Illinois State Geological Survey is requesting assistance on a national economic benefit-cost assessment that state geological surveys and the U.S. Geological Survey are conducting for geological mapping. Water resources and their protection, and contamination and land-use issues, when coupled with infrastructure development and oftentimes natural hazards can be best understood with knowledge of the Earth’s surface and the subsurface, and particularly as counties/municipalities try to balance often competing demands on resources and space.  
 
This assessment is the largest and most comprehensive study of its kind ever conducted for the discipline of geology. It comes at a time when (1) water supplies, contamination, and associated human livelihood are strongly linked, (2) significant improvements to infrastructure have long been touted at the Federal, State, and local levels, and now more than ever are required for economic recovery, and (3) understanding geologic hazards (e.g., flooding, sinkholes) are increasingly important due to population growth and existing/expanding infrastructure.
 
The geology of VA is the “host” of considerable infrastructure development, as well as insight into natural resource and geologic hazard evaluations. However, the ease, efficiency, and costs at which these issues can be addressed, and longer-termed resource sustainability, are directly linked to their natural setting. This applies to (1) water resource development and contamination issues, (2) distribution systems for water and sewer {3) construction or improvement of new highways, bridges, sidewalks, and foundations, including all excavation projects, (4) environmental protection of water and land, (5) energy development, (6) improvements to recreational areas, and (7) all within the context of climate change scenarios.  In all cases, an understanding of the interaction of human activity with both the land surface and the subsurface is essential to minimize potential impacts of adverse land-use issues and maximize resource potential, environmental protection, and associated economic benefits, all of which directly affect our counties, cities, and towns. 
 
Please consider completing the online questionnaire to the best of your abilities. Your input and assistance would be greatly appreciated. Click this link – https://www.surveygizmo.com/s3/5772757/e216571551c0 to being the process.  It directs you to the questionnaire that focuses on the use/potential use of geological maps and associated reports, and the value of that use. 
 
The larger the response rate, the more significant are the results, and their eventual outcome for helping to justify this most basic of geologic endeavors. We ask that as many questions as possible on the survey. be answered. If the questionnaire cannot be filled out in one sitting, a button in the upper right, titled “Save and continue later”, asks for your email address, and will send you a message with a link directing you to where you left off.  
 
The online survey should be completed by March 2, 2021, but the sooner the better as we will be receiving thousands from all across the U.S.   In addition to a national report, we also plan on preparing benefit-cost analyses for each State.
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