The U.S. House of Representatives has approved HR 900, the Sinkhole Mapping Act, a bipartisan initiative led by Representatives Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12) and Darren Soto (D-FL-09). This legislation instructs the U.S. Geological Survey to study factors that may lead to sinkhole formation, such as extreme weather events, water management changes due to prolonged droughts, and aquifer depletion.
“In recent years, we have seen throughout Tampa Bay how dangerous sinkholes can be for neighborhoods. To improve public safety and consumer protection, we need to study the causes and remedies of sinkholes while developing geological maps to delineate the highest risk areas for sinkholes to occur,” said Rep. Bilirakis.
Rep. Soto expressed his support on the House Floor: “I rise in strong support of H.R. 900, the Sinkhole Mapping Act—a bipartisan piece of legislation with my fellow Floridian, Gus Bilirakis.You know, Mr. Speaker, sinkholes pose a huge problem for Florida and many states, yet we don’t have a comprehensive mapping system to help first responders and community planners as was mentioned by our Chairman, Chairman Westerman.And thank you for agending this bill today, sir.It costs over $300 million a year.We see in Florida homes and community centers and businesses be affected by this.And so having a database that displays potential sinkholes in our Sunshine State and across the nation would absolutely be critical.And that’s what this bill does—directs the U.S. Geological Survey to study the short and long-term mechanisms that trigger sinkholes.This includes extreme storms prolonged droughts shifts in water management practices ongoing aquifer depletion other major water uses.And it’s all about having a public website displaying maps depicting zones at greater risk of sinkhole formation helping with communities helping save lives getting us to have more resilient communities.”
Currently lacking is a comprehensive database for all Florida’s sinkholes which poses challenges not only for land developers but also community planners and emergency responders. The act mandates creating a public website where maps indicating high-risk zones are accessible.
The Sinkhole Mapping Act now moves to the Senate for consideration. It has received co-sponsorship from several representatives including Kathy Castor (D-FL-14), Maxwell Frost (D-FL-10), Frederica Wilson (D-FL-24), Wesley Bell (D-MO-01), Jim Costa (D-CA-21), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA-01), and Josh Harder (D-CA-09).
