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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2005-7
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CONTENTS
1) GEOLOGIST-IN-THE-PARKS POSITIONS FOR 2005
2) AGWF SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
3) NORTHWEST GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY STUDENT POSTER SESSION
4) 2005 NATIONAL GIRL SCOUT CONVENTION
5) GEOSCIENCE ENROLLMENT - AGI PRESS RELEASE: MARCH 31, 2005
6) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ACTION ALERT: MARCH 15, 2005
7) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: MARCH
14, 2005
8) POSITION OPENINGS
2005-025 Colorado School of Mines, Department of Geology and
Geological Engineering - Lecturer
2005-032 University of South Florida - Invertebrate
Paleontology/Paleoclimatology
9) CONTACT INFORMATION
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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News
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1) GEOLOGIST-IN-THE-PARKS POSITIONS FOR 2005
AWG ANNOUNCES FOUR NEW 2005 GEOLOGIST-IN-THE-PARKS (GIP) POSITIONS.
Please see the AWG website (http://www.awg.org/about/gip.html) for
detailed position descriptions and application information. Send all
inquiries and applications to office@awg.org by April 15, 2005.
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2) AGWF SEEKS VOLUNTEERS
The AWG Foundation is seeking dedicated volunteers for the positions of
President, and additional Directors. Please contact AWGF
(awgf@awg.org ) for more information on filling
these positions and the important work accomplished by our Foundation.
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3) NORTHWEST GEOLOGICAL SOCIETY STUDENT POSTER SESSION
Tuesday April 19, 2005
Students are invited to submit a poster describing their technical
research in the earth sciences. Posters submitted for, or prepared for,
other professional meetings are acceptable. Students presenting posters
will also be given a free dinner and a one year's membership to the
Northwest Geological Society (NWGS).
We will be presenting awards for the three best posters (based on
technical merit, clearly stated objectives and conclusions, and quality of
presentation). Awards will be given to the three best posters in the
following categories: high school, community college student,
undergraduate student and graduate student. Each division will have a $100 first
prize and a second prize silver dollar.
The NWGS meeting will combine the student poster session with a talk
entitled "Tree Ring Evidence Of Catastrophic Events In The Pacific
Northwest" by Dave Yamaguchi.
5:30 PM (social, display and informal presentation of posters) 6:30 PM
(dinner) 7:30 (awards and talk)
This is a great opportunity for students to meet prospective employers
and gain experience at presenting research results. Students should
feel free to bring their resumes to this and all NWGS meetings.
If you would like to submit a poster or know of students who would,
please contact Lynn Simmons at:
U.S. Geological Survey
Pacific Northwest Seismograph Network
Department of Earth and Space Sciences
Box 351310, Seattle, WA 98195-1310
E-mail: lynn@ess.washington.edu
Phone : 206-543-9024
Hope to see you in April!
For more info on NWGS: http://www.scn.org/tech/nwgs
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4) 2005 NATIONAL GIRL SCOUT CONVENTION
AWG will be sponsoring a table top display at this year’s National Girl
Scout Convention held in Atlanta, Georgia October 7-10th. Elli Goeke
will be assembling the display and would greatly appreciate any recent
pictures of AWG members working with Girl Scouts of any age. You can
send the pictures to Elli via email or snail mail. Also, if any AWG
members are planning on attending the event, please consider spending
some time to man our booth. Thanks!
Elli Goeke
elizabeth-goeke@uiowa.edu
Dept of Geosciences
121 Trowbridge Hall
Iowa City, IA 52242
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5) GEOSCIENCE ENROLLMENT - AGI PRESS RELEASE: MARCH 31, 2005
ALEXANDRIA, VA – The American Geological Institute (AGI) has released a
report on the state of introductory geoscience enrollment in the United
States during the 2003-2004 academic year. Typically, introductory
courses are viewed as one of the major recruitment tools for the field of
geosciences. This survey was intended to establish a baseline metric of
enrollments in general geoscience courses and how they translate into
recruitment of majors.
Conducted between October 2004 and February 2005, the survey was sent
to 676 geoscience departments to determine the numbers of students
enrolled in various categories of introductory geoscience courses during the
2003-2004 academic year. The report also provides a breakdown of
enrollment numbers by subject area and department characteristics. It also
offers a look at the traditional view of introductory geoscience classes
as an avenue for the recruitment of majors, of which no significant
relationship was demonstrable. This report is available in PDF format on
AGI’s Career Information Web site at
http://www.earthscienceworld.org/careers/.
Questions about this survey or AGI’s Disciplinary Health program, can
be directed to Cindy Martinez at cmm@agiweb.org.
The American Geological Institute is a nonprofit federation of 42
scientific and professional associations that represent more than 120,000
geologists, geophysicists, and other earth scientists. Founded in 1948,
AGI provides information services to geoscientists, serves as a voice of
shared interests in our profession, plays a major role in strengthening
geoscience education, and strives to increase public awareness of the
vital role the geosciences play in society’s use of resources and
interaction with the environment. More information about AGI can be found at
http://www.agiweb.org
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6) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS ACTION ALERT: MARCH 15, 2005
*** USGS Mineral Resources Program Threatened With 53% Cut ***
In A Nutshell: The Mineral Resources Program is the sole federal
provider of scientific information for objective mineral resource
assessments and unbiased research results on mineral potential, production,
consumption and environmental effects and would receive a 53% cut, leaving
the program with only $25 million in Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. This
reduction would terminate the collection of nation-wide basic geologic and
mineral deposit data, the internationally coordinated global mineral
resource assessment, and many mineral commodity reports.
Additionally, this cut would eliminate approximately 240 full time
positions within the USGS at facilities in Reston, Reno, Tucson, Denver and
Menlo Park, among others. The $25 million remaining in the program
would continue funding for minerals surveys and studies relevant to
ongoing land management by the Department of Interior, regulatory, and
remediation activities more oriented to the interests of states, local
governments, and universities.
The Mineral Resources Program (MRP) of the USGS provides critical
information about minerals and mineral products that supports the foundation
of the U.S. economy and enhances the quality of life of all Americans.
MRP provides objective mineral resource assessments and equitable
research results on mineral potential, production, consumption and
environmental effects. In 2004, mineral products accounted for $418 billion of
the U.S. economy.
The MRP has 6 divisions with offices across the U.S. working on a broad
range of initiatives to secure the nation’s economic base and
environmental welfare. The following six examples of ongoing or completed
projects emphasize the vitality of the entire program:
* Each month, the Minerals Information Services of the MRP responds to
2,000 telephone inquiries and more than 90,000 email or facsimile
inquiries from the federal government, state agencies, domestic and foreign
agencies, foreign governments and the general public.
* Cutting-edge research investigates the role of microbes in the
geochemical cycles of arsenic, mercury, lead and zinc. It is vital to
understand the pathways of transport, reaction and accumulation of
health-threatening toxins related to these elements in the near-surface
environment and to distinguish their natural or anthropogenic sources.
* USGS scientists completed a study of the occurrence and distribution
of asbestos-bearing vermiculite deposits in the U.S., in response to
the health problems created by Libby Mine’s asbestos-bearing vermiculite
deposit in Montana. Determining the distribution of mineral resources
or mineral products in the U.S. and elsewhere that might have an
adverse health or environmental effect is essential for our quality of life
and for reducing economic risks.
* A USGS report on the diatomite mining industry concluded that the
U.S. industry is mature and stable, but may be adversely affected by
overproduction in other countries in the future. Diatomite is used for
various applications, including filtration, absorbents, fillers,
insulation, and cement manufacture. In 2001, the U.S. produced about 30% of
diatomite globally and accounted for at least 50% of all the diatomite
exported in the world.
* Mineral industry surveys are published monthly to quarterly on U.S.
production, imports and exports, and production and capacity of other
countries of all economically-important resources from abrasives to zinc.
* The Global Mineral Resource Assessment Project of the MRP provides
unbiased and timely information about the current and future availability
of mineral resources around the world. This assessment is needed to
understand and anticipate economic, health, environmental and political
factors that will affect how these resources are used in this
increasingly interconnected world.
The data and analyses of the MRP are used by the Department of the
Interior, Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, the
Department of State, the Federal Reserve, other federal, state and local
government entities, foreign governments, private companies and the
general public. Analyses based on the MRP data are essential for guiding
economic and environmental policy and for providing options for land use
decisions posed by industry, government and private land owners.
Funding must be restored for this vital program. Please write a brief
letter to the House and Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations
Subcommittees and your Representative and Senator explaining why the
USGS Minerals Program should not be subjected to major cuts. Contact
information and a sample letter are provided below as a template. Feel
free to cite specific programs and to use examples of the value of
unbiased mineral assessments. Fact sheets on USGS programs are available at
http://www.usgs.gov.
Please fax or e-mail a copy of your letter to AGI at Government Affairs
Program, 4220 King Street, Alexandria VA 22302-1502; fax 703-379-7563;
email govt@agiweb.org.
For maximum impact, please send the letter to the House subcommittee by
Friday, March 18th. The Senate subcommittee will be considering this
matter until Friday, April 1st.
Due to new security procedures for postal mail, the most timely and
efficient means with which to communicate with your Members of Congress is
by faxing letters or utilizing e-mail offered through their websites
(http://www.house.gov/ or http://www.senate.gov). Many thanks for
taking the time to be an active citizen-scientist!
Letter to House and Senate Interior and Environment Appropriations
Subcommittees:
Senator Conrad Burns, Chairman
Senator Byron Dorgan, Ranking Member
Senate Committee on Appropriations
Interior and Environment Subcommittee
132 Senate Dirksen Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Fax: (202) 228-4532
or
Representative Charles Taylor, Chairman
Representative Norman D. Dicks, Ranking Member House Committee on
Appropriations Interior and Environment Subcommittee
B-308 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Fax: (202) 225-9069
Dear Senators Burns and Dorgan:
Dear Representatives Taylor and Dicks:
I am writing to ask that you support a strong, balanced investment in
science in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 budget request. Specifically, I
urge you to support a robust budget request for the U.S. Geological
Survey (USGS), the Nation’s premier geoscience organization, and restore
funding to the Mineral Resources Program.
The central mission of the USGS is to provide reliable, objective earth
science data and analysis from a national perspective. The survey is
widely recognized for providing unbiased data to better manage the
nation's resources, especially its mineral resources. The Mineral Resources
Program is the sole federal provider of scientific information for
objective mineral resource assessments and unbiased research results on
mineral potential, production, consumption and environmental effects and
is slated to receive a 53% cut in Fiscal Year (FY) 2006. This reduction
would terminate the collection of nation-wide basic geologic and
mineral deposit data, the internationally coordinated global mineral resource
assessment, and many mineral commodity reports. Additionally, this cut
would eliminate approximately 240 full time positions within the USGS
at facilities in Reston, Reno, Tucson, Denver and Menlo Park, among
others. Please support a strong budget request so that this agenc
y can fulfill its important mission.
The data and analyses of the MRP are used by the Department of the
Interior, Department of Defense, the Central Intelligence Agency, the
Department of State, the Federal Reserve, other federal, state and local
government entities, foreign governments, private companies and the
general public. Analyses based on the MRP data are essential for guiding
economic and environmental policy and for providing options for land use
decisions posed by industry, government and private land owners.
Thank you for your consideration of this letter. If you would like
additional information on the Mineral Resources Program and its value to
our Nation, I would be happy to be of assistance.
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Special update prepared by Emily Lehr Wallace and Linda Rowan, AGI
Government Affairs Program
Sources: USGS, U.S. House of Representatives, and United States
Senate.
This special update goes out to members of the AGI Government Affairs
Program (GAP) Advisory Committee, the leadership of AGI's member
societies, and other interested geoscientists as part of a continuing effort
to improve communications between GAP and the geoscience community that
it serves. Prior updates can be found on the AGI web site under
"Government Affairs" . For additional information on
specific policy issues, please visit the web site or contact us at
or (703) 379-2480, ext. 228.
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7) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS PROGRAM SPECIAL UPDATE: MARCH
14, 2005
*** The President's Fiscal Year 2006 Budget Request ***
The President's proposed budget for fiscal year 2006 (FY2006) was
unveiled on February 7, 2005. Highlights of the spending proposals that are
particularly relevant to the geoscience community are summarized in the
budget summaries provided for each major department. The House and
Senate have reduced the number of appropriations committees and shuffled
the programs within these committees. The AGI web pages have been
re-organized to accommodate these changes.
In the House, the number of committees was reduced from 13 to 10,
eliminating the District of Columbia; Legislative; and Veterans, Housing and
Independent Agencies (VA-HUD) committees. The new Science, State,
Justice and Commerce committee chaired by Rep. Frank Wolf (R-VA) will gain
NASA, the National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Office of Science
and Technology Policy (OSTP). The updated Energy and Water committee
chaired by Rep. David Hobson (R-OH) will add all Department of Energy
programs from the Interior subcommittee. Consideration of the
Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) budget will now be the domain of the
Interior and Environment subcommittee, chaired by Rep. Charles Taylor (R-NC).
In the Senate, the number of committees was reduced from 13 to 12,
eliminating the VA-HUD committee. The Commerce, Justice, and Science
committee chaired by Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) will gain NASA, NSF, and
OSTP and lose Judiciary and State. The Energy and Water committee
chaired by Senator Pete Domenici (R-NM) will gain all energy related
accounts from Interior while the Interior and Related Agencies committee
chaired by Senator Conrad Burns (R-MT) will gain the EPA and related
accounts.
The Department of the Interior (DOI) received a proposed total budget
of $10.8 billion. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) would receive
$933.5 million, a decrease of $1.9 million from last year. Within USGS, the
proposal would fully fund all fixed costs, provide increases for
hazards, mapping and seismic monitoring programs and decreases for mineral
and water programs. The Mineral Resources Program would receive a 53%
cut, leaving the program with only $25 million in FY06. Please see the
special action alert about the importance of this program and what
effects the proposed halving would have on the program.
The President proposes a $23.4 billion Fiscal Year (FY) 2006 budget for
the Department of Energy (DOE). The proposed budget would eliminate
funds for oil and gas research and hydropower research while boosting
funds for nuclear power and hydrogen fuel cell research. Nuclear cleanup
programs and funding for the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository
would also be trimmed.
The NSF is requesting $5.605 billion, a 2.4 % increase over FY 2005
funding. Part of this increase will be for the transfer of $48 million
from the Coast Guard to NSF to operate and maintain three polar
icebreakers used in Antarctic and Arctic research. Research and Related Agencies
will receive small increases while Education and Human Resources would
be cut. Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction would see
a 44% increase from $173.7 million to $250.0 million. The Geosciences
Directorate would increase by 2.2% from $694.2 million to $709.1
million, with some of this increase to support EarthScope.
Within the Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA) would be reduced by 8.5% to $3.6 billion with
increases for satellite services and decreases for marine fisheries, ocean
and atmospheric programs. The National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST) was authorized to be the lead agency for the National
Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), however, no funds were
proposed for FY 2006 to support NEHRP within NIST.
The National Aeronautic and Space Administration (NASA) received a
proposed increase of 2.4% for a total of $16.5 billion for FY06. Among
Earth science programs, the Earth Systematic Missions program is slated
for a $118 million (40%) cut, stalling the Glory Mission, which was
planned to address climate change. Earth System Science Pathfinder Projects
would increase by $27 million (25%), resulting in a total $92 million
reduction within the Earth-Sun System division.
The total budget request for the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
in FY 2006 is $7.6 billion, a 5.6% decrease from last year. The United
States Department of Agriculture (USDA) budget would also be reduced by
3.4% to $129.3 billion with decreases in the Research, Education, and
Economics division (12.9%) and Natural Resources and Environment (15%).
Please see the following summaries by departments or agencies for more
details about the proposed budget:
Department of Agriculture
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2006_ag.html
Department of Commerce (NIST, NOAA)
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2006_commerce.html
Department of Education (Math and Science Partnerships)
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2006_edu.html
Department of Energy
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2006_energy.html
Department of the Interior
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2006_interior.html
Environmental Protection Agency
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2006_epa.html
NASA
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2006_nasa.html
National Science Foundation
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/appropsfy2006_nsf.html
Special update prepared by Linda Rowan, Director of Government Affairs
and Emily Lehr Wallace, AGI Government Affairs Program
Sources: White House Office of Management and Budget; National Science
Foundation; Department of Commerce; NOAA; NIST; EPA; Greenwire; Energy
and Environment Daily; Department of Energy; Department of the
Interior; U.S. House of Representatives; United States Senate.
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8) POSITION OPENINGS
2005-025
Colorado School of Mines
Department of Geology and Geological Engineering
Lecturer
The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering invites
applications for an anticipated position as Lecturer. Colorado School of Mines
presents a course in Earth and Environmental Systems to 900 first year
engineering students each year. The course is taught by various,
experienced faculty in six lecture sections (4 fall, 2 spring) of 150
students each and 30 lab sections of 30 students each.
Responsibilities: This Lecturer position will have the responsibility
for presenting one lecture section of the course each semester, and for
coordinating and managing implementation of the overall course,
including the lab sections that are taught by 10 teaching assistants. Lab
materials and exercises suitable for our quantitatively oriented students
are already developed; however, this position can develop and add new,
innovative exercises as desired and will also train new teaching
assistants.
Qualifications: Applicants must have an advanced degree in a
geosciences field and strong familiarity with the geology, geography,
meteorology, oceanography and environmental science topics presented in the
course. Prior teaching experience is desired.
Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience. In addition, CSM
offers an excellent benefits and leave package. The contract
assignment will be full time for a duration of 11 months, starting in July,
2005. It is anticipated that the position will be filled by May 15, 2005.
The intention is to make the position permanent, but funding beyond the
initial 11 months has not been committed.
To Apply: Applicants must send a letter of application, resume, and
names and addresses of three professional references to: Colorado School
of Mines, Office of Human Resources, Search #05-051830, 1500 Illinois
Street, Golden, CO 80401.
For further information about this position, contact Greg Holden
(303)273-3855, or Wendy Harrison (wharriso@mines.edu ).
CSM is an EO/AA employer and is committed to enhancing the diversity of
its campus community. Women, minorities, veterans, and persons with
disabilities are encouraged to apply.
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2005-032
University of South Florida
Invertebrate Paleontology/Paleoclimatology
The University of South Florida (USF) Department of Geology
(www.cas.usf.edu/geology) seeks an innovative, multidisciplinary, field-oriented,
invertebrate paleontologist with expertise in Cenozoic paleontology of
the southeastern Coastal Plain and paleoclimatology for a
tenure-earning Assistant Professor position to complement and build on existing
strengths in Mesozoic paleontology and stratigraphy. The position is
scheduled to start in Aug., 2005, pending available funding. A PhD in
Geology or related discipline is required at the time of employment.
To apply, send a letter of interest, curriculum vitae, statements of
teaching and research goals, and arrange for three letters of reference
to be sent to:
Dr. Peter J. Harries, Search Committee Chair
Department of Geology
University of South Florida
4202 E. Fowler Ave., SCA 528
Tampa, FL 33620-5201.
Applications will be accepted through April 21, 2005. For additional
information contact Peter Harries (813-974-4974,
harries@shell.cas.usf.edu).
USF is an AA/EEO institution. Women and minorities are strongly
encouraged to apply. Those persons requiring reasonable accommodation under
the ADA should contact the Search Chair. According to Florida law,
applications and meetings regarding them are open to the public.
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9) CONTACT INFORMATION
To submit an item to E-MAIL NEWS contact: editor@awg.org
To submit advertising contact: ads@awg.org
To change your address or be removed from the list contact:
office@awg.org