Established in 1837, the Ohio Geological Survey is Ohio's oldest natural resource agency. The survey's mission is to research and map Ohio's geology to support industry, commerce, environment, saftey, and education, thereby ensuring Ohio's economic foundation. The survey is a permanent archive and public access point for geologic data used for environmental protection, proper land use development, regulation of fossil fuel and mineral extration, groundwater development, mitigation of geologic hazards, mineral and petroleum exploration, and economic development.