Bill Overview
Title: Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2021
Description: This bill directs the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to establish a program to map zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation. Specifically, the USGS must study the short-term and long-term mechanisms that cause sinkholes, including extreme storm events, prolonged droughts causing shifts in water management practices, aquifer depletion, and other major changes in water use; and develop maps depicting the zones that are at greater risk of forming sinkholes. The USGS must establish a public website that displays such maps and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers.
Sponsors: Rep. Soto, Darren [D-FL-9]
Target Audience
Population: People living in potential or existing sinkhole-prone areas
Estimated Size: 21000000
- Sinkholes can occur in various parts of the world, particularly in areas with karst terrain where the dissolution of soluble rocks occurs. This terrain is found globally, meaning many countries might benefit from improved sinkhole mapping.
- The impact of sinkholes is significant in regions with heavy karst topography such as Florida, Kentucky, Texas, and Pennsylvania.
- Globally, regions in China, the Middle East, and Europe also experience sinkholes due to karst landscapes.
- The bill primarily aids scientists, urban planners, and emergency response teams by providing critical data, impacting both residents and infrastructure planners.
Reasoning
- The Sinkhole Mapping Act is primarily focused on regions prone to karst landscapes, which include areas in Florida, Kentucky, Texas, and Pennsylvania. These areas have a significant number of residents who might be directly concerned about sinkhole risks.
- The policy is not likely to have a direct impact on individuals not residing in or near these high-risk zones, which limits the overall number of people significantly affected by it.
- The impact on wellbeing is expected to range from low to medium, primarily offering peace of mind and potential financial savings for those in high-risk areas.
- Since sinkhole occurrences can lead to significant property damage and safety concerns, the successful implementation of the policy can have a long-term positive effect on residents' perceived safety and value of their property.
Simulated Interviews
Homeowner (Tampa, Florida)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Given that my property is at risk, having more detailed information about sinkholes would help me feel more secure in my investment.
- I hope to use the maps to make informed decisions about any future improvements or sales.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 4 |
Civil Engineer (Lexington, Kentucky)
Age: 37 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Access to USGS maps will significantly aid in designing better resilient infrastructures.
- While my day-to-day life isn’t directly affected, my professional work will benefit greatly.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Real Estate Agent (Dallas, Texas)
Age: 51 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Providing accurate sinkhole data helps me give better advice to clients on property investments.
- This information can influence property prices and market dynamics, potentially improving sales.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Municipal Planner (Harrisburg, Pennsylvania)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Detailed mapping helps ensure our planning makes the city more resilient to sinkholes.
- It aids in prioritizing developments and emergency measures based on actual risk.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
Retiree (Orlando, Florida)
Age: 65 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Mapping will provide peace of mind and could prevent financial loss if a sinkhole is imminent and addressed early.
- I worry less about things going wrong when I am better informed.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Student (Austin, Texas)
Age: 22 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Sinkhole data isn't something I think about often, since I rent and don’t own property.
- It's good to know the information exists, but it's not a priority for me right now.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Insurance Underwriter (Miami, Florida)
Age: 53 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy will help in better assessing risks which is essential for setting insurance premiums correctly.
- This information could potentially reduce claims brought on by unforeseen sinkhole damages.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Geologist (Nashville, Tennessee)
Age: 40 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Providing mapping information aligns with my field of study and is an excellent resource for both professionals and students.
- It increases collaborative opportunities and research initiatives.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Emergency Manager (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 6/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Maps are crucial in our city planning for potential disasters and can help save lives in the long term.
- It allows us to allocate resources more effectively based on scientific data.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 10 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 10 | 6 |
IT Support (San Antonio, Texas)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 9
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 18/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The sinkhole data isn’t something I've had to think much about due to my job and region.
- While it’s good that it's being addressed, it currently doesn’t change my day-to-day life.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 2 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 3 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 9 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $12000000 (Low: $10000000, High: $14000000)
Year 2: $11000000 (Low: $9000000, High: $13000000)
Year 3: $10000000 (Low: $8000000, High: $12000000)
Year 5: $8000000 (Low: $6000000, High: $10000000)
Year 10: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $3000000)
Key Considerations
- Initial setup and personnel costs for the program are high, but ongoing costs decrease as the system becomes more efficient.
- There is a significant focus on data accuracy and public accessibility of information, which is critical for achieving the policy aims.
- Potential for collaboration with state and local governments to leverage existing geological data and expertise spreads costs and maximizes effectiveness.