Bid to Cut Quake Agency Is Criticized : Finances: Scientists call U.S. Geological Survey’s work vital. Its elimination would save billions, says incoming House budget panel chairman.

A proposal by the incoming Republican chairman of the House Budget Committee that calls for abolishing the U.S. Geological Survey as a money-saving measure stirred apprehension here Monday as 6,000 scientists gathered for the fall meeting of the American Geophysical Union.

“It’s kind of crazy,” said Barbara Romanowicz, director of the UC Berkeley Seismographic Station and one of many academicians who depend on the 115-year-old agency for its comprehensive monitoring of geophysical phenomena, especially earthquakes and volcanoes.

“I don’t see how we can do away with these functions altogether,” Romanowicz said. “You’d be back in the Dark Ages.”

Rep. John Kasich (R-Ohio) first proposed eliminating the Geological Survey last year. But he was a minority member of a committee controlled by Democrats, and his idea stalled. During the recent congressional elections that brought the Republicans to power, he pushed it again as part of the GOP’s “Contract With America.”

Kasich’s press secretary, Bruce Cuthbertson, said Monday that the congressman is willing to listen to appeals from Californians in Congress and thinks that perhaps the earthquake functions of the Geological Survey could be transferred to the National Science Foundation.

Cuthbertson said Kasich calculates that closing the agency would save $3.2 billion in federal funds over the next five years.

But, he added, whether the congressman really follows through with his idea is uncertain. “This is on the list of possible cuts to offset tax cuts,” he said. “He’s conservative, but he’s also open to other suggestions, if his colleagues have any.”

At the survey’s headquarters in Reston, Va., agency Director Gordon Eaton emphasized in a statement that the agency’s work touches every part of the nation and includes mapping, mitigating natural hazards and assessing mineral resources.

“The value of our work is recognized by more than 1,000 local, state and federal agencies who have joined us in scientific and technical partnership in all 50 states,” Eaton said. “Moreover, our partners are providing more than $300 million in support.”

The agency’s 1994-95 fiscal year budget is $571.5 million, of which $48.9 million is set aside for earthquake monitoring and research. The Geological Survey has 9,314 employees, including 1,354 in California.

Many of its employees monitor water quality and quantity, but the survey is best known for its earthquake and volcano work.

Its employees give many briefings about California’s important quakes and are a leading source of research papers and field trips.

They also issue weekly seismic reports to businesses, utilities and news agencies.