On behalf of the USGS Coalition and its member organizations, we strongly urge you to support the highest possible appropriations level for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in Fiscal Year 2026 and to complete the FY2026 appropriations process this year.

The USGS is the nation’s trusted, non-regulatory source of science that directly supports national security, economic growth, public health, and community resilience. At a time when our nation faces increasingly complex challenges—from extreme weather and water scarcity to critical mineral supply chain risks—robust, sustained investment in the USGS is essential. Years of chronic underfunding have limited the agency’s ability to meet growing demands for reliable scientific data. The consequences of failing to act now will be far-reaching, costing taxpayers more in recovery and response later.

The Cost of Inaction Is Too High

Without sustained, predictable investment, the USGS cannot deliver the science that policymakers, businesses, farmers, emergency managers, and communities depend on. Underfunding will leave the nation less prepared for disasters, more vulnerable to foreign supply chain disruptions, and less able to manage precious natural resources. These costs to public safety, the economy, and taxpayers will far exceed the price of robust, timely investment today.

USGS Safeguards National Security and the Economy

• National Security & Infrastructure Protection: USGS science is used daily by the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, and intelligence agencies to monitor and respond to natural disasters, secure supply chains, and protect critical infrastructure.
• Disaster Preparedness & Response: USGS earthquake, flood, wildfire, and landslide monitoring saves lives and billions of dollars by helping communities prepare for and mitigate disasters before they become catastrophic.

• Energy & Mineral Independence: USGS research secures access to critical minerals and energy resources, reducing reliance on foreign competitors and strengthening American manufacturing.

USGS Protects Communities and Natural Resources

• Water & Land Resource Management: USGS provides essential water data that farmers, businesses, and local governments rely on for drought planning, water allocation, and infrastructure development. Without this science, communities face greater risk of scarcity and conflict over limited water supplies.
• Ecosystem Science & Public Health: The USGS Ecosystems Mission Area, funded at $292.9 million in FY2025, provides actionable data on wildlife diseases like avian influenza and Chronic Wasting Disease, invasive species that cost the U.S. economy over $21 billion annually, contaminants such as PFAS and mercury that affect drinking water and food safety, and habitat management that underpins the $1 trillion outdoor recreation economy. The Administration’s proposal to eliminate this mission area would dismantle decades of scientific infrastructure, undermine Tribal and local management partnerships, and jeopardize biodiversity, food security, and public health.

USGS Builds the Future STEM Workforce

The Ecosystems Mission Area also supports 43 Cooperative Research Units (CRUs) in 41 states, partnering with 44 universities. These highly cost-effective programs leverage $3 of partner support for every $1 of federal investment. They train the next generation of natural resource professionals, create hundreds of jobs across all 50 states, and ensure science is translated into practical, locally relevant solutions for conservation and land management.

For these reasons, we respectfully and urgently request that Congress:

• Provide the highest possible appropriations level for the USGS in FY2026.
• Complete the FY2026 appropriations process this year, ensuring that the agency can carry out its critical mission without disruption or uncertainty.

The USGS delivers science that saves lives, supports the economy, strengthens national security, and protects America’s lands and waters. Congress has long recognized the value of this agency’s work, and your continued bipartisan leadership is essential to ensure it can meet the growing demands of the future.

Thank you for your consideration and for your commitment to strengthening the scientific foundation that underpins our nation’s resilience and prosperity.