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Last updated: 04/04/03

For release November 4, 1996

Contacts:

Dana Hunt, 202/452-5125
Ray Brady, 202/452-7773

BLM Awards Contract for Federal Surveying and Mapping Assessment Activities

The Bureau of Land Management has awarded a contract to the National Academy of Public Administration to complete a study assessing the surveying and mapping activities of Federal civilian agencies, State and local governments, and the private sector. The Academy's study will be a collaborative effort involving the BLM, the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and the U.S. Forest Service, all of which are funding the study. The study began in early October and is expected to be completed by June 1997.

"As an agency that manages 270 million acres of public lands on behalf of all Americans, the BLM is committed to finding better ways to meet the needs of the land and the people who depend on it," said BLM Acting Director Mike Dombeck. "Mapping and surveying are essential components of effective land management. This study will help the BLM and other Federal agencies advance their efforts to improve mapping and surveying activities."

For example, Dombeck noted, accurate maps are necessary for locating and preserving threatened and endangered plant species. In addition, he said, accurate land surveys are needed to carry out land transfers and help avoid costly legal boundary disputes.

The National Academy of Public Administration is a congressionally chartered, independent, non-profit, non-partisan organization that provides expert advice to government agencies on matters of public administration. The Academy will work with the participating Federal agencies and the American Congress on Surveying and Mapping to carry out the study.

The study will address numerous issues, including the following:

• Are there any mapping and surveying functions currently being handled by the Federal Government that would make more sense being handled at the State and local level?
• Would there be any advantages to transferring some current Federal mapping and surveying activities to commercial or private organizations?
• Would it be advantageous for the Federal Government to consolidate or restructure its surveying and mapping activities?

Questions about the study may be directed to Ray Brady of the BLM Land and Realty Group at (202) 452-7773 or via e-mail (rbrady@wo.blm.gov) or to the Academy's co-project directors, Roger Sperry and Arnold Donahue at (202) 347-3190 or via e-mail (napa@tmn.com). The Academy will issue a final report on the study, which will be available through the Academy's publications office at (301) 617-7801.

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