Bilirakis Files Bill to Study Sinkhole Causes and Remedies While Increasing Transparency for Consumers

Washington, DC:  Earlier today, Congressman Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and Darren Soto (D-FL) filed the Sinkhole Mapping Act of 2023.  This important bill directs the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to conduct studies on the short and long-term mechanisms potentially contribute to the triggering of sinkholes, including: extreme storm events, prolonged droughts leading to shifts in water management practices, as well as ongoing aquafer depletion, and other major changes in water use. This legislation also directs the Director of the USGS to establish and maintain a public website that displays maps that depict zones that are at greater risk of sinkhole formation and other relevant information critical for use by community planners and emergency managers. This will give community planners and first responders access to information on where sinkholes are likely to form.

“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.  I look forward to working on this important bipartisan initiative with my colleagues,” said Congressman Bilirakis.

This bipartisan legislation is supported by the Florida Surveying and Mapping Society (FSMS), National Society of Professional Surveyors (NSPS) and U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization (USGEO). 

“Sinkholes can be located and mapped applying today’s geospatial technology, particularly LiDAR, and Representatives Bilirakis and Soto’s legislation is a commonsense approach to protecting homes, property, infrastructure, and other aspects of the built environment.” - John Palatiello, Founder & President, U.S. Geospatial Executives Organization (U.S. GEO)