025” Read the full text
What it does
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1Short title
This section would let the Act be called the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025.
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1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 .
2Sinkhole hazard identification
Subject to appropriations being made available in advance for this purpose, the Director of the United States Geological Survey would have to establish a program to study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts that cause shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use, and to develop maps showing zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation. In developing those maps, the Director would have to use 3D elevation data, as defined in section 2 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act (43 U.S.C. 3101), that was collected under section 5 of that Act (43 U.S.C. 3104). Once during each 5-year period, or more often if the Director determines it is necessary, the Director would have to assess whether the maps need to be revised and updated. The Director would also have to establish and maintain a public website that displays the maps and other relevant information that community planners and emergency managers need.
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2. Sinkhole hazard identification (a) In general Subject to the availability of appropriations made in advance for such purpose, the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish a program to— (1) study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and (2) develop maps that depict zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation. (b) Use of certain data In developing maps under subsection (a)(2), the Director of the United States Geological Survey shall utilize 3D elevation data (as that term is defined in section 2 of the National Landslide Preparedness Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3101 )) collected pursuant to section 5 of that Act ( 43 U.S.C. 3104 ). (c) Review of maps Once during each 5-year period, or more often as the Director of the United States Geological Survey determines is necessary, the Director shall assess the need to revise and update the maps developed under this section. (d) Website The Director of the United States Geological Survey shall establish and maintain a public website that displays the maps developed under this section and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers. Passed the House of Representatives July 14, 2025. Kevin F. McCumber, Clerk.
Where it is
In the House.