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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2003-18
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CONTENTS
1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM ALERT: 8-20-03
2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: AUGUST 2003
3) "WHERE ARE THE WOMEN GEOSCIENCE PROFESSORS?" WORKSHOP, SEPTEMBER
26 AND 27, 2003
4) ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2003 ANNUAL GREAT LAKES SECTION-SEPM FIELD
CONFERENCE
5) 13TH CCWEST CONFERENCE: CALL FOR PAPERS
6) PRETEND MOVES AND THE DYNAMIC EARTH
7) POSITION OPENINGS
* Northern Illinois University - Earth Science Education
* Queen’s University - Canada Research Chair
* California State University, Fullerton - Tenure Track Hydrogeochemist/Hydrologist
* Rice University, Department of Earth Science - Faculty Position
Biogeochemistry/Aqueous Geochemistry Faculty Position
8) CONTACT INFORMATION

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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News

We have been experiencing problems with our webserver. The worst is over but there are
still a few minor glitches that need to be taken care of. Thanks to the AWG webmaster for
all her hard work and to all of you for your patience.
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1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM ALERT: 8-20-03

*** Representatives Needed to Support Math and Science Education Program ***

IN A NUTSHELL: A trio of House members is asking their colleagues to sign a letter supporting
increased funding for the Math/Science Partnership program at the Department of Education.
They will send the letter during the first week of September to the members of the House
Appropriations subcommittee that funds the Department of Education. AGI urges geoscientists to
contact their representatives between now and Labor Day to recommend that they sign on to the
Ehlers-Holt-Biggert letter. The text of the "Dear Colleague" letter is included in this message.
Additional signatures for the letter must be received by Labor Day (September 1, 2003), so
please call or e-mail in the next two weeks.

********************

As part of the No Child Left Behind Act, Congress created a new program in the Department of
Education designed to improve math and science education -- the Math/Science Partnership
(MSP). The program consists of partnerships between local school districts, colleges, and other
groups including businesses and business organizations. These partnerships can address a
variety of education issues, including teacher training and professional development, curriculum
development, distance learning, and exchange programs. The program must have clear
valuations and accountability measurements, which include increasing the number of math and
science teachers participating in professional development and increasing student performance
on math and science assessments.

The need for these partnerships is recognized not just by the scientific and educational
communities, but also by business leaders. Craig Barrett of Intel, Tom Engibous of Texas
Instruments, and Henry McKinnell of Pfizer are just a few of the chief executives who strongly
(and vocally) support increased funding for the Math/Science Partnership, recognizing that math
and science education improvements are critical to the future competitiveness of their companies.

While Congress authorized $450 million for this program, actual spending for the program this
year was $100 million. The administration only requested $12.5 million to be spent in Fiscal Year
(FY) 2004.

On July 10, 2003, the House approved the FY 2004 budget for the Departments of Labor, Health
and Human Services, and Education (H.R. 2660). Included in this budget is a $50 million boost
for the MSP program over the FY 2003 level. Given the tough economy and budgetary
constraints facing members of the Appropriations Committee, this represents a significant
increase for the program, a 50% ramp-up in spending to $150 million for FY 2004.

The Senate, however, will most likely approve level funding for this program in the coming year --
$100 million. When the House and Senate form a Conference Committee to work out the
differences in their spending priorities for the Department of Education, the House negotiators will
need support from their colleagues in order to retain the $150 million funding level for MSP.

On August 14, 2003, Reps. Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Rush Holt (D-NJ) and Judy Biggert (R-IL) sent
a letter asking their colleagues to join them in supporting the $150 million funding level for MSP
when the House and Senate convene a conference committee. They plan to send the letter to
the House conferees during the first week in September.

Please call your representative and ask him or her to sign on to the Ehlers-Holt-Biggert letter by
Labor Day. The U.S. Capitol Switchboard (202-224-3121) will connect you to your
representative's office. E-mail messages can be sent to your representative via the Write Your
Representative website at http://www.house.gov/writerep/.

When you talk to your representative's staff, let them know who they should contact to add their
Member to the list: If Republican, then Rachel Post in Rep. Vernon Ehlers office (202-225-3831);
if Democrat, then Chris Hartmann in Rep. Holt's office (202-225-5801). Just to reiterate, these
are the people whom staff should call to add their Member to the list, not the individuals whom we
are asking geoscientists to contact.

Thank you for acting on this request for action. Please let us know if you make a contact or if you
have any questions: govt@agiweb.org, 703-379-7563 x.212, fax 703-379-7563.

*** Text of Ehlers-Holt-Biggert Dear Colleague Letter ***

September 2, 2003

Hon. Ralph Regula, Chairman
House Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
2358 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-6023

Hon. David Obey, Ranking Member
House Committee on Appropriations
Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and Education
2358 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515-6023

Dear Chairman Regula and Ranking Member Obey:

As the Conference Committee considers its priorities for the fiscal year 2004 appropriations bill
for Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, we encourage you to increase funding for
the Math and Science Partnership program at the Department of Education to $150 million, as set
in the House version of this bill.

Mandatory science testing will be required of all students by the 2007-2008 school year. It is
crucial that we fully fund the authorized amount of $450 million for this program by that year. We
are very grateful for your support of $100 million in the fiscal year 2003 budget, and
appropriations of $150 million in fiscal year 2004 will help ensure we reach this goal.

Sustaining America's technological, economic, and military leadership demands improvements in
science, math, and engineering education at all levels. In 2001, the Commission on National
Security for the 21st Century wrote: "the inadequacies of our systems of research and math and
science education pose a great threat to U.S. national security." Today's high school students
are not performing well in math and science, and a decreasing of American students are pursuing
degrees in technical fields. America's K-12 students score far below the best in the world on
domestic and international tests.

The National Science Foundation (NSF) has launched a complementary Math and Science
Partnerships program designed to develop model partnerships and best practices to improve
science and math education. However, because it awards grants through a competitive
procedure, the NSF will not provide every state with targeted funds for math and science
professional development. In contrast, Education Department partnerships that focus on
implementing and scaling up the models and best practices identified by the NSF would provide
much-needed funding to every state through formula grants.

By creating the Math and Science Partnership program as part of the No Child Left Behind Act of
2001, Congress affirmed the critical importance of improving math and science at all grade
levels. The partnerships link school districts with university science, math and engineering
departments to provide high quality, sustained professional development activities for K-12 math
and science teachers.

We urge you to continue to improve our nation's K-12 math and science education by increasing
funding for the Department of Education's Math and Science Partnership program to the $150
million appropriated by the House of Representatives.

Sincerely,

Vernon Ehlers
Member of Congress

Rush Holt
Member of Congress

Judy Biggert
Member of Congress

____________
Alert prepared by Emily M. Lehr, AGI Government Affairs Program

Sources: Math/Science Partnership Working Group Website

1111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111111

2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: AUGUST 2003

* After Blackout, All Bets Off For Energy Conference
* Scientific Literacy for Today's Students, Tomorrow's Workforce
* National Academies Panel Briefed on Climate Change Science Plan
* Bush Appoints Utah Governor To Lead EPA
* New Clean Air Regulations Affect Older Industrial Facilities
* OMB Issues Draft Guidelines for Regulatory Peer Review
* Bush Administration's Science Priorities for FY 2005 Budget
* New Mexico Approves Strong Science Education Standards
* Denver Mayor is Former Exploration Geologist
* District Visits: Building a Trusting Bond with Your Lawmakers
* New and Improved Coverage of Geoscience Appropriations
* The Almighty Spin - How Science Is Figuring Into Politics
* List of Key Federal Register Notices
* New Material on Web Site

*** After Blackout, All Bets Off For Energy Conference ***

House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Billy Tauzin (R-LA) will hold oversight
hearings September 3rd and 4th to determine the cause of the massive blackout that shut down
more than 100 power plants, including 22 nuclear reactors, in the United States and Canada and
knocked out power to 50 million people over a 9,300-square-mile area stretching from New
England to Michigan. Energy Secretary Spencer Abraham, Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission Chairman Pat Wood, North American Electric Reliability Council President Michehl
Gent, New York Governor George Pataki and New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg have all been
invited to testify. This will kick-start a frenzied month of wrangling over energy issues.

Prior to leaving town for its August recess, the Senate passed last year's version of the energy
bill, setting the stage for a House/Senate conference this fall. In the wake of the blackout,
President Bush called on Congress to iron out the differences between the very different House
and Senate bills and file the conference report within 20 days of returning from the summer
break, complete with revamped transmission provisions to ensure reliability of the electricity grid.
Political posturing is at its height as northern and eastern lawmakers are pitted against southern
and western lawmakers over whether to nationalize the power grid through a network of regional
transmission organizations. The House and Senate are operating off of bills from two different
years and political climates, and Democrats will no doubt seek to make political hay because the
blackout occurred on the Republican watch.

To understand the differences between the House and Senate energy bills, please see AGI's
special web update http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/energy_senatefinal.html and take a look
at the comparison chart at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/energy_bill_comparison.html . For
the most up-to-date information on the oversight hearings to determine the cause of the blackout,
see http://energycommerce.house.gov/ .

*** Scientific Literacy for Today's Students, Tomorrow's Workforce ***

The Department of Education Math/Science Partnership (MSP) program is the sole source of
dedicated funding for each state to improve K-12 math and science education. As a member of
the K-12 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Education Coalition, AGI co-signed
letters this month urging the chairmen of the committees that will fund the DoEd to maintain the
50% increase that MSP received in the House version of the legislation. The program received
level funding in the Senate bill. AGI also sent out an action alert asking geoscientists to get in
touch with their Representatives urging them to sign on to a "Dear Colleague" letter being
circulated by a trio of House members supporting increased funding for the MSP program. The
letter will be sent during the first week of September to the members of the House Appropriations
subcommittee that funds the DoEd. Geoscientists were asked to contact their representative by
Labor Day to recommend that they join the Ehlers-Holt-Biggert letter. Additional information and
the text of the "Dear Colleague" letter can be found at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/education_alert0803.html .

Continuing the push for science education dollars, AGI has partnered with several other groups to
send a letter to Senator Bond, Chairman of the committee that funds the National Science
Foundation (NSF). This committee will begin their work on the VA/HUD appropriations bill in
September. A Math/Science Partnership (MSP) program also exists within NSF. The funds are
doled out on a competitive grant basis to bring together teachers and administrators in K-12
schools with mathematics, science and engineering faculty in colleges and universities and other
K-12 education stakeholders to improve student achievement in math and science. Over 20
partnerships were created in the first year of the program, yet many are waiting in the wings for
funding. The letter asks Senator Bond to support the budget request of $200 million for the NSF
MSP, the authorized amounts of $20 million for the Noyce Scholarship Program which provides
incentives for science majors to pursue a teaching career, and $30 million for the Science,
Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Talent Expansion Program (STEP) for innovative
higher education programs. Information on how these programs are faring in the appropriations
process can be found at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2004_vahud.html and
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2004_labor.html .

*** National Academies Panel Briefed on Climate Change Science Plan ***

As reported last month, the Bush administration released a strategic plan for its Climate Change
Science Program (CCSP) in late July. The plan outlines research objectives for the next decade
in a reorganized program that brings together thirteen federal agencies. The central vision
outlined in the strategic plan calls for research to reduce uncertainties in decision-making. On
August 25th, a National Academy of Science committee held an open meeting in Washington to
discuss revisions to the CCSP strategic plan. Richard Moss, Director of the U.S. Global Change
Research Program, and Ghassem Asrar, head of the Office of Earth Science at NASA, explained
the administration's approach to revising the document in response to the committee's February
evaluation of the initial draft plan. They asserted that the revised strategic plan incorporates
major changes to its vision, information needs, decision-making support, and program
management sections, and adds a new chapter on modeling science. Committee members
questioned the speakers on matters including agency cooperation, research time-frame, human
capital, and disconnects between Administration policy and supporting science. Moss called the
strategic plan a "living document" that will continue to be revised. The committee is expected to
release an additional set of recommendations following the meeting. For more details, see AGI's
climate change policy page at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/climate.html. AGI's summary
of the CCSP strategic plan is available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/climate_ccsp.html , and the executive summary of the plan is
available at
http://www.commerce.gov/opa/press/2003_Releases/July/24_ccsp_exec_summary.pdf.

*** Bush Appoints Utah Governor To Lead EPA ***

On August 11th, President Bush nominated Utah Governor Michael O. Leavitt to be the new
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator. The selection of the three-term
Republican is widely viewed as a demonstration of the administration's preference for a
decentralized approach to environmental issues characteristic of Western states. Leavitt claims
his success at improving air quality in the Grand Canyon demonstrates his record as a moderate
consensus-builder. Detractors describe his policies of opening public lands in Utah to road-
building and industry as a pattern of undermining environmental protections. A major clash over
the future of environmental policy under the EPA appears likely when Senate confirmation
hearings are scheduled in the fall. More details are available in AGI's write-up of the Leavitt
selection at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/epa_admin.html .

*** New Clean Air Regulations Affect Older Industrial Facilities ***

On August 26th, the Bush Administration announced final changes to the definition of "equipment
replacement" under the New Source Review portion of the Clean Air Act. Under the new
definition, thousands of power plants, refineries, pulp and paper mills, chemical plants and other
industrial facilities will be able to make upgrades without having to install new antipollution
devices as long as the upgrade costs less than 20% of the replacement value of the entire unit.

Utilities, which have pushed for this revision for several years, said the change would allow them
to keep their plants in good working order. That, they say, will benefit consumers because the
supply of electricity will be more reliable. Companies also say rate hikes will be less likely as
production becomes more energy-efficient. Environmentalists contend that there will be greater
pollution as pre-1970 facilities will be able to make use of this "routine maintenance" for years
and years, extending the life of facilities that should be shut down in favor of bringing newer,
safer, more technologically advanced plants on-line.

Opponents want the new rule thrown out, but according to a recent report by the General
Accounting Office (the investigative arm of Congress), most of the evidence either way is
anecdotal. The report is available as an Acrobat (PDF) document at
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d03947.pdf . As with many other things in our modern world, this
issue too will likely be settled in court.

*** OMB Issues Draft Guidelines for Regulatory Peer Review ***

Just before the Labor Day weekend, the White House Office of Management and Budget
released draft standards that would subject the scientific basis for new regulations to peer review
by scientists outside the federal government. The guidelines are part of OMB's efforts to
emphasize the management side of its mission and are the brainchild of John Graham, who
heads the OMB Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs. In a press release, Graham stated:
"Peer review is an effective way to further engage the scientific community in the regulatory
process. The goal is fewer lawsuits and a more consistent regulatory environment, which is good
for consumers and business." Although the guidelines are intended to establish government-wide
standards for peer review, Graham has stated that the agencies likely to be most heavily affected
by the new guidelines are the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
According to the Washington Post, the guidelines include a trigger: "If a regulation costs private
firms more than $100 million a year and companies challenge the quality of the science behind it,
regulators must convene a panel of experts from outside the agency to reevaluate the science."
Critics of the proposal argue that the mandated peer review represents an effort by the
administration to slow down the regulatory process. The guidelines and press release are
available as an Acrobat document from OMB at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/pubpress/2003-34.pdf . Comments are due by October 28th, and
the final guidelines are expected to go into effect in February 2004.

*** Bush Administration's Science Priorities for FY 2005 Budget ***

A spokesperson for the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) recently described the
broad perspective the Administration is seeking on federal science initiatives. In addition to
assessing priority areas, OSTP aims to improve efficiency and "optimize scientific discovery" by
considering how different programs are related and through improved coordination between
agencies. A June 5th OSTP/Office of Management and Budget (OMB) memo on FY 2005
science funding priorities issued to heads of federal agencies suggests five priority areas of
R&D. These include: combating terrorism, nanotechnology, networking and information
technology, molecular biology, and environment and energy. Geoscientists may be interested to
learn that "securing critical infrastructure" is one of seven research priorities highlighted within
anti-terror R&D. Within environment and energy research, the Administration prioritizes climate
change, environmental observations, and hydrogen fuels. According to the memo, the
Administration's investments into climate change R&D "will increase our understanding of climate
change science to provide sound climate policy decision-making." The Administration's goal for
environmental observations R&D is "to enhance capabilities to assess and predict key
environmental systems." The full text of the memo is available as an Acrobat document at
http://www.ostp.gov/html/OSTP-OMB%20Memo.pdf . Additional coverage at
http://www.aip.org/enews/fyi/2003/107.html .

*** New Mexico Approves Strong Science Education Standards ***

On August 28th, the New Mexico State Board of Education unanimously adopted science
education standards that were strongly endorsed by scientific and educational organizations. The
13-0 vote ended a campaign by proponents of Intelligent Design creationism to insert alternate
language into the standards, weakening the treatment of evolution. The previous day, the board's
Instructional Services Committee passed the standards by a 4-2 vote. Numerous organizations
sent letters to the board urging support of the draft standards, including the American Institute of
Physics, the National Science Teachers Association and the American Geological Institute.
Scientists in New Mexico played an active role in developing and then defending the new
standards. The final draft, which went out for public comment in July, endorses biological
evolution as a pillar of scientific knowledge. Once instituted, the standards will guide science
teachers in public schools statewide by creating annual performance requirements for students
as they graduate from kindergarten all the way through high school.

For commentary on the spate of anti-evolution flare-ups around the country this summer, please
see "Opposition to Evolution Takes Many Forms" in the September issue of Geotimes, online at
http://www.geotimes.org/sept03/scene.html . Additional information sources include
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/evolution.html and http://www.ncseweb.org .

*** Denver Mayor is Former Exploration Geologist ***

The new mayor of Denver is not your typical politician. The former exploration geologist turned
brew-pub entrepreneur was sworn into office on July 21st, two months after winning his first
attempt at elected office. When he was laid off from his oil-company job in the mid-1980s, John
Hickenlooper used his severance pay to renovate a historic building in the downtown warehouse
district, opening the Wynkoop Brewing Company and sparking revitalization of the area now
known as Lower Downtown. In the August issue of Geotimes, AGI congressional science fellow
Larry Kennedy writes about the path his old friend (they met as geology students at Wesleyan
University in the 1970s) took to City Hall. See Larry's article at
http://www.geotimes.org/aug03/scene.html .

*** District Visits: Building a Trusting Bond with Your Lawmakers ***

With the tough economy and war on terrorism at home and abroad, federal science agencies are
fighting proposals for tight funding next year. In August, the geoscience community was
encouraged to make a strong case to Congress on the value of these programs. Building on the
success of this spring's 8th Annual Science-Engineering-Technology Congressional Visits Day
(CVD), which brought scientists and engineers to Capitol Hill to visit Members of Congress and
their staff right at the start of the congressional budget cycle, an AGI alert asked geoscientists to
schedule an appointment with their Representative or Senator in the local office to voice support
for increased federal investment in science and technology. Participants in the August District
Visit Days carried forward a core message that broad federal funding for research promotes the
nation's security, prosperity, and the innovation of new ideas. In addition, participants could
advance their own messages about programs that they see as valuable examples of the federal
science and technology enterprise emphasizing, for example, the value of the geosciences to
society. More information about CVD is available at http://www.aas.org/cvd/. The site contains a
downloadable packet of briefing materials updated to demonstrate the need for sustained federal
investment in scientific research.

*** New and Improved Coverage of Geoscience Appropriations ***

While Congress was taking its ease in August, here at AGI we took the opportunity to enhance
our coverage of the fiscal year (FY) 2004 appropriations process, which will resume with a
vengeance in September. Information on all the geoscience-related appropriations bills can be
accessed through the overview page at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2004.html .
Updates for each bill include details on funding levels set by House and Senate appropriators for
key geoscience programs. We even threw in easy-to-read budget tables and a new color version
of the budget process timeline (suitable for framing) at no additional cost! Please let us know
how these new pages are working for you or if there are other changes we could incorporate to
meet your needs (govt@agiweb.org).

*** The Almighty Spin -- How Science Is Figuring Into Politics ***

Election 2004 is still nearly 15 months away, but both sides are already staking out their positions
for a contentious fight. And nowhere is the fight shaping up to be more contentious than on
environmental issues. As the campaign heats up, the attacks on environmental platforms and
voting records will become more pointed and brazen with each side touting their successes and
adroitly defending themselves from critics. Candidate web sites already in place, and others that
will spring up in the coming months, can serve as an interesting barometer of how science is
figuring into the current political landscape.

At the end of August, President Bush unveiled his re-election campaign web site
(http://www.georgewbush.com). The site details his stance on a range of issues including the
environment. The Environment In-Depth section features an issue brief that high-lights hydrogen
fuel, the Clear Skies Initiative, brownfields cleanup, diesel regulations and "common-sense
approaches to improving the environment while protecting the quality of American life." Since the
president was touting his Healthy Forests Initiative in late August, there was also a plethora of
information about his visits out west promoting the thinning of forests so wildfires do not burn as
often or as hot. Each candidate in the Democratic primary -- nine at present -- has a web site
(listing at http://www.democrats.org/whitehouse/) and each has placed environmental issues in
the core of their agenda. Like the president, these candidates emphasize their support for sound
science underpinning environmental decisions.

The strongest political broadside on this topic can be found not on a campaign web site but from
within Congress. Earlier this year, House Government Reform Committee Ranking Member
Henry Waxman (D-CA) asked the committee's Democratic staff to assess the treatment of
science and scientists by the Bush Administration. Their highly critical findings have been
compiled in a newly released report, "Politics and Science in the Bush Administration," heavily
focused on environmental and health-related issues. The report is on the committee's web site at
http://www.house.gov/reform/min/politicsandscience .

*** List of Key Federal Register Notices ***

Below is a summary of Federal Register announcements regarding federal 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 www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont03.html. Information on
submitting comments and reading announcements are also available online at
www.regulation.gov.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Request for Applications for fiscal year 2003
investigator initiated grants. Volume 68, Number 150 (5 August 2003): p. 46185.

Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Open meeting of the President's Council of
Advisors on Science and Technology on September 9, 2003. Volume 60, Number 166 (27
August 2003): p. 51577-51578

Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). Request for information regarding National
Science and Technology Council/Committee on Science/Subcommittee on Research Business
Models by September 22, 2003. Volume 68, Number 151 (6 August 2003): p. 46631-46632.

Minerals Management Service (MMS). Request for Comments concerning Offshore Minerals
Management Program's e-Government Initiative, Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Connect
Initiative. Volume 68, Number 151 (6 August 2003): p. 46656-46659.

Geological Survey (USGS). Request for Public Comments on Information Collection To Be
Submitted to the Office of Management and Budget for Review Under the Paperwork Reduction
Act. Volume 68, Number 153 (8 August 2003): p. 47361-47362.

Department of Energy (DOE). Notice of Availability of Draft Strategic Plan and request for
comment by September 11, 2003. Volume 68, Number 155 (12 August 2003): p. 47917.

National Science Foundation (NSF). Notice of Permit Applications Received under the Antarctic
Conservation Act of 1978, Pub. L. 95-541. Volume 68, Number 156 (13 August 2003): p. 48417-
48418.

Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board. Board will meet to discuss U.S. Department of Energy
(DOE) work related to the natural features of a spent nuclear fuel and high-level radioactive waste
repository proposed for Yucca Mountain in Nevada. Volume 68, Number 157 (14 August 2003):
p. 48648-48649.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Notice of Public Meeting of National Advisory
Committee for Acute Exposure Guideline Levels for Hazardous Substances on September 16-18,
2003, in Washington, DC. Volume 68, Number 161 (20 August 2003): p. 50135.

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Notice of acceptability/Notice 18 for Significant New
Alternatives Policy Program concerning Protection of Stratospheric Ozone. Volume 68, Number
162 (21 August 2003): p. 50533-50540.

Minerals Management Service (MMS). Final Notice of Sale (NOS) 186, Beaufort Sea, Alaska,
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS). Volume 68, Number 162 (21 August 2003): p. 50549-50552.

*** 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: Opposition to Evolution Takes Many Forms (9/03)
* State Challenges to the Teaching of Evolution (8-29-03)
* Action Alert: Representatives Needed to Support Math and Science
Partnerships (8-20-03)
* Overview of Fiscal Year 2004 Geoscience Appropriations (8-20-03)
* Water Resources Hearings (8-18-03)
* Climate Change Science Program Strategic Plan (8-18-03)
* President Nominates Utah Governor Leavitt for EPA Administrator (8-18-03)
* Clean Air Issues: New Source Review (8-18-03)
* High-level Nuclear Waste Legislation (8-18-03)
* Energy Policy Overview (8-14-03)
* FY2004 Agriculture Appropriations (8-11-03)
* FY2004 Interior (USGS, DOE Fossil Energy) Appropriations (8-11-03)
* FY2004 VA/HUD (NSF, NASA, EPA) Appropriations (8-11-03)
* FY2004 Energy and Water (DOE) Appropriations (8-8-03)
* FY2004 Commerce (NOAA) Appropriations (8-7-03)
* FY2004 Labor/HHS (Education) Appropriations (8-7-03)
* Action Alert: Help Support the Geosciences Without Leaving Home (8-4-03)
* Special Web Update: Senate Approves Last Year's Energy Bill (8-4-03)
* Geotimes Political Scene: A Geological Path to City Hall (by AGI 2002-2003
Congressional Science Fellow Larry Kennedy; 8/03)

Monthly review prepared by Emily Lehr, AGI/AIPG Geoscience Policy Intern Brett
Beaulieu, and David Applegate.

Sources: American Institute of Physics, Climate Change Science Program Strategic Plan;
Federal Register; George W. Bush re-election campaign; Greenwire; House Committee on
Energy and Commerce; House Committee on Government Reform minority staff, Math/Science
Partnership Working Group; National Academy of Science; National Center for Science
Education; Santa Fe New-Mexican; Science-Engineering- Technology Work Group; Washington
Post; White House Office of Management and Budget; White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy.

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3) "WHERE ARE THE WOMEN GEOSCIENCE PROFESSORS?" WORKSHOP
SEPTEMBER 26 AND 27, 2003

AWG's ADVANCE (-NSF) Workshop: "Where are the Women Geoscience Professors?" will be
held on September 25-27th in Washington, DC. Topics include data on where we stand in
academia, career paths/options, "pipeline" leakage and recruitment. Funds are available for
transportation and hotel stay in the State Plaza Hotel. For more information and to register:
http://www.awg.org/gender-workshop03/.

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4) ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE 2003 ANNUAL GREAT LAKES SECTION-SEPM FIELD
CONFERENCE

Pennsylvanian Sharon Formation, Past and Present: Sedimentology, Hydrogeology,
Historical and Environmental Significance

Field Trip Leaders: Annabelle Foos, University of Akron; Neil Wells, Kent State University; Jim
Evans, Bowling Green State University, with contributions from Joe Hannibal, Cleveland Museum
of Natural History

Location: Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio

Date: September 26-28

Geologic Overview: The Sharon Conglomerate is the basal member of the Pennsylvanian
Pottsville Formation. We will discuss the alluvial architecture and regional setting of this braided
stream paleovalley complex. Classic exposures of the Sharon Conglomerate at the Gorge in
Cuyahoga Falls and Ritchie Ledges in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park will be visited. Three-
dimensional exposures of the Sharon at Ritchie Ledges will allow us to take a detailed look at the
sedimentary structures, including spectacular, recumbently-overturned, crossbeds and huge,
pebble-filled scours.
We will have a unique glimpse into the Sharon Aquifer where it has been recently dissected by
downcutting of the Cuyahoga River at the Cuyahoga Falls Gorge. The chemistry of natural
springs and seeps at the Gorge has yielded information about the heterogeneous flow through
this unit.
Early settlers built dams and associated mills where the rivers flowed over resistant layers such
as the Sharon Sandstone. We will visit two of these dams and discuss the controversy over their
removal. We will also visit a dam failure site in Chagrin Falls where the village is remediating the
site as a riparian wetlands.

Logistics: Additional details will be posted on the Great lakes SEPM web site as they become
available. http://www.isgs.uiuc.edu/gls-sepm/

Cost: The meeting registration fee is $40 for professionals and $30.00 for students and K-12
educators. Registration includes the fieldtrip guidebook, Saturday lunch and evening barbecue.

To request further information contact:

Annabelle Foos
Geology Department
University of Akron
Akron Ohio 44325-4101

Phone 330-972-7991
Fax: 330972-7611
afoos@uakron.edu

* Cosponsored by NOGS (Northern Ohio Geological Society) and NAGT (National Association of
Geoscience Teachers)

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5) 13TH CCWEST CONFERENCE: CALL FOR PAPERS

CCWEST 2004 Conference
A National Conference for the Advancement of Women
in Engineering, Science and Technology
June 10-14, 2004
Brock University
St. Catharines, Ontario

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT
Call for papers

Proposals are invited from the delegates for oral presentations, workshops and posters dealing
with the conference theme of "Let’s Get Growing". Submissions may include issues such as
education, work life balance, professional development and examples of community involvement.
Contributors will be selected by the program committee and notified by January 2, 2004.

Deadline for all Abstract Submissions: December 15, 2003

Oral Presentations
An abstract, of no more than 300 words, that describes the main points and conclusions of the
presentation must be submitted by December 15, 2003.

Posters
All posters will be displayed in a common area during the conference. The size of each poster is
to be 46"x46". The main poster headings are a Title, Authors, Abstract, Introduction, Main Body
and Conclusion. An abstract, of no more than 300 words, that describes the main points and
conclusions of the poster must be submitted by December 15, 2003.

Workshops
One and a half hours will be scheduled for each workshop. An abstract, of no more than 500
words, that clearly outlines the summary of the objectives, format, content, and how the planned
workshop meets the conference theme must be submitted by December 15, 2003.
At registration, delegates will receive a conference package containing a CD with all author-
prepared papers, workshop materials and poster abstracts. Authors that are selected for the oral
presentations and workshops will be required to submit author-prepared papers by March 15,
2004.

For more information visit the conference website at http://www.brocku.ca/fms/ccwest2004.

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6) PRETEND MOVES AND THE DYNAMIC EARTH

Janet Wert Crampton and her husband are undertaking a "pretend move" in an effort to clear their
Maryland home of 30 years of accumulated household possessions and scientific literature.
Here’s what she has to say:

Pretend Moves are great. All my husband’s mathematics journals have gone to a Native
American college in Albuquerque. All his Army uniforms went to the famous Barter Theatre, in
Abingdon, Virginia. Amvets took our gasoline-powered lawnmower; I have planted ground cover,
ferns, hostas and other perennials, so we have no grass. My glass, china, linens, old tools and
other items from my mother’s side have gone to the new Lawrence County Historical Museum in
Bedford, Indiana, where Mother grew up.

Eight boxes of Scientific American have already gone to the Publication Pipeline of the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists, to be shipped on oil-company ships to educational
institutions in Africa or Asia. (See "Uncertain Fate of a Geologist’s Library," GSA Today, June
2002, p. 48, and Geotimes of a month or so later.)

I have packed Scientific Americans up to the mid 1980s and have looked again at the September
1983 issue, The Dynamic Earth. I see now that here was the Earth science research agenda for
the next 20 years, the work we’ve all been doing, or watching.

The Dynamic Earth authors tell good stories. Seniors in geology and grad students should have
this issue added to their reading list. Won’t librarians be surprised by requests for a 20-year-old
magazine! If it’s still in your home archives, read it again.

The articles:
The Dynamic Earth, Raymond Siever
The Earth’s Core, Raymond Jeanloz
The Earth’s Mantle, D.P. McKenzie
The Oceanic Crust, Jean Francheteau
The Continental Crust, B. Clark Burchfiel
The Ocean, Wallace S. Broecker
The Atmosphere, Andrew P. Ingersoll
The Biosphere, Preston Cloud

Enjoy.

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7) POSITION OPENINGS

Northern Illinois University
Earth Science Education

The Department of Geology and Environmental Geosciences anticipates filling a tenure-track
position in earth science teacher education to begin in August 2004. A teaching certificate and
teaching experience at the 6-12 grade level are highly desirable, although not required. A Ph.D.
in the geosciences is required at the time of appointment, and evidence of scholarship in an area
of the geosciences will be expected. Appointment will be at the assistant professor level, or at
the associate professor level for a candidate with established external funding and appropriate
experience.

In addition to scholarship, primary responsibilities will include administering the earth science
education program to prepare secondary earth science teachers. NIU has a teacher preparation
structure that places full responsibility for the program with the department. Therefore,
responsibilities might include teaching science education classes, coordinating clinicals,
supervising student teachers, etc. Some of these activities are shared with other science
departments, and the candidate will be expected to coordinate with faculty in these departments.
The successful applicant will be expected to establish and maintain a vigorous externally-funded
research program in science education and/or other areas of the geosciences, supervise
graduate students, and have a commitment to excellence in teaching at both the undergraduate
and graduate levels. Research expertise that integrates with one or more of our existing
program strengths in biogeochemistry, environmental geochemistry/geophysics, hydrogeology,
global change, volcanology, experimental mineralogy, structure/geodynamics, paleontology, or
Antarctic geoscience would be welcomed but is not required.

The department offers programs leading to the B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees, and currently has
14 faculty members, whose research and teaching interests are described on our web-site at
http://jove.geol.niu.edu. Applicants must submit a letter of application, curriculum vitae, and
statement of teaching and research interests. Applicants must also have at least three letters of
reference sent by the deadline to: Dr. Mark Fischer, Search Committee Chair, Department of
Geology and Environmental Geosciences, Northern Illinois University, DeKalb, IL 60115. For
consideration, all application materials must be received by October 15, 2003. Women and
minorities are especially encouraged to apply. NIU is an equal employment
opportunity/affirmative action institution.

*****************************

Queen’s University
Canada Research Chair

Queen's University invites applications for a tenure-track Canada Research Chair (CRC - Tier II)
related to water quality and sustainability of ecosystems or human health. Applicants should
have training and at least four years of post-doctoral experience in related disciplines (such as,
but not limited to: aquatic ecology; microbiology; environmental toxicology and chemistry;
pharmacology and toxicology; water treatment engineering) and a strong record of
interdisciplinary collaborations in areas of research funded by Canada's Natural Sciences and
Engineering Research Council (NSERC). The successful candidate will be appointed jointly to
the School of Environmental Studies and to a department related to the primary discipline.

Queen's University is committed to employment equity and welcomes applications from all
qualified women and men, including visible minorities, aboriginal people, persons with disabilities,
and persons of a diversity of sexual orientation. CRCs are open to individuals of any nationality
and all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. However, Canadian Citizens and
Permanent Residents will be given priority. In accordance with Queen's guidelines for assigning
CRCs, applications from qualified women are particularly encouraged. Academic staff at Queen's
University are governed by a collective agreement between Queen's and the Queen's University
Faculty Association (http://www.queensu.ca/qufa/).

Curriculum vitae, statements of current and prospective research interests, and teaching
experience or potential, and supporting letters from at least three referees should be sent to Dr.
P.V. Hodson, School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, ON Canada, K7L
3N6, by September 30, 2003. More information can be found at http://www.queensu.ca/envst/.

*****************************

Department of Geological Sciences
College of Natural Science and Mathematics
California State University, Fullerton

Hydrogeochemist/Hydrologist
Tenure Track

The Department of Geological Sciences invites applications for a tenure-track position starting
August 2004. The Department has 11 full-time faculty with expertise in physical hydrogeology,
geomorphology, paleoclimatology, seismology, engineering geology, tectonics and petrology. We
have about 50 undergraduate majors and 25 MS students. The nearby geological provinces
provide abundant opportunities for field-based research, which the department emphasizes in its
curriculum. The Department operates summer hydrogeology field camps at Mammoth Lakes and
Orange County, CA. See http://geology.fullerton.edu/ for additional information.

Position
Teaching responsibilities may include, but not be limited to, undergraduate and graduate courses
in hydrogeochemistry, contaminant fate and transport, hydrogeology, aqueous geochemistry, field
hydrogeology/hydrology, and physical geology. Research activities must result in publications in
refereed journals. Supervision of both undergraduate and graduate student research projects is
required.

Qualifications
The successful applicant will have the following credentials and capabilities:
· A Ph.D. in Geology or a related discipline at the time of appointment
· A primary interest in achieving excellence in teaching
· A vigorous, field-based research program in hydrogeochemistry that would involve
undergraduate and graduate students.
· An ability to interact with faculty in physical hydrology, geomorphology, paleoclimatology and
stable isotope geochemistry would be considered favorably.

Rank and Salary
This position will be filled at the rank of Assistant Professor; salary is competitive and
commensurate with experience and qualifications. An excellent comprehensive benefits package
is available.

Appointment Date
August 19, 2004

Application Procedure
To apply, please send 1) a detailed curriculum vita, 2) a letter of application that explains how you
meet the qualifications outlined above, 3) a statement about teaching that includes a discussion
of relevant course work and/or experience in preparation for teaching, a list of courses you would
feel comfortable teaching, and a statement of your teaching philosophy, 4) a statement of your
future research plans and goals, and 5) letters of recommendation from at least three references
familiar with your teaching and research potential. Referees should send their letters to:
Dr Diane Clemens-Knott, Search Committee Chairwoman
Department of Geological Sciences
California State University
PO Box 6850
Fullerton, California 92834-6850

Application Deadline
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. To assure full consideration, submit
applications by November 19, 2003.

Cal State Fullerton is an Equal Opportunity/Title IX/503/504/VEVRA/ADA Employer.

*****************************

Rice University
Department of Earth Science
Biogeochemistry/Aqueous Geochemistry Faculty Position

The Earth Science Department anticipates filling one new tenure line position in the general field
of low temperature geochemistry. We are particularly interested in hiring an earth scientist who
uses chemistry or microbiology to solve a broad range of earth systems processes such as
mineral precipitation/dissolution, soil formation, gas production/consumption, metal transport,
environmental remediation, and life in extreme environments.

Successful candidates are expected to establish forefront research programs, supervise graduate
research, and to teach courses for both undergraduate and graduate students. We are especially
interested in individuals who would bring to our department opportunities for collaboration while
allowing us to expand into new and emerging fields of research. Rice University is a private
university whose administration and faculty are dedicated to outstanding research and education
at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Applications at all academic levels will be considered; those received by December 1, 2003 are
assured of receiving fullest attention.

Please send a resume and names of four or more references to:
Search Committee Chair,
Department of Earth Science, MS-126,
Rice University, PO Box 1892, Houston, TX 77251-1892

Information about the department can be found at http://earthscience.rice.edu/
Rice is an equal opportunity affirmative action employer.

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8) CONTACT INFORMATION

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