Who Uses Geologic Maps?
In 1997, a “Forum on Geologic Mapping Applications in the Washington-Baltimore Urban Area” was jointly sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey and the Maryland Geological Survey with assistance from the Virginia Division of Mineral Resources. The forum was a significant step in ongoing efforts to promote communication between users and providers of geologic map information and to encourage user input and partnerships in the design of geologic mapping activities and products. Many different users of geologic maps from private industry, as well as local, State, and Federal agencies and universities, participated in the forum. In the forum proceedings published as USGS Circular 1148 (Horton and Cleaves, 1997), different types of users explain why they need geologic map information, how they use it, and how it can be made more useful. The Circular contains summaries from issue-oriented panel discussions, focus-group assessments of the needs for geologic information, results of customer sur
