AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2006-14

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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2006-14
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CONTENTS
1) AWG BREAKFAST AT GSA ROCKY MOUNTAIN SECTION MEETING
2) CALIFORNIIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!
3) CHRISTINA LOCHMAN BALK
4) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW – APRIL 2006
5) POSITION OPENINGS
The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany (3
positions)
2006-033 Washington & Lee University - Visiting Assistant Professor,
Geochemistry
2006-036 Kansas Geological Survey, The University of Kansas, Lawrence
–
Stratigrapher/Sedimentologist, Stratigraphic Research Section
2006-038 Boise State University - Postdoctoral Research Scientist
2006-040 Shell Exploration & Production Company (SEPCo) - Geomatics
and Subsurface
Support – Immediate Opportunities
2006-041 University of Delaware - Hydrogeologist
6) CONTACT INFORMATION

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

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1) AWG BREAKFAST AT GSA ROCKY MOUNTAIN SECTION MEETING

Members and nonmembers are invited to a casual breakfast at 7:15 AM on
Friday, May 19th, at Ferrell's Restaurant in Gunnison, Colorado.
Founding member Sue Hirschfeld will introduce AWG. Please RSVP to Holly
Brunkal at hbrunkal@western.edu or 970-943-2145. The cost will be $11.50
including tax and tip.

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2) CALIFORNIIA STATE SCIENCE FAIR – VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!!

Be a part of the 55th Annual California State Science Fair at the
California Science Center. This academic fair unites over 900 students from
middle and high schools throughout California who have achieved high
ranks in their county competitions. Join us on Monday, May 22 or
Tuesday, May 23, 2006 to see top competitors present their explorations in
Astronomy, Aerodynamics, Biology, Chemistry, Electronics, and more.

Over 100 volunteers are needed each day to assist with registration,
directions, project transport, display monitoring, meal distribution,
etc. We are in search of adult volunteers in good physical health to help
with this rewarding and memorable event. Shifts are about 3 hours in
length with complimentary parking and refreshments provided.

Don’t Miss Out!

To sign up, complete the form below and send it to:

California Science Center, Volunteer Department,
700 State Drive, Los Angeles, CA 90037

or contact the Volunteer Coordinator at (213)744-2124 or

VolunteerDept@cscmail.org.
Confirmation and volunteer handbook will be sent prior to your
scheduled shift(s).

If you are interested in being a Judge for the Science Fair, please go
to: www.californiasciencecenter.org/CSSF for further information and
registration.

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3) CHRISTINA LOCHMAN BALK

The New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources is seeking
information about Christina Lochman Balk for a memorial article to appear in
"New Mexico Geology." Dr. Balk, a world-famous paleontologist who
specialized in the Cambrian period, taught at New Mexico Tech for many
years. After mentoring generations of women students, she passed away this
spring at the age of 98. If you knew Dr. Balk or have information
about her, please contact Dr. David Love at 505-835-5146 or
dave@gis.nmt.edu.

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4) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW – APRIL 2006

1. New USGS Director Nominated by the President
2. Senators Cornyn and Lieberman Introduce Open Access Legislation
3. Senators Introduce New Yucca Legislation
4. Senate Budget Resolution Increases Science Funding, House Resolution
Falls Short
5. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Holds Climate
Conference
6. House Subcommittee Considers Levee Safety Act
7. House Resources Committee Holds Alternative Energy Hearing
8. Hazards Caucus Hosts Tornado Briefing
9. White House Requests Comments on Federal Geospatial Data
10. 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Conference and Commemoration
11. Planetary Science Institute Releases Survey Results on NASA Science
Priorities
12. AGI’s Geoscience Leadership Forum May 2006
13. Key Federal Register Notices
14. New Updates to the Website

1. New USGS Director Nominated by the President
President Bush has nominated Mark D. Myers, former State Geologist and
head of Alaska's Geological Survey, to be the new director for the U.
S. Geological Survey. Acting Director Patrick Leahy will continue to
serve as the head of the USGS until Myers is confirmed by the Senate.

According to Acting Secretary Lynn Scarlett "Mark is known not only for
his accomplishments as a geologist and state survey manager but also
for the consensus building approach he has emphasized throughout his
career. He brings more than 22 years of wide ranging experience in
geological science and strong leadership skills to the U.S. Geological
Survey."

Myers is a past president and board member of the Alaska Geological
Society; a certified professional geologist with the American Institute of
Professional Geologists; a certified petroleum geologist with the
American Association of Petroleum Geologists; and a licensed geologist with
the State of Alaska.

He received his doctorate in geology from the University of
Alaska-Fairbanks in 1994, specializing in sedimentology, clastic depositional
environments, surface and subsurface sequence analysis and sandstone
petrography. Myers earned his B.S. and M.S. degrees in geology from the
University of Wisconsin-Madison.

2. Senators Cornyn and Lieberman Introduce Open Access Legislation
Senators John Cornyn (R-TX) and Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) introduced S.
2695, the Federal Research Public Access Act of 2006, on May 2, 2006.
The legislation would require all federal agencies with research budgets
of more than $100 million to develop and implement a public access
policy that would, according to Cornyn’s press release on the bill, “ensure
that articles generated through research funded by that agency are made
available online within six months of publication.” These public
access regulations would require each researcher who is funded totally or
partially by the agency to submit an electronic copy of the finalized
manuscript that has been accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed
journal. The agency will be responsible for preserving the manuscript in a
stable, digital repository and must ensure free, online access to
taxpayer-funded research no later than six months after it is published in a
peer-reviewed publication. “Classified research and research t
hat results in works that generate revenue or royalties for the author
(such as books), or patentable discoveries to the extent necessary to
protect copyright or a patent” would be exempted from the public-access
policy.

Many non-profit science journals published by scientific and
professional societies are concerned about how these public-access policies will
affect subscriptions. A frequently asked questions document released
by Sen. Cornyn’s office states:

“This bill offers a thoughtful, tempered approach to meet a crucial
policy goal of expanding access to the published results of
taxpayer-funded research. The Federal Research Public Access Act explicitly
acknowledges the publishers’ contribution by providing for a public access
embargo of up to six months. The six month embargo will preserve the
important role of journals and publishers in the peer review process. This
provision balances important interests and ensures that research is
widely available while it still is useful.

“The proposed language applies only to federally funded research. This
will provide access to a national research treasure. However, U.S.
taxpayer funded research represents only a portion of all articles
published around the world by scientific societies, commercial publishers, and
others. Journals also publish non-federally funded research, valued
review articles, editorials, news and views, letters, and opinion columns
– literature that is not contained in federal public-access
repositories. Journal readers will continue to seek access through their personal
or library subscription to the full journal content.”

S. 2695 was referred to the Committee on Homeland Security and
Government Affairs, but there are no immediate plans to hold a hearing on the
legislation at this point. A copy of Cornyn’s press release and
additional information on the bill is available at
http://cornyn.senate.gov/index.asp?f=record&lid=1&rid=237171.

3. Senators Introduce New Yucca Legislation
On April 6, 2006, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Chair
Pete Domenici (R-NM) and Senate Environment and Public Works Committee
Chair James Inhofe (R-OK) announced joint sponsorship of the Nuclear
Fuel Management and Disposal Act (S.2589), a bill drafted by the
Department of Energy (DOE) to revitalize the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste
repository program. Provisions in the bill would "facilitate the licensing,
construction, and operation of a repository at Yucca Mountain," Energy
Secretary Samuel Bodman wrote in a letter to Vice President Dick Cheney
accompanying the bill.

One of the primary provisions in the legislation would remove the
70,000 metric ton limit on the amount of nuclear waste that can be stored in
the repository. According to a 2002 Environmental Impact Statement,
the site has the capacity to store 120,000 metric tons of waste. Without
lifting the 70,000 ton cap, the repository will likely be
oversubscribed as soon as it opens.

Further provisions in the bill would: remove 147,000 acres of land
around the repository from public use to comply with Nuclear Regulatory
Commission (NRC) licensing requirements; authorize construction of a rail
line connecting Yucca Mountain with the national rail network; give DOE
the authority to regulate the transportation of radioactive materials;
reform the funding system to give DOE easier access to the Nuclear
Waste Trust Fund; eliminate "essentially duplicative regulation" by
exempting nuclear waste stored in NRC-certified containers from federal,
state, and local regulation; authorize the Environmental Protection Agency
to administer air quality permits; and ensure adequate water supplies
for the nuclear waste activities.

DOE officials are optimistic that Congress will eventually pass the
legislation. "We believe it is very important to get Yucca Mountain open
so we can start moving waste from the communities all around the
country where it exists," said Deputy Energy Secretary Clay Sell. "We're
going to work with our congressional allies and supporters to get it
passed as quickly as possible."

Despite sponsoring the DOE bill, Domenici is planning to introduce his
own legislation on the repository, which he called three-fourths
complete in early April. He is currently in the midst of conversations with
Energy and Natural Resources Committee Ranking Member Jeff Bingaman
(D-NM) and Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), an opponent of the
Yucca Mountain Project.

To view the text of the legislation, a summary and a sectional analysis
of the bill, and the letter from Energy Secretary Bodman to Vice
President Cheney, see http://www.energy.gov/media/Cheney-Yucca-package.PDF

4. Senate Budget Resolution Increases Science Funding, House Resolution
Falls Short The fiscal year (FY) 2007 budget resolutions recently
considered by the House and the Senate contain significantly different
potential spending levels for science. The budget resolutions, which serve
as non-binding blueprints for the appropriations bills, are indicators
of congressional reaction to the administration’s budget request.

The Senate passed a budget resolution (S. Con. Res. 83) in mid-March
that matches the President’s request for increased science funding as
part of the American Competitiveness Initiative. The resolution includes
$26.1 billion for the General Science, Space, and Technology account, a
$1.3 billion (5.2%) increase over FY 06 levels. It specifically states
that science spending levels within the resolution “assume full funding
of the President's request for the Department of Energy Office of
Science, the National Science Foundation [and] NASA.”

Budgetary action has been less promising in the House, however. On
March 29th, the House Budget Committee passed a budget resolution along
party lines. The resolution provides only $25.8 billion for the General
Science, Space, and Technology account, $300 million less than the
amount outlined for science programs in the President’s request and the
Senate budget resolution. The budget resolution went to the full House
for a vote, however, after a week of debate on the floor, the House was
unable to pass a budget resolution before the two-week Easter recess.
Although House leadership plans to continue work on the resolution, no
further action has been taken.

5. Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Holds Climate
Conference
On April 4, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources held a
day-long conference to gather feedback on the possible creation of a
federal cap-and-trade carbon emissions policy. "Designing and
implementing a mandatory system will be very difficult economically and
politically," said Committee Chair Pete Domenici (R-NM) in his opening remarks.
Nonetheless, he called the all-day conference a "starting point."

Four panels of experts from energy industries, environmental
organizations, and government agencies shared their views on a number of issues,
including the specifics of how a cap-and-trade policy should be
designed, who should be regulated, whether regulation should be mandatory,
whether emissions regulation should be "upstream" (targeting energy
producers and suppliers) or "downstream" (targeting emitters), and whether
the U.S. system should be designed to allow trading with other countries.
Most panelists advocated a mandatory system that would apply throughout
the economy rather than burden any one sector. A few industry
representatives voiced opposition to a mandatory program, encouraging senators
to focus instead on technology development, including clean coal plants
and nuclear power generation. Other panelists agreed that technology
development should be a key component of any emissions reduction policy,
however without a mandatory policy many companies would choose
not to take action.

Committee members expressed significant interest in the Chicago Climate
Exchange (CCX), a voluntary but legally-binding carbon trading program.
CCX is evaluated by independent auditors, who recently determined
greenhouse gas emissions by CCX members are decreasing faster than expected.
Michael Morris, President of American Electric Power, emphasized that
CCX is attractive because it is voluntary yet maintains integrity by
being legally binding and told senators that a CCX-like exchange "would
work" on the national scale. "Voluntary action will lead this country in
the right direction," he said. Domenici indicated that he will meet
with CCX officials to learn more about the details of the exchange.

To read the Climate Change white paper that served as the basis of the
conference, see
http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=IssueItems.View&IssueItem_ID=33.
To read the participants' responses to the questions in the white
paper, see
http://energy.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Conferences.Detail&Event_id=4&Month=4&Year=2006.

6. House Subcommittee Considers Levee Safety Act
The House Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment received
feedback from civil engineers and flood management experts on the National
Levee Safety Program Act (H.R.4650) in an April 6, 2006 hearing.
Introduced in December by subcommittee chair John Duncan (R-TN) and ranking
member Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX), H.R.4650 authorizes an inventory,
inspections, and assessments of all levees nationwide and provides
incentives for states to develop individual levee safety programs.

While Army Corps of Engineers Major General Don Riley offered
unqualified support for H.R. 4650, witnesses representing civil engineering,
floodplain management, and stormwater management organizations voiced
general support accompanied by a number of suggestions for improving the
bill. Recommendations included seeking the input of local, regional, and
state officials in the development of a federal levee inventory;
linking the inventory with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) map
modernization program; creating a flood management technical advisory
committee composed of representatives from federal engineering and
scientific agencies, flood managers, and emergency response officials; and
expanding the scope of the legislation to include state, local, and
private levees in the federal levee inventory and to require periodic levee
inspections rather than a one-time inspection. Witnesses also told
lawmakers that the $10 million per year authorized for levee protec
tion would be insufficient to carry out all of the act's provisions.
American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) representative Dr. Peter
Nicholson recommended adding $20 million per year for the first three years
to fund the inventory development, bringing the total authorization to
$120 million over six years. He noted that the President has included
$20 million for the levee inventory in his fiscal year (FY) 2007 budget
request.

For Chairman Duncan's opening remarks, witness testimony, an extensive
background section on the nation's levees, and information about H.R.
4650, see

http://www.house.gov/transportation/water/04-06-06/04-06-06memo.html.
For more information on recent legislation related to flood hazards,
see AGI’s new Flood Hazards page at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/legis109/flood_hazards.html.

7. House Resources Committee Holds Alternative Energy Hearing
On April 6, 2006, the House Resources Subcommittee on Energy and
Mineral Resources heard testimony on developments in renewable and
alternative energy resources on federal lands. Officials from the Navy, the
Department of Energy (DOE), the Forest Service, and the Department of the
Interior (DOI) presented lawmakers with details of their agencies'
efforts to increase alternative energy use and development. Efforts at
DOI are being concentrated in wind energy, concentrated solar power,
geothermal power, biomass management, gas hydrates, oil shale and tar
sands. At the Forest Service, the two focal points for renewable energy
are hydropower and energy from biomass.

Wayne Arny, a deputy assistant secretary at the Navy, detailed Navy
investments in wind, ocean, solar, and geothermal power, emphasizing the
Navy's unique geothermal plant. Capable of producing 270 megawatt
capacity of electricity, the plant is the only geothermal plant on
Department of Defense (DOD) lands. Lawmakers were surprised to learn that
although the plant is located on federal lands, it is owned by an
independent private contractor, who gives the Navy a share of the revenue
generated from the electricity sales. Arny explained that when the plant was
built in the 1980s, the Navy could not legally own the electricity
generated. The Navy's share of the revenue generated from the electricity
sales is used for energy development, education, and management.

For the full text of witness testimony, see
http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/archives/109/emr/040606.htm.

8. Hazards Caucus Hosts Tornado Briefing
On April 5th, the Congressional Hazards Caucus Alliance hosted a
Capitol Hill briefing on “Tornadoes: How They Form and How Well We Can
Forecast Them.” Representative Dennis Moore (D-KS) provided opening remarks
on the importance of understanding tornadoes and protecting people from
the hazards of tornadoes. The first speaker was Joshua Wurman, an
atmospheric scientist and Director of the Center for Severe Weather
Research, who talked about observing tornadoes up close to understand how and
why they form. He described the use of mobile Doppler radar systems to
provide more warning. Mark Tew, a meteorologist at the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Public Weather Warning Program,
discussed improvements in forecasts and targeted tornado warnings. The
last speaker was Greg Forbes, a meteorologist from The Weather Channel,
who talked about how The Weather Channel uses information collected from
government sources and their own models to warn to public about t
ornadoes in their area. He also discussed how the public gets
information about severe weather and how they react to such warnings. Copies
of the presentations of each of the speakers are available at
http://www.agiweb.org/gap/workgroup/briefings/tornado_briefing0406.html

9. White House Requests Comments on Federal Geospatial Data
The Federal government is requesting information from geospatial
stakeholders on ways that the government can reduce costs and improve
services to citizens. A Practitioners Day was held on April 18th. Comments
are requested on lessons learned from groups that have overcome
challenges related to a large geographically dispersed workforce,
decentralization, multi-platform environments, legacy systems, and limited
resources. These comments will be used to develop the Geospatial Line of
Business that “will result in a more coordinated approach to producing,
maintaining, and using geospatial data, and will ensure sustainable
participation from federal partners to establish a collaborative model for
geospatial-related activities and investments.”
Individuals and groups interested in submitting comments should respond
to the Request for Information (RFI) questionnaire that is available at
http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb/egov/c-6-8-glob.html. Comments should be
submitted by email by 5:00 EDT on May 5th to geospatial@gsa.gov.

10. 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Conference and Commemoration
The Centennial Meeting of the Seismological Society of America, the 8th
National Conference on Earthquake Engineering by the Earthquake
Engineering Research Institute, Disaster Resistant California and the
Association of Bay Area Governments' General Assembly (ABAG) met in a joint
conference in San Francisco on the anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco
earthquake. The theme of the joint conference was mitigating disaster
in earthquake country. Over 3,000 geoscientists, engineers and
emergency managers attended plenary, technical and policy sessions as well as
field trips and tutorials. Senator Dianne Feinstein, Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom addressed the
conference in plenary sessions while the Senate Subcommittee on Disaster
Prevention and Prediction held a field hearing in connection with the
conference. The subcommittee chairman, Jim DeMint (R-SC) and Barbara Boxer
(D-CA) focused on seismic risks in the San Francisco area and how to
reduce risks in northern California and elsewhere. An interim report
entitled “When the Big One Strikes Again – Estimated Losses due to a
Repeat of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake” by Charles A. Kircher, Hope
A. Seligson, Jawhar Bouabid and Guy C. Morrow was summarized and
released at the conference. A PDF version of the report is available on the
conference web site. Also available on the conference web site is a
video that discusses what the next great quake will mean to northern
California and what we should do to prepare now for impending earthquakes.

Conference schedule, report and videos are available at the conference
web site:
http://www.1906eqconf.org/

11. Planetary Science Institute Releases Survey Results on NASA Science
Priorities
The Planetary Science Institute, with support from the Lunar and
Planetary Laboratory at the University of Arizona, the SETI Institute and the
Space Science Institute, has released the results of a survey of
planetary scientists to prioritize research programs at the National
Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). Participants were asked to rank
the funding priorities for program types assuming flat funding for solar
system exploration. The program types included the Research and
Analysis Programs (e.g. Planetary Geology and Geophysics and Astrobiology
programs), the small, competitively-selected missions (e.g. Discovery
opportunities and Mars Scout opportunities), medium, competitively-selected
missions (e.g. New Frontier mission opportunities), and large, flagship
mission. Participants were also asked about weighing short-, medium-,
and long-term research opportunities against each other. Nearly 73% of
respondents agreed to the statement “A Flagship mission should
be allowed if [Research and Analysis] is not affected, and it requires
skipping only one or two Discovery opportunities and/or a New Frontier
opportunity.” The planetary science community will be using the survey
results to encourage Congress to reinstate the suggested cuts in the
President’s NASA budget for Research and Analysis programs. Additional
information on the survey results is available at
http://www.psi.edu/~sykes/prioritysurvey/results.html.

12. AGI’s Geoscience Leadership Forum May 2006
The American Geological Institute in collaboration with the American
Association of Petroleum Geologists, the American Geophysical Union and
the Geological Society of America held its annual Leadership Forum in
Washington DC on May 1, 2006. The theme of the forum was “Communicating
Geosciences to the Public”. About 40 attendees representing 20 Member
Societies discussed perceptions of geoscientists and geo-engineers,
successful examples of communicating geosciences to the public and ideas
to improve communications in the future. There were 8 speakers at the
forum, including Harrison Schmitt (geologist and former Apollo astronaut
and senator), Richard Kerr (Earth science reporter for Science
Magazine), Judy Scotchmoor (former teacher and director of the Understanding
Evolution web site), Yumei Wang (geotechnical engineer focused on natural
hazards in Oregon), Brian Miller (Director of US Government and
International Affairs in BP America’s DC office), Sarah Andrews (geologis
t and author of a fictional mystery series about a geologist), Brian
Tucker (Director of GeoHazards International) and Art Green (recently
retired as chief geoscientist of ExxonMobil). A summary of the forum and
the presentations of the speakers will be posted on the AGI Events web
page in the near future.

13. Key Federal Register Notices
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.

DOEd: The Secretary of the Department of Education announced an
upcoming open meeting of “A National Dialogue: The Secretary of Education's
Commission on the Future of Higher Education.” The Commission will meet
May 18-19, 2006 in Washington, DC. Additional information on the
agenda and submitting comments is available at
http://www.ed.gov/about/bdscomm/list/hiedfuture/index.html. [Federal
Register: April 4, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 64)].

DOI: The Minerals Management Service announces the availability of the
proposed Notice of Sale for proposed Sale 200 in the Western Gulf of
Mexico Outer Continental Shelf. Bid opening is currently scheduled for
August 16, 2006. [Federal Register: April 4, 2006 (Volume 71, Number
64)].

DOI: The Minerals Management Service announced the release of an
environmental assessment for proposed Outer Continental Shelf oil and gas
Lease Sale 200 in the Western Gulf of Mexico. Public comments may be
submitted using MMS's Public Connect on-line commenting system at
http://ocsconnect.mms.gov. [Federal Register: April 4, 2006 (Volume 71,
Number 64)].

White House: The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
announced the release of the planning document for the U.S. Ocean
Research Priorities Plan and request for public comment. Additional
information is available at http://ocean.ceq.gov/. [Federal Register:
April 10, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 68)].

DOC: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration announced the
availability of the draft Prospectus for one of the U.S. Climate Change
Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Products for public comment.
Additional information is available at
http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap3-3/default.htm. [Federal
Register: April 12, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 70)].

14. New Updates to the Website
Hearings on Innovation and U.S. Competitiveness (4-28-06)
Wetlands and Coastal Resources Policy (4-28-06)
High-level Nuclear Waste Legislation (4-27-06)
Great Lakes and Other Watersheds (4-27-06)
Hearings on Great Lakes and Other Watersheds (4-27-06)
Flood Hazards (4-24-06)
Action Alert: House Budget Resolution $300 Million Short of President's
Request for NSF, NASA, DOE Office of Science (4-18-06)
Hearings on Flood Hazards (4-14-06) Hearings on Energy (4-14-06)
FY2007 Department of Energy Appropriations (4-14-06)
FY2007 Appropriations Hearing Summaries (4-14-06)
Hearings on Global Earth Observations (4-14-06)
Climate Change Policy (4-11-06)
Action Alert: USGS Mineral Resources Program Threatened with 42% Cut
(4-4-06)

Monthly Review prepared by Linda Rowan, Director of Government Affairs,
Margaret Anne Baker, Government Affairs Staff and Jenny Fisher, 2006
AGI/AAPG Spring Intern.

Sources: 1906 Earthquake Conference, AIP FYI, Congressional Hazards
Caucus website, Environment & Energy Daily, Federal Register, hearing
testimony, Planetary Science Institute website, Senator John Cornyn’s
website, and White House Office of Management and Budget.

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5) POSITION OPENINGS

The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry, Jena, Germany (3
positions)
Postdoctoral research position in atmospheric biogeochemical data
assimilation

The Max Planck Institute for Biogeochemistry
(http://www.bgc-jena.mpg.de), a multidisciplinary institute for research
in biogeochemical cycles in the Earth System, located in Jena, Germany,
has a vacancy for a postdoctoral fellow in the field of atmospheric
modeling of CO2 and other long-lived trace gases. The proposed work
includes validation of model simulations against satellite based remote
sensing data, inverse modeling of atmospheric measurements for the
quantification of sources and sinks, and data assimilation into a coupled
atmosphere-land surface carbon cycle model. Knowledge of global
biogeochemistry is desirable, but not indispensable. The work will be conducted in
part as a contribution to the EU-funded GEMS project
(http://www.ecmwf.int/research/EU_projects/GEMS/).

Applicants are expected to have a strong background in meteorology and
climatology, good experience in programming (FORTRAN90, Unix) and
running complex numerical computer simulation models and preferably
knowledge of data assimilation techniques. The postdoctoral position is paid
either as a tax-free stipend, or according to the German TVvD E13/14
scale depending on experience. It is initially limited to two years with
a possibility of an extension until the end of the GEMS project (three
years). The MPI-Society seeks to increase the number of
female scientists and encourages them to apply. Handicapped persons
with comparable qualifications receive preferential status.

Please submit your application, together with curriculum vitae and the
names, addresses and telephone numbers of two references, until May 21,
2006 in electronic form to Martin Heimann, Managing Director
(martin.heimann@bgc-jena.mpg.de).

Earth System Modeler

The successful candidate will join and coordinate a newly formed team
of Earth system modelers in the framework of ENIGMA (Earth System
Network of Integrated Modeling and Assessment), a joint project of the
Max-Planck-Institutes for Meteorology, Hamburg, for Chemistry, Mainz, for
Biogeochemistry in Jena, and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact
research. The team will develop, evaluate and optimize an advanced next
generation comprehensive numerical model of the Earth system. This model
will be applied it in a suite of key simulation experiments for a
better understanding of the Earth system behavior under a variety of past,
present and future conditions and external forcing factors. The ENIGMA
team has access to high-performance
computing systems, a.o. at the German Climate Computing Center (DKRZ)
in Hamburg.

A PhD degree in Earth system science or related fields is required.
Preference will be given to candidates with a proven publication record
and experience in climate and/or Earth system modeling. Knowledge of
biogeochemical cycles is advantageous. Good oral and written
communication skills in English are required.

The position is available for three years according to a civil service
position (TVvD E13/E14, level according to experience) including
extensive social security plans. An extension of the position is
possible. The conditions of employment, including upgrades and
duration follow the rules of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of
Sciences and those of the German civil service. The MPI-Society seeks to
increase the number of female scientists and encourages them to apply.
Handicapped persons with comparable qualifications receive preferential
status.

Scientific Programmer

The successful candidate will adapt and run Earth system models and
model components used within the framework of ENIGMA (Earth System Network
of Integrated Modeling and Assessment), a joint project of the
Max-Planck-Institutes for Meteorology, Hamburg, for Chemistry, Mainz, for
Biogeochemistry in Jena, and the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact
research. He or she will be responsible for implementing and optimizing
model codes for the high-performance computing systems (vector and parallel
architectures) at the German Climate Computing Center (DKRZ) in
Hamburg, the compilation of input data sets and the post processing and
visualization of the results.

An academic degree in mathematics, computer sciences, geophysical or
related sciences is required. Excellent programming skills (FORTRAN90,
C/C++, Unix) are required as well as fluent proficiency of the English
language. Experience in working with large computer code systems, e.g.
climate models, is advantageous.

The position is available for three years according to a civil service
position (TVvD E13/E14) including extensive social security plans. An
extension of the position is possible. The conditions of employment,
including upgrades and duration follow the rules of the Max Planck
Society for the Advancement of Sciences and those of the German civil
service. The MPI-Society seeks to increase the number of female scientists
and encourages them to apply. Handicapped persons with comparable
qualifications receive preferential status.

* * * * * * * * * *
2006-033
Washington & Lee University
Visiting Assistant Professor, Geochemistry

The Geology Department at Washington and Lee University
(geology.wlu.edu) seeks applicants for a Visiting Assistant Professor position to
begin fall term 2006. A PhD is desired but ABD candidates will be
considered. This replacement position is a one-year position and may be
renewed. The successful candidate will teach the following courses:
Introductory Geology with Field Emphasis, Hydrology, Geochemistry (hi & low T),
and general education courses in environmental geology topics (Water
Resources, Natural Hazards/Resources).

W&L is a nationally-ranked, highly selective liberal arts college. The
department is well-equipped and funded for student-faculty field and
lab research. A vita, statements of teaching and research experience and
interest, and contact information for 3 references should be sent
electronically to David Harbor at geology@wl! u.edu. Review of applications
will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.
Washington and Lee University is committed to the development of a campus
climate that supports equality and diversity. Minorities and women are
encouraged to apply.

Washington and Lee University
Geology Department
Science Addition A 223
Lexington, VA 24450
540-458-8800 (phone)
540-458-8142 (fax)

* * * * * * * * * *
2006-036
Kansas Geological Survey-The University of Kansas, Lawrence
Stratigrapher/Sedimentologist – Stratigraphic Research Section

Full-time position at faculty-equivalent rank of assistant or associate
scientist, depending on qualifications, for
stratigrapher/sedimentologist with research emphasis in industrial minerals. Requires Ph.D. in
geology or geoengineering, research/publications in stratigraphy,
sedimentology, and diagenesis of sedimentary rocks, and scientific leadership
potential. Background in industrial minerals research is desirable.
Individual expected to develop research program of national stature and
relevance to Kansas. The Stratigraphic Research Section has six
professionals with additional support personnel. Focus is on fundamental and
applied stratigraphic and sedimentologic research that has direct
application to industrial minerals, water, and energy issues.
Sabbatical-eligible position. Complete announcement and application instructions at
www.kgs.ku.edu/General/jobs.html. Priority deadline: Aug. 15, 2006.
For further information contact Evan Franseen at evanf@kgs.ku.edu.
Application questions can be addressed to hr@kgs.ku.edu or
785-864-2152.

KU is an EO/AA employer.
Paid for by KU.

* * * * * * * * * *
2006-038
Boise State University
Postdoctoral Research Scientist

The Department of Geosciences at Boise State University invites
applications for a two-year Postdoctoral Research Scientist position in the
interdisciplinary fields of isotope biogeochronology and
chronostratigraphy. We seek a researcher with experience in isotope geology,
stratigraphy, paleobiology, or deep-time paleoclimate, with a keen interest and
ability to apply high-precision U-Pb zircon geochronology to
elucidating various aspects of Late Paleozoic Earth systems evolution. The
successful applicant will join a multidisciplinary, international team of
scientists, working specifically with Dr. Mark Schmitz (isotope
geochemistry) and Dr. Vladimir Davydov (biostratigraphy) on applying a
combination of ash bed zircon geochronology and statistical chronostratigraphic
tools to constrain the Late Paleozoic time scale. A record of
scientific investigations in isotope geochemistry and geochronology will be
considered a strong asset. A Ph.D. in geology or geochemistry is requ
ired at the time of appointment.

All interested, qualified persons are encouraged to apply via e-mail,
by sending a letter of application, curriculum vita, and contact
information for three references to Dr. Mark Schmitz
(markschmitz@boisestate.edu), or via post to: Search # AAG-0020-56,
Department of Geosciences, Boise State University, 1910 University Dr,
Boise, DI 83725-1535. Review of applications will commence June 15, 2006
and continue until a qualified applicant pool is established.

Boise State University is strongly committed to achieving excellence
through cultural diversity. The University actively encourages
applications and nominations of women, persons of color, and members of other
underrepresented groups. EOE/AA Institution, Veterans preference may be
applicable.

* * * * * * * * * *
2006-040
Shell Exploration & Production Company (SEPCo)
Geomatics and Subsurface Support – Immediate Opportunities

Shell Exploration & Production Company (SEPCo) is a leader in safely
finding, developing and producing oil and natural gas. SEPCo is the
largest of Shell’s E & P operating units. SEPCo has the following
experienced and entry-level openings in the Houston area:

Geo-Information Analyst
Geophysicist
Seismic Data Project
Geo-Information Technical Leader
Seismic Data Manager/Administrator
Well Data Manager

To learn about these opportunities and to apply, go to:
www.Lstaff.com/Shell

Everyone who completes an application will receive immediate on-line
application status feedback and selection process information.

* * * * * * * * * *
2006-041
University of Delaware
Hydrogeologist

The Department of Geology at the University of Delaware invites
applications for a tenure-track position in hydrogeology at the assistant
professor level. We seek an individual who shows the potential to develop
an internationally recognized, externally funded research program and
who will be involved in the undergraduate and graduate teaching and
service missions of the department.

We welcome applicants with any specialization within the field of
subsurface hydrogeology. We are particularly interested in those candidates
conducting research that integrates physical subsurface hydrogeology
with biological, geochemical, and/or pedological processes. There is
strong potential for interaction with faculty and staff conducting pore-
to regional-scale hydrologic research and service within various units
at the University including the Departments of Geography, Civil and
Environmental Engineering, Bioresources Engineering, Plant and Soil
Sciences, the College of Marine Studies, the Delaware Biotechnology Institute,
the Delaware Geological Survey, and the Water Resources Agency at the
University of Delaware. Further information on the hydrogeology
position can be obtained from http://www.geology.udel.edu/hydrogeology.

Candidates should submit their curriculum vitae, statements of their
research and teaching interests, and names and addresses of at least
three references to Dr. John Madsen (jmadsen@udel.edu), Search Committee
Chair, Department of Geology, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716.
Review of completed applications will begin October 2, 2006. A Ph.D.
is required at time of appointment.

The UNIVERSITY OF DELAWARE is an Equal Opportunity Employer which
encourages
applications from Minority Group Members and Women.

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