^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2002-32 ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ CONTENTS 1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: NOVEMBER 2002 2) THE AWIS WASHINGTON WIRE - NOVEMBER 29, 2002 3) MEMBER COMMENT 4) WANTED! STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE 2003 SC-SE GSA MEETING IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE 5) SPRING 2003 VAN TUYL LECTURE SERIES 6) GREAT BRITAIN STUDY OF GENDER EQUITY ISSUES 7) POSITION OPENINGS · Montclair State University - Environmental geochemistry/geophysics (two positions) · Mt Holyoke College - Geology Lab Director, Full-time, Academic Year · Whittier College - Tenure Track Position in Earth and Environmental Science 8) CONTACT INFORMATION ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News Blessed is the season which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love. --Hamilton Wright Mabi Happy Holidays! ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ 1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: NOVEMBER 2002 * 107th Congress Leaves Appropriations, Energy Bill in Limbo * ANWR Likely to Emerge Early in the New Congress * NSF Doubling Bill Passes Congress, Awaits Bush Signature * Department of Homeland Security Now a Reality * Sea Grant Program Reauthorized * Wetlands Conservation Bill Signed into Law * Paleontology Cuts at National Monument Spark Controversy * New Geoscience Fellows Choose House, Senate Offices * Federal Register Roundup * New Material on Web Site *** 107th Congress Leaves Appropriations, Energy Bill in Limbo *** As reported in the November 15th Special Update, the 107th Congress has adjourned, leaving many major issues unresolved. Although they held a brief post-election session, action on the remaining fiscal year (FY) 2003 appropriations bills and comprehensive energy legislation will wait for the new year and the Republican-controlled 108th Congress. Congress passed a long-term continuing resolution (CR) to fund non-defense federal programs at FY 2002 base levels -- a level that translates into a funding decrease for most programs because of inflation -- until January 11, 2003. Staffers for the House and Senate Appropriations Committees are rushing to assemble an omnibus package for the 108th Congress to consider when it convenes on January 7th. The first sticking point is establishing a single allocation for each of the bills since numbers used by the House and Senate differed. For its part, the White House is pressing for Congress to stick to levels close to the president's original request. While the overall amount of funding is likely to be lower than in the existing bills, the impact on individual programs is not yet clear. The Special Update also noted that efforts to pass a stripped-down version of energy legislation during the lame-duck session failed. On November 13th, House-Senate Conference Committee Chairman Rep. Billy Tauzin (R-LA) attempted to revive the debate by suggesting passage of a bill that would include only provisions related to the Price-Anderson Act (insurance for nuclear power plants) and pipeline safety. Senate conferees quickly rejected the suggestion, as did the White House, which indicated that any bill not including electric utility restructuring would be vetoed. Energy legislation will likely become one of the early issues for the 108th Congress. The Special Update also included a brief rundown of new Republican committee chairs. More at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/lameduck_update1102.html *** ANWR Likely to Emerge Early in the New Congress *** The New York Times and E&E Daily both report that the incoming chairmen of the Senate Budget Committee and Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee -- Sen. Don Nickles (R-OK) and Sen. Pete Domenici (R-NM), respectively -- may seek to use a filibuster-proof budget bill to obtain approval of oil drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR). Known as budget reconciliation, this type of bill is exempted from filibusters, which require a 60-vote majority to break. Opening ANWR was included in such a bill in 1995, but President Clinton vetoed that bill. ANWR opponents led by Sen. John Kerry (D-MA) and Sen. Joe Lieberman (D-CT) have repeatedly threatened to filibuster any legislation to open ANWR. In test votes earlier this year, a provision to drill ANWR as part of comprehensive energy legislation only obtained 46 votes in the Senate (see AGI Special Update 5-8-02), and it is unclear that ANWR supporters will have the four additional votes they need in the new Senate. The proposal by Nickles and Domenici, however, signals that this issue is likely to come up early in the new year. ANWR was included in the House-passed version of comprehensive energy legislation (H.R.4). More on ANWR at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/anwr.html. *** NSF Doubling Bill Passes Congress, Awaits Bush Signature *** As stated in a November 18th Action Alert, a compromise version of legislation that authorizes a doubling of the National Science Foundation's (NSF) budget over five years passed Congress just before adjournment. Both the House and Senate acted late at night after a deal was reached to overcome White House objections. The president is expected to sign H.R. 4664 into law any day now, putting both the administration and Congress on record in support of this goal. The bill contains a number of provisions regarding education and workforce issues as well -- indeed the authorization of future appropriations is only a small portion of the overall bill. NSF supporters have sought a budget doubling for the foundation ever since the National Institutes of Health was put on such a track (to be completed with the coming fiscal year's appropriations). Unlike an appropriations bill, however, this legislation only authorizes spending; it does not release any actual funds. A major effort from the scientific community over the next five years will be needed to turn authorization into reality. More at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/nsfreauth_alert1102.html. *** Department of Homeland Security Now a Reality *** President Bush signed the bill establishing the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) into law on November 25th. Two provisions of interest to the geoscience community relate to the new department's Office of Science and Technology (OST), which will be headed by the DHS Under Secretary of Science and Technology, and the incorporation of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) into DHS's Emergency Preparedness and Response Directorate. OST will be responsible for developing a national plan to counter "emerging terrorist threats." FEMA stakeholders have expressed concern about how the formerly independent agency's natural hazards programs would be incorporated in DHS. The Political Scene column in the November issue of Geotimes looks at the potential impact of DHS on the geosciences, calling for a broad definition of homeland security. The column is available on the web at http://www.agiweb.org/geotimes/nov02/scene.html. *** Congress Reauthorizes Sea Grant Program *** On November 12th, the House unanimously approved legislation (H.R. 3389) to reauthorize the National Sea Grant College Program. The bill, which the Senate passed in October, reauthorizes Sea Grant for a total of $550 million over five years, starting with $60 million in fiscal year (FY) 2003 and gradually increasing to $85 million in FY 2008. H.R. 3389 keeps Sea Grant within the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), rejecting the Bush Administration's proposal to move the program into the National Science Foundation (NSF). However, reforms to Sea Grant were included in H.R. 3389 to address President Bush's concerns over insufficient merit-based competition and poor overall management within the program. Also included are amendments requiring Sea Grant to develop a comprehensive strategic plan and to report annually to Congress on program progress. The bill also includes language ensuring that minority and economically disadvantaged students have equal access to the program and requires that the oceans and coastal research activities of NOAA (including Sea Grant and the Coastal Ocean Program) coordinate with activities carried out through NSF. President Bush signed the bill into law on November 26th. More at http://www.agu.org/cgi-bin/asla/asla-list?read=2002-26.msg. *** Wetlands Conservation Bill Signed into Law *** Shortly before leaving town, Congress passed H.R. 3908, the North American Wetlands Conservation Reauthorization Act, which amends provisions in the current law related to funding levels and cost-sharing requirements. The bill would also extend the Chesapeake Bay Initiative through fiscal year 2008. Under the new law, the federal government would continue to match donations from non-federal groups to restore wetlands throughout North America. Millions of acres of wetlands in Canada, Mexico and the United States have been restored through this program since 1991. The bill would authorize $325 million for wetland preservation over the next five years. President Bush signed the bill into law on December 2nd. His statement is available at http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/12/20021202-1.html. *** Paleontology Cuts at National Monument Spark Controversy *** Controversy has erupted over the decision by the superintendent of Dinosaur National Monument in Utah earlier this fall to cut one paleontologist position and eventually transform a second from a research-grade position into a "physical resources program specialist" responsible for not only fossil resources but other resources as well. The National Park Service has subsequently clarified that this position, while generically defined, would be filled by a paleontologist. The monument was established in 1915 for its tremendous Mesozoic fossil beds and has remained a flagship for paleontological research ever since. The superintendent has characterized his actions as part of a broader effort within the Park Service to expand external research partnerships rather than internally funded research positions. Concerns over the superintendent's actions were distributed widely within the geoscience community primarily through e-mail listserves, generating letters to the Park Service as well as to Sen. Robert Bennett (R-UT) and other lawmakers. The issue received coverage this month in the Denver Post, Washington Post and other papers. Efforts are underway to establish a dialogue between the Park Service and AGI's member societies about the future role of paleontological research not just at Dinosaur but across the park system. *** New Geoscience Fellows Choose House, Senate Offices *** Amidst the political turmoil leading up to the November elections, a new crop of congressional science fellows was getting oriented and finding placements with House and Senate offices. AGI and its member societies sponsor four of the 29 fellows in the program, now approaching its 30th year, coordinated by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. AGI fellow Larry Kennedy came to Capitol Hill from Reno, where he was pursuing a graduate degree in hydrology at the University of Nevada after a 20-year career in the mining industry. He also holds a doctorate in geochemistry from the University of Western Ontario. Kennedy chose to work for his home-state senator, Harry Reid (D), who will be the assistant minority leader in the 108th Congress. Kennedy expects to work on mining and other resource and public-land issues. The Geological Society of America /U.S. Geological Survey fellow, Raphael "Rafe" Sagarin, has chosen to work in the personal office of second-term Rep. Hilda Solis (D), whose east Los Angeles district is confronted with a wide range of environmental problems. Sagarin has a Ph.D. in marine ecology from the University of California at Santa Barbara, where he studied proxies for recording recent climate changes. AGU fellow Illa Amerson is working for Sen. Kent Conrad (D) of North Dakota, where she will focus on water quality and environmental issues. She holds a doctorate in environmental science and engineering from Oregon Health & Science University. The Soil Science Society of America co-sponsors fellow Lee Van Wychen, who starts in January. He recently received his doctorate in land resources and environmental science from Montana State University. For more on the current cast of fellows, see their Society Page profile in the December issue of Geotimes at http://www.geotimes.org/dec02/society.html. For more information on the AGI fellowship, which is funded by the AGI Foundation, and fellowships offered by AGI member societies, please visit http://www.agiweb.org/gapac/csf.html. Applications for the 2003-2004 AGI Congressional Science Fellowship are due February 3, 2003. *** November Federal Register *** A recent feature of the AGI Monthly Review is a summary of Federal Register announcements regarding regulations, agency meetings, and other notices of interest to the geoscience community. Entries are listed in chronological order and show the federal agency involved, the title, and the citation. The Federal Register is available online at http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont02.html. Department of Education (DoEd). Meeting announcement of the National Education Advisory Board to discuss guidelines for the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NEAP) on November 14-16, 2002, in Alexandria, VA. Vol. 67, No. 212 (1 November 2002): p. 66618. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Request for nominations for the newly formed National Ambient Air Monitoring Strategy Subcommittee of the Clean Air Scientific Advisory Committee. Vol. 67, No. 214 (4 November 2002): p. 67403 - 67405. Department of Defense (DOD). Meeting announcement of the Defense Science Board on January 29-30, 2003, that will be closed to the public. Vol. 67, No. 215 (6 November 2002): p. 67605 - 67606. Minerals Management Service (MMS). Meeting announcement of the Outer Continental Shelf Policy Committee on November 20-21, 2002, in New Orleans, LA. Vol. 67, No. 215 (6 November 2002): p. 67645. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Meeting announcement of the Earth Systems Science and Applications Advisory Committee (ESSAAC).on November 12, 2002, in Washington, DC. Vol. 67, No. 216 (7 November 2002): p. 67877. EPA. Announcement of the extension of the public comment period on the draft National Management Measures to Control Nonpoint Source Pollution from Urban Areas to January 15, 2002 -- draft text available at http://www.epa.gov/owow/nps/urbanmm/index.html. Vo. 67, No. 218 (12 November 2002): p. 68596. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Announcement of the request for preproposals and full proposals to expand the knowledge base of the ocean’s physical, chemical, and biological characteristics of the oceanic and Great Lakes regions. Vol. 67, No. 221 (15 November 2002): p. 69197 - 69201. EPA. Meeting announcement of an open meeting of the EPA Science Advisory Board to hear public comments on proposed restructuring of the committee, additional information at, http://www.epa.gov/sab. Vol. 67, No. 228 (26 November 2002): p. 70729 - 70730. Every month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) releases final rules on Modified Base (1-percent annual-chance) Flood Elevations for several communities. These flood maps are used to calculate flood insurance premium rates related to the National Flood Insurance Program. This month, these announcements were made in No. 213 (p. 67119 - 67130) and No. 228 (p. 70696 - 70702). *** New Material on Web Site *** The following updates and reports were added to the Government Affairs portion of AGI's web site http://www.agiweb.org/gap since the last monthly update: Geotimes Political Scene: A Year in the Sausage Factory (by AGI 2001-2002 Congressional Science Fellow David Curtiss; 12/02) Overview of Science Education Policy (11-27-02) Homeland Security Impacts on Science (11-25-02) National Science Foundation Authorization (11-21-02) Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR; 11-19-02) Energy Policy Overview (11-19-02) Action Alert: NSF Doubling Plan on Way to White House (11-18-02) Special Update: Lame Duck Punts, Next Congress To Address Spending Bills (11-15-02) _____________ Monthly review prepared by Margaret A. Baker and David Applegate. Sources: AGU Science Legislation Alert, E&E News, Federal Register, Greenwire, Library of Congress, House Resources Committee, National Park Service, The New York Times, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington Post, and White House. 11111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111 2) THE AWIS WASHINGTON WIRE - NOVEMBER 29, 2002 The latest edition of the Washington Wire has been posted at < http://www.awis.org/wire.html >. Topics for this week's Washington Wire are: Education and the Workplace · Senator John Edwards Outlines Education Proposals Healthcare · FDA Hosts Women's Health Dialogue · Promising Cervical Cancer Vaccine Government · Senate approves homeland security department legislation International Perspectives · Lawmakers Gather to Promote Reproductive Rights Announcements · Partnering for Global Health Forum Funding and Fellowships · Grants for Gender Equity in Science Positions found in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect their sponsor's views. 22222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222 3) MEMBER COMMENT Can we think together about nominating women for GSA awards, Council etc.? Maybe if we can get some names via this site the world of Geology won't look as totally male as it did at the last annual meeting!!! It's not that I don't think all who received awards didn't deserve their honors, I just know there are women out there who should be honored and brought to the attention of Geologists at large as AWG finally did for Gail Ashley. Incidentally, she and Sharon Mosherboth served well as Presidents of GSA. Cathy Skinner The GSA website is located at http://www.geosociety.org/. 33333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333333 4) WANTED! STUDENT VOLUNTEERS FOR ASSISTANCE AT THE 2003 SC-SE GSA MEETING IN MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE If you are interested in volunteering to assist with technical sessions at the 2003 SC-SE GSA meeting in Memphis, March 12-14, please download a form at the meeting web page and mail to Steve Newkirk (StevenRNewkirk@aol.com). Your meeting registration costs will be waived provided that you attend the mandatory orientation meeting and work for one-half day. The application deadline is February 7, 2003. 44444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444444 5) SPRING 2003 VAN TUYL LECTURE SERIES The Van Tuyl Lecture series is hosted by the Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO. The schedule for the 2003 spring series is outlined below. Note that most of the speakers are women! SPRING 2003 VAN TUYL LECTURE SERIES FRIDAYS, 3-4 P.M. BERTHOUD HALL ROOM 108 January 17 Julie Sueker, PhD, PE, PH, Blasland, Bouck & Lee, Inc., Denver, CO “Effect of physical geology, mineralogy, topography, and vegetation cover on stream chemical fluxes in alpine and subalpine basins, Rocky Mountain National Park” January 24 Naomi Oreskes January 31 Dr. Meghan Morrissey, CSM “Modelling Acoustic and Seismic Signals Generated From Explosive Volcanic Eruptions” February 7 Dr. Barb Moskal, Mathematics and Computer Science Dept., CSM “The Engineering Design Team Process: Does Gender Matter?” February 14 Dr. Sally Sutton, University of Colorado “A fluid mixing model for Konkola North, Zambian Copperbelt” February 21 Dr. Mary Kraus, University of Colorado “The Paleocene/Eocene Thermal Maximum: Effects on Alluvial Soils and Continental Ecosystems” February 28 Robbi Gries, Priority Oil & Gas, LLC “Thinking Outside the Box The Role of the Geologists in Keeping Up With Energy Demand” March 7 Dr. Michelle Tuttle, U.S.G.S., Denver “Gas Cloud Kills Thousands at Lake Nyos, Africa: Identifying the Culprit and Saving Lives in the Future March 14 March 21 SPRING BREAK March 28 Marsh Lavenue, Intera Incorporated, Boulder, CO “ April 4 Peter Lipman, U.S. Geological Survey, Menlo Park, CA "Ignimbrites and Calderas from the Central and Northern San Juan Mountains: New Tales From Old Tuffs" April 11 Cindy Yielding, AAPG Distinguished Lecturer “The History of a New Play: Thunder Horse Discovery, Deepwater Gulf of Mexico” April 18 Dr. Richelle Allen-King, Washington State University, Darcy Distinguished Lecturer "A Hydrogeochemist's Perspective on Organic Contaminant Transport in Ground Water" April 25 Dr. Chuck Kluth, CSM, formerly with ChevronTexaco “ May 2 Bob Weimer Walking Tour of Campus, après tour in Museum 55555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555555 6) GREAT BRITAIN STUDY OF GENDER EQUITY ISSUES The Greenfield report, commissioned by Great Britain's trade and industry secretary, Patricia Hewitt, and drawn up by Susan Greenfield, Baroness, director of the Royal Institution and professor of Pharmacology at Oxford, was issued November 29, 2002. The Report addresses barriers to women seeking a career in science at three stages: 1) starting out, when family issues conflict with career demands, 2) mid-career, when women should be appearing on high-level committees, and 3) the endemic "glass ceiling". The report gives recommendations to employers, staff, and women on how to begin to improve working conditions for women scientists. An article in the Guardian on the report is given here: http://www.guardian.co.uk/women/story/0,3604,849133,00.html The full 98-page report can be downloaded from this website: http://www.set4women.gov.uk/set4women/research/the_greenfield_rev.htm 66666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666666 7) POSITION OPENINGS Montclair State University Environmental geochemistry/geophysics (two positions) The Department of Earth and Environmental Studies at Montclair State University invites applications for two full-time (10-month), tenure-track faculty positions at the assistant (geochemistry) and/or associate (geophysics) rank starting September 1, 2003. The geochemistry position requires expertise in environmental analytical chemistry or geochemistry. A field-oriented research program, especially air, soil, and water field sampling as well as experience with environmental analytical laboratory techniques is preferred. The geophysics position requires expertise in environmental geophysics preferably with applications in coastal and/or aquatic systems. Experience should include environmental applications of one or more of the following geophysical techniques: resistivity profiling, shallow seismic exploration, ground-penetrating radar, gravity and/or magnetics. Additional information about the positions and the department is available at http://www.csam.montclair.edu/! earth/eesweb. Applicants should send cover letter, curriculum vitae, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of professional goals, research interests and teaching philosophy to: Dr. Matthew Gorring, Search Committee Chair (VF39 Geochemistry or VF40 Geophysics), Dept. of Earth and Environmental Studies, Montclair State University, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043. ****************************** Mt Holyoke College Geology Lab Director, Full-time, Academic Year The Department of Earth and Environment at Mount Holyoke College (MHC) invites applications for the position of Geology Lab Director. This appointment is a non-tenure track, continuing, academic year (10 month /year) position. The successful candidate must be dedicated to undergraduate education and enjoy working with students. Responsibilities include: teaching Environmental and Physical Geology laboratories (about 20 contact hours/week); working closely with faculty to develop new lab exercises; familiarity with general and geological software packages; and oversight of a new departmental computer facility for teaching. Applicants must have at least a Master's degree in earth science. MHC is a highly selective, nondenominational, residential, liberal arts college enrolling approximately 2,000 women from across the U.S. and more than 70 other countries. Along with nearby Amherst, Hampshire, and Smith Colleges, and the University of Massachusetts at Amherst, MHC is a member of the Five College Consortium. The Department of Earth and Environment offers three majors: Geology, Geography, and Environmental Studies. More information about the department, faculty and courses is available on our website at: http://www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/geo/. Applicants should submit a current vitae, undergraduate and graduate transcripts, and a statement of teaching philosophy. Three letters of reference must be sent directly to the search committee. Please send applications to: Geology Lab Director Search Committee, Department of Earth and Environment, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, MA 01075. Review of applications begins immediately and continues until the position is filled. Anticipated start date is September 2003. Mount Holyoke College is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer committed to multicultural diversity in its faculty, staff and student body. Women and people of color are encouraged to apply. ****************************** Whittier College Tenure Track Position in Earth and Environmental Science The Environmental Science Program at Whittier College invites applications for a tenure track position at the Assistant Professor level in the Department of Earth Sciences beginning August 2003 pending budgetary approval. A Ph.D. in geology or a closely related field is required. We seek a candidate specializing in Earth surface or near surface processes, or one working on geosphere-hydrosphere-atmosphere interactions. Teaching responsibilities include introductory geologic processes, water resources, geomorphology and sedimentary processes. Co-instruction within the college's interdisciplinary Environmental Sciences Program and teaching in college-wide programs within the liberal arts curriculum are expected. Experience with GIS will be considered an asset. An ability to convey excitement for the discipline and an enthusiasm for undergraduate teaching is essential. The successful candidate will develop a research program involving Whittier undergraduates. For more detailed information see www.earthsciences.whittier.edu or contact Jan Vermilye at (562) 907-4913 or jvermilye@whittier.edu. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled, and the final review of applications will begin January 30th. Whittier College is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer actively seeking to increase the diversity of its faculty. 7777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777777 8) CONTACT INFORMATION To submit an item to E-MAIL NEWS contact: editor@awg.org To submit advertising contact: ads@awg.org To change your address or be removed from the list contact: office@awg.org