US Geological Survey Organic Act

Originally passed in 1879 and amended on numerous occasions since then,  this law creates the United States Geological Survey (USGS) as the sole science agency for the Department of the Interior and the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency. Specific activities of USGS are governed by the Organic Act as well as many other laws and appropriations laws providing for its annual funding.
USGS is tasked with monitoring, analysing and predicting current and evolving earth-system interactions and delivering actionable information at scales and timeframes relevant to decision makers. It also provides scientific information about natural hazards, natural resources, ecosystems and environmental health and the effects of climate and land-use change. The Survey produces periodic publications assessing the potential of domestic and global deposits of minerals, analysing mineral system life cycles, and providing information on minerals information and material flow.

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