^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-30, June 7, 2000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS: 1) REQUEST FOR ROOMMATE 2) REQUEST FOR GIRL SCOUT ASSISTANCE 3) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW-MAY 2000 4) POSITION OPENINGS ***U.S. Geological Survey Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program ***Field Museum-Collections Manager of Fossil Plants 5) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1) REQUEST FOR ROOMMATE Would anyone care to share a room at the NSF CCLI panel meeting in DC on July 17-20? Please contact Lois Ongley . Thank you. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 2) REQUEST FOR GIRL SCOUT ASSISTANCE Girl Scouts of the USA are looking for environmental science professionals who are willing and able to assist with a Wider Opportunity called Pick and Choose: It's Up to You! that will be held from June 17-21, 2001 on the campus of Penn State University. It is targeting girls ages 13-18. Science and Engineering are two of the five topics that are to be covered. Hemlock Girl Scout Council is looking for environmental science professionals (preferably women) who can either conduct activities with girls in their particular subject area (soil conservation, wildlife biology,forestry, chemistry, etc.) or be an evening speaker or be part of a career panel. The closest towns/cities to Penn State are State College, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, Harrisburg, and Williamsport. The council is looking to firm up commitments for the speakers etc. by the end of June. Please respond to the contact below the names and telephone numbers of some possible participants. Beth Winger 570-743-7297 Hemlock Girl Scout Council 3333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 3) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW-MAY 2000 *** House Slashes President's Request for NSF, USGS The initial results from the fiscal year (FY) 2001 spending process in the House have been disappointing. Low allocations to key House Appropriations subcommittees are forcing them to provide funding levels well below the President's request. An AGI e-mail alert on May 21st reported that the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) received $816.7 million, a $3.3 million increase over FY 2000 levels but nearly $80 million less than requested by the president. The full House Appropriations Committee passed the bill on May 25th. A copy of the AGI alert is available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/approps_alert0500.html. On May 23rd, the House VA/HUD Appropriations Subcommittee passed its spending bill. The National Science Foundation (NSF) had requested a 17% increase to $4.6 billion, but the House bill would provide just over $4 billion, a 4.3% increase over FY 2000. The Geoscience Directorate would receive $523.8 million, a decrease of $59.2 million from the budget request. Particularly hard hit was the NSF Major Research Equipment (MRE) account, down 45% from the president's request of $139 million to $76.6 million, which is 18% below the FY 2000 allocation. Within that account, the subcommittee provided zero funding for EarthScope, a $17.4 million earth sciences initiative, or any of the new initiatives proposed by the president. The bill did provide $12.5 million in MRE funding for HIAPER, an atmospheric-science airplane that was funded in last year's bill but not included in the president's request. The House bill would fund most Environmental Protection Agency programs at the FY 2000 levels, including several climate change programs. EPA Research is increased $5 million over FY 2000, bringing FY 2001 funding to $650 million, $24 million below the President's request. Funding for NASA would total $13.7 billion, nearly $321 million below the budget request and $112 million over FY 2000 levels. More information on geoscience appropriations is available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/appropsfy2001.html. *** Senate Leadership Introduces National Energy Security Act On May 16th, the Republican leadership in the Senate unveiled the National Energy Security Act, S. 2557. The bill aims to reduce American dependence on foreign oil to 50% by 2010 through a series of measures that would spur research and encourage domestic energy production. Bill provisions include opening the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) to petroleum exploration, creating a heating oil reserve in the northeastern US, conducting research on how to improve the efficiency of coal burning power plants, encouraging more research and development of natural gas, improving the oil and gas leasing program on federal lands, speeding up the relicensing process for hydroelectric and nuclear power facilities, tax incentives to encourage marginal well preservation, operating loss carrybacks for independent oil and gas producers, and extending tax credits to producers of power from renewable energy sources. S. 2557 was drafted by a task force of 10 Republican senators, including Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS), Sen. Frank Murkowski (R-AK), Sen. Larry Craig (R-ID), and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX). Despite being drafted by the Republican leadership, the task-force members believe that the bill can become a bipartisan effort. The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee plans to mark up the bill by mid-June, but Lott also has included provisions that would allow the bill to by-pass the committee process and go directly to the Senate floor for debate. More information on this bill and other oil-price issues is available at AGI's Summary on Congressional Response to Rising Oil Prices at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/oil_price.html. *** McCain, Others Look Into Climate Change Issue The many facets of the climate change debate were on display this month on Capitol Hill in hearings, briefings, and legislation. On May 17th, Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Chairman John McCain (R-AZ) held a hearing on the scientific facts behind global climate change. In his opening statement, McCain noted that he held the hearing as part of a promise that he made during his presidential campaign. He said that at "town-hall meeting after town-hall meeting," younger Americans asked him what his plan was to stop global warming. McCain admitted that he and many of his congressional colleagues are not sufficiently informed to discuss this topic. On May 4th, the Senate Agriculture Subcommittee on Production and Price Competitiveness held a hearing on legislation authorizing the U.S. Department of Agriculture to conduct research on storing carbon in soils and how agriculture might help solve the climate change problem. The legislation was introduced by subcommittee chairman Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), who noted "agriculture may have the ability to store 200 million tons of carbon annually or the equivalent of 307 million tons of coal." The hearing reflected increased interest by farm-state senators in the role that agricultural practices can play in mitigating the potential impacts of climate change. On May 25th, the House and Senate passed a $15 billion crop insurance reform bill that includes $15 million for ag-based carbon sequestration research. Links to the hearings and additional information can be found at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/climate.html. Striking a very different note, the Cooler Heads Coalition held a Capitol Hill briefing on May 30th titled "What's Wrong with U.N. Climate Science? An Independent Scientific Review of the IPCC's Third Assessment Report." Led by Fred Singer, President of the Science and Environmental Policy Project, the briefing included several panels of scientists who discussed problems with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change assessment report that is currently under review. One of their principal criticisms was that the draft report's 7-page summary for policy makers does not fairly represent the information contained in the 1000-page report. More information on the IPCC report and the review process is available at http://www.gcrio.org/ipccform/. *** Evolution Opponents Hold Congressional Briefing As reported in an AGI e-mail special update, supporters of intelligent design theory brought their message to Capitol Hill with a three-hour briefing focused on the scientific evidence for the origin and development of life and the universe as the work of an intelligent designer. The speakers presented their version of the scientific debate between Darwinian evolutionary theory and intelligent design theory. Speakers also addressed the social, moral, and political consequences of Darwinism. Sponsored by the Discovery Institute, the briefing was hosted by the chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, and co-sponsors included Rep. Thomas Petri (R-WI), expected to be the next chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, and two members of the House Science Committee. The briefing took place as Congress debates legislation to overhaul federal K-12 education programs. An update on recent developments in the creation-evolution controversy can be found at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/evolution.html and a copy of the email alert on the briefing is available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/id_update.html. *** Valles Caldera Acquisition Bill on the Move The federal government is poised to purchase the Valles Caldera-a resurgent volcanic caldera in north-central New Mexico that is mostly within the privately held Baca Ranch-but legislation must be passed before a June 30th deadline or the deal is off. Last fall's omnibus appropriations bill for FY 2000 included $101 million for the Baca contingent upon passage of legislation authorizing the purchase. To that end, Senators Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) introduced S. 1892, the Valles Caldera Preservation & Federal Land Transaction Facilitation Act, authorizing the acquisition of the Baca and providing "for an effective land and wildlife management program for this resource" by the US Forest Service. Domenici and Bingaman have been working to move S. 1892 through Congress before the deal's already extended deadline. The Senate passed the bill on April 13th by unanimous consent, then sent it to the House for consideration. On May 24th, the House Committee on Resources marked up S. 1892 and passed it by voice vote out of committee. The remaining obstacle is an as-yet-unscheduled vote by the full House. More information on the acquisition of the Baca ranch is available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/baca.html. *** Clinton Signs Methane Hydrate Bill into Law President Clinton signed the Methane Hydrate Research and Development Act into law on May 2nd. Rep. Mike Doyle (D-PA), sponsor of the bill, praised the passage of the bill as being a long-term solution for domestic energy needs. "Harnessing the gas trapped in methane hydrates will secure a plentiful source of energy for our nation's future," said Doyle. "We must develop clean-burning energy sources to allow our air and environment to be healthy and vibrant and hydrate technology has an important role to play in these efforts also." The act authorizes the Secretary of Energy to award grants or contracts to conduct gas hydrate research and development, requires a competitive merit-review process for grants, limits administrative expenses to not more than five percent, and requires a National Research Council report of the program's progress and recommendations for future research needs. More information on methane hydrates is available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/ch4106.html. *** President Announces End to GPS Scrambling On May 1st, President Clinton announced that the government would stop the intentional degradation - referred to as selective availability - of the Global Positioning System (GPS) signals available to the public. The U.S. Department of Defense developed and launched the GPS satellites in the 1970s as a military tool for determining positions on Earth's surface. Fearing potential U.S. enemies could use the system to target missiles, the military degraded the signals so that a single GPS receiver could only measure a given position to within 100 meters. With Selective Availability shut off, a receiver could potentially measure a position to within 10 meters. Earth scientists are increasingly using GPS for a range of data collection, from measuring displacement of Earth's crust over time to quantifying water vapor by the speed at which the signals travel through the atmosphere. A Geotimes article on this topic is available at http://www.geotimes.org/may00/gps.html. *** Geotimes Special Issue Focuses on USGS Science The June issue of Geotimes provides some snapshots of the wide range of earth-science research going on at the USGS, including the growing connections between geologists, hydrologists, and biologists. Articles focus on geologic mapping, water quality, world petroleum reserves, and coastal issues. A Comment by USGS Director Chip Groat puts these research initiatives into the broader context of the survey's mission. Selected articles and Groat's Comment are available at http://www.geotimes.org, which also includes a secure, on-line subscription form. If you have not seen Geotimes lately, please take a look at AGI's newsmagazine of the earth sciences. Improved content and design in full color make it easier than ever to read. Shameless plug? You bet! So check it out! -Monthly review prepared by Margaret Baker and David Applegate, AGI Government Affairs Program, and AGI/AAPG Geoscience Policy Intern Alison Alcott. 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4) POSITION OPENINGS ***U.S. Geological Survey Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) invites Applications for a new postdoctoral program, The Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program, during fall 2000. The program is named in honor of Walter C. Mendenhall, the fifth Director of the USGS. Mendenhall, appointed Director in 1930 by President Hoover, mapped Appalachian coal fields, did pioneering work on the geology of Alaska, and was one of the first ground water specialists at the USGS whose work helped to establish ground-water hydrology as a field of scientific endeavor. In spite of the difficult times during the Depression and the beginning of World War II during his tenure, Mendenhall encouraged the Survey to emphasize the necessity of basic research and created an environment in which scientific research, technical integrity, and practical skill could flourish. The Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program is envisioned to bring current expertise in the earth sciences to assist in the implementation of the strategic plan of the USGS and the science strategy of its geologic programs. The program is also intended to provide postdoctoral fellows a research experience that enhances their personal scientific stature and credentials. For fall 2000 opportunities for research are available in a wide range of the areas including: (i) sediment transport modeling in coastal environments, (ii) remote sensing, (iii) seismic hazard studies, (iv) economic modeling of resources, (v) geologic processes and human health, (vi) environmental geochemistry, (vii) impacts of climate change in arid and semi-arid lands, (viii) geologic controls and ecosystem processes, and (ix) sustainable development and resource extraction. The postdoctoral fellowships are to be 2-year term appointments in the Federal Civil Service. A complete description of the program, research opportunities, and application process are available via the WWW at: http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc. Qualified candidates are encouraged to submit their applications by the deadline on August 4, 2000. As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with many organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial, scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. Information is gathered by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to the sound conservation, economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy and mineral resources. Applicants must be U.S. Citizens. All Qualified Applicants may apply. The U.S. Geological Survey is an equal Opportunity employer. Selection for these positions shall be determined on the basis of merit without discrimination for any reason such as race, color, age, religion, sex, national origin, political preference, labor organization affiliation or nonaffiliation, marital status, or nondisqualifying handicap. ***Field Museum-Collections Manager of Fossil Plants Immediate opening for someone experienced with all aspects of modern collection management. Graduate education and an advanced degree in systematic paleobotany or botany are highly desired. To apply please send your CV and the names, addresses and e-mail of three referees familiar with your work with collections and/or postgraduate research to: Dr Jenny McElwain, Collection Manager Search Committee, Dept. of Geology, The Field Museum, Roosevelt Rd. At Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL 60605 by July 21st. For further information, phone (312) 6657635 or email mcelwain@fmnh.org 555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 5) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ***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 the Ad Editor at ads@awg.org. PLEASE SEND AD COPY OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS AS RTF FILES OR AS PART OF AN E-MAIL MESSAGE ***For membership information or to join AWG, visit our website at or contact our business office at ***E-mail or address changes? Send to office@awg.org, please. -Dr. Joanne Kluessendorf Dept. of Geology, University of Illinois 1301 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801 USA phone: (217) 367-5916 fax: (217) 244-4996; e-mail: jkluesse@uiuc.edu Received: from inet1.agiweb.org (root@inet1.agiweb.org [209.119.27.2]) by raven.a001.sprintmail.com (8.8.7/8.8.5) with ESMTP id KAA20402; Tue, 30 May 2000 10:54:38 -0700 (PDT) Received: from staff2.cso.uiuc.edu (root@staff2.cso.uiuc.edu [128.174.5.53]) by inet1.agiweb.org (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id NAA11207 for ; Tue, 30 May 2000 13:40:21 -0400 Received: from [130.126.25.105] (arboria-88.slip.uiuc.edu [130.126.25.184]) by staff2.cso.uiuc.edu (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id MAA14096 for ; Tue, 30 May 2000 12:40:12 -0500 (CDT) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Message-Id: Date: Tue, 30 May 2000 11:04:21 -0500 To: Recipient List Suppressed:; From: joanne kluessendorf Subject: AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-29, May 30, 2000 X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-29, May 30, 2000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS: 1) GSA CALL FOR NOMINATIONS 2) POSITION OPENINGS ***ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY-GEOLOGY 3)STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES **UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS (SCOTLAND)-PH.D. PROJECT 4) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1) GSA CALL FOR NOMINATIONS The Geological Society of America (GSA) is looking for potential candidates to serve on a variety of its committees. Nominate yourself or another qualified AWG member; all nominees must also be GSA members. Graduate students are encouraged to volunteer or nominate others. You can download the official form for committeee nominations at . Mail-in deadline is July 10, 2000. 222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 2) POSITION OPENINGS ***ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY-GEOLOGY ONE-YEAR VISITING PROFESSOR IN GEOLOGY-HYDROLOGY The Department of Geography-Geology at Illinois State University invites applications for a one-year Visiting Assistant Professor position in the broad field of Geohydrology. The appointment will begin on August 16, 2000 and end on May 15, 2001. A Ph.D.at the time of appointment is preferred, ABD will be considered. Applicants must be committed to excellence in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and have a good rapport with students. The successful candidate will teach three courses each semester, including a general education course in Physical Geology, and other courses matching the successful applicant's expertise from the following list: Introductory Groundwater Geology, Natural Disasters, Evolution of the Earth, Environmental Geology, Geophysics, and/or graduate level Groundwater Modeling and Contaminant Transport courses. For more information about Illinois State University contact our web page at: http://www.ilstu.edu. Applicants must submit a curriculum vitae; official transcripts of all college work; a statement of teaching and research interests; and the names, addresses, telephone numbers, and e-mail addresses of three references to: Dr. David Malone, Department of Geography-Geology, Illinois State University, Campus Box 4400, Normal, IL 61790-4400. Telephone: (309) 438-2692; Fax: (309) 438-5310; e-mail: dhmalon@ilstu.edu. The position will be filled as soon as possible. Illinois State University is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity Employer Encouraging Diversity. 3333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 3) STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES **UNIVERSITY OF ST. ANDREWS (SCOTLAND)-PH.D. PROJECT "The late Holocene environmental history of Scottish Sea Lochs" Ph.D. opportunity focusing on obtaining high quality quantitative palaeoceanographic and palaeoclimatic data covering the last 2000 years with a decadal time resolution. These data will allow you to address the influence of oceanic heat flux associated with variability in North Atlantic thermohaline circulation and the influence of variability in the North Atlantic Oscillation during the late Holocene. This studentship will be conducted as part of a recently funded European Union Framework V project: HOLSMEER (Late Holocene Shallow Marine Environments of Europe) and opportunities to work and travel within the consortium exist. The studentship, which is fully funded by the University of St Andrews, is supervised by Dr. Bill Austin in collaboration with Drs. Phil Gillibrand and Bill Turrell (SOAEFD Marine Laboratory, Aberdeen) and Dr. Tracy Shimmield (SAMS, Oban). The successful applicant will be expected to conduct extensive fieldwork on and around the sea lochs and candidates with micropalaeontological skills are especially encouraged to apply. For further information please contact: Dr. William E.N. Austin, School of Geography and Geosciences, University of St Andrews, Fife KY16 9ST, Scotland, UK. Tel: 01334-463988 (direct line); 01334-462894 (secretary), Fax: 01334-463949; email wena@st-andrews.ac.uk 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ***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 the Ad Editor at ads@awg.org. PLEASE SEND AD COPY OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS AS RTF FILES OR AS PART OF AN E-MAIL MESSAGE ***For membership information or to join AWG, visit our website at or contact our business office at ***E-mail or address changes? Send to office@awg.org, please. -Dr. Joanne Kluessendorf Dept. of Geology, University of Illinois 1301 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801 USA phone: (217) 367-5916 fax: (217) 244-4996; e-mail: jkluesse@uiuc.edu Received: from inet1.agiweb.org (root@inet1.agiweb.org [209.119.27.2]) by magpie.a001.sprintmail.com (8.8.7/8.8.5) with ESMTP id PAA13635; Wed, 24 May 2000 15:06:06 -0700 (PDT) Received: from staff1.cso.uiuc.edu (root@staff1.cso.uiuc.edu [128.174.5.59]) by inet1.agiweb.org (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id RAA13624 for ; Wed, 24 May 2000 17:59:37 -0400 Received: from [130.126.30.3] (arboria-2.slip.uiuc.edu [130.126.25.98]) by staff1.cso.uiuc.edu (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id QAA04094 for ; Wed, 24 May 2000 16:59:21 -0500 (CDT) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="============_-1252917134==_ma============" Message-Id: Date: Wed, 24 May 2000 16:55:19 -0500 To: Recipient List Suppressed:; From: joanne kluessendorf Subject: AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-28, May 24, 2000 (13k) X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-28, May 24, 2000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS: 1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM ACTION ALERT: 5-21-00 2) NORTH AMERICAN PALEONTOLOGICAL CONVENTION 2001 3) DARGON LADY 4) POSITION OPENINGS 5) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ***Don't forget*** Association for Women Geoscientists Presents: Kathryn O. Johnson, Ph.D. Vice-Chair of CAWMSET Thursday, June 1, 6-8 p.m. Washington Convention Center, Room 31 "Work of the Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering, and Technology Development" 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM ACTION ALERT: 5-21-00 *** Initial House Spending Levels for USGS Fall Far Short of President's Request IN A NUTSHELL: The first results are in from the fiscal year (FY) 2001 appropriations process, and they are not good. Despite the budget surplus, the congressional budget resolution provided low allocations for the individual appropriations bills, in many cases below FY 2000 levels. As a result, the significant increases proposed for geoscience-related agencies in President Clinton's budget request are at risk of turning into flat-line funding or cuts unless geoscientists speak out on the value of federal investment in these areas. Last week, the House subcommittee that handles appropriations for the Department of the Interior provided $816.7 million for the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). Although this amount represents a $3.3 million increase over FY 2000 levels, it is nearly $80 million less than requested by the president and is a major blow to the survey's efforts to grow after years of budgetary stagnation and retrenchment. The Senate allocation for the Interior bill is somewhat higher holding out hope that some of the President's request will materialize in the Senate bill due out in the next month. The bills for NSF are not out yet, but both the House and Senate have less money to spend than they did in FY 2000. Subcommittee chairmen in both chambers have already announced that as much as they would like to, they will not be able to provide the major funding increases proposed for NSF in the president's budget. Three months after President Clinton submitted his Fiscal Year (FY) 2001 budget request to Congress, appropriations subcommittees in the House and Senate have begun to mark up the bills that will eventually determine the actual spending levels for the federal government in the coming year. By all appearances, the process will be even more contentious than last year despite the burgeoning budget surplus. In April, Congress passed its first budget resolution since 1997, setting appropriations and other spending levels. On May 4th, both the House and Senate Appropriations Committees released their budget resolution-based allocations for each of the 13 individual appropriations bills. Except for military spending, most of the allocations fall well below the president's request. On May 17th, the House Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies marked up its FY 2001 bill (which will not receive a bill number until it reaches the House floor). The subcommittee was allocated $14.6 billion, $300 million below FY 2000 enacted levels and $1.7 billion below the president's request. In a press release, subcommittee chairman Rep. Ralph Regula (R-OH) stated: "This year's Interior bill was very difficult to put together. The constraints of the budget resolution on natural resource spending, compared to other priority issues, presented a number of challenges in meeting the operational needs of all the agencies in the bill. We have tried to meet the highest priorities of the American people, such as maintaining our national parks." Details are still scarce for most of the bill, but AGI has obtained preliminary numbers and report language covering the USGS. Other geoscience- related agencies funded by this subcommittee include Department of the Interior bureaus, the U.S. Forest Service, Department of Energy Office of Fossil Energy, and the Smithsonian Institution. Additional details will be available shortly on the AGI website at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/appropsfy2001.html. *** House Funding Levels for USGS Given the subcommittee's low allocation, it can be considered a small victory that the USGS received $816.7 million, a $3.3 million increase over FY 2000 levels. But that victory is tempered by the fact that the survey had requested $895.4 million, its first major increase in many years. The bill continues a recent trend from this House subcommittee of not funding administration initiatives but restoring funds for core programs and congressionally added (or earmarked) programs. According to report language accompanying the House bill, the Geologic Division would receive $211.3 million, virtually flat from FY 2000 and $13.5 million below the request. Additional funds above FY 2000 levels are provided for the survey's real-time hazard initiative: $1 million for upgrading seismic networks ($2.6 million requested) and the requested $0.5 million for volcano networks. Geologic mapping would receive a $0.5 million increase ($7.5 million was requested as part of the Community/Federal Information Partnerships initiative) as well as the requested $0.5 million transferred from the National Mapping Division for the Great Lakes Mapping Coalition. The coastal and marine geology program would receive $1 million to initiate a comprehensive, multi-disciplinary coastal program based on recommendations in the recent National Research Council review "Science for Decisionmaking: Coastal and Marine Geology at the USGS." These increases were offset by cuts to several projects added by the Senate in FY 2000, including Hawaiian volcano monitoring ($0.5 million cut), minerals at risk studies in Alaska ($2 million cut), and Nevada gold studies ($1.2 million cut). The bill does not make presidentially requested cuts to coal availability and recoverability studies. The Water Resources Division would receive $187.9 million, $2.1 million more than FY 2000 but $9.6 million below the request. Increases over FY 2000 include $1.7 million for upgrading streamgage networks ($4 million requested) and $0.4 million for the water resources research institutes. The bill does not include requested cuts to hydrologic research and development, water data collection and management projects. The National Mapping Division was the big loser, receiving $122.8 million, $3.9 million below FY 2001 and a whopping $32.5 million below the request. In addition to zeroing out administration initiatives, the bill would cut $3.4 million from the land management Hazard Support System project, expressing considerable concern over the division's handling of contracts related to the project. Those funds would be redirected to the USGS Biological Resources Division to conduct research for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The bill also rejects the administration's request to transfer all funds from the Gateway to the Earth-Ohio (often referred to as OhioView) project to other similar projects, although some redirection would be allowed. The Biological Resources Division would receive $140.4 million, up $3.5 million over FY 2000 but down $18.4 million from the request. *** Actions Needed Geoscientists concerned about the lack of support for USGS initiatives can take a number of actions: urge your senators (particularly any that sit on the Senate Appropriations Committee) to fully fund the USGS request, urge your representative to support expanding the allocation for the Interior bill when it comes to a vote in the full House Appropriations Committee and House floor, and urge the Clinton Administration not to accept the House numbers but to fight for its budget request during negotiations over the final bill this fall. For information on communicating with Congress, see http://www.agiweb.org/roster/howto.html. AGI testimony in support of the USGS request can be found at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/interior_fy2001.html. The Senate appropriations bill has not yet been introduced, and the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior and Related Agencies -- chaired by Sen. Slade Gorton (R-WA) -- has a higher allocation of $15.5 billion, halfway between the House level and the president's request. *** Prospects for NSF and NASA The National Science Foundation (NSF), NASA, and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency are all funded by the same bill overseen in both the House and Senate by the Subcommittee on VA, HUD and Independent Agencies. Each of these subcommittees has been allocated roughly $76 billion, which is $2 billion below their FY 2000 level and over $8 billion below the president's request. As reported by the AIP Bulletin of Science Policy News, Senate chairman Christopher "Kit" Bond (R-MO) has stated that he is in "an impossible situation...we do not have an allocation that will allow us to do what we must do." Nowhere have expectations been higher than for NSF, which requested the largest dollar increase in its history. The Geosciences Directorate at NSF requested a 19.5 percent increase and within that the Earth Sciences Division requested a 16.6 percent increase. The request for the NSF-wide Major Research Equipment budget includes $17.4 million to launch the USArray and San Andreas Fault Observatory at Depth components of the new Earthscope initiative. As with the USGS, concerned geoscientists should contact their senators and representatives and communicate the importance of expanding federal investment in geoscience research at NSF. AGI testimony in support of NSF's request can be found at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/vahud_fy2001.html. -Alert prepared by David Applegate, AGI Government Affairs. 22222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 2) North American Paleontological Convention 2001 announcement (June 26-July 1) NAPC 2001 is the seventh meeting of North American paleontologists. In addition to our Mexican, Canadian, and American colleagues, we also welcome those from other countries. Sponsored by ANAPS, the Association of North American Paleontological Societies, and hosted by the Museum of Paleontology of the University of California at Berkeley, NAPC 2001 will be held at the University of California, Berkeley, California Paleontological Technical Sessions, Workshops and Social Events will be included in the five day meeting. Both pre-meeting and post-meeting field trips will be offered. For details, see the NAPC Web site at http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/napc/ Suggestions for technical sessions, field trips and workshops will be accepted until June 15, 2000. Suggestions should be submitted at the web site: http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/napc/ Pre-Registration forms are available on-line at http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/napc/addNAPCprereg.html 333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 3) DRAGON LADY Joan Wiffen, New Zealand's "Dragon Lady" is featured in an article called "Romancing the Bone" (by Jack McClintock) in the June 2000 issue of Discover Magazine. She's a fascinating self-trained paleontologist who has been largely responsible for the discovery of most of the marine reptiles and dinosaurs known from New Zealand. 4444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 4) POSITION OPENINGS ***Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County-Curator of Invertebrate Paelontology Search Re-opened An immediate opening for a Full, Associate, or Assistant Curator to direct its research and collections programs in Invertebrate Paleontology. A Ph.D in an appropriate discipline (e.g. paleontology, paleobiology) is required. Applicants should send a curriculum vitae, statement of interest, and the names and addresses of three references by June 15, 2000, to: Dr. Joel W. Martin, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, Research & Collections, Section of Crustacea, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90007. The Museum is an equal opportunity employer. 555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 5) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ***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 the Ad Editor at ads@awg.org. PLEASE SEND AD COPY OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS AS RTF FILES OR AS PART OF AN E-MAIL MESSAGE ***For membership information or to join AWG, visit our website at or contact our business office at ***E-mail or address changes? Send to office@awg.org, please. -Dr. Joanne Kluessendorf Dept. of Geology, University of Illinois 1301 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801 USA phone: (217) 367-5916 fax: (217) 244-4996; e-mail: jkluesse@uiuc.edu Received: from inet1.agiweb.org (root@inet1.agiweb.org [209.119.27.2]) by magpie.a001.sprintmail.com (8.8.7/8.8.5) with ESMTP id KAA12957; Wed, 17 May 2000 10:47:53 -0700 (PDT) Received: from staff1.cso.uiuc.edu (root@staff1.cso.uiuc.edu [128.174.5.59]) by inet1.agiweb.org (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id NAA06838 for ; Wed, 17 May 2000 13:40:10 -0400 Received: from [130.126.28.40] (castle-103.slip.uiuc.edu [130.126.28.103]) by staff1.cso.uiuc.edu (8.9.3/8.9.3) with ESMTP id MAA25564 for ; Wed, 17 May 2000 12:39:55 -0500 (CDT) Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: multipart/alternative; boundary="============_-1253537499==_ma============" Message-Id: Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 12:35:39 -0500 To: Recipient List Suppressed:; From: joanne kluessendorf Subject: AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-27, May 15, 2000 (17k) X-Mozilla-Status2: 00000000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS No. 2000-27, May 15, 2000 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS: 1) AWG SPONSORS JOHNSON TALK AT AGU, JUNE 1 2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: 5-11-00 3) POSITION OPENINGS ***University of Illinois-Senior Research Scientist 4) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111) AWG Sponsors Johnson Talk at AGU, June 1 Association for Women Geoscientists Presents: Kathryn O. Johnson, Ph.D. Vice-Chair of CAWMSET* Thursday, June 1, 6-8 p.m. Washington Convention Center, Room 31 "Work of the Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering, and Technology Development" The *Commission on the Advancement of Women and Minorities in Science, Engineering, and Technology Development (CAWMSET) was established by Congress in 1998. Through this legislation, Congress sought recommendations to: · Advance the full and equitable participation of all Americans in SET education; · Increase the number of qualified American scientists, engineers, and technicians by expanding the human resources pool of women, members of racial and ethnic minority groups underrepresented in these fields, and persons with disabilities; and · Thereby enhance the Nation's economic capacity and technological growth in this era of global competitiveness. Toward these goals, the Commission has gathered information on the state of participation of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities from existing research, commissioned papers, leading national experts, and two public hearings and has finished their year-long examination. The Commission's report with recommendations will be released in June 2000 in the U.S. Capitol. More information on CAWMSET is available at: http://www.nsf.gov/od/cawmset/start.htm Dr. Johnson is the Vice-Chair of CAWMSET and its only geoscientist. She earned her Ph.D. in geology from the South Dakota School of Mines and Geology. Dr. Johnson is currently the owner and project manager of MATRIX Consulting Group in Rapid City, South Dakota. She serves South Dakota as a gubernatorial appointee to the State Board of Minerals and Environment and is a member of the National Research Council's Committee on Women in Science and Engineering. FORUM AND RECEPTION OPEN TO ALL AGU PARTICIPANTS AND INTERESTED PARTIES 222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: 5-11-00 *** Evolution Opponents Hold Congressional Briefing IN A NUTSHELL: Supporters of intelligent design theory brought their message to Capitol Hill in a series of events for Members of Congress and their staff. A three-hour briefing focused on the scientific evidence for the origin and development of life and the universe as the work of an intelligent designer. The speakers presented their version of the scientific debate between Darwinian evolutionary theory and intelligent design theory. Speakers also addressed the social, moral, and political consequences of Darwinism. Sponsored by the Discovery Institute, the briefing was hosted by the chairman of the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, and co-sponsors included Rep.Thomas Petri (R-WI), expected to be the next chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee. The briefing took place as Congress debates legislation to overhaul federal K-12 education programs. On May 10th, a House Judiciary Committee hearing room was the site of a three-hour briefing on paleontology, biology, and cosmology. Although presentations were at times quite technical, the speakers were not there to discuss the latest research in these fields. They were on Capitol Hill to promote intelligent design (ID) theory, to debunk Darwinian evolutionary theory, and to expose the negative social impact of Darwinism. Entitled "Scientific Evidence of Intelligent Design and its Implications for Public Policy and Education," the briefing was sponsored by the Discovery Institute, a Seattle-based think tank (http://www.discovery.org), and its Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture. The afternoon briefing was preceded by a private luncheon in the U.S. Capitol for Members of Congress and was followed by an evening reception. This AGI special update provides a short summary of the presentations given at the briefing. Until now, the creation-evolution debate has primarily been active at the state and local level, but this event may represent the start of a new effort to involve Congress in efforts to oppose the teaching of evolution. Whether by chance or by design, the briefing took place as the Senate entered its second week of debate on overhauling federal K-12 education programs. Both houses are expected to work throughout the summer on reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. More on that subject at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis106/ike106.html. *** Creationist and Congressional Heavy Hitters The briefing featured a number of the leading lights in the ID movement, including Lehigh University biology professor Michael Behe, author of "Darwin's Black Box;" Whitworth College philosophy professor Stephen Meyer, who directs the Center for the Renewal of Science and Culture and is a former ARCO geophysicist; Discovery Institute Fellow Nancy Pearcey, co-author with Chuck Colson of "How Now Shall We Live?;" and Berkeley law professor Phillip Johnson, author of "Darwin on Trial." Behe and Meyer spoke first, focusing on a scientific explanation of ID theory and discussion of the weaknesses of Darwinian theory. The second two speakers, Pearcey and Johnson, focused on social and political implications of the competing worldviews represented by these two theories. Approximately 50 people attended the briefing, including a handful of congressional staff and several Members of Congress. The chairman of the House Judiciary Subcommittee on the Constitution, Rep. Charles Canady (R-FL), provided the room. Senator Sam Brownback (R-KS) made remarks comparing the current Kansas social controversy over evolution to the one spawned by abolitionist John Brown. More significant was the appearance of Rep. Tom Petri (R-WI), who warmly introduced several of the speakers. Petri is slated to become chairman of the House Education and the Workforce Committee in January, replacing retiring chairman Bill Goodling (R-PA). Other congressional co-hosts listed on the press release included House Science Committee members Roscoe Bartlett (R-MD) and Sheila Jackson-Lee (D-TX), and Education Committee member Mark Souder (R-IN). *** Empirical Evidence for Design Despite the presence of congressional heavy hitters, Johnson disavowed any intention of playing the Washington power game (something he accused scientists of doing) and emphasized that he and his colleagues were there only to open minds which had been kept closed by an elite scientific priesthood. All of the speakers emphasized that this was a debate among scientists, not between science and religion. They stressed that the idea of design is entirely empirical, that we recognize it all the time in everyday life and can make the conclusion of design based wholly on the physical evidence. However, they also recognized that intelligent design theory has theistic implications. Unlike some other creationists, ID supporters accept deep time and indeed argue that the cosmological big bang is evidence for the existence of something beyond nature. Like other creationists, however, they argue that the diversity and complexity of life could not have come about through undirected processes of natural selection. Behe and Meyer emphasized two keystones of ID theory: (1) that an intelligent designer is the only way to explain irreducibly complex natural systems, which defy explanation by Darwinian processes; and (2) that information is a third fundamental entity separate from matter and energy, and information can only come from a mind. Meyer used this second concept to link ID theory to the new knowledge-based economy where value comes from information not material resources. Nearly all the speakers cited a quote by Bill Gates equating DNA with extremely complex computer code. The speakers portrayed ID theory as the logical outcome of the advancement of science. Both Behe and Meyer repeatedly noted that scientists have been enormously surprised by the complexity they find in nature -- whereas Darwinism may have worked within the limited scope of 19th-century scientific understanding, it cannot handle the much greater complexity that scientists now recognize. *** Confronting the Darwinian Worldview Nancy Pearcey spoke on the worldview implications of Darwinism, noting that many people apply Darwinism to every walk of life. She cited the book A Natural History of Rape, which portrayed rape as an evolutionary adaptation strategy rather than a pathology. She found this example helpful in spelling out the logical consequences of Darwinism. The key battleground is education, which in the hands of Darwinists is no longer a search for truth. Instead, ideas are now merely problem-solving tools. Pearcey asked what this means for religion, answering that for the Darwinists, god becomes merely an idea that appears in the human mind. For Darwinists, religion must give way to a new science-based cosmic myth with the power to bind humans together in a new world order. She then asked what this means for morality and argued that people were right to be concerned that all the above would undercut morality. She cited a recent popular song urging that "you and me, baby, ain't nothing but mammals so let's do it like they do on the Discovery Channel." Pearcey went on to explain that the US legal system is based on moral principles and that the only way to have ultimate moral grounding for law is to have an unjudged judge, an uncreated creator. Nothing else can take his place. All else can be challenged in a grand "says who?" She pointed to arguments made by Michael Sandel of Harvard in his book Democracy's Discontent in which modern society is portrayed as a struggle between those who think morality is up for grabs and those who view it as given. *** Creation Myths and Priesthoods Phillip Johnson explained that Darwinism is not so much a scientific theory as a creation story. Every culture has a creation story jealously guarded by a priesthood. The triumph of Darwinism is the replacement of one priesthood -- the clergy -- with another of scientists and intellectuals, a process now complete in Europe but still being contested in the US. According to Johnson, the Darwinian creation story finds its essential support in certain philosophical rules, the main one being that natural selection has enormous creative power from bacteria to redwood trees to people. He called it a marvelous story but asked what it has been seen to do? Change the size of some finch beaks in the Galapagos Islands? He argued that it has never been seen to create anything. Johnson argued that the scientific priesthood has banished god from allowable discussion, leaving Darwinism as the only game in town. Intelligent design cannot be considered because it includes an unevolved intelligence. For the scientists, it is an offensive thought crime to suggest something other than Darwinism. Johnson quotes from an ABA Journal article that "to consider ID in biology would be as blasphemous as Satan worship in church." A curious repeated theme among the speakers was their surprise at the receptivity in official Chinese media to ID theory. The point was then made that in China one can question Darwinism but not the government, whereas in the US one can question the government but not Darwinism. Johnson argued that in order to have an open discussion about the logic of Darwinism, the question needed to be redefined in order to get beyond the stereotype of biblical literalists; a genuine intellectual issue needed to be articulated. As Johnson sees it, the problem is that there are two definitions of science in our culture: (1) science is unbiased empirical testing and observations that follow the evidence wherever it leads without prejudice; and (2) science is applied materialist philosophy which, like Marxism or Freudianism, is willing to impose its authority. In Johnson's view, scientists get public support because they wrap themselves in the first definition. Supporters of ID theory need to flush out the scientists true colors by identifying situations where their philosophy of materialism says one thing but the evidence tells a different story. Once that is on the table, then the scientists' game is over. *** What About Religion? All four speakers were exceedingly cautious in responding to questions about how ID theory relates to religion. Meyer emphasized that the issue is about two different scientific theories with large implications for theistic and naturalistic worldviews. When asked if he was being too tentative about ID theory not being a proof of god, Meyer replied that using the principle of uniformitarianism -- that the present is the key to past -- naturalism is insufficient, and a designer is thus needed. Johnson added that we cannot conclude from scientific inquiry whether the intelligent designer is indeed the God of the Bible. The speakers repeatedly emphasized that ID theory is a big tent that includes Jews and agnostics but all united by the belief that there is objective truth. Asked if there was a critical mass yet of ID supporters among scientists at universities, Johnson stated that you do not convince the priesthood but generationally replace them. He argued that demographics are on ID's side -- polls show skepticism about Darwinism so the public at large is sympathetic but has been disabled by the stereotypes and mind games of the scientific elite. The people need to be empowered and that is what is happening with the Internet and talk radio, which takes away control from the scientific gatekeepers. Johnson's stated objective was to get thousands of young people in the classroom asking questions of dogmatic professors, and he said that it is already happening. --Special update prepared by David Applegate, AGI Government Affairs [Editor's Note: If you would like to read more about the evolution: creation:intelligent design issue in education, check out the National Center for Science Education website at or read "The Evolution-Creation Controversy II: Perspectives on Science, Religion, and Geological Education" (1999) available from the Paleontological Society.] 33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 3) POSITION OPENINGS ***University of Illinois-Senior Research Scientist Geochemical molecular modeling, full-time, 12-month, non-tenurable position. Requirements are a PhD in geoscience, chemistry, physics, 5 yeras of post-doctoral experience and demonstrated record of leading research and publication in molecular modeling of aqueous geochemical systems. Applicants should arrange for 3 letters of reference to be sent directly to the search committee and should send c.v., list of publications, and statement of research interests and excperience to: Prof. R. James Kirkpatrick, Molecular Modeling Search Committee Chair, Dept. of Geology, University of Illinois, 1301 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801. Deadline June 1. 444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444) SUBMISSION & MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION ***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 the Ad Editor at ads@awg.org. PLEASE SEND AD COPY OR OTHER SUBMISSIONS AS RTF FILES OR AS PART OF AN E-MAIL MESSAGE ***For membership information or to join AWG, visit our website at or contact our business office at ***E-mail or address changes? Send to office@awg.org, please. -Dr. Joanne Kluessendorf Dept. of Geology, University of Illinois 1301 W. Green St., Urbana, IL 61801 USA phone: (217) 367-5916 fax: (217) 244-4996; e-mail: jkluesse@uiuc.edu