79-3-202. Powers and duties of survey.
(1) The survey shall:
(a) assist and advise state and local agencies, institutions of higher education as defined in Section 53H-1-101, and private postsecondary educational institutions as defined in Section 53H-1-101 on geologic, paleontologic, and mineralogic subjects;
(b) collect and distribute reliable information regarding the mineral industry and mineral resources, topography, paleontology, and geology of the state;
(c) survey the geology of the state, including mineral occurrences and the ores of metals, energy resources, industrial minerals and rocks, mineral-bearing waters, and surface and ground water resources, with special reference to economic contents, values, uses, kind, and availability to facilitate economic use;
(d) investigate the kind, amount, and availability of mineral substances contained in lands owned and controlled by the state, to contribute to the most effective and beneficial administration of the lands for the state;
(e) determine and investigate areas of geologic and topographic hazards that could affect the safety of, or cause economic loss to, the citizens of the state;
(f) assist local and state agencies in planning, zoning, and building regulation functions by publishing maps, delineating appropriately wide special earthquake risk areas, and, at the request of state agencies or other governmental agencies, review the siting of critical facilities;
(g) cooperate with state agencies, political subdivisions of the state, quasi-governmental agencies, federal agencies, schools of higher education, and others in fields of mutual concern, which may include field investigations and preparation, publication, and distribution of reports and maps;
(h) collect and preserve data pertaining to mineral resource exploration and development programs and construction activities, such as claim maps, location of drill holes, location of surface and underground workings, geologic plans and sections, drill logs, and assay and sample maps, including the maintenance of a sample library of cores and cuttings;
(i) assist as requested by a state or local agency to measure, analyze, and report on the quantity, quality, and seasonal and long-term viability of a groundwater and surface water resource in the state;
(j) provide data that supports scientific understanding, resource planning, and resource development related to groundwater and surface water;
(k) assess the function, distribution, and ecological characteristic of a wetland to regional hydrology, historic change, and resource capacity to enhance resource management or a planning effort;
(l) study and analyze other scientific, economic, or aesthetic problems as, in the judgment of the board, should be undertaken by the survey to serve the needs of the state and to support the development of natural resources and use of lands within the state;
(m) prepare, publish, distribute, and sell maps, reports, and bulletins, embodying the work accomplished by the survey, directly or in collaboration with others, and collect and prepare exhibits of the geological and mineral resources of this state and interpret the geological and mineral resources' significance;
(n) collect, maintain, and preserve data and information to accomplish the purposes of this section and act as a repository for information concerning the geology of this state;
(o) stimulate research, study, and activities in the field of paleontology;
(p) mark, protect, and preserve critical paleontological sites;
(q) collect, preserve, and administer critical paleontological specimens until the specimens are placed in a repository or curation facility;
(r) administer critical paleontological site excavation records;
(s) edit and publish critical paleontological records and reports; and
(t) collect the land use permits described in Sections 10-20-611 and 17-79-608.
(2)
(a) The survey may maintain as confidential, and not as a public record, information provided to the survey by any source.
(b) The board shall adopt rules to determine whether to accept the information described in Subsection (2)(a) and to maintain the confidentiality of the accepted information.
(c) The survey shall maintain information received from any source at the level of confidentiality assigned to the information by the source.
(3) Upon approval of the board, the survey shall undertake other activities consistent with Subsection (1).
(4)
(a) Subject to the authority granted to the department, the survey may enter into cooperative agreements with the entities specified in Subsection (1)(g), if approved by the board, and may accept or commit allocated or budgeted money in connection with the agreements.
(b) The survey may undertake joint projects with private entities if:
(i) the action is approved by the board;
(ii) the projects are not inconsistent with the state's objectives; and
(iii) the results of the projects are available to the public.
Amended by Chapter 183, 2026 General Session
