United States Board on Geographic Names

United States Board on Geographic Names
Name	United States Board on Geographic Names
Formed	0 1890
Jurisdiction	Federal government of the United States
Headquarters	Reston, Virginia
Parent agency	United States Geological Survey
Chief1 position	Chairperson
Website	https://www.usgs.gov/us-board-on-geographic-names

United States Board on Geographic Names. The board is the federal body responsible for establishing and maintaining uniform geographic name usage throughout the Federal government of the United States. It adjudicates name disputes and new name proposals for domestic features, as well as for areas under Antarctic administration and undersea features. Its decisions, issued as official policy, are mandatory for all federal departments and agencies, ensuring standardized nomenclature on mapping, intelligence, and public land management documents.

History and establishment

The board was created by an executive order from President Benjamin Harrison in 1890 to resolve inconsistencies in geographic nomenclature that were causing problems for postal delivery, census enumeration, and military operations. Its early work was pivotal during the Alaskan and Western surveying expeditions. The board's authority was solidified by a 1947 public law that reestablished it within the Department of the Interior. A significant milestone was its 1968 decision to drop the use of the derogatory term "Sq___" from all federal maps, following advocacy by the Secretary of the Interior and Native American groups.

Functions and responsibilities

The board's primary function is to standardize geographic names for official federal use. This includes approving names for natural features like mountains and rivers, as well as cultural features such as cities and parks. It maintains the Geographic Names Information System, the official federal repository of domestic geographic names data. The board also develops policies for applying names to features on the planets and moons in cooperation with the International Astronomical Union. For features in Antarctica, it works under the auspices of the Advisory Committee on Antarctic Names.

Structure and membership

The board is an interagency body composed of representatives from federal departments with a significant interest in geographic information. Permanent members include agencies such as the United States Geological Survey, which provides the chairperson and secretariat, the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency, the United States Forest Service, and the Library of Congress. Other members are drawn from the Central Intelligence Agency, the Government Publishing Office, and the United States Census Bureau. This structure ensures that the perspectives of defense, land management, commerce, and foreign policy are represented in its deliberations.

Principles and decision criteria

Decisions are guided by principles of established local usage, with the goal of endorsing a single official name per feature. The board prioritizes names used by the resident population and documented in sources like topographic maps and local government records. It generally avoids names that are commercially promotional or considered offensive. For features with no established name, the board may consider historical names, names of local landowners, or names proposed by state authorities. In cases of dispute, it conducts research and solicits input from state geographic names authorities and the public before ruling.

Notable decisions and controversies

One of the board's most publicized decisions was the 2015 restoration of the name Denali to North America's tallest peak, a change long advocated by the state of Alaska and honoring the Athabaskan name. Earlier, it ruled on the official spelling of Pittsburgh, ensuring the retention of the final 'h'. Controversies often arise from proposals to remove names with offensive etymologies, such as those containing racial slurs, leading to ongoing reviews in partnership with the Department of the Interior. Debates also occur over proposals to rename features commemorating historical figures with contested legacies, balancing local sentiment with federal policy.

Related domestic and international bodies

Each U.S. state and territory typically has a state geographic names authority that coordinates with the federal board. Internationally, the board participates in the United Nations Group of Experts on Geographical Names, which promotes global standardization. It collaborates closely with the Canadian Permanent Committee on Geographical Names and Mexican authorities through the North American Division of the UN expert group. For extraterrestrial nomenclature, it liaises with the International Astronomical Union's Working Group for Planetary System Nomenclature.

Category:United States Department of the Interior Category:1890 establishments in the United States Category:Geographical naming