Department of the Interior R&D (DOI)

The vast majority of Interior's R&D is conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), for which the President has requested $807 million overall for FY 1999, a 6.3 percent increase over the FY 1998 level of $759 million. Of that latter amount, AAAS estimates that $538 million went to R&D activities, a 1.7 percent increase over FY 1997. Most of the FY 1998 increase went to its Biological Resources Division, which was created to house the functions of the former National Biological Service (NBS). Among other Interior agencies, the National Park Service received $20 million for a new initiative on ecosystems research in the Florida Everglades.

Despite the current year's increase, R&D in DOI has declined 21 percent in constant dollars since FY 1994. This decline is due in part to the elimination (in 1996) of the NBS, which lost 20% of its budget when it was integrated into the USGS, and the U.S. Bureau of Mines, a major supporter of mine-related engineering research. Other USGS divisions underwent significant cuts as well. Now the lone science agency in Interior, the USGS supports some 15 percent of all federal environmental science research.

Champions and Players

Ralph Regula (R-OH) chairs the House Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations and has been a long-time supporter of the USGS. Slade Gorton (R-WA) is Regula's counterpart in the Senate as chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Interior Appropriations. Both the House Resources and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committees have oversight jurisdiction over the USGS and other DOI agencies.

Supporting Arguments

Natural and biological science supported by DOI generates information needed to reduce risks to people from environmental hazards such as earthquakes and floods. It also helps find solutions to challenging environmental problems ranging from drinking water quality to the quality of biological and natural resources in regional watersheds such as the Chesapeake Bay. The USGS is also tasked with monitoring the nation's supply of water, energy, and mineral resources.

Background Information

Founded in 1879, the USGS consists of four divisions -- Geologic, National Mapping, Water Resources, and Biological Resources. With no regulatory or management functions, the USGS is the principal source of independent scientific data on the nation's fresh water, natural hazards, and energy and mineral resources. Within USGS, the Biological Research Division is responsible for biological research in federal laboratories, technical assistance to Interior land managers, and research on Pacific salmon and coastal habitats. Although USGS is the sole science-oriented agency within DOI, other Interior agencies, including the Minerals Management Service and the National Park Service, also fund small amounts of R&D.

Prepared by Nadine Cavender, ESA, and David Applegate, AGI

Posted: January 16, 1998; Revised February 12, 1998