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1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: JANUARY 2004

*Finally - An End to the FY04 Budget Cycle!
*Only One Brief Plea for the Energy Bill
*New Year, New Budget
*New Roadmap for NASA
*Geoscience Rovers Explore Mars
*Congressman Ralph Hall Switches Parties
*Rep. W. J. "Billy" Tauzin Resigns Chairmanship
*Missouri/Minnesota/Georgia Evolution Controversies
*Geology Central to Yucca Mountain Argument
*National Academies Large Research Facility Projects Report Released
*DOI Proposes Incentives for Domestic Natural Gas Production
*UK Launches a Cap-and-Trade Program
*New USGS Website and Prelude to 125th Anniversary
*New Mexico Earth Science Achievement Awards
*Geoscientists to Storm Capitol Hill
*A New Face in the Government Affairs Program
*We'll Miss You, Dave
*Key List of Federal Register Notices
*New Material on Website

*** Finally - An End to the FY04 Budget Cycle! *** Congress returned to session on January 20th and the Senate picked up right where they left off before the holidays - the budget. After spending much of the week debating non-spending related provisions in the bill, the Senate finally passed the $328.1 billion omnibus appropriations bill on January 22nd, completing the drawn-out Fiscal Year (FY) 2004 budget just days before the start of the next fiscal year's budget process. By a vote of 65-28 the Senate approved the bill (H.Rept. 108-401) that finalizes the annual spending plans for the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, and NASA, among other agencies.

Complete analysis of each bill is available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2004.html#recent.

*** Only One Brief Plea for the Energy Bill *** The Constitution requires that the President of the United States inform Congress from time-to-time about the state of the Union. It makes no provisions for how or when that should occur. It's largely an event that has evolved over time into a speech that the President makes before a joint-session of Congress and, via television broadcast to millions of homes, the American people. On January 20th, President Bush laid out his legislative agenda for the coming year, previewed issues that may be used as campaign themes, and articulated his vision for America.

After months of unsuccessful efforts to push his energy initiatives through Congress, President Bush made only one very brief plea to Congress to "pass legislation to modernize the electricity system, promote conservation, and make America less dependent on foreign sources of energy." The next day Energy Undersecretary Robert Card sought to clarify by telling a lunchtime audience hosted by the nonpartisan group Resources for the Future that the administration remains committed to its energy agenda.

Despite these reassurances, there is speculation about the fate of the energy bill. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-N.M.) is working to get the votes needed to pass the energy bill in the Senate. According to Greenwire, Domenici said "The one option I absolutely will not consider is breaking this bill up. It's the start of the year, and we're only two votes down."

On January 22nd, Senators Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-NY), Maria Cantwell (D-WA.), Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Jim Jeffords (I-VT) introduced a bill that would amend the Federal Power Act to include electricity reliability standards, S. 2014. This may be the first of many attempts to salvage portions of the energy bill by taking a singular provision and introducing it as a stand-alone bill. Lawmakers are worried about cost of the bill and projections for the deficit over the next 10 years have worsened. One way to drive the cost of the bill would be to carve out provisions and pass smaller, stand-alone bills rather than a singular, hulking piece of legislation.

Not wanting to see his hard work amount to nothing, as of late last week, Domenici was still insisting to Greenwire that it is too early to break up the bill and would fight all efforts to do so.

*** New Year, New Budget ***
The President's budget was released on February 2nd, in a small ceremony to Congress. As outlined in the President's State of the Union Address (see above story), the budget request places the highest priority on homeland security, fighting the war on terror, and the economy. The Departments of Defense and Homeland Security are slated to receive the largest increases, while the domestic discretionary spending is kept at a growth of 1 percent.
President Bush claims that keeping discretionary spending at this growth level will help the economy -- it will also address recent concern about the growing deficit. Over the next several days, the Government Affairs Program will be sending out Special Updates on the budget and how it will impact the geosciences.

*** A New Roadmap for NASA ***
In early January, President Bush outlined a new space policy in a major address at NASA Headquarters. He set out a roadmap that will have the International Space Station complete by 2010. There are also plans for a new spacecraft - a crew exploration vehicle - that is slated to conduct a series of manned mission to the moon, with the first missions to occur no later than 2014. Extended human missions to the moon are planned as early as 2015. Another goal is to use the moon as a launching point for missions to other planets beyond by 2020. Research will center on the effects of space travel on human biology. In order carry out these goals, the NASA budget must increase by about 5.5% in 2005 and then increase about 5% per year for the next couple of years and then go to a 3% increase per year afterwards until 2009, the end of the budget horizon.

*** Geoscience Rovers Explore Mars ***
After a seven month journey, the Spirit Rover successfully landed on Mars in the Gusev crater on January 3rd. Although the first pictures on Mars were taken on January 4th, it took until January 15th for the rover to leave the lander platform and began transmitting information from outside the lander module. As part of the Mars Exploration Program, NASA wants to understand how the relative roles of wind, water, volcanism, tectonics, impacts and other processes have acted to form and modify the Martian surface. To compliment the Spirit's mission, on January 25th, the Opportunity Rover landed in the Meridiani Planum, a flat area on the opposite side of Mars from where Spirit landed.

NASA plans to do a detailed mineralogical assessment of rock and soil samples to determine: 1) If there was ever any water present on Mars by looking for clays, carbonates, iron oxides, salts and other minerals that only form in the presence of water; 2) What the climate conditions were like when the rocks and soils were formed (and altered) and whether the climate may have been warmer and wetter at one time; and 3) Evaluate the general geologic characteristics of the rocks and land features to determine the geologic history of Mars. The rovers will scrape away exposed surfaces of rocks to get fresh surfaces to study. Using specialized onboard instruments, the rovers will also analyze the atmosphere on Mars.

More information on the science goals of the rover program can be found online at: http://marsrovers.jpl.nasa.gov/science/goals.html

For more rover information: http://www.geotimes.org/current/scene.html

*** Congressman Ralph Hall Switches Parties ***
*** Rep. W. J. "Billy" Tauzin Resigns Chairmanship *** Sending the Capitol Hill rumor mill into overdrive, Representative Ralph Hall, representing the Fourth District of Texas, unexpectedly switched parties from Democrat to Republican when he filed for re-election in early January. Republicans have agreed to allow Hall to retain his seniority after he resigned his democratic committee assignments.

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) nominated Rep. Charlie Gonzalez (D-TX) to fill Hall's position on the Energy and Commerce Committee. Rep. Bart Gordon (D-TN) will replace Hall as the ranking member of the House Science Committee. Rep. Nick Lampson (D-TX) will serve as ranking member of the Science Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, moving over from the panel's energy subcommittee.

Rep. Hall has been reassigned by Republicans to the Energy and Commerce Committee. Its chair, Rep. W. J. "Billy" Tauzin (R-LA) announced Tuesday, February 3rd that he is resigning his chairmanship, effective February 16th. It is widely rumored that he will not seek reelection in November. Earlier this month he turned down an offer to become Hollywood's top lobbyist, heading the Motion Picture Association's government affairs enterprise. Still on the table, though, is an offer to lobby for the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America (PhRMA), the trade group that represents drug giants such as Pfizer Inc. and Merck & Co. They advocated on behalf of the Medicare bill passed by Tauzin's committee late last year. Tauzin's announcement means that Energy and Air Quality Subcommittee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) will likely head the full committee, leaving Hall to head Barton's subcommittee.

*** Missouri/Minnesota/Georgia Evolution Controversies ***
Missouri:
In Missouri, a new bill concerning science standards in public schools, House Bill 911, was introduced in the Missouri House of Representatives on December 19, 2003. It is sponsored by state Rep. Robert Wayne Cooper, M.D. and six other Republicans. The bill, now under consideration by the House Education Committee, states that both "biological evolution" and "biological intelligent design" would be given equal consideration in the Missouri public elementary and secondary schools.

In the bill, "biological evolution" is defined as "a theory of the origin of life and it's ascent by naturalistic means." The term "biological intelligent design" is defined as "a hypothesis that the complex form and function.of all species on earth are the result of intelligence." The bill would require public schools to spend an equal amount of time discussing both concepts and that course textbooks contain approximately equal number of pages teaching each viewpoint. The textbooks would start to be implemented in 2006 and be mandatory by 2016. According to the bill, a committee would be appointed containing at least five people who support "biological intelligent design" and would write supplemental curricula for the interim until the textbooks are implemented.

To read the bill in its entirety, go to http://www.house.state.mo.us/bills041/bills/hb911.htm

Minnesota:
The Minnesota Senate Education Committee held an open hearing on January 23rd about new state science and social studies standards. The new standards include the teaching of scientific evolution, but there was some criticism about the lack of alternatives to scientific evolution in the curriculum. A chapter in the high school curriculum discusses how new evidence can challenge previously held theories, such as the big-bang or plate tectonics. However, some members of the community do not believe that this teaches the controversy over evolution specifically enough and they would prefer that the disagreement be explicitly stated in the evolution curriculum.

In addition, a minority report has been co-written by a Minnetonka school board member to change the standards to reflect the controversy over evolution. The writers of the report say they do not want to teach religion in the classroom, just "the strengths and weaknesses of the theory of evolution". The Minnesota State Legislature convened on February 2nd and lawmakers are expected to act on the new standards this spring.

Georgia:
The Georgia Department of Education released its new curriculum on January 12th to a thunder of controversy. The new middle and high school science standards proposed by Georgia Schools Superintendent Kathy Cox strike references to the word evolution and replace them with the term "biological changes over time." The curriculum revisions began over a year ago in an attempt to strengthen the performance of students by requiring greater depth of essential topics. Although it's not explicitly mentioned in the curriculum, Cox said that the new standards could include the teaching of "intelligent design" as another legitimate theory.

In the past few days, over 2400 people have signed an online petition to encourage the Georgia Department of Education to adapt the Project 2061 benchmarks for science education that were developed by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. To view (or sign) the petition, go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/gasci04.

To learn more about the proposed standards: http://www.glc.k12.ga.us/spotlight/gps2.htm

The Georgia Department of Education will collect feedback for three months. If you wish to comment on the proposed standards, see http://edtech.doe.k12.ga.us/QCC/survey.htm

*** Geology Central to Yucca Mountain Argument *** In a federal court hearing on January 14th, lawyers told the court that Yucca Mountain is not suitable to handle the radionuclides that could seep into groundwater sources thousands of years from now. Despite the recommendation from the National Academy of Sciences to evaluate the site for 300,00 years, the EPA only evaluated the site for 10,000 years in the future. The casks that will hold the waste cannot last for more than 10,000 years, so the geology of the mountain alone must be able to store the waste. According to Greenwire, tests have shown that the rocks at Yucca Mountain cannot isolate radioactive waste for more than 10,000 years. The lawyers for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission countered by saying the waste can be safely stored within a 10,000 year period. The ruling on the case is expected this summer, but the state of Nevada has promised a Supreme Court fight regardless of the outcome.

For more information on Yucca Mountain see: http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/yucca.html

*** National Academies Large Research Facility Projects Report Released *** The National Academies released a report on January 14th stating that the National Science Foundation (NSF) needs an improved process to rank proposals for large research facilities and manage the projects over time.

The report proposes a clear process, which it refers to as a roadmap, to lay out the process for obtaining government funding. The roadmap is not a budget document, but it facilitates the budgeting process by giving a plan for all projects over the next 10-20 years and giving each project a priority order. The roadmap will be re-evaluated every five years.

In addition, the National Academies established criteria for the selection of projects for potential funding based on three levels. First, the project is ranked within the scientific field that the project falls in using scientific and technical criteria. Second, NSF ranks the proposals among set of related fields using an agency strategic criteria. Lastly, the National Science Board, working with NSF, ranks the proposals across all fields of science using national criteria. NSF has created a new position, the Deputy for Large Facility Projects, which will oversee each project's implementation and monitor the transition from construction to operations. This position will be reviewed in two years.

To read the report in its entirety, log on to http://www.nap.edu/books/0309090849/html/

*** DOI Proposes Incentives for Domestic Natural Gas Production *** New incentives to boost natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico were published by the Minerals Management Service on January 26th in the Federal Register. These incentives are designed to encourage the natural gas industry to explore deep gas deposits and offer a variety of royalty suspensions on wells drilled deeper than 15,000 feet. The incentives will only be offered to areas of existing production on wells that have started since March 26, 2003. In addition, production of natural gas must begin within the next five years.

Independent Petroleum Association of America (IPAA) spokesman Jeff Eshelman told Greenwire that "Deep natural gas wells are often very costly to develop, and the current royalty rate has often made the economics of developing such wells unattractive to companies and their investors." Industry groups say that the relatively small field of natural gas in the Gulf of Mexico will only go so far to supply the nation's estimated consumption of 22 trillion cubic feet annually and urge Congress to pass the stalled energy bill. Passing the bill would allow similar incentives in coastal Alaska and in the Mountain West states.

*** UK Launches a Cap-and-Trade Program *** The United Kingdom recently announced its National Allocation Plan as part of the European Union's Emissions Trading Scheme, which would employ a cap and trade program to reduce CO2 emissions. The United Kingdom will set a target of reducing emissions 16.3% below 1990 levels by 2008, although it only agreed to a12.5% cut under the Kyoto Protocol. Power plant operators and operators of facilities that produce or use more than 20 megawatts of power will have to apply for a greenhouse gas trading permit. Each facility will be told of its allowable CO2 emissions, and if it cannot find ways to reduce those emissions, it must pay a penalty or purchase carbon credits from other users when the Emissions Trading Scheme launches next year. Opponents of the plan say that it could lead to skyrocketing energy costs as well as drive the industry offshore and raise global CO2 emissions. In addition, British companies could face competitive disadvantages and more of a regulatory burden than other European nations. Proponents argue that emissions levels are already 8% below the1990 levels so only another 8.3% decrease by 2008 is needed.

*** New USGS Website and Prelude to 125th Anniversary *** The USGS invites scientists and other customers to explore the new look of the USGS Home Page (http://www.usgs.gov). There is a new banner that incorporates the 125th anniversary commemorative online signage. The site also provides a new window into the breadth and depth of USGS science with a page called "Our Science" (accessed from the navigation bar at the top), which provides an overview of the major disciplines and key program links.

The familiar discipline home pages, like water.usgs.gov, are still easily accessible, but now the USGS site also offers information on vegetation mapping, coastal and marine geology, earthquakes, and chronic wasting disease. The site takes an interactive approach with USGS science and is able to make connections between the various science programs. Another feature of the USGS Home Page is a new customer service area located in the banner at the top on the right-hand side. The USGS is looking for comments and feedback to continually make improvements to these pages. Feedback can be sent to: gwendt@usgs.gov.

*** New Mexico Earth Science Achievement Awards *** On January 30th, the first New Mexico Earth Science Achievement Awards were presented to Representative Joe Stell of Carlsbad, and to Dr. John W. Shomaker of Albuquerque. These awards, co-sponsored by the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources (NMBGMR) in Socorro, and the Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department (EMNRD) in Santa Fe, are presented annually to honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions to advancing or facilitating the role of geoscience in the areas of education, research, public service, and public policy in New Mexico. Selections were made following a statewide nomination process. The awards were initiated to honor those often unrecognized champions of earth science issues vital to the future of New Mexico.

For more information, please see http://infohost.nmt.edu/mainpage/news/2004/16jan01.html

*** Geoscientists to Storm Capitol Hill *** AGI is asking geoscientists to attend the 9th annual Science-Engineering-Technology Congressional Visits Day (CVD) in Washington on March 3 - 4, 2004. 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 encourage 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. This year's visits will also have an air of festivity as the U.S. Geological Survey will be celebrating its 125th Anniversary on March 3rd with events on Capitol Hill and throughout the country. More at http://www.setcvd.org/.

*** A New Face in the Government Affairs Program *** At the beginning of January, Gayle Levy, the AGI/AAPG Spring Semester intern, arrived. She comes to us from the University of Georgia where she got her M.S. in geology. Her thesis involved studying the evolutionary biology of brachiopods. Now in Washington, she will spend quality time on Capitol Hill observing the budget process and election-year politics at their finest.

*** We'll Miss You, Dave ***
January 30th was Dave Applegate's last day with AGI. He has been the Director of the Government Affairs Program for 8 years and has accepted a position with the U.S. Geological Survey as the Senior Science Advisor for Earthquakes and Hazards. AGI will miss his easy-going style, his sense of humor, his tireless work ethic as well as his ability to see the big picture and how the geosciences fit into it. We wish him all the best in his new position at the USGS.

*** 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.

Department of Energy, The Office of Biological and Environmental Research (BER) of the Office of Science (SC), U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), announces its interest in receiving applications for research grants in the Climate Change Prediction Program (CCPP). Formal applications submitted in response to this notice must be received by March 15, 2004. Volume 69, Number 3 (6 January 2004): pp. 635-638

EPA, National Advisory Council for Environmental Policy and Technology-- Notice of Public Advisory Committee Teleconference Meeting. February 12, 2004. Conference Room 6148, U.S. EPA, Ariel Rios Federal Building, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC. Volume 69, Number 3 (6 January 2004): pp. 656-657

Department of Interior, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement. Proposed rule and opportunity for public comment on amending their current regulations. Comments must be filed in writing by March 8, 2004. Volume 69, Number 4 (7 January 2004): pp. 1035-1048

NSF-NASA Astronomy and Astrophysics Advisory Committee meeting notice. February 5-6, 2004. National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, 300 E St., SW., Washington, DC. Volume 69, Number 6, (9 January 2004): pp. 1609

NOAA announces it's Partnerships in the Provision of Weather, Water, Climate and Related Environmental Information. This new proposed policy is intended to strengthen the existing partnership between government, academia and the private sector and is available at: http://www.noaa.gov/fairweather. Volume 69, Number 7 (12 January 2004): pp. 1696-1697

DOI, Minerals Management Service released a rule that includes new incentives to increase domestic natural gas production in the Gulf of Mexico. The incentives will suspend some royalties on natural gas production in existing areas that are deeper than 15,000 feet. The rule is effective as of March 1, 2004. Volume 69, Number 16, (26 January 2004): pp. 3492-3514

NASA Advisory Council, Earth Systems Science and Applications Advisory Committee meeting. February 18-19, 2004, Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO), 4500 Hubbs Hall, La Jolla, California 92093. Volume 69, Number 16, (26 January 2004): pp. 3620-3621

NSF, Committee on Equal Opportunity in Science and Engineering meeting. February 18-19, 2004, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 1235S, Arlington, VA. Volume 69, Number 16, (26 January 2004): pp. 3621

USGS, National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program Advisory Committee meeting. February 10-11, 2004 Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, DC. Volume 69, Number 17 (27 January 2004): pp. 3940

Department of Interior, Minerals Management Service Notice of Information Collection on regulations under "30 CFR 256, Leasing of Sulphur or Oil and Gas in the Outer Continental Shelf". All comments should be submitted in writing by February 26, 2004. Volume 69, Number 17 (27 January 2004): pp. 3941-3943

NASA, Biological and Physical Research Advisory Committee Meeting. February 12-13, 2004, NASA Headquarters, 300 E Street SW, Room 9H40, Washington, DC. Volume 69, Number 17 (27 January 2004): pp. 3954.

NSF, The National Science Board and its subdivisions will meet on February 5, 2004 at Xavier University of Louisiana, New Orleans, LA. Volume 69, Number 18 (28 January 2004): pp. 4185

NASA, Earth Systems Science Advisory Committee will be meeting on February 17-18, 2004 at Scripps Institution of Oceanography, 4500 Hubbs Hall, La Jolla, California. Volume 69, Number 19 (29 January 2004): pp. 4322

EPA, Proposed rule to reduce interstate transport of fine particulate matter and ozone. This rule also discusses model multi-State cap and trade programs for SO2 and NOx. Written comments on this proposal must be received in writing by March 30, 2004. Volume 69, Number 20 (30 January 2004): pp: 4565-4650.

*** 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:

* Political Challenges to the Teaching of Evolution (2-3-04)
* Climate Change Policy Overview (2-3-04)
* Energy Policy Overview (2-3-04)
* Mercury Policy (2-3-04)
* Natural Gas Policy (2-3-04)
* FY2004 Labor/HHS (Education) Appropriations (1-28-04)
* FY2004 VA/HUD (NSF, NASA, EPA) Appropriations (1-28-04)
* FY2004 Agriculture Appropriations (1-28-04)
* FY2004 Commerce (NOAA) Appropriations (1-28-04)

Monthly review prepared by Emily M. Lehr, AGI Government Affairs Program and Gayle Levy, AGI/AAPG 2004 Spring Semester Intern.

Sources: American Institute of Physics, Atlanta Journal Constitution, CNN, Environment and Energy Daily, Geotimes, Greenwire, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Minnesota Public Radio, MSNBC, St. Paul Pioneer Press, Washington Post

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2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM ALERT: 1-28-04

*** Visit Capitol Hill and Extol the Virtues of the Geosciences! ***

Although the economy is showing signs of a rebound, we are still fighting a war on terrorism at home and abroad. With rising deficits, spending cuts will be made in the upcoming budget year. Federal geoscience agencies will be feeling the pressure, and it is important that these seed-corn investments in the future be maintained. More than ever, the geoscience community needs to make a strong case to Congress on the value of these programs.

Each spring, the Science-Engineering-Technology Congressional Visits Day (CVD) brings over 200 scientists and engineers to Capitol Hill to visit Members of Congress and their staff right at the start of the congressional budget cycle. This year, CVD will take place March 3-4, 2004. It will consist of an opening day of briefings by key administration and congressional leaders (including a morning pre-briefing at AGU for geoscience participants) followed by a day of constituent meetings with senators, representatives, and their staff that we can help arrange.

Participants in CVD are asked to carry forward a core message that federally funded research is the Nation's foundation for the future. In addition, participants can 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.

It is vital for geoscientists to be represented in science-community efforts if our discipline is to be a recognizable (and valued) element in the congressional view of "science." For anyone interested in science policy, this is an opportunity to meet your elected official and experience Washington, DC at the height of political activity -- the beginning of the budget cycle is always an action-packed, fast-paced time. We especially encourage the leadership of AGI's Member Societies to attend.

If you have participated in CVD previously, this is a chance to continue building a relationship with your Members of Congress and their staff. If not, there is no better time than now to sit down and talk about funding priorities that are important to you and the larger science, engineering and technology community. Because Congressional offices are notoriously small, your meeting may be in the Member's office, before or after a committee hearing or while walking down the hall to vote. Whatever the situation, the experience is sure to be memorable for you both. You may also want to consider attending this meeting as a group with your colleagues.

More information about CVD and the core message is available on the CVD website at http://www.setcvd.org. The site will contain a downloadable packet of briefing materials to update you on the need for sustained federal investment in science research, help orchestrate your visit and familiarize you with the legislative process. In addition, AGI has a number of articles and updates on its Government Affairs website (http://www.agiweb.org/gap) that can provide background and context for some of the issues you may want to discuss.

If you would like to participate or have any questions or would like our assistance in setting up a visit, call Emily M. Lehr in AGI.s Government Affairs Program at (703) 379-2480 x. 212 or e-mail her at eml@agiweb.org.

CVD is organized by the Science-Engineering-Technology Work Group (of which AGI is a member).

Update prepared by Emily M. Lehr, AGI Government Affairs Program

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3) SOUTH DAKOTA .WOMEN IN SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY WEEK. MARCH 8- 3, 2004

In accordance with South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds. designation of the week of March 8 through 13 as .Women in Science and Technology Week. several conferences are being held around the state. These conferences are designed to encourage high school girls to explore career options in science and technology through hands-on activities, multimedia presentations and informal meetings with professional scientists and technologists.

On Saturday, March 13, the Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota will be hosting a conference in which careers in geoscience and paleontology will be the subject of one of the four sessions scheduled for the day.

The conference will begin at 9:00 with Keynote Speaker Dr. Noelle Umback. Dr. Umback is a forensic scientist for the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner of New York City. She grew up in Lemmon, SD and graduated from South Dakota State University.

After the Keynote Speaker, the conference will break into four sessions:
Session 1: Geosciences; Paleontology
Session 2: HerWorld Presentation
Session 3: Women in Medicine
Session 4: Science Resources on Public Lands

The four sessions will be run simultaneously for the day to allow all groups to attend all sessions. Vendors including the USGS, NOAA U.S. Weather Service and USDA/NRCS will be available for girls to interact with and pick up materials.

For more information contact:
Kristine M. Thompson
In-Situ Bonebed Curator, Educator and Geologist
Mammoth Site of Hot Springs, South Dakota Inc.
P.O. Box 692
Hot Springs, South Dakota 57747
605/745-6017 ext 32
e-mail: kmt1@mammothsite.com
www.mammothsite.com

Please notify Kris if you plan on attending and how may young women you plan on bringing by February 28, 2004.

Kris has also invited AWG to contribute materials to include in the girls. binders and as handouts.

For additional information on the Mammoth Site and information on other Women in Science and Technology Week conferences visit http://www.state.sd.us/deca/DWCP/training/index.htm .

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4) The REVEL Project

The Research and Education: Volcanoes, Exploration and Life (REVEL) Project is inviting highly-motivated 7-12 grade science teachers who want to bring cutting-edge earth and ocean research into their classrooms to apply to the program.

Through the REVEL Project, teachers are immersed in the scientific process as they explore the seafloor of the Juan de Fuca Plate in the Northeast Pacific Ocean. Teachers participate in sea-going field research alongside scientists and in complementary professional development opportunities that help teachers increase their content knowledge, and enhance their teaching skills. Members of a network of researchers and education colleagues passionate about earth and ocean sciences, REVEL teachers transfer their experience to the classroom and many colleagues.

The REVEL Project is partly sponsored by the National Science Foundation (NSF) - Division of Ocean Sciences in the Directorate of Geosciences and Division of Elementary, Secondary, and Informal Education in the Directorate for Education and Human Resources. Additional support for teachers is generously provided by P. Henshaw and the ChevronTexaco Corp. The program is facilitated by the School of Oceanography at the University of Washington in Seattle.

Applications for the 2004 REVEL sea-going season are available at http://www.ocean.washington.edu/outreach/revel/ and must be postmarked by March 26, 2004. Applicants must be employed in a K-12 public, private or parochial school in the United States. Minority applicants are especially encouraged to apply.

Interested teachers are encouraged to explore the REVEL Web site http://www.ocean.washington.edu/outreach/revel/

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5) DOLORES E FISHER AWARD

The Education Department of the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society is pleased to announce an award in honor of Dolores (Deo) Fisher and her extraordinary achievements and strong interests in the oceans.

The cash honorarium of $1,000 and a trophy will be awarded annually by May 15 to a young woman between the ages of 16 and 30. Selection will be based on the criteria of character and potential.

Further information and the application form are available on the Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society web site at www.melfisher.org/deoaward.htm.

The award cycle opens in January and closes by mid-March of the award year. There is a six-member selection committee that will decide upon and notify the winner by May 15. Certificates of honorable mention will also be awarded. The Committee reserves the right to not award the prize during any given year.

The four requirements are:
1. Completion of the application form, indicating category
A (age 16-21) or category B (age 22 - 30);
2. A 1000-word essay;
3. A written statement of career goals and
4. Three letters of recommendation.

The successful candidate will create a compelling 1000-word essay describing how she hopes to make a difference in the world through her passion for the oceans. The written statement or visual document should detail career goals, locate where along the path the candidate is, where she expects to be by May of the award year and how the Dolores Fisher Award will help her achieve these goals.

The three letters of recommendation should be sealed by the authors and mailed as part of the application package addressed to:
Curator, Department of Education
Mel Fisher Maritime Heritage Society
200 Greene Street, Key West, FL 33040.

The successful awardee will be invited to spend time behind-the-scenes at the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum.

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6) POSITION OPENINGS

2004-008
U.S. Geological Survey
Reston, Virginia
Senior Leadership Positions
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) invites applications for two full-time, senior leadership opportunities within the Water Resources Discipline. As the Federal government's principal scientific organization for the collection, analysis, and dissemination of hydrologic data, as well as the research and development that advance the science of hydrology, the U.S. Geological Survey's Water Resources Program is managed by a corps of senior scientists/executives who share responsibility with the Associate Director for Water and the Regional Directors for program development, coordination of effort, quality assurance, and leadership of the myriad of functions that support the Water Resources mission of the USGS.

Chief Scientist for Hydrology
The Chief Scientist for Hydrology is delegated overall responsibility for the direct management of USGS activities involving hydrologic research to include the fostering of applied research in operational programs nationwide in support of the Department of the Interior.s Strategic Plan and oversight of applicable provisions of the Water Resources Research Act of 1984. The successful candidate will serve as the senior USGS executive with direct responsibility for identifying current research issues and projecting future issues that determine program direction and composition for the Nation's total water-resources research efforts; serve as a principal scientific representative of the USGS to the Water Science and Technology Board of the National Research Council, responsible directly to the Associate Director for Water for program development recommendations; and as chairperson of the Research Committee, lend technical expertise in the setting of national research priorities. This is a Senior Executive Service (SES) position with a salary range of $103,700 - $144,600.

Senior Science Advisor for Ground Water
The Senior Science Advisor provides expert consultation and advice to senior executive management on the development and enhancement of the U.S. Geological Survey.s program in Ground Water hydrology. This includes providing technical guidance on policy development to ensure the continued excellence of the program and the development of new theories, ideas, and techniques for those organizational components of the USGS involved in data collection, resource assessment, modeling, and research related to ground-water resources. The successful candidate will provide scientific leadership to USGS researchers and managers on matters such as: the development of new methods of data collection and instrumentation, the development of new simulation models, improved communications of ground-water principles and results to various technical and non-technical audiences, and development of new approaches to ground-water data management and dissemination. This is a Senior Level (SL) posit ion with a salary range of $103,700 - $144,600.

It is important that all applicants view the Vacancy Announcement for the position of interest in its entirety to be sure that all required documents are submitted. The vacancy announcement can be found at www.usajobs.opm.gov under Senior Executive positions. All applications must be received in the office no later than March 5, 2004 and should reference announcement number SES-03-04 for the Chief Scientist and SL-03-04 for the Senior Science Advisor.

For more information, contact Cindy Lonergan at clonergan@usgs.gov or (703) 648-7472. The U.S. Geological Survey is an Equal Opportunity Employer U.S. Citizenship is required

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 2004-009
Hunter College CUNY
Assistant or Associate Professor
Department of Geography

New York, NY 10021. Assistant or Associate Professor. The Department of Geography, Hunter College-CUNY, the largest geography program in New York City, in conjunction with the CUNY Doctoral Program in Earth and Environmental Sciences, seeks a candidate with a Ph.D. in geography or related discipline for a tenure-track faculty position in coastal processes interested in teaching and research centered on urban coastal beaches, inlets, bays, and estuaries. The successful candidate will be expected to develop an independent research program in one or more of the focus areas listed above and must be able to collaborate with other faculty in the Department as well as across the Program in Earth and Environmental Sciences. That person will be expected to develop and teach classes at the undergraduate and graduate levels, mentor undergraduate, masters and doctoral students, and participate in departmental and programmatic activities, as well as in college-wide and university-wide af fairs. The successful candidate will have significant input into curriculum development of the CUNY Ph.D. Program in Earth and Environmental Sciences.

Preference will be given to applicants with academic credentials in an area such as coastal engineering, coastal geology, shallow-water oceanography, shallow-water marine science, or a related field in the physical sciences or engineering. The applicant is expected to demonstrate knowledge in focus areas such as near-shore hydrodynamics including wave breaking and currents, coastal sediment transport and morphology change covering beaches and coastal inlets, estuarine processes, numerical modeling, and natural coastal hazard processes in urban areas such as erosion and flooding by storm surge.

The Ph.D. degree is required at the time of appointment. A strong record of, or potential for teaching, research, funding, and publication in geographic information science/applied geography is required for consideration. Good interpersonal skills and effective oral and written communication skills are necessary.

To apply, send a cover letter that discusses teaching and research agendas, curriculum vitae, a sample of recent publications, and full contact information for at least three references before April 10, 2004 to: Prof. Charles Heatwole, Chair, Department of Geography, Hunter College . CUNY, 695 Park Avenue, NY, NY 10021. E-mail: cah@geo.hunter.cuny.edu. Hunter College is an EOE, ADA, AA, IRCA employer.

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