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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2005-25
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CONTENTS
1) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: OCTOBER, 2005
2) 2ND INTERNATIONAL YOUNG SCIENTISTS’ GLOBAL CHANGE CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 7-8, 2006, BEIJING, CHINA
3) PUBLIC LEADERSHIP EDUCATION NETWORK (PLEN) WOMEN &
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY POLICY SEMINAR JANUARY 9-13, 2006 WASHINGTON, D.C.
4) POSITION OPENINGS
2005-108 University of Michigan - Turner Postdoctoral Fellows
2005-110 Geohydrology Section, Kansas Geological Survey, University of
Kansas,
Lawrence - Hydrogeologist
5) 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: OCTOBER, 2005
A web version of the Monthly Review is available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/email/review1005.html
1. Hurricane Katrina Congressional Oversight: Federal Response and Gulf
Recovery
2. Investigators Find Flaws in New Orleans Levee Design
3. President Bush Proposes New Katrina Offsets amid Budget Negotiations
4. Update on FY 2006 Budget Appropriations
5. Energy Policy Developments
6. Federal Government Promotes Conservation with Energy Hog
7. GAO releases report on STEM Education
8. National Academy Report on Competitiveness Sparks Wave of Activity
9. Department of Education creates a Higher Education Commission
10. Evolution Roundup
-Kansas: Criticisms over Science Standards
-Pennsylvania: Dover Trial Continues
-Washington Think Tank Discusses Intelligent Design
11. The Changing Face of NASA: More Rocket Scientists
12. New Navy Sonar Facility Sounds More Likely
13. Earthquake in Pakistan and Limited Response
14. Blair Gets Real on Climate Change Ahead of London Meeting
15. Royal Astronomical Society Supports Humans in Space
16. New German Government Agrees to Increase Research Funding
17. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey Speaks on Behalf of Earth Science Week
18. USGS Briefs Congress on Interior’s role in Hurricane Response
19. Hazards Caucus Holds Coastal Flooding Briefing
20. Disasters Roundtable Holds Fifteenth Session
21. AGI Welcomes Steve Quane, the 2005-06 AGI Congressional Science
Fellow
22. Introducing Peter Douglas, Our New Fall Intern
23. Key Federal Register Notices
24. New Updates to the Website
1. Hurricane Katrina Oversight: Federal Response and Gulf Recovery
Over the past month, Congress has continued to address the aftermath of
Hurricane Katrina, holding hearings to oversee the federal government
response and to discuss proposals for rebuilding the Gulf Coast. Some
Democrats in Congress have criticized the congressional investigations
for not determining the source of the federal government’s failures.
Representative Tom Davis (R-VA) and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), who
chair the investigative panels in their respective chambers, say they are
waiting to receive more documents from the Department of Homeland
Security (DHS) before continuing their investigations.
The structure of FEMA and its place within DHS remains a concern for
Congress and state and local emergency managers. While testifying before
the House Select Committee on Katrina, Homeland Security Chief Michael
Chertoff said that FEMA receives more resources because it is within
DHS, contradicting earlier statements by Michael Brown that DHS caused
“the emaciation of FEMA” by cutting funds and staff. On October 18, the
Washington Post reported that some of the e-mails to and from Brown
that have already been released to Congress implicate Brown as well as his
superiors in coordination problems, including “a misunderstanding of
national disaster plan roles, communications failures, delayed decision
making and absent voices of leadership.” Newly released e-mails suggest
that former FEMA director Michael Brown was also more focused on his
appearance, media relations and dinner arrangements as New Orleans
flooded. At one point Brown refers to himself as a “fashion god” on the
morning that Hurricane Katrina made landfall in Louisiana.
Congress has gone forward with a controversial plan to further
reorganize FEMA within DHS, a result of the agency’s “Second Stage Review,”
that Michael Chertoff released in July. The plan will restore FEMA’s
status as a stand-alone agency but reduce its function to disaster response
only. DHS plans to open a separate Office of Disaster Preparedness to
handle disaster preparation and move FEMA’s education programs to a
different part of DHS. Chertoff’s plans were incorporated into the Fiscal
Year 2006 Homeland Security Appropriations Bill (PL109-90), which was
signed into law on October 18.
On November 3, 2005, President Bush named Donald Powell, current head
of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corp., to serve as the coordinator for
recovery and rebuilding. Powell will oversee all of the federal
spending for Hurricane Katrina and Rita relief and recovery; spending that
could reach $200 billion over the next 5 years.
As investigative panels wait to hear more from DHS, much of the focus
on Katrina has shifted to recovery plans, particularly in New Orleans.
In recent hearings, members of Congress have mixed an urgency to
rebuild New Orleans and its economy with caution about the allocation of
federal funds and the need to rebuild more wisely, slowly and safely.
Federal and state officials, engineers and other scientists who testified
before Congress repeatedly asserted the importance of an integrated
recovery approach that emphasizes wetlands restoration and other
non-structural techniques to improve storm protection. Flood managers and
engineers also pressed for a national levee system and assessment plan.
Along with specific recommendations, witnesses and Members acknowledged
the complexity of the problem. At one hearing, two geoscientists,
Denise Reed from the University of New Orleans, and Roy Dokka, Director of
the Louisiana State University Center for Geoinformatics, were cautious
about wetlands restoration in New Orleans. Reed emphasized the need
for robust ecological protections, but was not optimistic about bringing
back wetlands that have already been lost. Dokka meanwhile dismissed
the importance of wetlands, saying that subsidence is the major concern
in the region, and levees are the city’s best defense. Representative
Wayne
Gilchrest (R-MD), a member of the House Transportation and
Infrastructure Committee, stated the Republican leadership hoped to draft policy
that incorporates witnesses’ recommendations; however, no timeline has
been set for this process.
Comprehensive summaries of congressional Hearings on Hurricane Katrina
are available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/katrina_hearings.html.
2. Investigators Find Flaws in New Orleans Levee Design
The University of California at Berkeley funded by the National Science
Foundation (NSF), the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and
the State of Louisiana are each conducting independent investigations
into the causes of the flooding in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
Preliminary results indicate that design flaws related to soil strength
caused at least 2 major floodwalls on the 17th Street and London Avenue
canals adjacent to Lake Pontchartrain to catastrophically fail. The
floodwalls were built into older earthen levees by the Army Corps of
Engineers in the 1980s to provide greater protection for northern New
Orleans. The concrete floodwalls were supported on steel pilings driven
20 feet into the relatively weak soil, which is composed of silty to
sandy river deposits and peat layers. Just below the steel pilings is a
layer of peat that investigators believe became a conduit for the water
that was building up in the canals to seep through and undermine the
base of the clay-rich earthen levee. Once a line of weakness had formed
along the base of the levee, the floodwalls could not counter the force
of the water and the levee embankment slid more than 30 feet into the
neighborhoods as the floodwalls collapsed. The water then rushed in,
causing rapid and unexpected flooding that probably took more lives than
the initial storm surge.
The Corps had tested the strength of the soils in the 1980s and
designed the concrete and steel structures based on these analyses.
Contractors then built the floodwalls to the Corps’ design specifications. In
1994, a Corps contractor claimed in court documents that the floodwalls
were not lining up properly because of the weak soils, suggesting a
design flaw. A judge dismissed the complaint in 1998 on technical grounds
without addressing the issue of possible design problems.
A second design flaw related to the building of the Mississippi River
Gulf Outlet (MRGO) may have helped breach the Industrial canal
floodwalls and flood the lower ninth ward of New Orleans. The Corps completed
the 76 mile long and 36 foot deep MRGO in 1965 to provide a shortcut for
ships and barges to the Port of New Orleans. The outlet funneled more
water moving at a faster speed from storm surge into the Industrial
canal. Computer modeling shows that the outlet increased the intensity of
the surge by 20%, raising the water level an additional 3 feet and
increasing the rate of water transfer from 3 feet per second in Lake Borgne
to 6 to 8 feet per second at the mouth of the outlet. Some of the
investigators suggest the funneling added to the intensity of the storm
surge and caused the canal to be overtopped. The Corps counters that the
storm surge was more than a few feet over the level of the floodwalls
and the massive surge primarily overtopped the floodwalls to cause
most of the flooding. Some of the investigators remain uncertain
about whether design flaws, storm surge or both are primarily to blame.
The National Weather Service had identified a “breach” in the Industrial
canal levee when it issued a flash flood warning for the ninth ward and
Arabi at 8:14 am on the morning that Hurricane Katrina made landfall
(at 6:10 am, 63 miles from New Orleans).
Further complicating the levee investigations are at least a dozen
allegations of shoddy construction by contractors that have been given to
the independent investigators. Raymond Seed, an engineering professor
and leader of the University of California team said in a Senate hearing
“What we have right now are stories of malfeasance and some field
evidence that seems to correlate with those stories.” The investigators
plan to share these allegations with federal law enforcement, although
Seed also indicated in his testimony that it is not clear how big a role
the alleged shoddy construction may have played in the catastrophic
failures of the floodwalls.
These investigations are preliminary and more work is needed to clarify
the causes of the flooding. Besides these 3 independent
investigations, the Corps continues to study the failures, and Defense Secretary
Donald Rumsfeld has announced that the National Academies of Science and
Engineering will lead a separate investigation.
The Corps is required by law to rebuild the levees to withstand a
category 3 hurricane. They are considering driving the steel pilings to a
deeper depth of 40 feet to avoid a repeat of the floodwall failures
along the 17th Street and London Avenue canals. The Corps is also planning
to build the levees to a height of 17 feet. The existing levees were
built to 15 feet but have settled to about 12 or 13 feet over time.
Besides the design flaws and alleged shoddy construction, the Corps must
deal with the natural and man-made loss of wetlands and barrier islands
and the natural and man-made subsidence that a bevy of geoscientists
have been tracking for decades.
3. President Bush Proposes New Katrina Offsets amid Budget Negotiations
On October 28, President Bush requested that Congress rescind $2.3
billion in government spending and redesignate another $17 billion in
Hurricane Katrina relief funds to pay for rebuilding critical infrastructure
in the Gulf Coast region. The $2.3 billion would come primarily from
unused FY 2005 funds in a variety of government programs, including
Interior department wildfire management, radioactive waste treatment at the
Hanford site, and the Natural Resource Conservation Service. The $17
billion would come from the $60 billion previously allocated to the
Federal Emergency Management Agency’s disaster management account. Under
the plan, the Army Corps of Engineers would receive $1.6 billion to
rebuild levees, waterways and wetlands and $4.6 million to finish a levee
upgrade study. Other requests include $324 million for NASA repairs,
$124 million for national parks and wildlife refuges, and $41.4 million to
upgrade National Weather Service hurricane forecasting equipment
. A White House fact sheet (www.whitehouse.gov/news/) summarizes the
plan as well as how the $64 billion in emergency relief has already been
spent. Because the request does not propose any new spending, it is
unlikely that it will face major Congressional opposition.
Meanwhile, Congress is working hard to pass a budget reconciliation
bill within the next week that would help offset expenditures related to
Katrina in the long term. On November 3, the Senate passed a $35
billion package of savings from mandatory spending, the first such reduction
in spending since the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The Deficit
Reduction Omnibus Reconciliation Act of 2005 (S 1932) saves $70 billion by
cutting spending on entitlement programs, including student loans,
Medicare and Medicaid. The savings are offset by $35 billion in new spending,
including $4.3 billion in education and coastal restoration funds for
states damaged by Hurricane Katrina. The bill also authorizes leasing
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) for energy development.
A $50 billion companion House plan, which involves deeper cuts to
Medicaid and food stamps, is scheduled for a floor vote the week of November
7. Later this month, Republicans in the House and the Senate are still
hoping to pass a $70 billion tax cut plan that was part of the budget
reconciliation agreement and which will most likely be balanced by
additional spending cuts. This combination of deep cuts for social programs
and new tax cuts has troubled many Democrats and some Republicans.
Wavering support in the House signals an uncertain future for both
reconciliation bills.
4. Update on FY 2006 Budget Appropriations
As the House and Senate continue to negotiate reductions in mandatory
spending, the Senate passed the last of its fiscal year (FY) 2006
appropriations bills on October 27. Congress has so far come to agreement on
four bills setting the fiscal year 2006 budgets for the Department of
Agriculture, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Interior and
Environment Agencies, and the Legislative Branch. Disputes over how to cut
spending in discretionary programs are still unresolved, but all programs
will probably sustain an across-the-board 1%-2% cut that will also
apply to bills already signed into law. For some agencies such as the
National Science Foundation (NSF), this will be the second year in a row to
suffer such a cut.
A conference agreement over the Energy and Water Appropriations bill is
expected by November 18, when a continuing resolution extending FY 2005
funding expires. Conferees overcame a major hurdle this month when
they agreed to split the $1.5 billion difference between the House and
Senate budget proposals. However, disputes remain over Army Corps of
Engineers contracting procedures and the flexibility of the Corps’ budget.
On Friday November 4, conferees completed the FY 2006 Appropriations
bill for Science, State, Justice, and Commerce. In a victory for
science, conferees decided on $5.65 billion for the National Science
Foundation, a $180 million increase over the President’s request, $10 million
over the House mark, and $120 million over the Senate recommendation.
This total includes $807 million for NSF's Education and Human Resources
Directorate, with $64 million going to the Math and Science Partnership
program. For education programs, these figures represent the highest
of the Senate and House recommendations but still come in roughly $15
million under FY 2005 funding.
Conferees split the $1 billion difference in recommended funds for the
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), bringing NOAA’s
total to $3.9 billion. The National Aeronautics and Space
Administration (NASA) also fared well at $16.5 billion, just above the House and
Senate recommendations. Although the proposed increases shows strong
legislative support for science programs, these totals do not reflect the
impact of a likely 0.3% cut conferees need to impose upon the whole
bill in order to bring total spending back down below the committee’s
allocation under the budget resolution.
5. Energy Policy Developments
The rapid push to pass new energy legislation following Hurricanes
Katrina and Rita slowed down somewhat during October. A bill to expand
refinery capacity proposed by Senate Environment and Public Works James
Inhofe (R-OK) failed to pass the committee on October 26 and appears to
be stalled for now. A similar but more ambitious bill sponsored by
Representative Joe Barton (R-TX) narrowly passed the House on October 7,
but without sufficient support in the Senate it is unlikely that refinery
legislation will be passed this year.
Meanwhile, budget reconciliation language that includes oil leasing in
the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR) has gained approval from the
full Senate after an amendment to strip the language failed by a vote
of 51 to 48. The fate of the refuge now rests on the ability of House
leadership to garner more support for their budget reconciliation bill.
The House version of the ANWR language specifies the size of the area
to be drilled and includes details on environmental restrictions.
The House Resources reconciliation package also includes several
measures from an energy bill introduced earlier this fall by Representative
Richard Pombo (R-CA), including a controversial proposal to allow states
to opt-out of offshore drilling moratoria. The measure would also call
for leases in the unprotected “Area 181” off the coast of Alabama and
Florida, and give states about 50% of the royalties in return. Language
that sets aside offshore royalties for petroleum engineering and mining
schools and for a National Geologic Data and Mapping Fund also are part
of the reconciliation package. However, the Pombo language may not
have a bright future in conference, because Energy and Natural Resources
Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-NM) has declined to put similar
measures in the Senate budget reconciliation package. It is likely that
any specific language regarding environmental restrictions for ANWR
drilling or funding for related projects such as geologic data pres
ervation will be eliminated in conference in order to avoid the
possibility of a Senate challenge under the “Byrd rule” which prohibits
extraneous measures in spending bills. Domenici is working on separate
legislation that would tackle the offshore drilling issue in 2006.
At an October 27 hearing with Interior Secretary Gale Norton and Energy
Secretary Samuel Bodman, Senator Domenici was very adamant about the
importance of opening Area 181. At the same hearing, however, Senator
Mary Landrieu (D-LA) made it clear that she would oppose opening new
offshore leases until Louisiana and other states receive a greater share of
the revenues. In the meantime, congressional interest in onshore
energy development has also gained momentum. The Senate Appropriations
Subcommittee on Interior and Environment held a hearing on October 25 to
examine natural gas production on Bureau of Land Management lands, and
how the Energy Policy Act of 2005 improves this process. Although no new
bills have been introduced, some members of Congress are acting to
ensure federal agencies responsible for issuing leases and permits for
onshore energy development are operating efficiently.
For updates regarding energy policy, including recent hearings, go to:
www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/energy.html. Updates on ANWR specifically
are posted at: www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/anwr.html.
6. Federal Government Promotes Conservation with Energy Hog
On October 3, Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman and the Alliance to Save
Energy announced a major campaign to encourage energy conservation
focused around a cartoon mascot named “Energy Hog.” The cartoon pig, who
wears blue jeans and a leather biker jacket, will appear in ads promoting
traditional energy saving tips such as adding home insulation and
reducing driving speeds. "This effort will provide consumers, industry and
federal agencies with a variety of energy savings ideas, which, if done
properly, can yield significant savings," Bodman said. The campaign
has been characterized as “toothless” by many Democrats and environmental
groups, who are calling for increases in vehicle mileage standards as a
more meaningful way to save energy. At a Senate Energy and Natural
Resources Committee hearing in late October, Bodman vowed that the federal
government would “lead by example” and reduce its own energy
consumption, although he opposed implementing mandatory cuts. Visit htt
p://www.energyhog.org/.
7. GAO releases report on STEM Education
On October 12, 2005, the Government Accountability Office (GAO)
released “Higher Education: Federal Science, Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) Programs and Related Trends,” a report requested by
Representative David Dreier (R-CA) that examines trends in STEM education at
the postsecondary level, and the federal programs designed to improve
it. The report documented slower growth in post-secondary science and
engineering degrees. The GAO also found that the most important factors
in increasing the number of students in STEM fields were K-12 teacher
quality, the number of math and science classes completed in high
school, and mentors for women and minority students. The report warned,
however, that new programs should not be created before the efficacy of
existing programs was reviewed. To view the full report, go to
http://www.gao.gov/new.items/d06114.pdf
8. National Academy Report on Competitiveness Sparks New Activity
On Wednesday October 12, the National Academies Committee on Prospering
in the Global Economy of the 21st Century released a report outlining
strategies to improve U.S. science education and global competitiveness.
The report, “Rising Above the Gathering Storm: Energizing and Employing
America for a Brighter Future,” provides 20 implementation plans
divided into four major policy categories: improving K-12 science and math
education, strengthening federal basic research, making the U.S. more
attractive to international students, and creating R&D investment
incentives. Specifically, the report calls for a hefty 10% annual increase in
federal research investment over the next 7 years, and requests funds
for ambitious scholarship programs to add 10,000 new science and math
teachers to the workforce each year. It also calls for the Department of
Energy to set up an agency similar to the Defense Department’s Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), which provides federal funds
to promote high-risk, innovative research.
Senators Lamar Alexander (R-TN) and Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), who co-chair
the Senate Science and Technology Caucus, requested the National
Academies’ review in order to make U.S. competitiveness, including physical
science funding, a higher congressional priority. The report follows on
the heels of at least 11 other assessments and policy recommendations
released this year by business and academic groups, think tanks, and the
Government Accountability Office (see previous story). For a list of
these reports, go to www.stemedcoalition.org/reports.aspx.
In the weeks following the report’s release, U.S. competitiveness and
science education received a flurry of attention on Capitol Hill. During
the week of October 17, Norman Augustine, lead author of the report and
former CEO of Lockheed Martin, presented the report’s recommendations
before the House Science Committee and the Senate Commerce Science and
Transportation Committee. Members were eager to put the report’s goals
in motion, but were primarily concerned with how to fund them. At a
briefing hosted by the American Chemical Society, Senator Alexander urged
groups who have issued other policy reports, such as the Business
Roundtable and the Task Force on American Innovation, to work together
with the National Academies to develop a consensus proposal to deliver
to Congress.
More information about the report is available at:
http://www4.nationalacademies.org/news.nsf/isbn/0309100399?OpenDocument
Summaries of the congressional hearings are available at:
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/science_edu_hearings.html
9. Department of Education creates a Higher Education Commission
The Department of Education has formed a commission that will develop a
national strategy for post-secondary education. “We have a
responsibility to make sure our higher education system continues to meet our
nation’s needs for an educated and competitive workforce in the 21st
century,” said Education Secretary Margaret Spellings during a recent speech
announcing the commission. The 19 member commission will be led by the
former University of Texas Board of Regents Chairman Charles Miller,
and will include university presidents, CEOs, policymakers, and
researchers. The goal of the commission will be to initiate a dialogue between
policymakers and the business and academic communities on the future of
higher education. In addition to competitiveness, the commission will
address the affordability of American higher education. The commission
held its first meeting in Washington D.C. on October 17, and will hold
a second meeting in Nashville on December 8 and 9. For more in
formation about the commission visit
http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/hiedfuture/index.html.
10. Evolution Roundup
-Kansas: Criticisms over Science Standards
An external review board criticized parts of Kansas’s revised science
standards for being confusing and poorly written. The review board
revision, released October 13, 2005, is part of the normal approval process,
and the negative comments may cause the State Board of Education to
make further changes to the standards. The sections of the standards that
were singled out for criticism include changes made by a minority group
of board members that cast doubt on theories that life arose from
chemical processes and that humans and apes share a common ancestor. For
more information, go to
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis108/evolution_KS.html
On October 27, the National Academy of Sciences and the National
Science Teachers Association refused to grant copyright permission to the
Kansas State Board of Education to make use of publications by the two
organizations in the state's science education standards. They cited a
poor and misleading definition of science and an overemphasis on
describing evolution as a theory with flaws as reasons for the copyright
denial. Both groups have offered to work with the Kansas school board to
remove these misconceptions about evolution and retain the approved
definition of science from the majority report of the Kansas standards
science committee. A joint statement and more details are available at:
http://www.nationalacademies.org/morenews/
-Pennsylvania: Dover Trial Continues
The trial about mentioning intelligent design as an alternative to
evolution at the beginning biology instruction in Dover, Pennsylvania
continued this month featuring lengthy testimony from intelligent design
proponents. Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover received the most attention in the
press when the lead science witness for the defendants, Lehigh
University biochemistry professor Michael Behe, took the stand for three days.
Behe’s arguments rested primarily on the idea of “irreducible
complexity,” which suggests that many biochemical structures are so complex that
they could not have formed through natural selection. Behe also argued
that intelligent design is based on physical evidence, even though the
theory does not identify a physical mechanism for the assemblage of
complex structures. Under cross-examination, Behe acknowledged that
“astrology would fit as neatly as intelligent design,” under his definition
of science. For more information, go to http://www.agiweb.org/
gap/legis108/evolution_PA.html
In another recent development, Judge John E. Jones, who is presiding
over the trial, denied consideration of an amicus brief filed by the
Discovery Institute. The judge said that the brief was a way for the
Discovery Institute to enter testimony from intelligent design proponent
Stephen Meyer into the court record “without opening themselves up to the
scrutiny of cross-examination.”
The trial is expected to run a few days longer than scheduled due to
Behe’s extended testimony. It will likely conclude within the first two
weeks of November. For more details about the trial and transcripts
from the court, see the National Center for Science Education website at
www.ncse.org.
-Washington Think Tank Discusses Teaching Intelligent Design
On October 21, 2005, the American Enterprise Institute hosted a
full-day conference about the merits of teaching intelligent design (ID) in
science classrooms. The event was marked by two keynote addresses and
three panels featuring one-on-one debates among well-known scientists,
lawyers, ID advocates and other scholars. Two of the speakers, Barbara
Forrest, a philosophy professor from Southeastern Louisiana University,
and Kenneth Miller, a professor of biology at Brown University, served
as expert witnesses for the plaintiffs in Kitzmiller et al. v. Dover.
Another panelist, John Calvert from the Intelligent Design Network, had
presented key testimony at the Kansas State Board of Education hearings
earlier this year.
The debates explored several core philosophical questions inherent in
the disputes over intelligent design, including the definition of
science, and whether teaching science without theology is moral, or even
possible. Those who opposed teaching ID were consistent in defining
science as an intellectual pursuit involving testable evidence. Proponents
of intelligent design countered that the scientific method, or
"methodological naturalism," is not objective but is simply another dogma that
refuses to recognize certain other evidence.
On the practical topic of whether and how to teach the controversy, it
was often unclear what intelligent design advocates wanted. Some
speakers argued that the fight was over censorship, or the freedom of
teachers to show evidence that challenges evolution, while others advocated
for the possibility of a guiding hand (intelligent designer), should be
taught as a critical component of scientific inquiry. Others still,
including the Discovery Institute's Paul Nelson, stated the opposite,
that intelligent design should not be sanctioned in science classrooms
until the scientific community comes to recognize the evidence in favor of
it.
In the second keynote speech, Larry Krauss, an astrophysicist and
cosmologist from Case Western Reserve University, tried to shift the focus
from the philosophical questions to the overriding importance of
improving the quality of science teaching in the United States. Krauss
conceded that it is viable and important to ask such questions as whether
science is incomplete or immoral without God; but these questions don't
warrant changing high school science standards. "Why not teach both?" he
asked, "Because it is not the job of education to validate different
points of view but to overcome ignorance. We must talk about real
scientific controversies."
For an overview and web cast of the event and speaker biographies,
visit
http://www.aei.org/events/eventID.1169,filter.all/event_detail.asp
11. The Changing Face of NASA: More Rocket Scientists
The new NASA Administrator, Michael Griffin, is changing the structure
and leadership of this $16 billion agency. Griffin has replaced 6 top
managers, added a new position and is in the process of replacing 4
center directors. At the very top, Griffin has inserted Shanna Dale, a
former deputy director at the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy, as his deputy administrator and Paul Morrell from the White
House National Security Council, as his Chief of Staff. Just below
Dale, Griffin created a new position for Rex Geveden, formerly NASA’s chief
engineer, as the associate administrator. The four new mission
directors are: Lisa J. Porter for Aeronautics Research, William H.
Gerstenmaier for Space Operations, Scott J. Horowitz for Exploration Systems and
Mary L. Cleave for Science. The new center directors include Kevin L.
Peterson at Dryden Flight Research Center, Woodrow Whitlow Jr. at Glenn
Research Center, Lesa B. Roe at Langley Research Center, William W
. Parsons at Stennis Space Center and a new director still to be
determined at Johnson Space Center.
Griffin has indicated that he wants a technical and scientific
leadership. About the shake-up and the qualifications needed to be a top
manager, he is quoted in the Washington Post as saying “To do this you do
need to be a rocket scientist.” Also according to the Post, unnamed
sources outside of NASA, have called Dale a “mole” for the White House,
while others claim she is a tactful interpreter, put there to improve
communications with policymakers and interpret what Griffin is saying in a
non-technical manner. Morrell has also received some initial criticism
for his ties to the White House and for his less than diplomatic
response to Congress about the recent Government Accounting Office’s report
on the misuse of funds for air travel by NASA employees.
12. New Navy Sonar Facility Sounds More Likely
The Navy is moving forward on its plan to build a $99 million, 500
square mile sonar training range about 50 miles off of the coast of North
Carolina. The facility would train sailors to detect mid-frequency
sonar admitted by quieter diesel submarines. North Carolina was chosen as
the training site because the Navy wanted a shallow coastal environment
with canyons and other features. Public hearings on their plans will
be held in November.
Advocates for marine mammals and environmentalists are opposed to the
facility because the sonar can disorient, damage and in some cases kill
marine mammals, particularly whales with very sensitive hearing. The
Natural Resources Defense Council sued the Navy in October over its use
of mid-frequency sonar that it claims are threatening endangered marine
mammals, violating several federal laws. In a draft of the plan, the
Navy seeks authorization from the National Marine Fisheries Service to
disturb or “harass” spotted, bottlenose, common, Risso’s and Clymene
dolphins and pilot, humpback and sperm whales. One of the most endangered
species in the world, the right whales, is known to migrate along the
Atlantic coast from the Arctic to Florida. The Navy did not mention the
right whales in their report because their analysis indicates that the
majority of right whales have been sighted within 37 miles of the coast
and the training site is further away.
Adding more ill-will to the debate, the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration has not completed their investigation of the death of
37 whales that stranded themselves on North Carolina beaches within 24
hours of a Navy sonar training exercise. The investigation of the
stranding was supposed to be finished by the summer but will not be
completed until early next year; too late for it to be considered during the
public comment period on the Navy facility.
13. Earthquake in Pakistan and Limited Global Response
A magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurred in Pakistan about 105 kilometers
(65 miles) northeast of Islamabad on October 8, 2005. The earthquake
occurred at a depth of about 26 kilometers (16 miles) along a system of
thrust faults that take up some of the deformation caused by the
continued northward motion of India (about 40 millimeters per year) into the
Eurasian plate. The earthquake caused extreme devastation to tens of
thousands of villages in Pakistan and India. Fatalities caused by
building collapse and landslides are estimated to be greater than 79,000 in
Pakistan and 1,360 in India. More than 70,000 people have been injured
and about 4 million people are homeless. Aid has been very slow to
reach the survivors because of the destruction of roads, the remoteness and
ruggedness of the countryside, the geopolitical dispute over this
region between Pakistan and India, the limited resources of both countries
and the lack of a large response from countries outside of the area
. The United Nations and many others have put out a plea for more help
as soon as possible. Thousands are likely to perish because of a lack
of medical help, a lack of clean water, a lack of food and a lack of
shelter as winter approaches.
A more detailed description of the earthquake is available at the U.S.
Geological Survey’s Earthquake Hazards Program website:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqinthenews/2005/usdyae/.
More information about relief efforts is available from the
International Committee of the Red Cross website and the United Nations Relief
website: http://www.icrc.org/eng/south-asia-earthquake and
http://www.reliefweb.int/rw/dbc.nsf/doc100?OpenForm.
14. Blair Gets Real on Climate Change Ahead of London Meeting
The energy and/or environment ministers of 13 countries (U.S., U.K.,
France, Italy, Germany, Japan, Russia, Canada, China, India, Brazil,
Mexico and South Africa) met in London on November 1 and 2 to discuss
technological methods to reduce climate change without imposing any
internationally binding agreements. The meeting was designed to bring the G8
nations together with five rapidly developing countries to discuss
carbon dioxide emissions, cleaner energy technology and alternative energy
options to fossil fuels. The two day conference precedes the United
Nations Climate Change Conference scheduled for Montreal, from November 28
to December 9.
On October 30, days before the London conference, British Prime
Minister Tony Blair published an article in a daily British newspaper, The
Observer, entitled “Get Real on Climate Change.” In the article, he
indicates that the Kyoto agreement will not solve the global climate change
problem and the world needs advances in energy technology and more
cooperation from the U.S., China and India.
The full text of Blair’s article is available at:
http://observer.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,6903,1604790,00.html
15. The Royal Astronomical Society Supports Humans in Space
After nine months of consultation, a Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)
commission has recommended that the British government reevaluate its
long-standing opposition to getting involved in human space exploration.
As part of the explanation for the recommendation the commissioners
reported, “We find that profound scientific questions relating to the
history of the solar system and the existence of life beyond Earth can best
- perhaps only – be achieved by human exploration on the Moon or Mars,
supported by appropriate automated systems.” The commission also
pointed out that by not cooperating with space exploration efforts that
include the U.S., Europe, Russia, Japan and possibly India and China, the
U.K. would become increasingly isolated. Another stated benefit of
space exploration is the potential to increase the recruitment of new
scientists and engineers. To see the commission’s report go to
www.ras.org.uk.
16. New German Government to Increase Research Funding
The “grand coalition” government made up of Germany’s two biggest
political parties has listed an increase in research funding as its number
one point of accord. Under the new agreement, Germany pledges to invest
at least 3% of its gross domestic product (GDP) to research and
development by 2010, 0.5% more of GDP than current investments. The
newly-appointed chancellor of Germany, Angela Merkel, confirmed the deal. Merkel
holds a Ph.D. in physical chemistry and is the first woman and the
first scientist to be elected chancellor. According to Science magazine,
Annete Schavan, a former state culture minister, is expected to be named
the new minister of science and education.
17. Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey Speaks on Behalf of Earth Science Week
Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey (D-CA) delivered a speech on the importance
of Earth science education at an Earth Science Week event at the Bear
Valley Visitor Center at Point Reyes National Seashore on October 9,
2005. She addressed a crowd of about 60 scouts, parents, park staff and
visitors as she challenged young people to pursue careers in the Earth
sciences. Congresswoman Woolsey is a member of the Science Committee
and the Education and Workforce Committee in the House of
Representatives, and she has plans to introduce legislation that would encourage more
women to get involved in science.
Congresswoman Woolsey’s speech was presented concurrently with exhibits
entitled "3D Geology and Natural History of the San Andreas Fault" and
"Name That Park!" prepared by Phil Stoffer (U.S. Geological Survey,
Menlo Park, CA) and Paula Messina (Geology & Education Depts., San Jose
State University). The outdoor exhibit was set-up and operated by scouts
and scientists throughout the day and viewed by hundreds of park
visitors enjoying perfect California weather at the park.
This local event was one of many around the country that were held in
honor of Earth Science Week 2005, which was dedicated to raising
awareness about Earth science careers. Go to www.earthsciweek.org for more
information.
18. USGS Briefs Congress on Interior’s role in Hurricane Response
On October 28, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) with the Department of
the Interior (DOI) held a briefing on the role that the Department of
the Interior played in rescue and recovery efforts following Hurricane
Katrina. Representative James Moran (D-VA) opened the briefing by
reaffirming the importance of USGS data and encouraging more dialogue
between Congress and the geosciences so that the information gets to the
people who need it. Pat Leahy, Acting Director of USGS, described how
specialized geospatial maps, updated on a daily basis, helped rescue
residents and determine water levels for engineers dealing with the
dewatering of the city. Lynn Scarlett, Assistant Secretary at DOI, said that
over 2000 Interior employees were involved in search and rescue, science
and technological support, engineering, energy recovery, and
environmental management efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
19. Hazards Caucus Holds Coastal Flooding Briefing
On November 1, the Congressional Hazards Caucus Alliance held a House
briefing entitled “Coastal Flooding: Understanding the Hazard and
Protecting Communities.” The well-attended briefing featured speakers from
the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the United
States Geological Survey, FM Global Insurance, and the Maryland
Department of Natural Resources. The speakers covered a wide range of topics,
including the lessons that can be learned from storm surge modeling,
the importance of natural hurricane barriers, how levees can provide a
false sense of security, and the economic and environmental concerns that
must be accounted for in coastal zone management. More information on
the briefing and the speakers’ presentations are available at
www.hazardscaucus.org.
20. Disasters Roundtable Holds Fifteenth Session
The National Academies’ Disasters Roundtable held its 15th workshop on
October 18, 2005 to examine disaster law, its impact on public safety,
and the role of science in crafting more effective hazard-related laws
and regulations. Panelists presented information and case studies on
existing disaster law from the perspectives of local, state, and federal
governments, the insurance industry, and regional planners. Discussion
touched on the political unpopularity of risk-based pricing that might
hinder development along the coasts. Talks also investigated how the
formation of the Homeland Security Department changed the legal
authority of the federal government, in particular, weakening the Federal
Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as a mitigation-oriented agency that
works effectively with local governments.
The Disasters Roundtable is a subset of the National Academies’
Division of Earth and Life Sciences. Each year the Roundtable holds three
workshops in Washington DC, each forum focusing on an issue related to the
understanding and mitigation of natural, technological, and other
disasters. For more information go to http://dels.nas.edu/dr/.
21. AGI Welcomes Steve Quane, the 2005-06 AGI Congressional Science
Fellow
AGI congratulates Dr. Steven Quane, who was selected to be the
2005-2006 William L. Fisher Congressional Geoscience Fellow. Over the coming
year, Dr. Quane will be working as a legislative assistant to
Representative Tom Udall, a Democrat representing the third district of New
Mexico. Dr. Quane comes to Washington after teaching as an assistant
professor at Colorado College, in Colorado Springs, CO. He holds a PhD (2004)
in volcanology from the University of British Columbia and a Master’s
degree (1999) from the University of Hawaii, and he has published
numerous papers on experimental volcanology and the evolution of Hawaiian
volcanoes. He has a strong interest in geoscience education as well as
public policy related to seismic hazards, including warning systems,
disaster response and personal and government responsibilities.
22. Introducing Peter Douglas, Our New Fall Intern
We are very happy to welcome Peter Douglas, the AAPG/AGI fall intern,
who joined the Government Affairs Program on September 12. Peter
graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in geology from Pomona College in
Claremont, California in May. He spent the summer working as a
Geological Society of America GeoCorps volunteer in Oregon. In December Peter
will go to Namibia to teach English, science, and math for a year.
23. Federal Register Notes
Below is a summary of Federal Register announcements regarding federal
regulations, agency meetings, and other notices of interest to the
geosciences community. Entries are listed in chronological order and show
the federal agency involved, the title, and the citation. The
Federal Register is available online at
http://www.access.gpo.gov/su_docs/fedreg/frcont05.html. Information on
submitting comments and reading announcements are also available online
at http://www.regulation.gov.
BLM: The Bureau of Land Management is issuing an interim final rule to
amend regulations for the leasing of hydrocarbons in special tar sand
areas. In this rule, the BLM amends its regulations to respond to
provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 that allow separate oil and gas
leases and tar sand leases in special tar sand areas, specify several
oil and gas leasing practices that apply to tar sand leases, increase
the maximum size for combined hydrocarbon leases and tar sand leases, and
set the minimum acceptable bid for tar sand leases at $2.00 per acre.
Although the rule is effective upon publication, there is a 60-day
comment period. After the comment period, the BLM will review the comments
and may issue a further final rule making any necessary changes. An
electronic version of this rule can be viewed at http://www.blm.gov.
[Federal Register: October 7, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 194)]
DOE: The U.S. Nuclear Waste Technical Review Board will meet to discuss
technical and scientific issues related to the U.S. Department of
Energy's efforts to develop a nuclear waste repository at Yucca Mountain on
November 8-9, 2005 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The board was established by
Congress in the Nuclear Waste Policy Amendments Act of 1987, and it is
responsible for reviewing the technical and scientific validity of
activities undertaken by the Secretary of Energy related to disposal,
transportation, and packaging of spent nuclear fuel and high-level
radioactive waste. The meeting will be held at the Renaissance Las Vegas Hotel;
3400 Paradise Road, Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information visit
http://www.nwtrb.gov.
[Federal Register: October 5, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 192)]
NOAA: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administrations Science
Advisory Board (SAB) will hold a meeting on November 8 and 9, 2005. The
Science Advisory board advises the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans
and Atmosphere on strategies for research, education, and application
of science to operations and information services. SAB activities and
advice provide necessary input to ensure that National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) science programs are of the highest
quality and provide optimal support to resource management. The meeting will
be held at the Beacon Hotel, 1615 Rhode Island Avenue NW, Washington,
DC 0036. Refer to the Web page
http://www.sab.noaa.gov/Meetings/meetings.html for meeting times and
agendas.
[Federal Register: October 24, 2005 (Volume 70, Number 204)]
24. New Updates to the Website
*Hearings on Hurricane Katrina (11-2-05)
*Political Challenges to the Teaching of Evolution (11-1-05)
*Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (11-1-05)
*Hearings on Energy Policy (10-27-05)
*Hearings on Science Education and U.S. Competitiveness (10-24-05)
*Hearings on Climate Change Issues (10-12-05)
*Fossils on Public Lands (10-17-05)
*Energy Policy Overview (10-17-05)
*Special Update: President Bush Salutes Earth Science Week 2005
*Hurricane Katrina, Response and Recovery (10-4-05)
*NASA Programs (10-4-05)
*Endangered Species Act (10-4-05)
*National Cooperative Geologic Mapping (10-4-05)
*********************************************************************
Monthly Review prepared by Linda Rowan, Director of Government Affairs,
Katie Ackerly, Government Affairs Staff and Peter Douglas, 2005
AGI/AAIPG Summer Fall Intern.
Sources: Environment and Energy Daily, Greenwire, Congressional
Quarterly, Hearing Testimony, The Coalition for National Science Funding, the
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Education Coalition, NASULGC
Newsline, Department of Education, Washington
Partners LLC, Government Accountability Office, Royal Astronomical
Society, Reuters, Science Magazine, Lawrence Journal-World, National Center
for Science Education, York Daily Record, The Washington Post, The New
York Times, The Associated Press, The Observer, and BBC News.
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2) 2ND INTERNATIONAL YOUNG SCIENTISTS’ GLOBAL CHANGE CONFERENCE
NOVEMBER 7-8, 2006, BEIJING, CHINA
The International Young Scientists' Global Change Conference offers a
prestigious platform for young scientists to present their research
findings to leading scientists in the field. It is intended to stimulate
competition, encourage excellence, reward outstanding performance and
foster the development of personal and institutional networks. The
conference precedes the Earth System Science Partnership's Open Science
Conference, Global Environmental Change: Regional Challenges (November
9-12, 2006, Beijing International Conference Center) and it is expected
that all the young scientists will participate in the Open Science
Conference.
Awards will be granted for most outstanding contributions in both paper
and poster categories and awardees will be invited to present their
research to the Open Science Conference. Distinguished invited keynote
speakers will give plenary presentations. Sessions will be chaired by
leading members of the global change research community. The conference
is endorsed by the Earth System Science Partnership and is being
organized by START, the global change SysTem for Analysis, Research and
Training.
Global environmental change refers to change occurring in the
interactive physical, chemical and biological processes that regulate the earth
system, the role of human activities influencing such change and its
societal consequences. Global environmental change includes both
(i) environmental changes which impact the functioning of a global
system and
(ii) localized environmental changes whose cumulative impacts are
widespread or which impact a significant fraction of a global resource. The
former, termed systematic global change, is exemplified by the effects
of greenhouse gas emissions on the global climate system and of
ozone-depleting substances on the stratosphere. The latter, termed cumulative
global change, is exemplified by widespread localized problems such as
groundwater depletion, deforestation and species extinction that may
affect a large portion of the world's groundwater supply, forests or
biological diversity.
Call for Papers
Submissions of papers are invited from young scientists (age 35 years
or under) on physical, biological and human aspects of global change.
Papers utilizing interdisciplinary approaches that address the earth
system are encouraged. Selection shall be on the basis of scientific
excellence, taking into account the need to achieve a thematic and regional
balance. Applicants must be the principal author on the submitted
paper. Participants will be notified at time of selection if they have
been selected for a paper or poster presentation. Authors will be
encouraged to publish their presented material in international journals. All
presenters of posters will be given the opportunity to make a 2-minute
oral presentation.
Expressions of Interest
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a preliminary Expression
of Interest form by Tuesday, November 15, 2005 to facilitate conference
organization, ensure relevancy to the conference topic and receive
application instructions.
Applications
Conference applications are due on Wednesday, March 1, 2006.
Applications consist of: a) an application form, b) an abstract (not to exceed
300 words) and c) a short curriculum vitae.
Expression of Interest Forms and Application Instructions are available
through the START website (www.start.org) or through the Conference
organizers at: ysc@agu.org. The language of the conference is English.
All inquires and submissions must be made electronically to Conference
organizers at: ysc@agu.org.
Notification of acceptance will be received by the end of June 2006.
Additional information including details about the conference
arrangements, venue and scientific program will be provided at that time to
participants.
Costs
Wherever possible, those having papers/posters accepted will have their
full costs covered. Depending on funds available, participants from
developed countries may be required to cover some portion of their
expenses.
Venue
The conference will be held at the Beijing International Convention
Center in conjunction with the ensuing Earth System Science Partnership's
Open Science Conference. It is expected that accommodation will be
provided within the Center.
Deadlines
Expression of interest form: 15 November 2005
Abstract submission: 01 March 2006
Notice of acceptance: 30 June 2006
Registration form deadline: 15 July 2006
Sponsors
The conference is being organized by START on behalf of the ESSP. The
Chinese Meteorological Administration is serving as local host with the
START Temperate East Asia Regional Center assisting with local
organization. Sponsorship by other international global change programs is
pending.
Conference program
Sun, 5 Nov: Registration and welcome reception
Mon, 6 Nov: Conference excursion
Tue, 7 Nov: Opening and Conference Day 1
Wed, 8 Nov: Conference Day 2, closing ceremony, dinner and awards
For more information
Questions should be directed to Ms. Amy Freise via the Conference email
(ysc@agu.org). All application and conference information will be
posted as it becomes available on the START website (www.start.org).
Information on the Open Science Conference is available on its website
(http://www.essp.org/essp/ESSP2006/).
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3) PUBLIC LEADERSHIP EDUCATION NETWORK (PLEN) WOMEN &
SCIENCE/TECHNOLOGY POLICY SEMINAR JANUARY 9-13, 2006 WASHINGTON, D.C.
PLEN is thrilled to announce that we have received funding again this
year for our Women & Science/Technology Policy Seminar, January 9-13,
2006. With the generous support of Abbott Laboratories, PLEN will
provide $200 SCHOLARSHIPS to 35 students in our Women & Science/Technology
Policy Seminar. The scholarship will be used to help cover the program
fees. This program is a wonderful opportunity for women science and
technology students to learn about the policy dimensions of their work
from women leaders in the field.
The seminar's goals are to: 1) increase students' understanding of the
public policy dimensions of science and technology and 2) prepare women
for active participation as citizen/leaders in public debate and
decision-making on science and technology policy issues.
Students participating in the seminar will: 1) meet and learn from
women leaders in the field of science/technology policy; 2) discuss public
policy issues relating to science and technology and 3) learn how
public policies affecting science and technology are shaped.
Participants will be majors in science (including behavioral and health
sciences), math, computer science and information technology as well as
students with an interest in science and technology policy.
Because PLEN has a limited number of scholarships available, we
recommend interested students fax/mail/email their registration as soon as
possible. You may find additional information and registration forms on
our website at www.plen.org. If you have questions about the program or
the scholarships, please don't hesitate to contact Christina Baulch by
email at plen@plen.org or by phone at (202) 872-1585.
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4) POSITION OPENINGS
2005-108
University of Michigan
Turner Postdoctoral Fellows
The Department of Geological Sciences invites applications for Turner
Postdoctoral Fellows, which are positions of two-year duration that are
open to any area in the Geological Sciences. We offer a competitive
compensation package that includes benefits and a travel/research fund.
Applicants are encouraged to collaborate with existing researcher(s) at
the University of Michigan or to propose an independent research
project. Salary is cost-shared with other sources involving research and/or
teaching responsibilities. Visit our Department web pages for more
information on faculty and research (http://www.lsa.umich.edu/geo/); or
contact Profs. Eric Essene (essene@umich.edu), Becky Lange
(becky@umich.edu) or Lynn Walter (lmwalter@umich.edu). Please submit a
curriculum vitae, a brief research proposal (3 pages or less), and
names of at least three references by January 23, 2006 to:
turnerpdf@umich.edu or Turner Postdoctoral Committee, Dept. of
Geological Sciences, 1100 North U
niversity Ave., Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1005.
The University of Michigan is an affirmative action/equal opportunity
employer.
* * * * * * * * * *
2005-110
Geohydrology Section, Kansas Geological Survey, The University of
Kansas, Lawrence
Hydrogeologist
Full-time position at faculty-equiv. rank of assistant or associate
scientist, depending on qualifications, for modeler of subsurface
hydrologic processes. Requires Ph.D. with hydrogeology emphasis,
research/publications on modeling of flow and transport in porous media, and
scientific leadership potential. Background in stream-aquifer interactions is
desirable. Individual expected to develop research program of national
stature and relevance to Kansas. The Geohydrology Section has 9
full-time professionals with additional support personnel. Emphasis on
state-of-the-science field studies and complementary theoretical research.
Sabbatical-eligible position. Complete announcement/application
instructions at www.kgs.ku.edu/General/jobs.html. First consideration deadline:
Jan. 13, 2006. For further information contact Jim Butler at
jbutler@kgs.ku.edu.
KU is an EO/AA employer.
Paid for by KU.
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5) CONTACT INFORMATION
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