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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2003-1
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CONTENTS
1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: DECEMBER 2002
2) 2003 WORKSHOP ON GENDER ISSUES IN THE SCIENCES
3) POSITION OPENINGS
??The Colorado College: Assistant Professor Geology
??University of Ottawa: Earth Systems Evolution
4) CONTACT INFORMATION
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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News
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1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: DECEMBER 2002
* Appropriations Action Stays Behind Closed Doors
* Energy Policy: Vice President's Plan, OCS Ban Get Day in Court
* Climate Change Conference Held, Canada Ratifies Kyoto
* Ohio's State School Board Votes for Evolution, Louisiana's Doesn't
* EPA Report on Science Use in Regulations
* Congressional Science Fellowship Deadline Approaches
* Summer Internship Opportunity for Geoscience Students
* Congressional Visits Day Scheduled for April 2-3
* Federal Register Roundup
* New Material on Web Site
*** Appropriations Action Stays Behind Closed Doors ***
In the middle of December, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Bill
Young (R-FL) announced his plan of attack for the opening days of the
108th
Congress. Young and Senate counterpart Ted Stevens (R-AK) want to finish
the
fiscal year (FY) 2003 appropriations process before the president's State
of
the Union Address on January 28th. They have agreed with the White House
to
cap discretionary spending at the president's proposed $750.5 billion. To
meet this number, the Senate Appropriations subcommittees will need to
trim
$10 - $15 billion from the bills crafted in the last Congress. Although
very
little information is being released, the cuts are most likely to be an
across-the-board percentage reduction from all programs. The Young plan
would have the House quickly passing a Continuing Resolution (CR) that
would
keep the federal government at FY 2002 levels, with some supplemental
funds,
until the end of January. The House would then pass a second CR that the
Senate could use as a vehicle to pass its trimmed-down bills as a single
omnibus package. This grand plan will require that the 108th Congress hit
the ground running on January 7th and that members can agree upon cuts to
popular programs to meet the spending cap agreed to by Republican
leadership
and the White House. The plan also requires Democratic cooperation,
particularly in the Senate. But according to a spokesman for Sen. Robert
C.
Byrd (WV), the ranking Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee,
their side has yet to see any proposal from the majority. More at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/appropsfy2003.html.
The Political Scene column in the January 2003 issue of Geotimes
discusses
geoscience-related policy issues likely to be addressed by the new 108th
Congress, including appropriations. The column is on the Web at
http://www.geotimes.org/jan03/scene.html.
*** Energy Policy: Vice President's Plan, OCS Ban Get Day in Court ***
While Capitol Hill has been quiet over the last month, federal courts
have
produced a pair of opinions with an impact on energy policy. On December
9th, U.S. District Judge John Bates ruled on David Walker, Comptroller
General of the General Accounting Office (GAO), vs. Vice President Dick
Cheney, a case related to the administration's national energy policy
(NEP)
that was released in May 2001. GAO, which is the investigative arm of
Congress, sought information from the vice president on taskforce
meetings
during the development of the NEP. GAO did so while undertaking a study
requested by Reps. John Dingell (D-MI) and Henry Waxman (D-CA). The White
House refused to provide information, setting up a legal confrontation.
Judge Bates dismissed the case, noting that the comptroller general "does
not have the personal, concrete, and particularized injury required under
Article III standing doctrine, either himself or as the agent of
Congress.
. .". Bates's decision was the second in a week that favors the
administration. On December 6th, a federal appeals court indefinitely
postponed a deadline for the release of several NEP taskforce files
connected to a case filed by two non-profit organizations -- Judicial
Watch
and the Sierra Club. A copy of the Bates opinion on the Cheney suit is
available in PDF at, http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/02-340.pdf.
In related news, the U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld a decision
that provides California with the power to decide how to manage its
offshore
oil and gas resources. For years, the state of California and the federal
government, particularly the Minerals Management Service (MMS) that
supervises offshore oil and gas drilling for the Department of the
Interior,
have been at odds as to who gets the final say in drilling off central
California. The court decision asserts that under the Coastal Zone
Management Act and the National Environmental Protection Policy Act, the
California Coastal Commission has the right to review and reject federal
plans for offshore oil and gas leases. A copy of the court's opinion is
available at http://www.ca9.uscourts.gov/.
*** Climate Change Conference Held, Canada Ratifies Kyoto ***
December opened with a three-day conference sponsored by the Bush
Administration on climate change science. President Bush recently
established a multi-agency Climate Change Science Program (CCSP), which
will
oversee the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) -- established
by
the previous President Bush -- along with this Bush administration's
Climate
Change Research Initiative (CCRI). The CCSP, USGCRP, and CCRI are not to
be
confused with the administration's Climate Change Technology Initiative
(CCTI), which is separately coordinated by the Department of Energy. But
back to CCSP, a draft strategic plan was made available online in the
middle
of November. More than 1,000 scientists, policymakers, and other
interested
parties met in Washington for the three-day conference to review and
comment
on the draft. The plan provides an outline for activities in a wide array
of research areas, such as atmospheric composition, global water and
carbon
cycles, climate variability, ecosystems, land use, and modeling. Public
comments on the strategic plan are being accepted until January 18th. The
draft plan and information on commenting is available at
http://www.climatescience.gov. Additional information on the workshop and
the plan is available from AIP Bulletin of Science Policy News at
http://www.aip.org/enews/fyi/2002/137.html.
In related news, while the Bush Administration works to refine its
research
plan, the European Union and Canada are moving ahead with meeting goals
set
by the Kyoto Protocol, which the United States withdraw its support from
last year. On December 9th, the European Union agreed to a cap-and-trade
system for greenhouse gases (GHG) modeled after the U.S. acid-rain
program.
More at http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/climat/home_en.htm. The
following day, Canada's House of Commons voted to ratify the Kyoto
Protocol.
The next week, Prime Minister Jean Chretien ratified the treaty in a
ceremony in Ottawa. In order for the international treaty to take effect,
it must be ratified by 55 countries that make up 55% of global emissions.
More on climate change policy at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/climate.html.
*** Ohio's State School Board Votes for Evolution, Louisiana's Doesn't
***
On December 10th, the Ohio State Board of Education voted 18-0, with one
absent, to approve new state science standards that for the first time
include evolution. According to an AP report, "evolution will be the only
origin-of-life theory covered on exams that students must pass to
graduate,
meaning schools that avoid teaching Charles Darwin's theory that life
evolved through natural processes would risk putting their students at a
disadvantage." Opponents of the teaching of evolution had sought to
downplay
evolution and include intelligent design creationism in the standards.
But
the final version approved by the board contains the specific statement:
"The intent of this indicator does not mandate the teaching or testing of
Intelligent Design." More on developments in Ohio at
http://www.ncseweb.org/pressroom.asp?state=OH and
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis107/evolution.html.
Even as Ohio's state board was voting for evolution, the Louisiana
Department of Education's Student and School Standards/Instruction
Committee
voted for a disclaimer in biology textbooks emphasizing that evolution is
a
theory, not a fact. Similar disclaimers have been adopted in several
states.
As reported by the National Center for Science Education, the board
president opposes the move, asserting: "I am not prepared to go back to
the
dark ages."
*** EPA Report on Science Use in Regulations ***
The role of science at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been
the topic of several hearings and bills over the years, and the agency
has
weathered considerable criticism over how it uses science in its
rulemaking.
More is likely to come in the wake of a recent report by the EPA Office
of
Inspector General that surveyed 16 rulemaking processes between 1991 and
2001, concluding that the role of science has not always been clear. The
report, entitled "Science to Support Rulemaking," also looked at where
the
funding for the science used in the process originated, "scientific
blind-spots," and whether the science was independently peer reviewed.
Most
of the case studies were related to the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts.
The
key suggestion of the report is that the "EPA should ensure that science
in
rulemaking is presented in a way that is apparent and consistent with the
conventions of science." The full report is available in PDF format at
http://www.epa.gov/oigearth/ereading_room/SSRulemaking.pdf.
*** Congressional Science Fellowship Deadline Approaches ***
The deadline is coming up for next year's congressional science
fellowships
offered by AGI and several of its member societies. These fellowships
provide opportunities for qualified geoscientists to spend a year working
as
professional staff in congressional committees and the personal offices
of
representatives and senators. The application deadline for the AGI
fellowship is February 3, 2003. Similar fellowships are available from
the
American Geophysical Union, the Geological Society of America/U.S.
Geological Survey, and the Soil Science Society of America. Geoscientists
are also eligible for a wide array of congressional and federal agency
fellowships offered by the American Association for the Advancement of
Science. Stipends, application procedures, qualifications, timetables,
and
deadlines vary. For further information, visit
http://www.agiweb.org/gapac/csf.html, which includes links to the other
AGI
member society fellowships, and http://fellowships.aaas.org.
Geoscientists
are encouraged to apply to all fellowships for which they qualify.
*** Summer Internship Opportunity for Geoscience Students ***
AGI is seeking outstanding geoscience students with a strong interest in
federal science policy for a twelve-week geoscience and public policy
internship in summer 2003. Interns will gain a first-hand understanding
of
the legislative process and the operation of executive branch agencies.
They
will also hone both their writing and Web-publishing skills. Stipends for
the summer interns are funded jointly by AGI and the AIPG Foundation.
Applications must be postmarked by March 15, 2003. For more information,
please visit http://www.agiweb.org/gapac/intern.html.
*** Congressional Visits Day Scheduled for April 2-3 ***
Looking ahead, AGI is asking geoscientists to attend the 8th annual
Science-Engineering-Technology Congressional Visits Day (CVD) in
Washington
on April 2-3, 2003. This event brings over 200 scientists and engineers
to
Capitol Hill to visit Members of Congress and their staff early in the
congressional budget cycle in an effort to increase federal investment in
science. AGI would like to see a strong contingent of geoscientists at
this
event. We especially encouraging Member Society leaders to consider it.
Attendees spend the first day receiving briefings from federal agency
officials and congressional staff followed by a day of visits. More at
http://www.agiweb.org/cvd.
*** December 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.
Minerals Management Service (MMS), Department of the Interior. Notice of
transfer of responsibility for geospatial data to MMS related to
"cadastral
offshore", "offshore minerals" and "outer continental shelf submerged
lands". Additional information at, http://www.mms.gov/ld/leasing.htm.
Vol.
67, No. 231 (2 December 2002): p. 71588.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Semiannual regulatory agenda
for regulations that will be considered by the agency between October 1,
2002 and March 31, 2003. Vol. 67, No. 236 (9 December 2002): p. 75324 -
75330.
Department of the Interior (DOI). Semiannual regulatory agenda for
regulations that will be considered by the agency between October 1, 2002
and March 31, 2003. Vol. 67, No. 236 (9 December 2002): p. 74584 - 74656.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Semiannual
regulatory
agenda for regulations that will be considered by the agency between
October
1, 2002 and March 31, 2003. Vol. 67, No. 236 (9 December 2002): p. 74352
-
74355.
National Science Foundation (NSF). Semiannual regulatory agenda for
regulations that will be considered by the agency between October 1, 2002
and March 31, 2003. Vol. 67, No. 236 (9 December 2002): p. 74378 - 74379.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Solicitation notice for
environmental education grants. Vol. 67, No. 244 (19 December 2002): p.
77772 - 77783.
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), Department of the Interior. Meeting notice
of the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC) to review
a
draft of the 5-year plan of the National Earthquake Hazards on January 8-
9,
2003. Vol. 67, No. 245 (20 December 2002): p. 78011.
Every month, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) releases
final
rule on Modified Base (1-percent annual-chance) Flood Elevations for
several
communities that are used to calculate flood insurance premium rates
related
to the National Flood Insurance Program. This month, these announcements
were made in No. 231 (p. 71482-71487).
*** 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: New Congress Faces Same Issues (1/03)
National Science Foundation Authorization (12-20-02)
Overview of Fiscal Year 2003 Geoscience Appropriations (12-20-02)
Superfund and Brownfields (12-11-02)
State Challenges to the Teaching of Evolution (12-10-02)
_____________
Monthly review prepared by Margaret A. Baker and David Applegate.
Sources: American Geophysical Union Science Legislation Alerts, American
Institute of Physics Bulletin of Science Policy News, E&E News Daily,
Environmental Protection Agency, Greenwire, National Center for Science
Education, U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. Climate Change Science Program,
and
White House Office of Management and Budget.
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2) 2003 WORKSHOP ON GENDER ISSUES IN THE SCIENCES
Colby's Forum for Women in Science is pleased to announce the upcoming
2003 Regional Workshop
on Gender Issues in the Sciences to be held on June 11-13, 2003 on
campus. As you can see on the
attached "Call for Applications," we have gathered an exciting group of
speakers. Please share this
information with colleagues, who might be interested in this
announcement. Please also post this
announcement in your departments and on your campuses so that others
might learn of this event.
If you have questions about this event or need additional information,
please do not hesitate to contact
me or members of the planning group.
Bets Brown, Ph.D. (representing the Forum for Women in Science)
Department of Biology
Colby College
4341 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, Maine 04901
207/872-3449
See also http://www.colby.edu/hhmi/workshop.html
The Workshop is sponsored by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Colby's
Women's Studies
Program, and the Colby IBM Fund.
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3) POSITION OPENINGS
The Colorado College
Assistant Professor Geology
The Department of Geology seeks applicants for a one-year non-tenure
track position beginning in
August 2003. Ph.D. or ABD is required. Appointment will be at the
assistant professor level for a
candidate with a PhD. Desired area of expertise is open.
Expectations include teaching Introductory Geology and other courses in
the candidates' areas of
specialty. Undergraduate research is an integral part of our curriculum,
and willingness to advise
research in the candidates' areas of expertise would be a distinct
advantage. The College is committed
to increasing diversity of the community and curriculum. Candidates who
can contribute to that goal
are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants must be committed to high-quality innovative undergraduate
teaching, including field-
oriented courses. The Block System of education at Colorado College, in
which professors teach and
students take only one course at a time for 3-1/2 weeks, lends itself to
field and project-based
teaching. The Department has excellent field and laboratory facilities
for teaching and research in
both hard-rock and soft-rock geology.
Send statement of teaching and research interests, curriculum vitae, and
names and letters from three
referees to: Dr. Paul Myrow, Chair, Department of Geology, Colorado
College, Colorado Springs, CO
80903, pmyrow@coloradocollege.edu. Review of applications will begin
March 15, 2003.
Applications will be accepted until the position has been filled.
The Colorado College welcomes members of all groups, and reaffirms its
commitment not to
discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, national
origin, sexual orientation, or
disability in its educational programs, activities, and employment
practices.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.
******************************
University of Ottawa
Earth Systems Evolution
Faculty Position / Department of Earth Sciences / University of Ottawa.
The Department of Earth
Sciences, University of Ottawa invites applications for a tenure-track
faculty position, beginning July
1, 2003. We seek a dynamic individual with an exceptional research record
in Earth System
Evolution, using geochemical and isotopic techniques. Applicants must
hold a PhD and must satisfy
the criteria for potential membership in the Canadian Institute for
Advanced Research
. Rank for the hiring is open and competitive start-
up funding will be available.
The Department of Earth Sciences houses the world-class G.G. Hatch
isotope geochemistry facility
. Information on the department
can be found at
. Under the auspices of the Ottawa-
Carleton Geoscience
Centre , our department
shares a joint graduate
studies and re! search institute with the Department of Earth Sciences at
nearby Carleton University.
The University of Ottawa is a bilingual (English/ French) institution and
the ability to teach in both
languages is considered an asset, though not a precondition. Applicants
should submit their
curriculum vitae, a statement of teaching and research interests, a
selection of representative reprints,
and the names and contact information for at least three potential
referees to: Chair, Faculty Search
Committee, Department of Earth Sciences, University of Ottawa, 140 Louis-
Pasteur Street, Ottawa,
ON K1N6N5, Canada. Applications should be received by February 28, 2003.
In accordance with
Canadian immigration policies, preference will be given to Canadian
citizens and permanent residents
of Canada; however, all qualified candidates are strongly encouraged to
apply. Equity is a University
policy.
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