The bill aims to create a program to study and identify mechanisms causing sinkholes, such as extreme weather events and changes in water management, and develop maps showing areas at risk of sinkhole formation. The program will use 3D elevation data and will be periodically reviewed for updates. Additionally, a public website will be set up to provide access to the maps and relevant information for community planners and emergency managers. This bill addresses the need for proactive measures to mitigate the risks and impacts of sinkholes in vulnerable areas.
Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2025
This bill directs the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to establish a program to
- study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and
- develop maps, using three-dimensional elevation data, that depict zones that are at greater risk of forming sinkholes.
The USGS must establish a public website that displays such maps and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.
