Don’t Weaken Quake Research : GOP effort to abolish the U.S. Geological Survey is ill-conceived

A Republican plan to abolish the 115-year-old U.S. Geological Survey, best known for providing the public with data on earthquakes and other geophysical phenomena, needs to be rethought. This proposed cutback, part of the GOP “Contract With America,” would cost the nation more money than it saves and could endanger the public.

Cold numbers, not common sense, seem to be driving John R. Kasich (R-Ohio), the incoming Budget Committee chairman, to seek to shut down the USGS, a move he says would save the federal government $3.2 billion over the next five years. Beyond that, the budget hawk is short on details. Judging by Kasich’s comments, precious little thought has been given to the impact of the proposal, other than concluding it would shrink government. That hardly justifies eliminating an agency that performs an indispensable scientific function.

USGS information about geological hazards such as earthquakes, landslides and volcanic eruptions helps safety officials in disaster preparation and is also used in constructing safer buildings and other structures. Less-known programs include monitoring water quality, assessing mineral resources and drawing topographic and geologic maps.

Kasich fails to address all the vital needs involved as he argues that most earthquake monitoring activities could be transferred to the National Science Foundation. The truth is that no other federal agency, including the NSF, has the institutional experience, size or credibility to conduct this wide range of research.

The congressional delegation of earthquake-threatened California should remind their colleague from Ohio--a state that seldom get the shakes--that geological research might one day mean the difference between life and death for many Americans.