Rex Buchanan recognized for service to AGI

AGI has presented their 2018 William B. Heroy Jr. Award for Distinguished Service to AGI to Rex Buchanan, Director Emeritus of the Kansas Geological Survey (KGS). The AGI citation states that Rex’s contributions to AGI span decades and are among the highlights of his career as a geoscientist and science communicator, and as interim director of the KGS from 2010 to 2016.

https://www.americangeosciences.org/awards

David Applegate recognized for contributions to public understanding of geoscience

AGI has awarded their 2018 Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Public Understanding of the Geosciences to Dr. David Applegate, Associate Director for Natural Hazards at USGS. The AGI citation states that throughout, for example, frequent congressional testimony and media interviews, “Dave’s calm demeanor and penchant for explaining complicated information clearly to the general public in these interviews became hallmarks of his communication success.”

https://www.americangeosciences.org/awards

Robert G. Doyle, State Geologist of Maine from 1958 to 1979

Bob Doyle, former Director of the Maine Geological Survey, passed away on August 13. He developed a rigorous program in economic geology, and in 1967 oversaw the creation of the first modern statewide bedrock geologic map of Maine.  In his later years, he remained active in the geological community and introduced many students to geology through the courses he offered at the local community college. His obituary is available here.

Karen Berry, AASG President, 2018-2019

On July 1st, 2018, Karen Berry, State Geologist of Colorado, will become AASG President. Karen has been with the Colorado survey since 1999. Previously, she was an exploration geologist in Texas, engineering geologist in Arizona, geotechnical reclamation specialist, and a county geologist. She serves on several boards and commissions. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in geological engineering from Colorado School of Mines in 1982.

Frye Award to Texas

The AASG/GSA Frye Award recognizes the best nominated state geological survey publications in environmental geology. The 2018 Frye Award has been presented to Texas authors, for the 2017 publication, “Geological CO2 Sequestration Atlas for Miocene Strata Offshore Texas State Waters”, edited by R. H. Treviño and T. A. Meckel

http://www.beg.utexas.edu/node/4086

Mankin Award to New Mexico

The AASG Mankin Award recognizes the best nominated state geological survey publications in regional, energy, or mineral resource geology, with an emphasis on surface or subsurface geologic mapping, compilations, and associated reports. The 2018 Mankin Award has been presented to New Mexico authors, for Memoir 50 — Energy and Mineral Resources of New Mexico

https://geoinfo.nmt.edu/publications/monographs/memoirs/50/

Bob Marvinney is the longest-serving State Geologist

Bob Marvinney, State Geologist of Maine, is the longest-serving State Geologist, having been appointed in 1995. Bob is originally from New Jersey. After studying geology in college and graduate school, he worked briefly in the oil business in Houston before joining the Maine Geological Survey.

Simon Engelhart, State Geologist of Rhode Island

Simon Engelhart has been named State Geologist of Rhode Island. Among his many contributions, Simon has done research on relative sea-level changes from Last Glacial Maximum to present, glacial isostatic adjustment modeling, coastal paleoseismology and paleogeodesy, as well as paleoenvironmental reconstruction using micropaleontology. Simon holds degrees from Durham University and University of Pennsylvania.

Tim Cowman, State Geologist of South Dakota

Tim Cowman has been named State Geologist of South Dakota. Among his many contributions, Tim has done research on the historical and recent geology of the Missouri River, including the geomorphic processes that control river dynamics, river energy distribution, and sedimentation. He has a Master's Degree in Natural Sciences from University of South Dakota, and a Bachelor's Degree in Earth Sciences and Chemistry, also from USD.

Derric Iles completes his time as South Dakota State Geologist

After 39½ years with the South Dakota Geological Survey, and 21 years as State Geologist, Derric Iles retired on April 20, 2018. He contributed extensively to documenting the geology of his state, he hosted a superb 2013 AASG Annual Meeting, and he did an excellent job on AASG Executive as Treasurer. For his service, Derric received the 2018 AASG Distinguished Service Award. He and Irma will now retire to Missoula, Montana. 

AASG Annual Meeting, Delaware, June 3-7, 2018

Delaware State Geologist David Wunsch and the staff of the Delaware Geological Survey will host the 110^th Annual Meeting of the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) at the Atlantic Sands Hotel & Convention Center in Rehoboth Beach, from June 3^rd to 7^th, 2018. The web site and registration for invited attendees are now open:

http://sites.udel.edu/aasg-annual-meeting-2018/

Bud Hendry, former State Geologist of Florida

Charles Walter "Bud" Hendry Jr., State Geologist of Florida from 1971 to 1988, has passed away. Over 39 years with the Survey, he also was draftsman’s assistant, stratigrapher, water resource manager, Assistant State Geologist, and contributor to 19 Survey publications. He was a pioneer in informed water resource and land-use management, coauthor of ‘Springs of Florida’, and overseer of new mines and energy regulatory programs. Photo: State Archives of Florida

Emery Cleaves, former Maryland State Geologist

Emery Cleaves, Maryland State Geologist from 1992 to 2006, passed away on Saturday, February 3, 2018. He was President of the Association of American State Geologists in 2002-2003, and in 2010, he received the AASG Distinguished Service Award (DSA), as an indication of the many roles he played in AASG. He was highly engaged in water resource issues, and he was a tireless advocate for stream gauges. 

White House nominates Dr. James Reilly as USGS Director

On January 26th, the White House announced their nominee to be USGS Director - Dr. James F. Reilly, II, Ph.D., of Colorado Springs. Their release indicated that he is now an advisor for the U.S. Air Force, while he previously held management positions in academia and business. During his 13 year career at NASA, he flew 3 spaceflight missions, conducting 5 spacewalks for a total of over 856 hours in space. Prior to NASA, he was chief geologist at Enserch Exploration, Inc., where he worked in in Antarctica and the Gulf of Mexico. He earned his B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. in geosciences from the University of Texas at Dallas.

Michael Hohn stepping down as West Virginia State Geologist

Michael Hohn will retire from his position as Director and State Geologist, West Virginia Geological and Economic Survey, at the end of December, 2017, after twelve years of service in this position. On January 1st, 2018, coal geologist and paleobotanist Mitch Blake will move up to be his successor.

American Geosciences Institute Building Renovation

"Next year AGI will open its newly renovated state-of-the-art LEED-certified, Energy Star building to share our space, resources, and science expertise with local non-profit organizations, schools, small businesses and community partners. The newly refurbished space will provide AGI staff and community partners with more opportunities to host educational programs and workshops with hundreds of new students and teachers, local community leaders and small businesses in the Alexandria community."

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Executive Order on Critical Minerals

A Presidential executive order on a federal strategy to ensure secure and reliable supplies of critical minerals, issued December 20, 2017, includes the assertion that the USA is limited by a lack of comprehensive, machine-readable data concerning topographical, geological, and geophysical surveys. Among several actions, the order calls for a plan to improve the topographic, geologic, and geophysical mapping of the United States and make the resulting data and metadata electronically accessible.

DOI Secretary Ryan Zinke followed up with a secretarial order, directing the initial steps to producing the first nationwide geological and topographical survey of the United States in modern history, and also to begin work on identifying domestic sources for critical minerals.

Tim Petty nominated to be an Assistant Secretary of the Interior (Water and Science)

Dr. Petty has been serving as Deputy Legislative Director and Legislative Assistant on issues of water, natural resources, environment, science, technology and telecommunications and space for U.S. Senator James E. Risch of Idaho, a member of the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Previously, Dr. Petty served as Acting Assistant Secretary and Deputy Assistant Secretary for Water & Science at DOI under President George W. Bush. He earned a Ph.D. from the University of Alaska Fairbanks; an M.S. from University of Maryland University College; and a B.S. from Purdue University (Indiana). Prior to his current Senate service, Dr. Petty worked for U.S. Senators Connie Mack of Florida and Rick Santorum of Pennsylvania. In addition, Dr. Petty worked in California and Indiana as a geologist and hydrogeologist.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2017/11/13/president-donald-j-trump-announces-intent-nominate-personnel-key

10th North American 3D Geological Mapping Workshop

The 1815 William Smith geological map of England and Wales, seen as the first geological map, was 3D to the extent that it was accompanied by cross-sections. Since then, geological mapping has become fundamental to all geoscience. In the late 1990s, geological survey agencies began to more comprehensively map the thickness and properties of multiple strata, and selected deformed structures, in a 3D GIS environment. 3D models are quickly becoming the standard for assessing resource potential and geological risk for both industry and government, and are frequently used to assist with stakeholder engagement and communication. Speakers from North America, Europe, and China are confirmed. The workshop is a pre-meeting short course at RFG2018. The workshop will be held Saturday and Sunday, June 16-17, 2018, in Vancouver, Canada. The fee is $240.00, with lunches included. 

AGI critical issues webinar on Geologic Mapping to Empower Communities: Examples from the Great Lakes

Less than one-third of the U.S. is mapped at the level of detail necessary to make informed planning decisions concerning natural resources, hazards, infrastructure, and environmental stewardship. The Great Lakes Geologic Mapping Coalition (GLGMC) therefore is producing detailed 3D geologic maps that are helping to provide decision-relevant information to Great Lakes state communities. Due to similar geology, state geological surveys in this region can work together with USGS, sharing their expertise to better address geologic issues. The American Geosciences Institute webinar, December 6 at 1:30 PM EST and then available on YouTube,  will introduce geologic mapping, showcase projects from the GLGMC, and describe planning decisions based on their work. The speakers will be Dick Berg and Jason Thomason of Illinois State Geological Survey, Harvey Thorleifson of Minnesota Geological Survey, and John Yellich of Michigan Geological Survey