White House budget could kill USGS mineral reporting

The President's proposed FY 2006 budget proposes a $29 million, or 54%, reduction from FY 2005 funding level of $54 million for the U.S. Geological Survey's Minerals Resource Program. According to USGS, this budget would terminate such cement-related activities as:

• Approximately 20 mineral commodity reports, which could include the cement shipment report;

• Research on aggregates/industry minerals;

• Collection of nationwide basic geologic, geochemical, geophysical and mineral deposit data;

• Data collection and analysis for 100 commodities in 180 countries; and

• Reduction of USGS Mineral Resource Program by about 240 people, from nine locations throughout the country, including its Denver office.

USGS said it would consider usage rates, consulting with stakeholders and balancing factors such as cost and workload in order to keep its functions and publications from being eliminated. PCA is working with the National Stone Sand and Gravel Association on developing strategies to reinstate the minerals reporting funding portion of the USGS budget. PCA will meet with USGS and others in early March to discuss the budget impact and other issues of interest to the industry.