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AWG E-MAIL NEWS 2006-29
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CONTENTS
1) BUILDING STRONG GEOSCIENCE DEPARTMENTS PROGRAM: TWO WORKSHOP
OPPORTUNITIES
2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: OCTOBER 2006
3) POSITION OPENINGS
4) CONTACT INFORMATION
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Thanks to everyone who contributed to this issue of E-mail News
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1) BUILDING STRONG GEOSCIENCE DEPARTMENTS PROGRAM: TWO WORKSHOP OPPORTUNITIES
We are pleased to announce two workshops offered through the Building Strong Geoscience Departments Program, which is a sponsored activity of NAGT, AGI, AGU, and GSA.
The Role of Departments in Preparing Future Geoscience Professionals - January 10-12, 2007
Workshop for Heads and Chairs of Earth and Space Science Departments - December 10, 2006 (in association with AGU)
The application deadline for each workshop is November 14, 2006
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The workshop on The Role of Departments in Preparing Future Geoscience Professionals will be held January 10-12, 2007 in Williamsburg, VA.
The goal of this workshop is to improve the ability of departments to prepare geoscience students for professional careers including traditional roles in academia, government research, industry, and teaching, as well as opportunities in business, law, public service, and elsewhere. This workshop provides an opportunity to think broadly about the support we provide geoscience students within and beyond the curriculum as they prepare for professional careers. For more information, please see http://serc.carleton.edu/departments/professionalprep/overview.html
The on-line application form is at the following webpage (note deadline of Nov 14) http://serc.carleton.edu/departments/professionalprep/application.html
Conveners: Heather Macdonald (College of William and Mary) and Cathy Manduca (Carleton College)
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The workshop for Heads and Chairs of Earth and Space Science departments is Sunday, December 10, in San Francisco, just before the Fall AGU meeting. This one-day workshop will provide an opportunity for both new and experienced heads and chairs to learn more about being an effective department leader, to discuss successful strategies (as well as challenges) with others, and to meet other heads and chairs. The workshop is offered through the AGU Heads and Chairs Board. Information about the workshop is given on the workshop webpage: http://serc.carleton.edu/departments/heads-chairs06/index.html
The on-line application for the workshop is on the following webpage (note deadline of Nov 14):
http://serc.carleton.edu/departments/heads-chairs06/application.html
Workshop leaders:
Heather Macdonald, College of William and Mary Gene Bierly, American Geophysical Union Tim Bralower, Pennsylvania State University Bill Dannevik, Saint Louis University Diane Doser, University of Texas, El Paso Jay Gregg, Oklahoma State University Don Wuebbles, University of Illinois
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2) AGI GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS MONTHLY REVIEW: OCTOBER 2006
AGI Mourns the Loss of Dr. Marcus E. Milling (1938-2006)
AGI Senior Advisor and previous Executive Director, Dr. Marcus E. Milling, passed away on October 17, 2006 after a long battle with cancer.
Dr. Milling was named the Executive Director of AGI in February of 1992, a position he held until July 31, 2006. During his tenure, he led AGI through a period of strong financial stability and increased membership from 19 to 44 societies. He was a champion for earth science education.
Under his influence, AGI became a leader in earth science education with the development of several curriculum projects and the outreach efforts of projects like Earth Science Week. He also spearheaded the undertaking of the Faces of Earth television series that is currently in production.
He received a B.S. from Lamar University and a M.S. and Ph.D. from the University of Iowa. Dr. Milling’s professional career began as a research geologist with Exxon in 1968. He remained at Exxon until 1980 holding the title of District Geologist. From Exxon he went to ARCO Oil and Gas as a general manager and later gained the title of Manager, Geological Exploration Staff. In 1987, he joined the University of Texas at Austin as the Associate Director of the Bureau of Economic Geology where he coordinated their oil and gas industry consortia programs.
The Milling family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the AGI Foundation http://www.agifoundation.org/philanthropy.html
Please take a moment to share your thoughts and memories about Marcus on the AGI tribute page: http://www.agiweb.org/milling/.
1. President Bush Signs New Space Policy
2. Interior Department Promises to Look at Flawed Offshore Leases
3. Congressional Update on Ocean Science
4. House Democrats Release Recommendations for Katrina Recovery Effort
5. Congressional Seminar on Climate Change and Hurricanes
6. Supreme Court to Clear the Air in November
7. NASA Approves Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission
8. Last Chance to Comment on Interior Department’s Offshore Drilling Plans
9. Geological Society of America Updates Climate Change Position Statement
10. Al Gore to Speak at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting
11. Geoscience Community Celebrates Earth Science Week
12. Brookings Institute Releases Report on How Happiness Affects Math Skills
13. Framing Science Seminar
14. Graduate Student Summer Program Fellowship
15. United States Population Surpasses 300 Million, Just in Time for Thanksgiving
16. Key Federal Register Notices
17. New Updates to the Web
1. President Bush Signs New Space Policy
“Freedom of action in space is as important to the United States as air power and sea power,” asserts President Bush’s sweeping new space policy. The policy refuses participation in future international treaties involving limits on space development, supports the use of space nuclear power systems consistent with U.S. interests and stresses U.S. space sovereignty.
The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy quietly unveiled the new National Space Policy on October 6, 2006. The document was authorized on August 31, four years after a 2002 Bush order to the National Security Council to assess space policy. It is the first revision in ten years, superseding the 1996 Clinton administration policy which paved the road for space weapons. Yet, while the Clinton initiative promoted space advancement, it did so only within international treaty boundaries. The newly revised policy, however, dictates, “The United States will oppose the development of new legal regimes or other restrictions that seek to prohibit or limit U.S. access to or use of space.”
Space has become increasingly more important for the nation’s economy and homeland security. Satellites have provided improved military navigation and communications, weather forecasting aptitude, cell phone service and GPS systems. Furthermore, advancements in space for China have caused the U.S. to consider national security more carefully. The new space policy gives the U.S. the flexibility needed to freely develop space weapons.
The policy has not been released without criticism. A report entitled Space Assurance or Space Domination: The Case Against Weaponizing Space by Michael Krepon, founding president of the Stimson Center, a Washington think tank on space policy, states, “When you weaponize space, you invite company. When we go first, others will come second. That is an absolute certainty.”
A copy of the complete White House National Space Policy Document is available at: http://www.ostp.gov/html/US%20National%20Space%20Policy.pdf.
2. Interior Department Promises to Look at Flawed Offshore Leases
Stephen Allred, newly confirmed Assistant Secretary for Lands and Minerals Management of the Interior Department, has begun what Interior Secretary Dirk Kempthorne calls a “fresh look” at flawed offshore leases from 1998 and 1999 that lack critical price thresholds which would require companies to pay royalties when the price of oil rises beyond $36 per barrel.
The Minerals Management Service (MMS) has been negotiating with companies to ensure royalty payment on future production, however, will not pursue the collection of about $1.3 billion already lost from the 1998 and 1999 agreements. $10 billion is predicted to be lost on these flawed leases in total, though MMS Director, Johnnie Burton, calls this estimate “speculative.” She indicated that BP and Shell are close to reaching agreements which would result in royalty payments on their future production.
An Interior Department appropriations bill, H.R. 5386, has passed the House and would ban companies with 1998 and 1999 leases from future lease agreements unless they agree to negotiate. The Senate Appropriations Committee approved the Senate version of the bill which includes similar stipulations, but it has not yet been introduced to the full Senate for consideration. The Bush Administration, however, disapproves of any such action because it violates contract sanctity.
The full text of H.R. 5386 is available from Thomas at:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.05386:
3. Congressional Update on Ocean Science
The Joint Ocean Commission Initiative put their priorities on paper this June in a report entitled “From Sea to Shining Sea: Priorities for Ocean Policy Reform.” The report was issued in response to a request for a list of the ten most urgent congressional actions needed to protect the marine ecosystem from a bipartisan group of ten senators organized by Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD).
The top action items in the 50-page report included the creation of a national ocean policy mission statement, the codification of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) into law, the enactment of legislative actions promoting and funding ocean initiatives, the development of an Ocean Trust Fund in the U.S. Treasury and the incorporation of ocean-related science and education into innovation and competitiveness initiatives.
Since the report has been issued, progress has been made in Congress through the introduction of the NOAA Organic Act (H.R. 5450), which would codify the agency, and the introduction of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Reauthorization Act (S. 2012), which would reauthorize funding for more science-based management of U.S. fisheries to ensure their sustainability. Neither bill has been passed by Congress, although both are likely to be re-introduced in the next Congress in 2007.
Unfortunately, federal funding for ocean science appears to be getting murkier, even with several ocean policy reports in the past few years and interest in carrying out the policy recommendations of those reports within Congress. The House and the Senate are about $1 billion apart on fiscal year 2007 funding for NOAA and most of the differences are related to potentially significant decreases for research funding in the House bill. Congress has not yet conferred and passed a budget for NOAA, leaving the agency uncertain about their research resources. In addition, the National Science Foundation (NSF) has to deal with delays and higher costs to operate and refurbish their research vessels. The delays and costs are related to high oil prices, competition with commercial drilling needs and damage to the new Japanese research vessel, Chikyu, during a recent test. According to a news report in Science, NSF may not be able to refurbish the JOIDES Resolution as planned and th
is will further reduce ocean science research capacity.
A press release and a copy of the report are available on the Joint Ocean Commission webpage at http://www.jointoceancommission.org/
The full text of H.R. 5450 is available from Thomas at:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:h.r.05450:
The full text of S. 2012 is available from Thomas at:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d109:s.02012:
4. House Democrats Release Recommendations for Katrina Recovery
Effort Democrats on the House Katrina Task Force, led by Chairman Gene Taylor (D-MS) and Vice-Chairman Charlie Melancon (D-LA), released a report entitled, “Katrina and Beyond: Recommendations for Legislative Action” on October 19, 2006, aimed at improvements on the slow-moving recovery effort in the U.S. Gulf Coast. The report recommends improved insurance policies, Federal Emergency Management Agency reforms, comprehensive hurricane protection programs and rapid coastal restoration.
The report states that the property insurance market should offer “all perils” disaster insurance and abandon its exclusion from federal anti-trust laws. Greater oversight of insurance companies should ensure that an independent party oversees wind and water damage assessment. Also, a policy of reinsurance should be implemented in which costs are predicted before disasters strike.
Furthermore, the report says that “recovery [is] too large for FEMA and it’s sluggish bureaucratic procedures.” It recommends the transfer of the disaster recovery mission from FEMA jurisdiction to other agencies, suggesting that the Department of Housing and Urban Development should provide oversight on local government plans, the Department of Education should restore schools, and the Department of Health and Human Resources should establish sound public health procedures.
Given NOAA estimates that almost 160 million people – 53 percent of the total U.S. population – live in 673 coastal counties, the task force believes it is imperative to develop strategies to secure these communities.
A previous House report on Katrina by the House Select Bipartisan Committee (composed of only Republican members) to investigate the preparation for and response to Hurricane Katrina entitled "A Failure of Initiative” was released in February 2006.
The 14-page report, authored by House Democrats is available at:
http://www.house.gov/genetaylor/KTF.Katrina&Beyond.PBFormat.pdf
The report, authored by House Republicans is available at:
http://www.katrina.house.gov/
5. Congressional Seminar on Climate Change and Hurricanes
On October 20th the American Meteorological Society hosted four lectures in the Rayburn House Office Building entitled “Is Global Warming Impacting, or Expected to Impact, Hurricanes?” The seminar featured Dr. James Kossin, atmospheric research scientist for the Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies, Dr. Tom Wigley, senior scientist and director of the Consortium for the Application of Climate Impact Assessments at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, Dr. Greg Holland, director of the Mesoscale and Microscale Meteorology Division for the Earth-Sun Systems Laboratory at the National Center for Atmospheric Research, and Dr. Tom Delworth, leader of the Climate Dynamics and Prediction Group for NOAA’s Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory.
Kossin illustrated the importance of data consistency in hurricane records to accurately analyze the link between sea surface temperature (SST) rise and hurricanes. Holland identified an upward trend in SST over 100 years marked by a total 0.7ºC rise. Wigley and Delworth presented their work with computer modeling systems which examined possible causes for SST rise. Both meteorologists concluded that anthropogenic forcing contributes to warming. Presentations are available for the public at www.ametsoc.org/seminar.
6. Supreme Court to Clear the Air in November
The Supreme Court began their second term under the auspices of new Chief Justice, John G. Roberts, Jr. on October 2, 2006. On the docket for November are two cases related to the Clean Air Act. In Massachusetts v. Environmental Protection Agency (Docket No. 05-1120), Massachusetts Attorney General Tom Reilly, together with a coalition of 12 states, 13 environmental groups, New York City, Baltimore and American Samoa, will argue that the EPA should classify carbon dioxide as a pollutant and have the legal authority to regulate it and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases emitted from motor vehicles under the Clean Air Act.
In Environmental Defense et al. v. Duke Energy Corporation (Docket No. 05-848), environmental groups are seeking a ruling on the Clean Air Act’s new source review requirements for upgrades made by Duke Energy. New source review requires power plants and factories to modernize air pollution controls when they install new sources of power that increase emissions. The Supreme Court is expected to make their rulings on both cases by mid-2007 and hopefully clear the air on requirements under the act. It is hoped that the Court can clear up any uncertainties about what compounds EPA can classify as pollutants and what requirements are expected of utilities when they upgrade facilities.
The merit briefs for both cases are available from the American Bar Association’s Division for Public Education at: http://www.abanet.org/publiced/preview/briefs/home.html.
7. NASA Approves Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission
On October 31, 2006, NASA approved the Hubble Space Telescope Servicing Mission 4, a $900 million shuttle visit to extend the operation of the observatory for at least 10 more years. In spite of new shuttle regulations made after the Columbia accident which would normally exclude a mission that lacks a refuge in the event of problems, Administrator Michael Griffin announced approval for the mission at a meeting with NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center scientists in Greenbelt, Maryland. The servicing mission will launch in 2008 for an 11-day flight to replace worn-out parts (gyroscopes and batteries) and to install two new instruments, a Cosmic Origins Spectrograph and a Wide Field Camera 3.
More details about the new instruments and the servicing missions are available at the Space Telescope Science Institute web site: http://www.stsci.edu/hst/.
8. Last Chance to Comment on Interior Department’s Offshore Drilling Plans
The Minerals Management Service within the Department of the Interior (DOI) is accepting public comments on the 2007-2012 Oil and Gas Leasing Program proposal. The proposal outlines 21 outer-continental shelf lease sales in Alaska, the Gulf of Mexico and off the Atlantic Coast. The proposal may be downloaded and viewed at http://www.mms.gov. Send comments electronically to http://www.mms.gov/5-year/2007-2012main.htm no later than November 24, 2006. For further information contact Renee Orr at (703) 787-1215. In addition there will be a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2007-2012 on November 14, 2006. See the DOI federal register notice below for more details.
9. Geological Society of America Updates Climate Change Position Statement
This month the Geological Society of America (GSA) posted a revised position statement on climate change. Their statement supports scientific findings that climate change is real, partly due to anthropogenic factors and will result in considerable consequences worldwide. In order to confront the issue, GSA promotes research, science-based policy, international planning, and the development of long-term strategies. The updated GSA statement is available at http://www.geosociety.org/aboutus/position10.htm.
Position statements on this topic and many others prepared by AGI and Member Societies are available at http://www.agiweb.org/gap/position_statements.html.
10. Al Gore to Speak at the American Geophysical Union Fall Meeting
Former Vice President Al Gore will speak on "Climate Change: The Role of Science and the Media in Policymaking" at the American Geophysical Union’s Fall Meeting in San Francisco. This special Union lecture is open to all Fall Meeting registrants and will take place in the Marriott Hotel from 12:30 to 1:30 pm on December 14, 2006. The talk will focus on effective use of scientific understanding in the policy-making process.
11. Geoscience Community Celebrates Earth Science Week
October 8th marked the first day of the ninth annual international Earth Science Week hosted by the American Geological Institute as a service to the public and the geoscience community. The event began in 1998 in celebration of the Institute's 50th anniversary to give students and citizens new opportunities to discover Earth sciences and to encourage stewardship of the Earth. The theme of this year’s Earth Science Week was, “Be a Citizen Scientist,” which promoted the idea that anyone can participate in scientific discoveries. AGI and the Geological Society of America kicked off the week with an International EarthCache Event at the foot of the Washington Monument, including hands-on activities “Make your own rain gauge” and “Acid rain’s effect on building stone.” AGI also sponsored Earth Science Week toolkits with materials for teachers and students, three Earth Science Week contests on photography, visual arts and essays and activities at the Maryland Science Center in
Baltimore. A record number of Member Societies and State Geological Surveys participated in Earth Science Week this year. In addition, the generous support and participation of the United States Geological Survey, the National Park Service and the American Association of Petroleum Geologists Foundation made the week a great success. A list of sponsors, participants and supporters and much more information on the event is available on the Earth Science Week web page at www.earthsciweek.org.
12. Brookings Institute Releases Report on How Happiness Affects Math Skills
On October 18th, the Brookings Institute released the 2006 Brown Center report entitled “How Well Are American Students Learning?” by Tom Loveless, Director of the Brown Center on Education at the Institute. The report included an intriguing section on what Loveless calls “the happiness factor,” how student’s pleasure and self-assurance in mathematics relate to performance.
This study found that only 6 percent of Korean students reported that they were confident in math skills compared to a self-assured 33 percent of American students. Furthermore, 14 percent of Korean teachers connect math subjects to every day life, while the majority, 66 percent, of American teachers, demonstrates practical relevance of a subject. Despite what common sense might dictate Korean math scores soar above American scores.
Loveless writes that while happiness cannot be held accountable for poor academic performance, the progressive notion that satisfaction from work leads to success should be questioned. Perhaps more traditionalist views pushing hard work and perseverance over pleasure may result in higher levels of achievement.
A copy of the complete report is available at:
http://www.brookings.edu/gs/brown/bc_report/2006/2006report.pdf.
13. Framing Science Seminar
On October 11, 2006 the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the Washington Science Policy Alliance held a seminar entitled “Framing Science: Understanding the Battle over Public Opinion in Policy Debates.” Dr. Matthew Nisbet, assistant professor at American University’s School of Communication, gave a vibrant talk on the technique of framing scientific arguments to appeal to the public.
Nisbet argued that traditional models for relaying scientific information, like science literature or popular science, only reach fully informed members of society that already have an interest in science. In order to engage what Nisbet called the “cognitive miserly,” issues need to be framed with a short message that resonates with the values of the audience. “Strategic communication is about activism, reinforcement and mobilization, not persuasion,” he said, emphasizing the need to target specific interests instead of trying to change them.
Nisbet used nuclear energy as an example on how to frame science, explaining that it could be portrayed as a means to social progress and economic growth, or conversely, as a “monster in the closet,” full of uncertainty and public accountability. An image or catchphrase captures either idea successfully.
“The scientific community is under attack,” Nisbet warned. In order to face public scrutiny, Nisbet stressed the need to use framing effectively.
To download Dr. Nisbet’s presentation, click here: http://www.aaas.org/spp/wspa/.
14. Graduate Student Summer Fellowship Program
The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), located just outside Vienna, Austria, each year sponsors a fellowship program for graduate students who are studying in geoscience fields relevant to IIASA's work on global change issues. About 50-60 graduate students from around the world spend the summer working closely with IIASA senior researchers, on projects relevant to each student's thesis topic. They end the summer with an international network of colleagues interested in various aspects of global change issues.
The application deadline for the 2007 Young Scientists Summer Program is January 15, 2007. Margaret Goud Collins is the Program Director for the U.S. Committee for IIASA and can be reached at mcollins@nas.edu. For more information about this and other IIASA programs, please visit http://www.iiasa.ac.at/.
15. United States Population Surpasses 300 Million, Just in Time for Thanksgiving
The U.S. Census Bureau projected that the U.S. population surpassed 300 million on the morning of October 17, 2006. The projection includes an estimate of 11 to 12 million illegal immigrants. The current population is about 67 percent Caucasian, 14 percent Hispanic, 12 percent African American and 4 percent Asian. The current annual growth rate is about 1 percent or 2.8 million people per year. The nation reached 100 million in about 1920 and 200 million in 1967.
The U.S. is the third most populous country in the world behind China and India. The population consumes about 25% of the world’s energy supply. The U.S. is the fastest growing industrialized nation. (India is growing faster, but is not considered an industrialized nation by the United Nations). Even with this growth rate, the U.S. has a sparser population density than many other industrialized nations – there are about 87 people per square mile in the U.S. compared to about 300 people per square mile in the European Union and almost 900 people per square mile in Japan.
More than 80 percent of the population is concentrated in metropolitan areas. The New York City (18.7 million), Los Angeles (12.9 million), Chicago (9.4 million), Philadelphia (5.8 million) and Dallas (5.8 million) metropolitan areas are the five densest regions of the country. About 53 percent of the population is concentrated in coastal counties.
Three days after the population topped 300 million, the U.S. Census Bureau also released some statistics on the ingredients for a traditional Thanksgiving feast. About 258 million turkeys, 630 million pounds of cranberries, 1.6 billion pounds of sweet potatoes and 1.1 billion pounds of pumpkin were produced in the U.S. in 2005. Thankfully, not all of this food was consumed on Thanksgiving Day, 2005.
Happy Thanksgiving 2006 to One and All!
More information about the population and other interesting statistics from the U.S. Census Bureau is available at: http://www.census.gov/
16. Key Federal Register Notices
DOE: The Department of Energy published a final rule that amends the State Energy Program regulations to incorporate certain changes made to the DOE-administered formula grant program by the Energy Policy Act of 2005. For further information contact Eric W. Thomas, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, State Energy Program, (202) 586-2242, eric.thomas@ee.doe.gov, or Chris Calamita, U.S. Department of Energy, Office of the General Counsel, Christopher.Calamita@hq.doe.gov.
[Federal Register: October 2, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 190)]
DOD/GSA/NASA: The Civilian Agency Acquisition Council and the Defense Acquisition Regulations Council of the Department of Defense General Services Administration and National Aeronautics and Space Administration are proposing to amend the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) to implement recommendations to revise the regulations related to the administration of the Cost Accounting Standards. Interested parties should submit written comments at http://www.regulations.gov citing “FAR case 2006-004” on or before December 4, 2006 to be considered in the formulation of a final rule. For more information, contact Jeremy Olson at (202) 501-3221 or the FAR Secretariat at (202) 501-4755.
[Federal Register: October 3, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 191)]
BLM: The Bureau of Land Management will hold two public listening sessions to solicit views on implementation of the Pilot Project provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005 which directs the Secretary of the Interior to establish seven BLM Field Offices as oil and gas streamlining Project Offices. The sessions will take place November 14, 2006 in Denver, Colorado, at the Renaissance Denver Hotel, 3801 Quebec Street, Denver Colorado 80207 from 2 p.m. MST to 4 p.m. MST and from 6 p.m. MST to 8 p.m. MST. For further information contact: Alan Kesterke at (307) 775-6001.
[Federal Register: October 6, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 194)]
NSF: The National Science Foundation is announcing the membership of the National Science Foundation's Senior Executive Service Performance Review Board. Comments should be addressed to Director, Division of Human Resource Management, National Science Foundation, Room 315, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA 22230. For further information contact Mr. Joseph F. Burt at (703) 292-8180.
[Federal Register: October 10, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 195)]
DOI: The Minerals Management Service is announcing a public hearing on the Draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the Proposed 5-Year Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Oil and Gas Leasing Program for 2007-2012 on November 14, 2006 at Radisson Hotel, 700 Monticello Avenue, Norfolk, Virginia at 1 p.m. For further information contact Dr. Norman Froomer at (703) 787-1644. More information on the Draft EIS can be accessed at http://www.mms.gov/5-year/.
[Federal Register: October 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 200)]
NASA: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is announcing the renewal of the charter for the NASA Advisory Council. The purpose of the Advisory Council is to provide advice and make recommendations to the NASA Administrator on Agency programs, policies, plans, financial controls and other matters pertinent to the Agency's responsibilities. For further information contact Diane Rausch at (202) 358-4510.
[Federal Register: October 17, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 200)]
NSF: The National Science Board and the National Science Foundation
(NSF) Director are soliciting nominations for evaluation and submission to the President. Nominations must be received by December 15, 2006 to Chairman, National Science Board, National Science Foundation, 4201 Wilson Boulevard, Room 1220, Arlington, VA 22230. For further information contact Michael P. Crosby at (703) 292-7000, mcrosby@nsf.gov or Mrs. Susan E. Fannoney (703) 292-8096, sfannone@nsf.gov.
[Federal Register: October 23, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 204)]
DOL: The Mine Safety and Health Administration of the Department of Labor is reopening the comment period to the proposed rule amending the criteria and procedures for proposed assessment of civil penalties. Comments marked “RIN: 1219-AB51” may be received at http://www.regulations.gov until November 9, 2006. For further information contact: Patricia W. Silvey at 202-693-9440, silvey.patricia@dol.gov.
[Federal Register: October 26, 2006 (Volume 71, Number 207)]
17. New Updates to the Web
The following updates and reports were added to the Government Affairs portion of AGI's web site www.agiweb.org/gap since the last monthly update:
Climate Change Policy (10-25-06)
Hearings on Global Earth Observations (10-6-06)
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Monthly Review prepared by Linda Rowan, Director of Government Affairs and Rachel Bleshman 2006 AGI/AAPG Fall Intern.
Sources: Washington Post, New York Times, Greenwire, E&E Daily, Library of Congress, Congressional Quarterly, NASAWatch, U.S. Census Bureau, Department of the Interior, Brookings Institute, American Bar Association, American Meteorological Society, Space Telescope Science Institute and American Association for the Advancement of Science.
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3) POSITION OPENINGS
2006-112
University of Northern Iowa
Assistant Professor of Geology and Science Education
The Department of Earth Science at the University of Northern Iowa invites applications for a tenure-track, assistant professor appointment beginning August 2007. We seek an earth science educator with an emphasis in geology. The successful candidate will teach undergraduate geology courses and undergraduate and graduate courses in science education, develop a research program in geology or science education, and advise undergraduate and masters’ students. The department expects a commitment to excellence in teaching and to conducting publishable research. A doctorate in Geology, Earth Science, Geoscience Education or related field with emphasis in geological applications is required at the time of appointment. Knowledge of current geoscience education research and innovative teaching techniques, and a record of successful teaching experience are also required. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience.
The Department of Earth Science has 9 full-time faculty (5 geologists, 2 astronomers, 1 meteorologist, and 1 earth science educator), a lab technician and approximately 80 majors, divided among geology, earth science and earth science teaching. The department prides itself on teaching excellence and the involvement of undergraduates in research. Science Education at UNI is an interdepartmental program consisting of faculty from science departments within the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Education. For additional information see www.earth.uni.edu and www.science-ed.uni.edu.
To apply send a letter of application, curriculum vitae, a brief statement of teaching and research interests and objectives, copies of transcripts, and the names, addresses, e-mail addresses and phone numbers of three references to Dr. Tim Cooney, Search Committee Chair, Department of Earth Science, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0335. E-mail applications will not be accepted. Applications received by January 12, 2007 will be given full consideration. The department encourages applications from minority persons, women, persons with disabilities and veterans. UNI is an Equal Opportunity Employer with a comprehensive plan for affirmative action.
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2006-113
University of Toronto, Department of Physics
Tenure Track Faculty Position in Solid Earth Geophysics
The Department of Physics at the University of Toronto is pleased to announce the search for a tenure-stream appointment in Solid Earth Geophysics at the rank of Assistant Professor. The starting date is on or after July 1, 2007. We seek exceptional candidates with interests in any field of Solid Earth Geophysics. The geophysics group currently has diverse experimental and theoretical interests in the fields of geodynamics, planetary physics, exploration geophysics, and geomagnetism. For more information, we invite prospective candidates to visit our homepage at http://www.physics.utoronto.ca/research/planetary/geophysics/.
For this position, we seek candidates with a Ph.D. in Physics or a related field, and proven excellence or outstanding potential in research and teaching. The salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. Please submit complete hard-copy applications only, including a curriculum vitae, list of publications, research plan, and arrange for three letters of reference to be submitted individually to:
Professor Michael Luke
Chair, Department of Physics
University of Toronto
60 St. George Street
Toronto, Ontario M5S 1A7
Canada
Applications will be reviewed beginning January 30, 2007 until the position is filled. Those received by January 30, 2007 will be given first consideration.
The University of Toronto offers the opportunity to teach, conduct research, and live in one of the most diverse cities in the world, and is strongly committed to diversity within its community. The University especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups and others who may contribute to further diversification of ideas. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
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2006-120
Kansas Geological Survey - University of Kansas, Lawrence
Deputy Director
Academic rank position to play major role in the planning and execution of research programs that position the Survey to meet earth-sciences challenges of the future. Ph.D. and professional experience in the geosciences with supervisory/management experience in scientific programs or organizations. Demonstrated experience in budgeting, personnel evaluation, and program development. Position provides opportunities to continue active research. Women and minority candidates are particularly encouraged to apply. Further information at www.kgs.ku.edu/General/jobs.html. Priority date: Feb. 1, 2007. For questions about the position contact Evan Franseen at evanf@kgs.ku.edu. EO/AA employer.
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