The Bush Administration has requested essentially level funding for
the U.S. Geological Survey in FY 2006. The request sent to Congress
this week recommends a 0.2% or $2.0 million reduction in the survey's
budget, from $935.5 million this year to $933.6 million in FY 2006.
USGS Director Charles Groat commented on the budget, stating: "We
will continue to provide timely, objective scientific information needed
by today's land and water managers. Our 2006 budget continues our ever-growing
quest for knowledge to answer today's questions by ensuring our continued
ability to provide Landsat imagery of the Earth, strengthening our volcanic
monitoring, and by allowing us to enhance our earthquake detection and
notification systems to assist in warning U.S. residents in the event
of a tsunami in the Pacific or the Caribbean."
Survey documents explain that the FY 2006 budget proposes to add $50.5
million in new funding for "earth observation, natural hazards
research and warning systems, ecosystem studies, biology, and water
availability." Of this amount, $33.4 million would be for new and
expanded program funding, with an additional $17.1 million for fixed
costs. This increased funding would be offset by a $36.7 million reduction
"from lower priority research activities" that includes $12.0
million in congressional earmarks.
The Administration proposes the following changes in the USGS budget
for FY 2006, as compared to the current year. Readers needing additional
information should consult:
http://www.doi.gov/budget/2006/06Hilites/BH51.pdf
Mapping, Remote Sensing, & Geographic Investigations: An increase
of 17.4% or $20.7 million, from $118.8 million to $139.5 million.
Geologic Hazards, Resource, and Processes: A reduction of 9.2% or -$21.1
million, from $229.3 million to $208.1 million.
Water Resources Investigations: A reduction of 3.3% or -$7.0 million,
from $211.2 million to $204.2 million.
Biological Research: An increase of 0.7% or $1.2 million, from $171.7
million to $173.0 million.
Enterprise Information: An increase of 7.7% or $3.4 million, from $44.4
million to $47.8 million.
Science Support: An increase of 1.2% or $753,000 from $65.6 million
to $66.3 million.
Facilities: An increase of 0.1% or $115,000 from $94.6 million to $94.7
million.
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