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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2004-14
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CONTENTS
1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW - JUNE 2004
2) FRACTURED ROCK: STATE OF SCIENCE, MEASURING SUCCESS IN
REMEDIATION 2004 NGWA / U.S. EPA CONFERENCE
3) CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR FALL 2004 AGU MEETING SESSION ED01
4) CONTACT INFORMATION
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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News
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1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW - JUNE 2004
* Appropriations Bills Begin Their Legislative Journey
Interior Appropriations
Energy and Water Development Appropriations
Department of Agriculture Appropriations
Commerce-State-Justice and the Judiciary Appropriations
* 'Energy Week' in House Gets Mixed Results
* Yucca Mountain Funding Gets Possible Legislative Fix
* House Science Committee Keeps Tabs on Visa Delays
* New Fees for Exchange Visitors and Scholars
* Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Gets House Hearing
* NEHRP Reauthorization Makes Progress in Senate
* LNG Terminals Need Standards
* House Science Committee Votes to Reauthorize DOE Metals Program
* DOE Agrees to Clean Up 99% of Waste Sites
* Pipeline Safety Slowly Improving
* Senate Searches for the Cause of High Gasoline Prices
* NOAA Organic Act Moving Forward
* NASA Merges Earth Science and Space Science
* CNSF Exhibition a Success
* NSF Funding Supported by 157 House Representatives
* NSF Major Research Equipment Projects Ranked
* National Academies to Issue Report on Science and Technology
Appointees
* G8 Leaders Focus their Energy on an Earth Observation System
* Climate Change Not the Biggest Global Problem
* Evolution in the Classroom Update - California
* Government Affairs Program Seeks Director
* Intern Comings and Goings
* Key Federal Register Notices
* New Updates to website
*** Appropriations Bills Begin Their Legislative Journey ***
*** Interior Appropriations ***
On June 17th, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Interior
Appropriations bill by a vote of 334 to 86. Overall, the House decided to
reduce funding for grant programs and new initiatives proposed by the
administration request and instead provide funding for core,
mission-essential programs.
The FY05 Interior Appropriations bill restores the $18 million in
program cuts from the US Geological Survey and partially restores cuts to
key energy research programs. Total funding for the Department of
Interior is $9.8 billion, $213 million below the request and $108 million
above FY04. The Bureau of Land Management was funded $1.7 billion, $46
million below FY04 and $12 million below the request. U.S. Fish and
Wildlife Service is funded at $1.3 billion, $45 million below FY04 and $62
million below the request. The U.S. Forest Service received $4.2
billion, $8 million above the request and $294 million below 2004. The
Smithsonian was allocated $620 million, $24 million above FY04 and $8 million
below the request.
A detailed chart and explanation of the House action is available on
AGI's website at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2005_interior.html#House
*** Energy and Water Appropriations ***
On June 25th the House approved the FY05 Energy and Water
Appropriations Bill, allocating $28 billion for the Department of Energy. This
amount is $49 million above the President's request and $735 million above
the FY04 enacted level, with the majority of this increase directed
toward the Army Corps of Engineers.
Information about funding levels within the Energy and Water is
available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2005_energy.html#house
*** Department of Agriculture Appropriations ***
The House Appropriations Committee marked up the FY05 Agriculture
Appropriations bill June 23, cutting funding 12% for the bill as a whole.
Funding for the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) was cut by
3%. Watershed Surveys and Planning was provided $11.1 million.
Watershed and Flood Prevention Operations was allocated $86.5 million.
Funding for the Agricultural Research Service was cut to $1.057 billion, $25
million less than FY04 and $132 million less than the President's
request.
More detailed information is available by accessing
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2005_ag.html#House.
*** Commerce-State-Justice and the Judiciary Appropriations ***
Congress passed the Commerce, Justice, State, and the Judiciary FY05
Appropriations bill July 8th without offering any amendments that would
boost funding for the severe cuts to NOAA. The amount appropriated by
the bill for NOAA is $2.3 billion, a decrease of $543 million from the
FY04 enacted level and $215 million less than the President's requested
amount.
With overall funding cut by 36%, many one-time, non-recurring projects
will be terminated. Funding for ocean and fisheries programs received
the most significant cuts, while many of the atmospheric programs remain
funded at the president's requested levels. In cutting NOAA's funding,
the Committee went against the recommendation of two reports published
earlier this year by the Pew Oceans Commission and the U.S. Commission
on Ocean Policy. Both reported that significantly higher levels of
funding were necessary for ocean and coastal protection and research.
Information about programmatic funding levels can be found on-line at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/appropsfy2005_commerce.html#House.
*** 'Energy Week' in House Gets Mixed Results ***
House Republicans introduced comprehensive energy legislation and other
energy-related bills during "Energy Week" debates June 15th and 16th.
Environment and Energy Daily predicted that high gasoline prices and
Democratic opposition to many energy-related bills would serve as
important contexts for the debates. The Republican sponsored Energy Week;
however, was delayed due to the death of former President Reagan,
postponing the debates one week. During this time, gas prices began to fall
and the Bush Administration reported that prices were expected to fall
throughout the summer. The bills were debated on the House floor under
rules that prohibited amendments.
Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Joe Barton (R-TX) introduced
H.R. 4503, the energy bill conference report that the House has already
approved. It passed with a 244-178 vote. This bill was reintroduced
with hopes of spurring the Senate to action. Provisions in the bill
included energy conservation, research and development, and energy supply
diversification.
Other bills approved by the House include H.R. 4517, which will speed
up the permitting process for the construction of new petroleum refinery
facilities in areas of high unemployment. This bill will allow the
Department of Energy (DOE) to establish "refinery revitalization zones" in
communities with an unemployment rate 20% above the national average
and either a closed refinery or history of major industrial layoffs.
House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-CA) introduced and
passed H.R. 4513, which will streamline the process of environmental
impact assessments required under the National Environmental Policy Act
(NEPA) for new renewable energy projects. It allows federal agencies to
propose renewable energy projects without identifying more than one
possible location for the project. H.R. 4515 also passed, providing energy
companies with incentives to produce natural gas from methane hydrate
resources, which have been found to contain significantly more gas
than all other conventional natural gas resources combined. Although
the technology to exploit hydrate resources is not yet available, the
bill provides incentives for companies to develop that technology and
begin extraction by the year 2018.
Two bills did not make it out of the House. A bill calling for a
portion of the revenues from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) oil
and natural gas drilling to be used for the cleanup of abandoned coal
mines and health benefits for coal miners, H.R. 4529, was hotly debated
and eventually removed from floor consideration due to lack of support.
These two issues were linked in an effort to gain support from those
who oppose ANWR energy exploration. However, the United Mine Workers of
America, one of the groups expected to benefit from the bill, issued a
letter to Congress June 15th opposing the bill. Another bill, H.R.
4545, would have lowered the price of gasoline blends, commonly known as
"boutique fuels." It would also have allowed the Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) to waive Clean Air Act fuel requirements for up to five
days if there is a significant disruption in the fuel supply.
Additional information about Energy Week is available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/energy.html.
*** Yucca Mountain Funding Gets Possible Legislative Fix ***
The funding for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository remains at
$131 million after the House Appropriations Committee passed the FY05
Energy and Water Development appropriations bill on June 16th. The
original budget request for the project was $880 million, with only $131
million coming from Congress and the other $749 million from a
reclassification of the nuclear industry's annual contributions to the Nuclear
Waste Trust Fund. The reclassification legislation, H.R. 3981, would
guarantee funding for the licensing and construction of the project.
Unless this legislation passes both Houses of Congress and is signed into
law by the President, the currently appropriated funding would be
insufficient to meet the scheduled 2010 opening date.
On June 25th, the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed H.R. 3981
that would allow money from an annual nuclear waste fund to be used for
the Yucca Mountain project through 2009. It is expected that the money
from the trust fund will keep Yucca Mountain on schedule for its site
license approval by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission in December and
its expected 2010 opening. However, the Committee was only authorized to
allocate $576 million for Yucca Mountain in FY05 due to the budget
passed by the House earlier this spring. This means funding for Yucca
Mountain is still $173 million short of the $880 million requested in the
president's budget. Because Congress only passed a one-year budget this
year, Energy Committee staff estimate $750 million will be authorized
from the trust fund for FY06 and beyond.
H.R. 3981 is expected to be passed by the full House prior to the
August recess despite the fierce opposition from the Nevada congressional
delegation. Even if the House does approve this bill, it faces an uphill
battle in the Senate where Minority Whip Harry Reid (D-NV) is leading
the opposition. He is the number two democrat in the Senate and up for
reelection this fall.
More information about Yucca Mountain is available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/yucca.html.
*** House Science Committee Keeps Tabs on Visa Delays ***
Representative Sherwood Boehlert (R-NY), the House Science Committee
Chairman, Curt Weldon (R-PA), and Bart Gordon (D-TN), Ranking Minority
Member, issued a letter June 16th requesting the Government Accounting
Office (GAO) investigate further the status of issuing visas to foreign
science students and scholars. They expressed their concern that the
delays were discouraging the best scientists from coming to the United
States.
Although national security is a high priority since September 11th,
they argued it is no excuse for the inefficiency that has delayed the visa
permitting process anywhere between a few to 300 days. Of particular
concern was the Visas Mantis, or the security check designed to protect
against the transfer of sensitive technologies. A report issued by the
GAO in February (http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d04371.pdf) found that
guidelines were unclear as to when a Visas Mantis check was applicable to
a visa application, which is one of the main causes of the delays. In
this report, the GAO also recommended that the State Department,
Federal Bureau of Investigations, and Department of Homeland Security work
together to develop specific goals and guidelines that would speed up the
process. The letter requests an update investigation by the GAO on how
well these organizations have implemented the recommendations. The GAO
was also asked to pay particular attention to the status of R
ussian visas, which is an interest of Congressman Weldon.
The full text of the letter can be viewed at
http://www.aip.org/fyi/2004/084.html. More details about the
Committee's request are available at
http://www.house.gov/science/press/108/108-259.htm.
*** New Fees for Exchange Visitors and Scholars ***
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced on June 30th
that, beginning September 1st, a new $100 fee will be incurred on visa
applications of international students, exchange visitors, and scholars
attending school or conducting research in the U.S. This fee will be
used to cover the costs of the electronic Student Exchange and Visitor
Information System (SEVIS), which is designed to maintain up-to-date
data on applicants and process visa request more quickly. The fee applies
to F, J and M nonimmigrant classifications, but some exchange visitor
programs will have a reduced fee or will be fee-exempt. There are
currently 730,000 students and exchange visitors registered on SEVIS.
According to Jill Drury, Director of the Student Exchange Visitor Program
(SEVP): "The new fee payment procedure is a continuation of our
commitment to manage a system that enhances the integrity of America's
immigration system while facilitating the legal entry of legitimate interna
tional students and scholars into the United States."
*** Geologic Mapping Reauthorization Gets House Hearing ***
On June 24th, the House Resources Subcommittee on Energy and Mineral
Resources met to discuss H.R. 4010, a bill to reauthorize the National
Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program at the United States Geological
Survey (USGS) through 2010. The bill was introduced by Subcommittee Chair
Barbara Cubin (R-WY) and committee member and former geologist Jim
Gibbons (R-NV).
The subcommittee heard testimony from Patrick Leahy, Associate Director
for Geology at the USGS, and John Steinmentz, President of the
Association of American State Geologists. Both witnesses testified in support
of the bill, and all members of the subcommittee who attended the
hearing expressed their support as well. Leahy outlined some of the
successes of the NCGNP including the ways in which USGS has worked in
cooperation with agencies and states. He noted the high economic return of
dollars invested in mapping programs as seen in the state of Kentucky,
which is the only state that is completely mapped. Leahy also said that
mapping aids security efforts by providing information on energy,
mineral, and water availability as well as geologic hazards.
More information on the hearing and H.R. 4010 can be found on AGI's
website at
http://stage.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/geologicmapping.html.
*** NEHRP Reauthorization Makes Progress in Senate ***
The Senate Subcommittee on Science, Technology, and Space met on June
24th to discuss the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program
Reauthorization Act (NEHRP; H.R. 2608). Senator Brownback (R-KS) presided
over the hearing and was joined by Senator Wyden (D-OR) of Oregon.
Witnesses from the USGS, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and National Science
Foundation (NSF) each testified that their agencies were pleased with the
House-passed bill. The major difference in this reauthorization process has
been the shift of NEHRP from the Federal Emergency Management Agency,
which has since been absorbed into the DHS, to NIST. NIST will continue
to work with the USGS, DHS, and the NSF on the program. The only
change suggested in the Senate hearing was proposed by Dr. David Applegate,
Senior Science Advisor for Earthquakes and Geologic Hazards at the
USGS. He advocated for a NEHRP Advisory Committee to be formed in ord
er to give the program stronger direction and more focused leadership.
The full committee is expected to mark up the bill before the August
recess.
A full wrap-up of the hearing can be found online at
http://stage.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/nehrp_hearings.html#june25.
*** LNG Terminals Need Standards ***
The House Subcommittee on Energy Policy, Natural Resources, and
Regulatory Affairs met June 23rd to discuss the federal and state roles in
siting liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals at both onshore and deepwater
ports. Chairman Doug Ose (R-CA) stressed the importance of LNG,
explaining that increasing energy demands require the U.S. to import more LNG
and consequently build more ports with the ability to accept these
imports. The responsibility of licensing and securing these ports,
however, has not been clear and the Committee called for federal standards
that would specifically outline the LNG terminal permitting and siting
process. As decided by the Maritime Transportation Security Act of 2002,
the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has jurisdiction over the
siting and construction of onshore terminals while the Department of
Transportation, including the Coast Guard, is in charge of offshore terminal
licensing and security. Currently, five new terminals have been a
pproved by federal regulators, but all with different criteria, raising
questions of how secure they are from terrorist attacks and what danger
they pose to nearby residents. To read more about the hearing, log on
to http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/naturalgas.html.
*** House Science Committee Votes to Reauthorize DOE Metals Program ***
The House Science Committee unanimously approved H.R. 3890, a bill to
reauthorize $20 million a year for the Metals Program at the Department
of Energy through 2009. The Metals Program provides funding and
guidance for the development of energy efficiency technologies in the metals
industry. It aims to reduce energy consumption and environmental
impact such as greenhouse gas emissions of metals companies, while improving
international competitiveness. The version of the bill that was
introduced in subcommittee authorized only $10 million a year to the program,
but its sponsor Rep. Melissa Hart (R-PA) succeeded in passing an
amendment to double the funds before the full committee. The bill requires
industry partners in the program to match 30 percent of the funding they
receive and provide progress reports to Congress each year. The $20
million authorization may provide clout for increased FY 2006 funding,
although an amendment has been added to the bill to flatline fundin
g for FY 2005. The Bush administration requested $6.5 million for
metals industry efficiency programs in next year's budget.
The House Science Committee Republicans blocked an amendment to the
bill funding energy efficiency projects in other sectors. They pointed
out that such amendments could slow down the bill and that similar
measures are included in other legislation. To read a summary of the May
2004 hearing on the Metals Program, go to
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/energy_hearings.html#may20.
*** DOE Agrees to Clean Up 99% of Waste Sites ***
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee met June 17th to
discuss the Department of Energy's (DOE) nuclear waste accelerated cleanup
program. One hundred fourteen sites are being cleaned up through the
program, which costs $7.4 billion or one third of the DOE budget. There
are some critics of the program, such as Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), who
said that accelerated cleanup is "just walking away faster." The
committee heard testimony from Jessie Roberson, the Assistant Secretary of
Environmental Management at DOE, who has been in charge of the program
since 2001. Two federal investigators also testified regarding DOE
compliance with worker safety at the Hanford site in Washington. A hearing
summary is available on AGI's website at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/energy_hearings.html#jun17.
*** Pipeline Safety Slowly Improving ***
On June 15th, Senator McCain (R-AZ) presided over the full committee
hearing on pipeline safety. Testimony was given by eight witnesses on
the implementation of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act of 2002 (H.R.
3609). This act was originally proposed by Senator Lautenberg in 1994
in response to a deadly natural gas pipeline explosion in New Jersey.
The aging pipeline infrastructure in the U.S. has led to concern over
the safety and environmental hazards they present. Pipelines are a
critical component of our economy; roughly 63% of U.S. energy is transported
through them, providing a safer, more efficient mode of transportation
compared to barge or truck transportation. Additionally, the threat of
terrorist attacks has heightened the need for Federal assistance in
maintaining the safety of the pipelines.
In the past two years, the Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) has
attempted to implement the rules and regulations defined by this act concerning
oil and natural gas pipelines. The general consensus of the witnesses
was that OPS has done a good job overseeing the repair and improvement
of the pipelines and the act overall is working well. They also point
out that it is still too early to truly know its effectiveness and
there is still much improvement needed, especially in regard to the
permitting process. A full recount of the hearing is available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/energy_hearings.html#jun15-2.
*** Senate Searches for the Cause of High Gasoline Prices ***
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee met June 15th to
discuss the causes of recent high fuel prices. Guy Caruso of the Energy
Information Administration at the Department of Energy told the committee
that oil prices have dropped in the last three weeks, and should
continue to drop to $35 per barrel from the current cost of $37.50 by the end
of the year absent any major disruptions. Republican committee members
urged passage of the Senate energy bill throughout the hearing, while
Democrats continued to argue in favor of other solutions to current
energy problems. One solution offered by Democrats is the opening of the
Strategic Petroleum Reserve.
Democrats Charles Schumer (NY), Ron Wyden (OR), and Byron Dorgan (ND)
pressed the issue of the reserve during the hearing, arguing that it can
be used as a tool to pressure Organization of Petroleum Exporting
Countries to lower crude oil prices. Topics discussed at the hearing
included corporate market manipulation, risk factors in determining oil
prices, tight refinery capacity, "boutique fuels" and drilling in ANWR. A
thorough hearing summary is available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/energy_hearings.html#jun15.
*** NOAA Organic Act Moving Forward ***
A report issued in April by the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy
recommended legislation be passed that would clearly outline the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) responsibilities and
emphasize an ecosystem-based management approach. In response, the Bush
administration submitted a proposal in June to restructure the agency.
Since 1970, the agency has been operating without a congressional mandate.
Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Chairman of the House Environment, Technology,
and Standards Subcommittee, has also prepared an organic act for NOAA,
which is expected to be introduced before the August recess.
More information about both of the proposals can be found at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/ocean.html.
*** NASA Merges Earth Science and Space Science ***
NASA announced June 24th that it will restructure the agency to
streamline its operations and more effectively implement its Vision for Space
Exploration. Effective August 1st, these changes will result in the
consolidation of eight previously separate enterprises and a reduction in
the number of support offices from 14 to six. The enterprises will be
reorganized into four main categories labeled Aeronautics Research,
Science, Explorations Systems, and Space Operations. The Earth Science
and Space Science programs, which were formally separate under NASA's
organizational structure, will now be combined under the Science category.
The reasoning behind this was to achieve a more holistic understanding
of the earth and solar system where information from studying the earth
can be applied to research on the solar system and vice versa.
A press release as well as charts illustrating the organizational
changes can be found at
http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2004/jun/HQ_04205_Transformation.html.
*** CNSF Exhibition a Success ***
On June 22nd another successful Coalition for National Science Funding
(CNSF) exhibition was held in the Rayburn House Office Building. Six
members of Congress attended the evening event, including Roscoe
Bartlett (R-MD), Howard Coble (R-NC), Vernon Ehlers (R-MI), Bob Etheridge
(D-NC), David Hobson (R-OH), and Ralph Regula (R-OH). John Marburger,
Science Advisor to the President and Director of OSTP, was also present,
along with several others from OSTP and the NSF, including Dr. Arden
Bement the interim Director of NSF.
The Geological Society of America (GSA), American Geophysical Union
(AGU) and American Geological Institute (AGI) jointly hosted a booth
showcasing EarthScope, a program designed to explore the structure and
evolution of the North American Continent. As one of over 25 organizations
presenting research, the Earthscope exhibit featured pictures,
instrumentation from an actual GPS station as well as video and informational
brochures. More information on Earthscope can be found at their website
http://www.earthscope.org/.
*** NSF Funding Supported by 157 House Representatives ***
A letter encouraging maximum funding for the National Science
Foundation (NSF) in FY05 was signed by 157 members of the House on June 9th.
The letter outlined the value of NSF research programs to the country's
economy and security and emphasized the accomplishments of the
organization while working with only a small portion of the total federal
research and development budget. The FY05 President's budget request for NSF
was $5.7 billion, a 3% increase from last year but still short of the
guidelines set in the NSF Authorization Act of 2002. The letter was
written by Vern Ehlers (R-MI) and Rush Holt (D-NJ) and was addressed to
James Walsh (R-NY) and Alan Mollohon (D-WV), who are the Chairman and
Ranking Member, respectively, of the House Appropriations Subcommittee
responsible for NSF appropriations.
The letter and signatures can be found at
http://www.ncseonline.org/Updates/page.cfm?fID=3733.
*** NSF Major Research Equipment Projects Ranked ***
The National Science Board (NSB), responding to Congressional requests,
released a list ranking proposed NSF Major Research Equipment projects
in order of funding priority. The National Ecological Observatory
Network is second on the list, after the Scientific Ocean Drilling Vessel.
The NSB white paper defining the priority-setting process for competing
research facility projects is online at
http://www.nsf.gov/nsb/documents/2004/priorstnglrgefcltyproj.doc.
*** National Academies to Issue Report on Science and Tech Appointees
***
The National Academies Committee on Ensuring the Best Science and
Technology Presidential and Federal Advisory Committee Appointments is
interested in receiving comments from the science community on the issue of
the appointment of scientists, engineers, and health professionals to
presidentially appointed positions within the federal government and to
federal advisory committees whose charge is science-based policy or to
review research proposals. The Committee is charged with addressing
the barriers to appointing the most qualified candidates for science and
technology presidential appointments and will examine the appointment
process and the principles that should be observed in selecting
scientists, engineers, and health professionals to serve on federal advisory
committees.
The topics upon which the Committee seeks comment are available online
at www.nationalacademies.org/presidentialappointments/ along with
instructions on how to comment and due dates.
*** G8 Leaders Focus their Energy on an Earth Observation System ***
Representatives from the industrialized nations that comprise the Group
of 8 (G8) - Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United
Kingdom, and the U.S. -- met June 9th and 10th to discuss environmental
issues and evaluate their progress since last year's meeting in Evian,
France. Some of the subjects discussed included cleaner and more
efficient energy use, agricultural sustainability and productivity, and
improved communication of new ideas pertaining to these issues.
The focus of this meeting was the creation of an Earth Observation
System (EOS) that was proposed last year at the Evian meeting. This
project would link together thousands of satellites, ocean buoys, weather
stations, and other instruments around the world, allowing data to be
shared and communicated with all nations to track monsoons, droughts, and
changes to the climate and atmosphere. This data could be used to find
new ways to help improve agriculture, energy use, and other
environmental issues.
Last April, 47 industrialized nations met in Tokyo to begin making the
framework for a 10-year implementation plan. The goal of next year's
G8 meeting will be to finalize this plan. The momentum for this project
continues to build. Since the Evian meeting, two additional summits
have continued the discussion of how to create an EOS, including the 2003
Earth Observation Summit in Washington.
*** Climate Change Not the Biggest Global Problem ***
The issue of climate change has been demoted in global importance by
some of the world's top economists at international meeting called the
"Copenhagen Consensus." The meeting was moderated by the controversial
writer Bjorn Lomborg, who wrote the 1999 book "The Skeptical
Environmentalist" challenging conventional environmental wisdom.
Panelists at the meeting hailed HIV/AIDS, malaria, and malnutrition to
be more pressing issues than global climate change, and ranked climate
projects such as the Kyoto Protocol as cost ineffective. The group did
express support of funding for development of low carbon technologies.
The meeting was sponsored the by The Economist and the Danish
Environmental Assessment Institute.
*** Evolution in the Classroom Updates - California ***
For much of the past year, the Roseville Joint Union School District
board of trustees has been occupied by a proposal to mandate that
alternatives to evolution be included in science courses. On June 1, 2004,
the school district near Sacramento voted down a resolution that would
have established "The Quality Science Education Policy." Ultimately, the
proposal was only supported by the school board president, Dean Forman,
and board member Kelly Lafferty. Three board members opposed the
resolution. According to the Roseville Press-Tribune, in public debate in
opposition to the proposal, board member Jan Pinney stated: "We need
[teachers] with us, not against us. They have spoken with one voice."
To learn more about evolution battles across the country, see
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/evolution.html.
*** Government Affairs Program Seeks Director ***
On June 9th, the Selection Committee seeking to fill the AGI Director
of Government Affairs position revised its criteria. The new position
description and directions on how to apply can be found on the
Government Affairs website at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/index.html#job.
*** Intern Comings and Goings ***
Ashlee Dere, the newest AGI/AIPG 2004 Summer Intern, arrived on June
9th. She is a senior at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo on the central coast
of California where she is majoring in earth science with a sustainable
environments minor. Originally from San Diego, CA, she has worked as
an intern with the City of San Diego Environmental Services Department
and has participated in soil judging and other student activities
sponsored by the Soil Science Society of America. Ashlee's internship will
extend through the first of September.
*** Key Federal Register Notices ***
EPA, Direct final rule regarding national primary drinking water
regulations analytical method for uranium compliance determinations. This
rule is effective on August 31, 2004, without further notice, unless EPA
receives adverse comment by July 2, 2004. Comments, identified by
Docket ID No. OW-2003-0067, to Federal eRulemaking Portal:
http://www.regulations.gov or by mail to OW Docket, Environmental
Protection Agency, Mailcode: 4101T, 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW., Washington,
DC 20460. Volume 69, Number 106 (2 June, 2004): pp. 31008-31013.
DOT Office of Pipeline Safety, Notice of meeting of the Technical
Pipeline Safety Standards Committee and the Technical Hazardous Liquid
Pipeline Safety Standards Committee. Conference call June 30, 2004, from 1
p.m. to 4 p.m., EST. Members of the public may attend the meeting at
the U.S. Department of Transportation, 400 Seventh Street, SW.,
Washington, DC Room 6332-6336. To offer a short oral statement notify Jean
Milam, (202) 493-0967, not later than June 25, 2004. Volume 69, Number 119
(22 June, 2004): pp. 34720-34721.
USGS, Federal Geographic Data Committee public review of framework data
standards developed through the Geospatial One-Stop initiative.
Comments to Ms. Julie Binder Maitra, FGDC Standards Coordinator c/o U.S.
Geological Survey, 590 National Center, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston,
Virginia 20192 or by phone 703-648-4627 or by facsimile 703-648-5755 or
Internet at jmaitra@usgs.gov. Volume 69, Number 120 (23 June, 2004):
pp. 35057-35058.
*** New Updates to website ***
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:
* National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Act (6-29-04)
* High-Level Nuclear Waste Legislation (6-29-04)
* Mercury Policy (6-29-04)
* National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program hearings (6-25-04)
* Natural Gas Policy (6-25-04)
* Clean Air Issues (6-25-04)
* Climate Change Policy Overview (6-24-04)
* Energy Policy Overview (6-18-04)
* Ocean Policy (6-18-04)
* Energy Hearings (6-18-04)
Monthly review prepared by Emily Lehr Wallace, AGI Government Affairs
Program and Ashlee Dere, AGI/AIPG 2004 Summer Intern.
Sources: American Institute of Biological Sciences, American Institute
of Physicists, Environment and Energy Daily, Greenwire, House of
Representatives hearing testimony, House of Representatives Science Committee
press releases, NASULGC Washington Update, National Academy of
Sciences, National Council for Science and the Environment, National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration, THOMAS legislative database, United
States Senate hearing testimony, Washington Post.
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2) FRACTURED ROCK: STATE OF SCIENCE, MEASURING SUCCESS IN REMEDIATION
2004 NGWA / U.S. EPA CONFERENCE
The U.S. EPA and the National Ground Water Association (NGWA) will
jointly host a conference on the current state of cleaning up contaminated
ground water in fractured rock settings Sept. 13-15 in Portland, Maine.
Fractured rock arguably is the most challenging geologic environment to
characterize and remediate. Historically, these sites are considered so
complex that great uncertainty remains even after significant
expenditure of time and money.
The conference features more than 100 scientific and engineering
presentations and includes:
. Keynote lectures, which will serve not only as a review of existing
science and remediation but also future directions.
. Perspectives on technical impracticability and other regulatory
issues.
. Performance AssessmentAn open microphone discussion with the panel
of invited speakers on how to measure success of remediation.
Accepted papers will be published in a full proceedings and distributed
internationally, and a $500 scholarship will be awarded for the top
student poster.
For registration information or to learn more about the conference,
visit this web address: http://www.ngwa.org/e/conf/0409135017.shtml#menu.
You also can contact NGWA Customer Service at customerservice@ngwa.org
or call 800-551-7379.
Special guest speakers
. Walter Kovalick Jr. Ph.D., Director, US EPA Technology Innovation
Office: Past, Present, and Future of Remediation
. Roberto Aguilera, Ph.D., Servipetrol Ltd.: Oil Field Techniques for
Characterizing Fractured Reservoirs
. Dana Carlisle, GeoEngineers: Successful Use of a Horizontal/Vertical
Well Couplet in Fractured Bedrock Remediation
. Vince Dick, Haley and Aldrich Inc.: Blast Fracturing and Application
for Permeable Reactive Barriers in Bedrock
. Jack Guswa, Ph.D., GeoTrans: Innovative Approach for Hydraulic
Containment of PCB Contamination in Fractured Bedrock"
. Bernard Kueper, Ph.D., Queens University: DNAPL Behavior in
Fractured Rock
. Fred Paillet, Ph.D., University of Maine: Geophysical
Characterization of Fractured Rock Aquifers: Accounting for Scale Effects and Putting
Hydrology into the Geophysics
. Beth Parker, Ph.D. University of Waterloo: Matrix Diffusion:
Implications for Remediation of Chlorinated Volatile Organic Compounds in
Fractured Shales
. Allen Shapiro, Ph.D. U.S. Geological Survey, NGWA Distinguished
Darcy Lecturer: Recent Advances in Characterizing Ground Water Flow and
Chemical Transport in Fractured Rock: From Cores to Kilometers
One hundred forty (140) scientists and engineers from 10 nations will
be presenting papers at the conference. In addition to the United
States, these nations are Canada, Czech Republic, Columbia, Denmark, France,
Greece, Mexico, Portugal and Sweden.
The National Ground Water Association is a membership organization
representing more than 15,000 U.S. and international ground water
professionals including ground water scientists and engineers. NGWA provides
members, government, and the general public with the scientific knowledge
and economic guidance necessary to responsibly develop, protect, and
manage the world.s ground water resources.
Media Contact:
Cliff Treyens, NGWA Public Awareness Director
800-551-779 or ctreyens@ngwa.org
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3) CALL FOR ABSTRACTS FOR FALL 2004 AGU MEETING SESSION ED01:
"Space Observations for Earth System Science: Education Opportunities
in the International Polar Year (IPY) and International Heliophysical
Year (IHY), 2007"
Call for Abstracts:
At the AGU Fall 2004 Meeting there will be a special session on "Space
Observations for Earth System Science: Education Opportunities in the
International Polar Year (IPY) and International Heliophysical Year
(IHY), 2007." This session will provide members of the geophysical and
space science education communities with a rare opportunity to discuss
different initiatives, address how these efforts overlap, and facilitate
our plans for the future. Presentations on all aspects of Education and
Public Outreach relevant to IPY and IHY are welcome; this session is
not restricted to participants in IHY and IPY efforts. We strongly
encourage contributions from programs and initiatives which have not been
incorporated into the IPY/IHY 2007 plans, but may contribute to IPY and
IHY Education and Public Outreach in the future.
We hope to have a panel discussion at the end and a town meeting later
on to maximize community discussion and input. More information on the
IPY and IHY programs can be found at www.ipy.org <http://www.ipy.org/>
and www.ihy.gsfc.nasa.gov <http://www.ihy.gsfc.nasa.gov/>
Session Abstract:
The International Polar Year (IPY), which will be concurrent with the
International Heliophysical Year (IHY) will involve integrated
circumpolar research using present and advanced technologies. IPY and IHY will
offer exceptional educational opportunities. An objective of
educational outreach will be to recognize the earth as a dynamic system which
will require a multidisciplinary and cross border approach.
This session will be on the education outreach opportunities and
strategies afforded in the IPY and IHY. Focus will be on the importance of
disseminating data from space missions, such as the 'A Train', to all
levels of users. New data and research findings will promote research
and education further. Effective ways to integrate field and local
knowledge with satellite based observations will be discussed. A primary
goal will be to set up a mechanism for seamless information sharing on a
global level for all sectors of society.
Conveners:
John J. Kelley, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK USA Email:
ffjjk@uaf.edu
Barbara J. Thompson, NASA GSFC, Greenbelt MD, USA Email:
barbara.j.thompson@nasa.gov
Anupma Prakash, University of Alaska, Fairbanks, AK USA Email:
prakash@gi.alaska.edu
Leonard Johnson, University of Alaska, Fairbanks AK USA email:
len.johnsoniii@verizon.net
Abstract Submission Deadlines:
On-Line Abstracts must be submitted to AGU by 9 September 2004,
2359UT*.
At 2359 UT the local times will be:
Boston 19.59h
New Orleans 18.59h
Seattle 16.59h
Santiago 19:59h
Paris 1:59h Friday 10 Sept.
Moscow 3:59h Friday 10 Sept.
Tokyo 8:59h Friday 10 Sept.
Sydney 9:59h Friday 10 Sept.
Membership Requirement:
Abstracts can be submitted only when the first author is an AGU member
in good standing; if the first author is not an AGU member, the
submission must be sponsored by an AGU member in good standing who has agreed
to do so.
Membership application or renewal must be received no later than 27
August 2004 in order to submit an abstract, and the AGU membership number
must be provided with the abstract submission. Membership numbers of
first authors will be validated against the AGU membership database, and
submission will not be allowed unless membership is current.
First Author Policy:
A person, as first author, may submit one (1) contributed paper and one
(1) invited paper, if the invitation is approved by a Program Committee
member for inclusion in the program. If a person accepts the
invitation to be the first author on a second invited paper, this person must
forgo the first author, contributed paper. In order to submit an invited
abstract, the first authors name must appear in the invited author's
list provided by session conveners. The only exception to this policy is
the submission of abstract to Education (ED) or Public Affairs (PA)
sessions. For details on these exceptions please visit In summary, a
first author can have the following combination of submissions.
a. 1 contributed abstract
b. 1 contributed and 1 invited
c. 2 invited abstracts, but no contributed abstracts d. 2 contributed
abstracts only if one is submitted to a planned Education OR Public
Affairs sessions.
Abstract Submission Guidelines:
Full submission guidelines can be found on the AGU Web site on the 2004
Fall Meeting page, www.agu.org/meetings/fm04/
AGU website: Further information is available at the AGU website at
http://www.agu.org/
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