On This Day, March 3, 1879, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) was created, a pivotal moment in the development of scientific research and natural resource management in the United States. Established just hours before the close of the final session of the 45th Congress, President Rutherford B. Hayes signed the bill that included a section for the establishment of the USGS, as part of the appropriations for sundry civil expenses for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1879.
The creation of the USGS was driven by the need for a systematic and scientific survey of the U.S. territory to classify the public lands and examine their geological structure, mineral resources, and products. The USGS was tasked with providing reliable scientific information to describe and understand the Earth; minimize loss of life and property from natural disasters; manage water, biological, energy, and mineral resources; and enhance and protect the quality of life.
This federal agency played a crucial role in the exploration and development of the West, contributing significantly to our understanding of natural resources and the environmental challenges facing the nation. Over the years, the USGS has expanded its scope to include the study of the natural hazards that threaten the country, the water, energy, and mineral resources it possesses, and the health of its ecosystems and environment, making it an indispensable part of the nation’s scientific and environmental infrastructure.
