USGS data preservation 18PROJECT period: 8 18 2025 through 8 17 2026AWARD purpose: priority 1: to preserve geoscience data and materialspriority 2: digital and physical infrastructure…

The University of Idaho received a $284,050 Project Grant awarded on August 18, 2025, through the U.S. Geological Survey's Office of Acquisitions and Grants under the National Geological and Geophysical Data Preservation Program (CFDA 15.814). The 12-month award (August 18, 2025–August 17, 2026) supports the Idaho Geological Survey's comprehensive data preservation and infrastructure modernization initiatives across three priority areas. Priority 1 focuses on preserving geoscience data and materials, including updating the Mines and Prospects of Idaho Database and web application, cataloging and scanning geologic compilation mylar sheets, and expanding an image database with accompanying web application deployment. Priority 2 addresses critical digital infrastructure development through migration to ArcPro with Microsoft Database (MDB) geodatabase support and establishment of customer support methodology for MDB databases via SQL Server and ESRI SDE (Spatial Database Engine) infrastructure. Priority 3 concentrates on critical minerals data preservation by adding references to the Mines and Prospects Database for zinc, initiating borehole data compilation, and submitting approximately 180 samples for analytical analysis.

The anticipated deliverables include an updated Mines and Prospects of Idaho Database, four published Current and Historic Mining Activity reports, cataloged and scanned geologic compilations, deployed web applications with updated metadata registered in the Registry of Scientific Collections (RESCiColl), and approximately 30 boreholes added to the National Borehole Database. These outputs will serve diverse beneficiaries including mineral exploration companies, archeologists, historians, environmental consultants, conservationists, educators, and state and federal agencies. No sub-recipients are identified for this award.

Intended beneficiaries

Priority 1: these data continually drive new mineral exploration projects. Additionally, they serve archeologists, historians, environmental consultants, the legal community, conservationists, hobbyists, and educators, as well as state and federal agencies. Priority 2: intended beneficiaries: customers and staff of idaho geological survey.priority 3: same as for priority 1.subrecipients: N a