Section III
Description
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Landslide Hazards Program announces a funding opportunity under the Cooperative Landslide Hazard Mapping and Assessment Program, established by the National Landslide Preparedness Act (Public Law 116-323). This program provides resources to assist state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments in reducing landslide risk through hazard mapping, risk assessments, public education, and interagency coordination. Landslides occur in every U.S. state and territory, often with little warning, causing fatalities, disrupting transportation and commerce, and inflicting billions of dollars in damage annually. This program addresses these challenges by funding projects that:•Enhance Risk Assessments: Develop detailed landslide hazard maps and analyses to identify high-risk areas.•Improve Community Preparedness: Deliver outreach campaigns, workshops, and educational materials that empower residents and decision-makers to recognize warning signs and prepare for landslide events.•Promote Collaboration: Build partnerships among government agencies, universities, and local organizations to share knowledge and resources for effective risk reduction. Eligible applicants include state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments. Universities may participate on behalf of state geological surveys or other eligible offices. Each proposal must address at least one Guidance Criterion (hazard mapping, planning and coordination, education and outreach, or Alaska-specific hazards).Alignment with Federal PrioritiesThis program fulfills statutory requirements and advances key federal directives emphasizing preparedness, hazard mitigation, scientific integrity, and interagency coordination:•EO 14303 - Restoring Gold Standard Science (5/23/2025): Alignment: Reinforces scientific integrity and evidence-based decision-making, which aligns with the grant"s emphasis on rigorous methodologies, transparent data management, and peer-reviewed dissemination of results.•EO 14239 – Achieving Efficiency Through State and Local Preparedness (3/19/2025): Alignment: Supports coordination with state and local governments for emergency preparedness, which aligns with landslide grants" focus on improving community preparedness and interagency collaboration.•EO 14308 – Empowering Commonsense Wildfire Prevention and Response (6/12/2025): Alignment: Promotes hazard mitigation and interagency coordination for natural disasters; landslide preparedness often overlaps with wildfire recovery and postfire slope stability concerns.•EO 14313 – Establishing the President's Make America Beautiful Again Commission (7/3/2025): Alignment: Encourages environmental stewardship and community engagement, complementing landslide grant objectives for public education and outreach.•SO 3438 – Managing Federal Energy Resources and Protecting the Environment (8/1/2025): Alignment: Balances resource development with environmental protection, which resonates with landslide hazard mapping goals to safeguard communities and infrastructure.•SO 3443 – Elevating and Unifying DOI's Wildland Fire Management Program (9/10/2025): Alignment: Enhances wildfire management and interagency coordination, which is relevant because landslide risks often increase after wildfires due to destabilized slopes.Funding this program is essential to protect lives, infrastructure, and economic stability while advancing federal mandates and strategic priorities.