H.R.2731 - Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025 (119th Congress)
Summary
H.R.2731, the Great Lakes Mapping Act of 2025, directs the Administrator of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to conduct high-resolution surveying and mapping of the lakebeds of the Great Lakes. The bill mandates the completion of this mapping effort by December 31, 2030. It also authorizes appropriations of $50,000,000 per fiscal year from 2025 through 2029 to carry out the Act.
Expected Effects
The Act will result in a comprehensive, high-resolution map of the Great Lakes lakebeds. This map and associated data will be made publicly available. The data will also be incorporated into nautical charts and other products for resource mapping and habitat characterization.
Potential Benefits
- Improved understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
- Enhanced navigation safety through updated nautical charts.
- Better resource management and habitat characterization.
- Increased public access to data about the Great Lakes.
- Potential for new discoveries related to the Great Lakes geology and history.
Potential Disadvantages
- The cost of $250 million over five years could be considered a disadvantage if not managed efficiently.
- The timeline extending to 2030 means benefits are not immediate.
- Potential for data privacy concerns if metadata collection is not carefully managed.
- Possible disruption to existing research or commercial activities during the mapping process.
- The Act's effectiveness depends on the quality of coordination between NOAA and other stakeholders.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act aligns with the General Welfare Clause of the Constitution, as it aims to promote the well-being of the nation by improving understanding and management of a vital natural resource. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to allocate funds for the general welfare. The Act's focus on scientific data collection and dissemination is consistent with the federal government's role in promoting scientific advancement for the benefit of the public.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).