Future roles and opportunities for the U.S. Geological Survey / Committee on Future Roles, Challenges, and Opportunities for the U.S. Geological Survey, Commission on Geosciences, Environment, and Resources, National Research Council.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

National Research Council (U.S.). Committee on Future Roles, Challenges, and Opportunities for the U.S. Geological Survey.

Contributor:

Geological Survey (U.S.)

Series:

Compass series (Washington, D.C.)

The compass series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Geological Survey (U.S.).

Geological surveys--United States.

Geological surveys.

Earth sciences--United States.

Earth sciences.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (189 p.)

Edition:

1st ed.

Place of Publication:

Washington, D.C. : National Academy Press, c2001.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has adapted to the changing political, economic, and technical state of the nation and the world since it was established in the late nineteenth century. Over a period of more than 120 years, the USGS has evolved from a small group of scientists who collected data and provided guidance on how to parcel, manage, and use the public lands of the West to an agency comprised of thousands of scientists who conduct research and assessment activities on complex scientific issues at scales ranging from the local to the global. The USGS will no doubt continue to evolve and adapt to meet changing national needs. In fact, the recent integration of the National Biological Service and parts of the U.S. Bureau of Mines into the USGS presents an ideal opportunity to examine the agency's vision, mission, role, and scientific opportunities as the organization begins the early years of the twenty-first century. The USGS recognized the need to adapt to changing demands when it asked the National Research Council (NRC) to undertake this study. The NRC formed a multidisciplinary committee of 16 experts to address issues related to the future roles, challenges, and opportunities of the agency.

Contents:

""FUTURE ROLES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY""; ""Copyright""; ""Contents""; ""Executive Summary""; ""A NATURAL SCIENCE AND INFORMATION AGENCY""; ""MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES""; ""Monitoring, Reporting, and Forecasting""; ""Assessing Resources""; ""Providing Geospatial Information""; ""NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ROLES""; ""IMPROVING EFFECTIVENESS""; ""Priority Setting""; ""Meeting Technical Needs""; ""Budget""; ""CONCLUSION""; ""1 Introduction""; ""VISION AND MISSION OF THE USGS""; ""STRATEGIC CHANGE AT THE USGS""; ""STUDY AND REPORT""; ""2 The Past and Present as a Prologue""

""THE PUBLIC DOMAIN AND THE USGS""""THE EVOLUTION OF THE USGS""; ""Changes in Society""; ""1879 to 1920""; ""1920-1975""; ""1975-Present""; ""Changes in Relationships Between Society and Science""; ""Changes Within the USGS""; ""THE USGS TODAY""; ""3 Future Societal Trends""; ""NATURAL RESOURCES""; ""Mineral Resources""; ""Energy Resources""; ""Water Resources""; ""Biological Resources""; ""ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES""; ""GLOBALIZATION AND NATIONAL SECURITY""; ""SOCIETAL EXPECTATIONS AND THE DEMAND FOR INFORMATION""; ""SERVING THE UNDERSERVED POPULATION""; ""SUMMARY""

""4 Evolving to Meet National Needs""""ROLE OF THE USGS""; ""SERVING CUSTOMERS""; ""FUTURE PROGRAM EMPHASIS""; ""Integrative System Models""; ""The USGS as a Scientific Information Portal""; ""Other Program Areas""; ""INTERNATIONAL ACTIVITIES""; ""FUTURE RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES""; ""Hazards""; ""Hydrologic Processes and Hazards""; ""Wildfires and Public Policy""; ""Environment""; ""Global Climate Change""; ""Climate Variability and Water Resources""; ""Links Between Geologic Processes and Human Health""; ""State of the Nation's Ecosystems""; ""Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystems""

""Investigations to Support Wise Urban Development in the West""""Natural Resources""; ""Life Cycles of Ore Materials""; ""Geologic Frameworks for Transition to a Methane Fuel Economy""; ""TRANSITION TOWARD AN INTEGRATED NATURAL SCIENCE AND INFORMATION AGENCY""; ""SUMMARY""; ""5 Future Challenges""; ""PRIORITY SETTING""; ""RESEARCH PROGRAM""; ""EXTERNAL GUIDANCE""; ""HUMAN RESOURCES""; ""COORDINATION AND COLLABORATION""; ""Federal Partnerships""; ""Industry and University Partnerships""; ""External Grants Program""; ""Employee Exchanges""; ""REIMBURSABLE PROGRAMS""; ""BUDGET AND FUNDING""

""SUMMARY""""6 Preparing for the Future: Conclusions and Recommendations""; ""A NATURAL SCIENCE AND INFORMATION AGENCY""; ""MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES""; ""Monitoring, Reporting, and Forecasting""; ""Assessing Resources""; ""Providing Geospatial Information""; ""NATIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL ROLES""; ""IMPROVING EFFECTIVENESS""; ""Priority Setting""; ""Meeting Technical Needs""; ""Budget""; ""SUMMARY""; ""REFERENCES""; ""Appendixes""; ""Appendix A Biographical Sketches of Committee Members""; ""Appendix B Oral Presentations and Written Statements Submitted to the Committee""; ""ORAL PRESENTATIONS""

""WRITTEN STATEMENTS""

Notes:

Description based upon print version of record.

Includes bibliographical references (p. 153-162).

ISBN:

9786610185238

9780309183116

0309183111

9781280185236

1280185236

9780309563369

0309563364

OCLC:

923268801