Great Lakes Mapping Act

The Great Lakes Mapping Act requires the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to complete high-resolution mapping of all Great Lakes lakebeds by December 31, 2029. This includes creating detailed depth maps, collecting bathymetric data, developing data processing methods, and building a public digital system to catalog and share all collected information. NOAA must make preliminary map sections available during the project and release the full map with supporting data within 180 days of completion. The bill authorizes $200 million to fund this effort, which directly affects NOAA, Great Lakes bordering states, and the public through increased access to lakebed data.