Generating 1:100,000 Scale Maps for a Statewide 1:350,000 Compilation Map

Location and Geologic Setting The project location covers the entire state of Kentucky which is comprised of 33 30 x 60 minute quadrangles. Kentucky contains two separate paleozoic basins, the Appalachian and Illinois Basins, separated by the Cincinnati Arch, a major north trending structural feature. Kentucky rocks range in age from Ordovician to Cretaceous age, and the state contains a variety of resources including coal, limestone, ironstone, organic-rich shales (oil shales), and oil and natural gas. Purpose and Justification Kentucky is becoming a larger populated area. Agriculturial economies are changing to manufacturing and construction. Housing and urban development are increasing. Urban planning is essential in an area of urban growth and development to facilitate the Governor's Smart Growth plan initiative and digital data will assist in this effort. This is an area of increased population growth and tourism, and the demand for natural resources such as coal, limestone, minerals, and water creates the need for regional, statewide mapsof the state. Coal is the major industry and billions of tons of coal have been produced from the state. Pike, Martin, Harlan, Knott, Letcher and Floyd Counties are some of the top producing coal counties in the state. Many active and inactive coal mines exist in eastern and western Kentucky and the distribution of coal beds is very important for the economy in Kentucky. New coal data that is normally added to our digital geologic mapproducts have been of interest to the coal industry. Digital geologic mapsmay also help in characterizing abandoned slurry ponds and the potential problems they present such as impoundment failures. Limestone mining is a major industry across Kentucky and clay mining has been an important industry in the past and future reserves of various clays including fire and ceramic clays are important for a specialized industry that serves the entire nation. New geologic mapshelp mining companiesplan their exising and future mine activities. New power plants are being sited in Kentucky, and proximity to coal and limestone resources are important economic factors in the success or failure of these plants. Regionaland statewide geologic mapsare valuable for planners and developers to locate these plants effectively. KGSis conducting numerous hydrogeologic studies in manyof the karst terrains in the state. Contamination from non-point source pollution on groundwater systems is an important issue in western Kentucky. Groundwater pollution problems are commonin the karst areas and more development could create additional problems, hence the need for geologic and karst mapsto define the karst system accurately.