Addressing Economic Development

• The primary emphasis of geological surveys worldwide is supplying unbiased and unrestricted earth resource information to support economic development. Since the early 1800s, geological surveys have maintained a specific mission to discover mineral and energy resources needed for industry and infrastructure development. While this mission remains today, since the 1950s geological surveys have also been providing information that balances growth and development issues with wise water- and land-resource planning and environmental protection. The mapping program of the Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Coalition is directly linked to economic development potential in the region.
  
  Water—The Great Lakes region is considered “water-rich,” but much of the water used for consumption must be obtained from the ground, and ground water is not limitless. Development for large subdivisions and high water-use industries are dependent on adequate and sustainable water supplies. Energy production is the largest user of water (approximately 80 percent) in the region. However, our current knowledge of aquifers containing adequate supplies is lacking. The Coalition’s information assists developers and planners delineate ground-water resources to sustain public, industrial, and agricultural use, as well as appropriately site energy initiatives where they will not impinge on other water use. Once the ground-water resources are delineated, measures can be taken to protect them from becoming contaminated, as well as to identify environmentally safe areas for redevelopment of abandoned industrial lands, commercial and manufacturing enterprises, and new or expanded waste-disposal facilities. By focusing on water resources, maps will also position our states to better evaluate the potential consequences of climate change because water supplies are a primary affected resource.
  
  Aggregate minerals—The mapping program identifies earth materials at depth, and shallow sand, gravel, and rock resources are evaluated to meet infrastructure needs. Development costs directly are affected by the availability of nearby construction aggregate. Delivery costs can double 8 to 24 miles from the source and triple 40 miles from the source.
  
  Earth hazards—The mapping program outlines possible dangers that may exist beneath the surface, such as soils that enhance earthquake shaking and terrain subject to erosion, flooding, or subsidence. All are detriments to viable economic development.
  
  Sustainability—By delineating earth materials, the sustainability and suitability of areas designated for reclamation, preservation, and restoration are also assessed, as well as the potential for creation of wetlands, open spaces, and surface water bodies