HR900-119

What This Bill Does

The Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025 directs the U.S. Geological Survey to establish a sinkhole hazard identification program if advance appropriations are available. The program must study short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts that shift water-management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use. USGS must develop maps showing zones at greater risk of sinkhole formation, using 3D elevation data collected under the National Landslide Preparedness Act. At least once every five years, or more often if the USGS Director decides it is necessary, USGS must assess whether the maps need revision or updates. USGS must also maintain a public website displaying the maps and other relevant information critical for community planners and emergency managers.

Who Benefits and How

Community planners benefit because public sinkhole-risk maps can inform zoning, infrastructure, and land-use decisions. Emergency managers benefit from accessible hazard information for preparedness and response planning. Homeowners and residents in sinkhole-prone areas benefit from better public information about local risk. Construction and real estate professionals benefit from improved hazard data for site selection, due diligence, and risk disclosure. Insurers and lenders benefit from more consistent mapping of sinkhole-prone zones. USGS benefits from a clear program mandate tied to existing 3D elevation data.

Who Bears the Burden and How

The U.S. Geological Survey must study sinkhole mechanisms, build risk maps, reassess map updates at least every five years, and maintain the public website. USGS data and mapping staff must integrate 3D elevation data from the National Landslide Preparedness Act. Federal appropriators must provide advance appropriations before the program can operate. Local planners and emergency managers may need to incorporate the new maps into planning workflows, even though the bill does not impose a direct local mandate.

Key Provisions

• Requires USGS to establish a sinkhole hazard identification program subject to advance appropriations.
• Requires study of short-term and long-term sinkhole causes, including storms, drought, aquifer depletion, and water-use changes.
• Requires USGS to develop maps showing zones at greater risk of sinkhole formation.
• Requires use of 3D elevation data collected under the National Landslide Preparedness Act.
• Requires USGS to assess map revision needs at least once every five years.
• Requires a public website displaying sinkhole maps and information for community planners and emergency managers.