Bill Summary
The "Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025" mandates the Director of the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to create a program focused on identifying areas susceptible to sinkhole formation. The Act outlines several key components:
1. **Study of Sinkhole Causes**: The USGS will investigate various factors contributing to sinkholes, including extreme weather events, droughts, and changes in water management practices.
2. **Mapping Hazard Zones**: Using advanced 3D elevation data, the USGS will develop detailed maps that show regions at heightened risk for sinkholes.
3. **Periodic Review**: The maps will be reviewed and, if necessary, updated at least every five years to reflect new data or changes in conditions.
4. **Public Accessibility**: A dedicated public website will be established to present these maps and other important information to aid community planners and emergency managers in preparedness and response efforts.
Overall, the legislation aims to enhance public safety and awareness regarding sinkhole hazards through informed planning and resource management.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 could affect people:
1. **Informed Decision-Making for Homebuyers**: The establishment of risk maps for sinkhole formation will provide prospective homebuyers with valuable information about the geological stability of areas they are considering. This can help them make informed decisions, potentially avoiding purchasing properties in high-risk zones, thereby protecting their investment and reducing financial losses associated with property damage from sinkholes.
2. **Enhanced Community Planning and Infrastructure Development**: Local governments and urban planners can utilize the sinkhole risk maps to guide zoning decisions, land use planning, and infrastructure development. By identifying high-risk areas, communities can implement measures to mitigate the impact of sinkholes, such as designing drainage systems that minimize water accumulation or enforcing stricter building codes in vulnerable regions, ultimately enhancing public safety.
3. **Emergency Preparedness and Response**: Emergency managers can use the maps and related data to develop better preparedness plans for communities at risk of sinkholes. By understanding the locations and potential risks, they can establish evacuation routes, create public awareness campaigns, and allocate resources more effectively during extreme weather events or other situations that could trigger sinkholes, thus improving community resilience and response times in emergencies.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 900 Referred in Senate (RFS)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 900
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES
July 15, 2025
Received; read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and
Natural Resources
_______________________________________________________________________
AN ACT
To direct the Director of the United States Geological Survey to
establish a program to map zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole
formation, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025''.
SEC. 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.
Attest:
KEVIN F. MCCUMBER,
Clerk.