WASHINGTON  -  U.S. Representative Jo Ann Emerson (MO-08) today questioned U.S.
Secretary of Interior Gale Norton about the plan to close the MidContinent Mapping Center located in Rolla.  Secretary Norton was appearing before the House Subcommittee on Energy & Water Appropriations, on which Emerson has a seat.

 

“We are going to keep the pressure on USGS, both in the House of Representatives and in the Senate.  This hearing was simply one of the first steps in a longer process to establish the value of Rolla to the USGS mission and to change the course of this misguided decision.  I appreciate Secretary Norton coming before the subcommittee and answering some of my questions, and I hope this will lead to more productive discussions in the future,” Emerson said.

 

Following is the text of Emerson’s questions to Secretary Norton:

 

“I know you are aware of this, and we have discussed separately the problems my constituents have experienced with the USGS consolidation of Mapping Centers in a National Geospatial Technical Operations Center in Denver.  I don’t want to get into the details of the action or the Inspector General’s report, but I do want to pose a couple of more general questions for you.

 

“My chief concern at this point in the process is that USGS does not seem to be equipped to continue its mapping functions in full once operations cease at the Rolla arm of the mission.

 

“Some of these functions support vital earthquake preparedness and response plans along the New Madrid Fault, which DHS has said is their number two priority for domestic natural disaster preparedness in the nation.  Can you comment on how you see the mission of mapping centers, like the MidContinent Mapping Center in Rolla, changing and describe their level of importance to your internal and external missions?”

 

“Would you be willing to explore the option of, instead of closing the Rolla MidContinent
Mapping Center, defining a “virtual,” consolidated National Geospatial Technical Center of Operations which seems to me to be the most cost-effective, best compromise between locating it in Denver or continuing with the status quo?”

 

Secretary Norton thanked Emerson for bringing these matters to her attention.  She discussed redesigning USGS to meet modern needs, such as recognizing earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides.  Secretary Norton stated that the Department of Interior is seeking additional funding for natural disaster response in FY 2007. 

 

At this time, Norton said she is not able to address the idea of a “virtual” NGTOC, but she will provide an answer by the end of the week.