Historically, a state geological survey was a time-limited assessment and appraisal of land, minerals, and water resources within a defined land area, such as a newly formed state or territory. A more modern definition of a state geological survey is a branch of state government that provides for the collection and dissemination of geologic, hydrologic, and natural resource information on a continuing basis. Governor John Page established the first geological survey of New Hampshire in 1839, which subsequently terminated in 1842. From this time forward, the state’s geology program was managed by an appointed state geologist on an as-needed basis. By the arrival of the new millennium, the state’s rapid growth and concomitant stress on the state’s natural resources stimulated a renewed interest from state officials in increasing the stature of the geologic unit within state government. On June 19, 2001, Governor Jeanne Shaheen signed into law HB 245, which statutorily established the New Hampshire Geological Survey (NHGS) under the auspices of the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES). The mission statement of the NHGS reads: "The [New Hampshire] Geological Survey shall collect data and perform research on the land, mineral, and water resources of the state, and disseminate the findings of such research to the public through maps, reports, and other publications." The NHGS also serves as a science support agency for other divisions within NHDES. The formation of a formal state geological survey has several ancillary benefits, including creating a central agency for the storage of the state’s geological and water resources data, and allowing the state to become more competitive in the USGS Cooperative STATEMAP Geological Mapping Program.

The formation of the NHGS was seen as "expanding” state government at a time when the paradigm was to streamline or downsize. The strategy for success involved integrating the following five components: 1) mobilizing the geosciences community, which was already well organized after recent efforts to establish a state licensure program for geologists, 2) seeking and enlisting supportive legislators and officials, 3) conducting research related to the backgrounds of key politicians in order to present germane testimony, 4) developing and utilizing creative ways to relay information, and 5) timing and luck.