During fiscal 1973, the U.S. Geological Survey will step up efforts to acquire basic earth science knowledge needed for the wise management of land, energy, and mineral resources. V.E. McKelvey, USGS Director, said that ‘if the nation is to cope successfully with clashing resource‐environmental problems arising from the need on one hand for vast amounts of natural resources, while, at the same time, recognizing the need to avoid environmental degradation, such data are fundamental requisites.’