^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-06 February 12, 2000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS: 1) CALL FOR NOMINATIONS: 2000 AWGF OUTSTANDING EDUCATOR AWARD 2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: 2-12-00 3) Request for advice 4) POSITION OPENINGS **University of Maryland Baltimore County: Center for Urban Environmental Research and Education-2 positions **National Park Service-2 geomorphologists 5) STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES **Western Carolina University-Research Opportunity for Undergraduates ***Don't forget to check the AWG JobWeb at www.awg.org*** *Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of AWG E-Mail News* For submissions to AWG E-Mail News, contact Editor Joanne Kluessendorf at editor@awg.org. For advertising, contact Ad Editor Kata McCarville at ads@awg.org. PLEASE SEND AD COPY OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS AS RTF FILES OR AS PART OF AN E-MAIL MESSAGE E-mail or address changes? Send to office@awg.org, please. For more information about AWG, contact office@awg.org or visit the AWG website at www.awg.org. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1) Nominations Requested for 2000 AWGF Outstanding Educator ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ The Association For Women Geoscientists Foundation (AWGF) established the Outstanding Educator Award in 1988 to honor well established college or university teachers who have played a significant role in the education and support of women geoscientists both within and outside the classroom. Examples of support include encouraging women to enter and continue in a geoscience career, providing opportunities for field and laboratory experience, and serving as a positive role model. In addition, awardees are selected on the basis of their professional societies, and participation in science education programs in their community. Deadline for nominations is April 30, 2000. Nominations must include the nominator's supporting letter, a summary of the nominee's academic and professional accomplishments, and at least six letters of recommendation from professional colleagues, former students, and current students. Send nominations to Carolyn Rindosh Miller, 14214 Withersdale Drive, Houston, TX 77077-1436. The AWG Foundation presents the award at the annual meeting of the Geological Society of America. Previous recipients are Linda Abriola, Laurie Brown, Maria Luisa Crawford, Margaret Delaney, Marie Morisawa, Sharon Mosher, Pamela Hallock Muller, Lisa Pratt, Mary Savina, B. Charlotte Schreiber, and Jan Tullis. ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: 2-12-00 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **The President's Fiscal Year 2001 Budget: Part 2 - Agriculture, Energy, Interior, EPA, NASA, NOAA IN A NUTSHELL: This second update on the President's budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 includes the Departments of Agriculture, Energy and the Interior, EPA, NASA, and NOAA. The first update covered the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and National Science Foundation (NSF), both of which requested their largest dollar increases ever. Research and development (R&D) as a whole fared well, up 3.1% according to AAAS calculations in a budget that as a whole is up 1.5% over FY 2000. The request for non-defense R&D is up 6.2 percent, and basic research spending would rise 6.8 percent. In addition to the increases at USGS and NSF, most other geoscience-related agencies are up. NOAA is requesting a 20% increase, and EPA's request is up nearly 10%. With the theme "Strength Through Science," the Department of Energy R&D budget request has an 8% increase. R&D at the Department of Agriculture would increase 3.1%. Within this rosy picture, however, there are several down notes including a proposed 3% decrease for earth science at NASA and a proposed 8.2% decrease in upstream petroleum R&D within DOE with major shifts in funding to more downstream natural gas research. As noted in the previous update, the submission of the president's request is the beginning of the congressional appropriations process, and it will take a great deal of effort from the geoscience community to turn projected increases into real federal investments. **Department of Agriculture The budget request for the Natural Resources Conservation Service is up 9.2% to $876 million in appropriated dollars and up a whopping 81.5% overall to $2.2 billion. The large overall jump would greatly expand conservation programs funded by the mandatory Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) account created in the 1996 Farm Bill. Appropriated funds for the US Forest Service would increase 10.6% to $3.1 billion. **Department of Energy Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Bill Richardson announced the department's budget with the theme "Strength Through Science," boosting R&D in the agency to 40% of the request. The total DOE request is up 9% to $18.9 billion. Overall, DOE will fund a 12% increase ($337 million) for science and technology, including nanoscale science, an Administrative multi-agency initiative. The Office of Science would receive a hike of 8% Within that office's Basic Energy Sciences Division, the Engineering and Geoscience subprogram is marked for receiving $40.8 million, up $3.7 million, the bulk of which is for nanoscale science and robotics and intelligent machines. Geoscience research would receive a 1% increase to $22.0 million. The DOE Fossil Energy R&D program requested $406.6 million, an increase of 7.2% over FY2000. Key initiatives for the program include Vision 21 Power Plant of the Future ($41.2 million), Carbon Sequestration ($19.5 million), Next Generation Turbines and Fuel Cells ($68.2 million), Gas Infrastructure Reliability ($13.2 million), Tomorrow's Ultra Clean Gasoline/Diesel Fuel ($10 million), and a fully restored Strategic Petroleum Reserve ($151 million). The natural gas program is slated for $38.8 million, up 22.6%, but petroleum R&D is down 8.2% to $52.6 million. According to the Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA), R&D directed at petroleum and natural gas exploration and production "takes a hit compared with fiscal year 2000, the administration redirecting much of that funding to provide a whopping 1,200% increase in funding for natural gas infrastructure reliability." Detailed information on DOE programs and initiatives is available on the DOE budget webpage . **Department of the Interior At the February 8th budget release, Secretary of the Interior Bruce Babbitt stated that lame ducks do have wings, emphasizing his intention to pursue an active agenda during the remaining 11 months of the Clinton Administration. Indeed, the president's request includes a $980 million, or 11 percent, increase in the department's budget to $9.2 billion. Babbitt announced four multi-agency budget themes for this coming year: The First Americans: Stewardship, Investment, Hope; Fulfilling Land Legacy; Managing Lands and Resources; and Restoring and Sustaining Species. Lands Legacy, a major Administration initiative, would receive a total of $735 million, a portion of which will be used to acquire nationally significant lands. In addition, Babbitt proclaimed his intention to continue an aggressive campaign of designating current federal lands as national monuments and wilderness, increasing protection levels in lands overseen by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). That agency's budget would increase 15% to $1.4 billion. The National Park Service (NPS) request is up 22% to $2.0 billion. The Minerals Management Service requested $130 million, a small increase over last year. The Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement is up for a 3% increase to top off at $309 million. The complete text and rationale for the numbers is available online at the Department of the Interior Budget website . **Environmental Protection Agency Overall, EPA requested $7.3 billion, up 9.8%. Funding for Clean Air programs would receive $562.5 million (up 3.8%), while Clean and Safe Drinking Water programs received $1.1 billion (up 11%). The Superfund and Brownfields toxic waste cleanup programs would receive $268.6 million (up 7.8%). According to AAAS estimates, R&D at EPA would increase 4.8 percent to $679 million, but the only EPA program to face a cut is its Sound Science programs that received a small decrease, giving the initiative $324.0 million. EPA's budget request report is available on the EPA Budget webpage . **National Aeronautics and Space Administration NASA's budget request is up about 3% for a total of $14.0 billion. Unfortunately, the Earth Science Enterprise (ESE) will not share in this increase. NASA budget documents helpfully explain that the agency restructured ESE "to display the resources being allocated to Research and Technology requirements in a way that can be more readily understood by NASA's customers." If this makes any sense to you, please help us out. The restructuring formed three categories: Earth Science Program Science, Applications Commercialization and Education, and Technology Infusion. Overall. ESE is down $37.6 million or 3% from FY 2000 for a total of $1.4 billion. Within ESE, almost every sub- section has been cut. More information on NASA's budget and details on the restructuring of ESE are available on the NASA budget webpage . **National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration The year 2000 marks NOAA's 30th anniversary, and the agency hopes to ride a celebratory wave all the way to the bank, requesting a 20% increase to $2.9 billion. The bulk of the increase would be focused on agency initiatives: Lands Legacy ($266 million), Natural Disaster Reduction ($110 million), Climate Observations and Services ($28 million), South Florida Ecosystem Restoration ($1.6 million), Minority Serving Institutions ($17 million), Clean Water ($6.9 million), and America's Ocean Future ($51.6 million). Oceanic and Atmospheric Research requested a 4% increase, totaling $318.7 million. The National Weather Service requested an increase of close to 7% for a total of $710.2 million. Specific information on facilities and programs is available on NOAA's budget webpage . ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 3) REQUEST FOR ADVICE ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Some years ago I decided I wanted to change careers into the environmental field. After listening to a Cousteau Society representative give a presentation, I knew the area I wanted into was in preserving and restoring fresh water. I went to several university guidance counselors and was told I needed to get a degree in biology with a graduate degree in Fresh Water Reclamation and Bio-remediation. I went for a while but ran out of money so I've been exploring other ways to work myself into the field. The more I study and read, especially on the internet, the more I wonder if the guidance I received before was very good. I am desperately trying to find someone to talk with who can give me some insight into the various opportunities and areas of work that support my goals. Is it necessary to get a degree or can I work for someone while going to school? Is there a technical school that might be better suited to my needs and wants? Can I take some of this schooling through correspondence courses? Should I start in the area of water treatment? Any input from anyone would be greatly appreciated. Dennis L. Engel 604 S. College, Apt. A Tahlequah, OK 74464 dennisengel@hotmail.com ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 4) POSITION OPENINGS ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ **UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND BALTIMORE COUNTY CENTER FOR URBAN ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND EDUCATION (CUERE) The University of Maryland, Baltimore County is seeking nominations and applications for two senior faculty positions. Position 1: Director of the CUERE, a new center established with an initial $2M from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Position 2: Professor or Senior Staff Scientist and member of the Executive Committee of the CUERE. The mission of the Center is to promote an integrated understanding of the environmental, social and economic impacts of landscape transformation associated with urban and suburban development. Appointments begin in mid-August 2000. The successful candidate for either position will have a Ph.D.; distinguished research and publication record in one or more areas of environmental science; consistent record of attracting competitive external funding; experience leading research teams; ability to work with and to foster interdisciplinary cooperation among diverse group of researchers; ability to forge productive relationships among scientists, managers, agency personnel, and representatives of private and nonprofit sectors; and linking environmental research to public arena. Academic department and research specialization open, but expertise in one or more of the areas included in the Center's mission is essential. The campus is also introducing a new environmental science degree program and successful candidates may participate in areas of expertise. Salary commensurate with background and experience. Additional information may be obtained from the following web site: http://research.umbc.edu/~miller/cuere/info.htm Please send nominations and applications to Andrew J. Miller, Chair, Dept. of Geography & Environmental Systems, UMBC, 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250. (Email: miller@umbc.edu). Applications must include cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names and addresses of five references. Review of applications will begin on March 20, 2000, and will continue until the positions are filled. UMBC is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. **National Park Service Geologic Resources Division The U.S. National Park Service, Geologic Resources Division, is recruiting two geologists (geomorphologists) to work on reclamation and restoration projects Servicewide. The incumbents will support the Natural Resource Program Center, Disturbed Lands Restoration Program, and will serve as technical specialists in the area of restoring the physical attributes of disturbed ecosystems. While classified as geologist, we are looking for individuals with a geomorphology background and reclamation project experience. They will work cooperatively with staff based in parks, regions, central offices, other agencies, and/or nongovernmental groups to provide technical support and project oversight in resolving issues associated with physical disturbance and natural resource management. The positions are advertised as GS-1350-11/12, duty stationed in Lakewood, CO. The all-sources announcement (USAJOBS Announcement Number DD0241RS) opened on 2/10/00 and closes on 2/25/00. The vacancy announcement can be found at: http://www2.nature.nps.gov/grd/geojob/restorationgeomorph.htm 5) STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES **WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY Research Opportunity for Undergraduates: Field, Geochemical, and Geophysical Studies into the Origins of Blue Ridge Mafic/Ultramafic Complexes Interested undergraduate students are encouraged to participate in a collaborative research effort involving field-based geochemical, geophysical and structural analysis of intriguing mafic/ultramafic rock associations within high-grade metamorphic rocks of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Western North Carolina. This 7 week summer program, beginning June 11, 2000, involves 4 weeks of field studies at Western Carolina University, followed by 3 weeks of laboratory work and analysis using analytical facilities at the University of South Florida. Participants will define and pursue a collective research problem through focused mapping, geochemical, geophysical, and petrologic investigations. Students and faculty will work collectively throughout the program with opportunities for individual post-summer research activity. Individual and collaborative research results will be presented at the following spring GSA Southeastern Section meeting. Students will gain experience in detailed geological mapping in a metamorphic terrane, digital map and data compilation, geophysical data collection and analysis using a variety of methods, and geochemical preparation and analysis techniques using a Direct Current Plasma Emission Spectrometer. Participants will receive a $300/week stipend, plus room, board and most travel expenses during the summer program. Students should be Geology majors or have an extensive Earth Science background. Course work in igneous & metamorphic geology and structural geology with a good background in chemistry and/or physics is recommended. Students with at least Junior standing and > 3.0 GPA are preferred. Applicants should send a letter explaining their interest in the project and expected gains from this experience, resume, unofficial transcript, and the name and contact information of a willing faculty mentor at their institution to Dr. Ginny Peterson, Department of Geosciences, Western Carolina University, Cullowhee, NC 28723. Recommendations from 2 faculty members are required and must be solicited by applicants. Complete application materials received prior to March 8, 2000 will receive first consideration. For more information check our web site http://wcuvax1.wcu.edu/~peterson/BC.html or contact Dr. Peterson (828-227-3821; FAX: 828-227-7647; peterson@wcu.edu )