AASG Executive Committee Conference Call

AASG 2012 Mid-Year Meeting Hilton Charlotte City Center, Graves Room, 3rd Floor Charlotte, North Carolina Tuesday, November 6, 2012

7:00 AM – Breakfast

8:00 AM – Welcome, Introductions

Presentation of the 2012 John C. Frye Memorial Award

Citation by Vince Matthews:

Environmental geology has steadily risen in prominence over recent decades, and to support the growth of this important field, the John C. Frye Memorial Award was established in 1989 by GSA and AASG. John C. Frye joined USGS in 1938, he went to the Kansas Geological Survey in 1942, he was its Director from 1945 to 1954, he was Chief of the Illinois State Geological Survey until 1974, and he was GSA Executive Director until his retirement in 1982, shortly before his death. John was active in AASG and on national committees, and was influential in the growth of environmental geology.

The John C. Frye Memorial Award is given each year to a nominated environmental geology publication released in one of the three preceding calendar years, either by GSA or by a state geological survey. The nominated publications identify a geologically based environmental issue, provide sound and substantive information pertinent to the problem, relate geology to the issue, and present information directly usable by geologists, other professionals such as land-use planners and engineers, and ideally also by informed laypersons. The selection committee assesses uniqueness, significance as a model, and overall worthiness.

This year, six excellent nominated publications were quantitatively scored by a selection committee chaired by State Geologist of Kentucky Jim Cobb, using the advertised guidelines as the basis of the scoring. Although all of the nominations were superb, and the competition was very close, one nominated publication stood above the rest, and the committee was unanimous in their choice. On behalf of AASG and GSA, it therefore gives me great pleasure to announce that the winner of the 2012 John C. Frye Memorial Award for publications in environmental geology is “Natural Acid Rock Drainage Associated with Hydrothermally Altered Terrane in Colorado”, by John T. Neubert, Jeffrey P. Kurtz, Dana J. Bove, and Matthew A. Sares; published in 2011 by Colorado Geological Survey, and nominated this year by Vince Matthews, State Geologist of Colorado. Congratulations to the authors, and we are pleased that Matt Sares is here to receive the award on behalf of himself and his co-authors.

Remarks by Matt Sares.

1 8:10 AM – Presentation by Lee Allison on Geothermal & Info

As summarized by Lee a few days after GSA: “We envision opportunities to use the US Geoscience Information Network (USGIN) to power additional projects like the National Geothermal Data System (NGDS) to the benefit AASG. One such opportunity has come forward in the past few days.

We will participate in a webinar workshop with DOE on Nov 28, to demo the AASG State Geothermal Data project results and potential as related to the Energy-Water Nexus. The DOE Geothermal Technologies Program selected us to make the presentation as having the greatest potential for their program on this topic.

Two Energy-Water Nexus workshops have been held on the topics of Cooling for Electricity Generation, and Water for Energy Production, including but not limited to biomass, fracking, and enhanced oil recovery. We will address the area of Datasets and Models at the Energy/Water Interface. Our intent is to demonstrate the vast amount of water and energy data we are already making available and interoperable, and that the USGIN/NGDS platform is scalable and transportable to serve a wider range of Energy-Water Nexus activities across all of DOE.

The DOE briefing materials state “In its recent report on the Energy-Water Nexus (http://www.gao.gov/assets/650/648306.pdf), the GAO published DOE’s management response which specifically notes DOE’s commitment to pursue further integration of water in existing energy programs. These initial workshops are intended to surface insights that can inform recommendations to DOE leadership regarding the integration of water in DOE energy R&D programs. The goals of the workshops are to help programs learn from each other’s efforts at a more actionable level, and to identify cross-cutting R&D, analytical, and policy challenges and opportunities.”

We have nearly one million petroleum and water wells (and vast amounts of other water and energy data) online and integrated in a national operational and distributed data network through NGDS using USGIN protocols. A year from now, I predict we will exceed 2 million such records accessible through our system. This is a tremendous resource that can be leveraged to meet DOE objectives across all forms of energy production. There is nothing comparable to this in the world (although many projects are hurrying to replicate our architecture and approach).

At the upcoming AGU Fall Meeting, we will be ‘branding’ our project under the NGDS banner for the first time at the exhibit booth and promotional/informational materials. We took over the NGDS website and sustainability duties this fall, so that the AASG project is now the voice (and effectively the manager) of NGDS.

President Thorleifson indicated that Lee has the full support of AASG.

2 8:40 AM – Update on AASG Foundation, AASG Foundation President David Wunsch

AASGF President Wunsch has received the documents from Jamie Robertson from our investment firm, based in Wisconsin, to transfer signatory and management authority of financial resources; he completed his portions of the forms, and forwarded them on to AASGF Treasurer Scholle. Treasurer Scholle has prepared a draft proposal for a student intern initiative.

AASGF President Wunsch has spoken with Congressional Fellow Kelly Kryc, who previously worked as a grant program director for the Moore Foundation. She provided a wealth of information such as the importance of how and why to match up an organization with and appropriate donors, using subscription data bases, and crafting an effective message. He followed up with Kelly recently, and asked if she might be interested in performing a small consulting service to AASGF, such as:

• Review the AASGF website, mission, promotional materials currently in development, and offer a critique; provide tips based on her experience as a grant program director • Evaluate our materials for the effectiveness of our message, key words to either include or refrain from using • Suggestions for tools and database services to consider using for matching our needs with potential donors; pros and cons of AASGF potentially partnering with another similar geoscience NPO, or sharing the use of these types of services

9:00 AM – Call to order, Agenda, Minutes

States represented by Members or their designates: AL, AZ, CA, CO, DE, FL, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MI, MN, NC, NM, NV, PA, SC, TX, VA, WI, WV

A quorum was present. The agenda was agreed to.

Motion and second to approve Austin 2012 Annual Meeting minutes; carried.

Report of President Thorleifson

• Appreciation was again expressed to Vicki McConnell for the excellent job she did as 2011-2012 AASG President. It was a pleasure to present a plaque to Vicki at the superb Austin meeting. • I emailed remarks from the Incoming President to the AASG community on June 14th. • My Incoming President remarks included an indication that the Mid-Year would be a closed, AASG planning session. • Effort in late June & July to finalize our hydraulic fracturing position statement went well; there was no precedent for the procedure we should use for something this sensitive – we simply worked by consensus, with the objective being to produce something that all Members were adequately comfortable with. • Excellent willingness to fulfill AASG volunteer roles was expressed by all as committee membership & appointments were confirmed, and sent out in July.

3 • The Ex Officio Statemap panel position has been left vacant, with no firm plan for the future; USGS was looking for cost-cutting opportunities. • Annual meeting resolutions were distributed to intended parties. • ‘Officer Duties’ were updated and distributed. • ‘Liaison Procedure’ was updated & forwarded to the President Elect along with digital & hard copy files. • Discussion with MI resulted in their request that Al Kehew be the AASG Member; our bylaws say that Members are directors of state geological surveys; the Statistician determined that Alan’s group is the survey – this indicated Al should be the Member; within the State, our good friend Hal will be known as the State Geologist, as the person with this title has regulatory functions; this has happened before, where the State Geologist is not the AASG Member • I asked newly appointed Committee chairs to review and comment on relevant portions of the USGS plan. • I wrote to new Members to welcome them to AASG. • A draft dues plan was shared with Executive and a few past Executive members in late July; discussion focused on the pros and cons of tiered dues. • Much effort was invested into following up on the Information Strategy led by Vicki; focus was on document handling, with the objective being to be able to find any document going back a century within seconds, and also to be able to recognize if a key document is missing; we are merging the historic & born-digital archives, in pdf or doc format; Simone in AK & Jerry in KY are now leading the way. • Jay & I met with USGS and NASA personnel in August to discuss strategy for nationwide lidar; I provided info to the AASG community. • I spoke with people at AGU, and indicated that we would be happy to try to help arrange an AASG speaker for their spring policy conference, while strongly hinting that a financial partnership is unlikely. • I will work with the Awards Chair to find an appropriate implementation for the Mankin Award. • I wrote to each member, asking them to update the status of their Associates appointments & info. • I wrote to appropriators to advocate for retention of EarthScope seismic monitoring stations. • I wrote to appropriators to discourage the deep cuts to USGS proposed by the House. • I organized two Executive teleconferences - brainstorming sessions with no minutes • A summary of AASG planning shared on October 28 included the suggestion that a dues increase be deferred due to lack of pressing need, and that a change in tax status not be considered at this time.

4 Report of Past President McConnell

The Past President was absent, although preparations are in place regarding awards and nominations; the Past President also was active in the successful Earth Science Week Geologic Map Day.

Report of President Elect Parrish

A successful Liaison was held September 9-12, attended by 8. Spring Liaison is March 10-13, with Pick and Gavel on March 12. Discussion focused on how important Liaison is, with twice a year the minimum frequency.

Report of Vice President Arthur

2012 Annual Meeting: 166 total pre-registered; 38 State Geologists; 14 Associates; 17 Honoraries; 20 State & Federal Employees (13 USGS); 9 invited speakers; 6 geo-society representatives; 38 spouses and guests, 7 kids, 14 BEG Staff, 3 Foundation sponsors. USGS again provided a meeting grant of $10k. Sponsorship was also provided to BEG from additional gracious donors. The AASG Foundation supported the Screening of Switch, as well as travel for State Geologists that applied. The Annual Meeting poll was completed and results distributed to the membership. Comments on the meeting were overwhelmingly positive, which many thanks extended to our Texas host.

2013 Annual Meeting: Deadwood, South Dakota, June 9-13, 2013. All meeting plans and field trips have been set and finalized. Target meeting registration maximum cost is $400 if no USGS funding. Meeting agenda in development – session input welcomed – contact your local VP. Pre- meeting field trip Sunday, June 9, Badlands NP with NPS paleontologist and SDGS staff leading. Mid-meeting field trip to Sanford Underground Research Facility – Homestake Gold Mine. Post-meeting field trip, Thursday, June 13, Mammoth Site – Hot Springs, then Wind Cave NP led by NPS staff.

Future Annual Meetings 2013 – Deadwood, SD – June 9-13, 2013 2014 – Lexington, KY – June 8-12, 2014 2015 – Arizona 2016 – Fairbanks, AK 2017 – Missouri 2018 – Pleased to announce a welcome and appreciated invitation from DELAWARE! 2019 – Montana

Post cards have been shared, in addition to current GSA, at NCSL (Chicago, August, 2012; Thank you Don McKay), MINExpo (Las Vegas, September, 2012; Thank you Jon Price) and next stop is 2013 NCSL Legislative Forum will be held in Atlanta Georgia, August 12-15, 2013. AASG booth at GSA, Charlotte NC, November 4-7 is #635 in the Exhibition Hall. Post cards continue to be highly popular, especially among students. The Geothermal program has paid ½

5 of the booth rental, $475, for a total cost of $950. An inventory of postcards will be completed after this meeting and a call made to replenish supplies.

Report of Secretary Gillman

Secretary was absent, and minutes were taken by Greer Price. Annual Meeting minutes were prepared and circulated in time to be approved at the current meeting. Documents were submitted to the web site.

Report of Treasurer Hohn

Budget: A table of income and expense and the approved budget were provided. Expenses to date were also shown.

Dues Income: Forty-eight states have now paid 2012 dues.

Communications and Meetings: Details on closeout of the 2012 Annual Meeting are pending. We received $8,206.66 for Pick and Gavel expenses from the AASG Foundation. Note: Income exceeds the budget in 2012 because the expense was incurred in the previous fiscal year, and payment received in the current year. Expected reduction to $4,000 in AASG Foundation support for Pick and Gavel will occur in 2013-14 fiscal year. The Modified Budget reflects this reality.

Dues and Contributions Paid to Other Organizations: Dues or contributions have been paid to AGI ($5,000), AGI Government Affairs ($3,250), USGS Coalition ($300), and the National Association of Geoscience Teachers Field Camp Scholarship Program ($1,000).

Administration: Our tax preparer, Paul Armour, submitted IRS form 990 on October 14, 2012.

Meetings: All invoices for Fall Liaison were paid; because of relatively low attendance, expense exceeded income from the registration fees collected. Invoices were sent out for this Mid-Year meeting and some checks received. The anticipated amount to be received based on preregistration ($690) is entered on the budget spreadsheet, although not yet included in the year- to-date cash flow. Spring Liaison expenses this period were for the spring 2012 meeting.

Account Balances: One of our investments (Key Bank) reached maturity at the end of September and will be reinvested. We also have too much in cash and additional money will be added to our investment account.

Financial Health of the Association: Accompanying this report are cash flow summaries for the past four years. They show that we are generally in good shape financially, dependent of course on no changes in our income and expense streams. Individual years might be in the red, but the overall pattern is that we are in the black. According to the statements we receive from Merrill Lynch, total cash and investment assets (on a cost basis) increased about $8,327 between May 31st 2008 and the same date this year. This is consistent with the overall positive balance in income and expense over the same period of $8,219.92, the difference probably being due to lags

6 in deposits being credited to our accounts. Balances in the spreadsheet below differ from these cash flow reports partly for the same reason.

Report of Honorary Members Representatives Chair Steinmetz

We presently have 61 Honorary Members.

Report of Associates Representative Weisenfluh

Excellent progress is being made at consolidating the AASG Document Archive, in cooperation with the Webmaster and President.

Reports from Editor, Statistician, & Historian

Editor Spears: excellent progress on the Journal.

Statistician Allis was not present, but suggestions are welcome.

Historian Bograd was not present, but would like to clarify state of the hard copy archives.

Reports from Committee Chairs

Water Committee Chair Wunsch: may co-host a congressional briefing on groundwater monitoring and geologic mapping

Information Committee Chair Allison: research collaboration network workshop on core repositories workshop coming up

10:00 AM – Break

10:20 AM – NDEP, presentation by Mapping Chair Jay Parrish on national lidar

Under the National Digital Elevation Program (NDEP), there is potential for a program in support of national lidar comparable to NCGMP. We would want to ensure the supportiveness of the Management Association for Private Photogrammetric Surveyors (MAPPS), and we will need to carefully consider our partnership with National States Geographic Information Council (NSGIC).

10:35 AM – NCGMP, general discussion on Statemap; President Thorleifson

Our more focused presence in DC, resulting from the Strategic Framework and the Action Plan, has brought very positive results. In February 2011, the President’s budget proposal included a $3M cut to NCGMP, and Data Preservation was zeroed. President Cobb led a vigorous communications effort, supported by our new contract with AGI. The March 2011 Liaison focused on Appropriations members; this was followed up by Testimony prepared & presented by Jon Price, and ongoing contact with Members’ offices, and letter-writing coordinated by Jim.

7 September 2011 Liaison focused on the Senate. In late 2011, both programs were restored during the budget conference.

The budget proposal released in February 2012 was much more positive – level funding for Data Preservation and a $1.5M increase for NCGMP to $28M. In summer 2012, however, the House Appropriations Committee voted to flat-fund NCGMP at $26.3 million. In September, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee recommended $28.241 million Regarding Data Preservation, House Appropriations voted in June to flat-fund the NGGDPP at $0.996 million. The Senate Appropriations Subcommittee draft bill accepts the request for a merged subactivity that Data Preservation would be part of, but recommends funding it at $2 million less than the President’s request; it remains unclear how NGGDPP would be funded within the subactivity in the Chairman’s mark until accompanying language such as a Conference Report is submitted. Presently, a 6-month continuing resolution is in effect.

10:50 AM – NGGDPP, impending program announcement

The February 2011 budget proposal zeroed NGGDPP, so there was no program announcement in the autumn. The late 2011 budget conference restored Data Preservation funding, so the 2011/2012 program announcement was launched in late winter and spring. This set the cycle back. Now, with a continuing resolution in place, money will be in place for a 2012/2013 cycle of Data Preservation funding. USGS had asked for AASG advice on whether the new program announcement should be issued, or delayed. Those in the room strongly agreed that we should request no delay. John Steinmetz agreed to work with USGS in getting the announcement out ASAP.

11:00 AM – Update on AASG Planning

President Thorleifson opened by discussing our important role as State Geologists, and how we are determined to be respected and influential. He noted that we have a quarter billion dollars per year to work with in total funding, and that AASG is a remarkably cohesive and effective organization.

President Thorleifson noted that money can be translated into power; given that our dues are seen by many as being low, it seemed apparent that our effectiveness could readily be enhanced with a dues increase.

The President noted that a DC office would cost $300k/year, and to do this, we would need to recover $6000 from each state, or charge dues of a thousand dollars per million dollars of funding to each state geological survey. Another way to do this would be to attract a ~ $10M endowment. He argued that if we continue to think that this is a possibility, however, we need to think much harder about what would that office look like, and what the staff would do.

There seems to be a willingness among AASG members to raise dues, maybe double, if this is needed. We need to clarify what this would be for. In fact, it may be possible to simply say that we don’t need to raise dues if we don’t hire staff, beyond the current $10k/year contract with AGI for custom information.

8 He added that our $10k/y contract with AGI provides a foundation for our activity in DC, and we will stick with this contract. AASGF support for the Pick and Gavel offsets the AGI contract, and AASG finances are stable. He added that AASG could give $50k to AASGF and still be fine. He then expressed the opinion that we don’t need to raise dues, but that we should be ready to do so in an instant if we need to. In fact, if we are unwilling to carry an AASG deficit, whether we raise dues is up to AASGF in relation to transfers. He thought that a good approach might be to minimize dues, and maximize giving to the Foundation.

He added that the consensus of the AASG planning meeting held in Portland in 2009 was to hire a registered lobbyist. This had required consideration of 501c4 status. But the Portland plan was not implemented. The President suggested that our 501c3 status does not constrain us from anything that we want to do. Thinking had changed, so 501c4 status would represent effort and expense for nothing or worse if it actually constrained our activity in some ways.

In summary, President Thorleifson stated that AASG is doing fine as is, that we need to work out the AASG/AASGF balance of roles, that dues don’t need to rise pending AASGF support, that we will keep up the AGI contract, that our Annual Meeting could make $100k/year, and that our focus needs to turn to DC more and more, or we might not be doing so fine by spring. He then briefly noted that the Status of Surveys initiative, to assess what mapping we have and what we need, being developed with USGS, may be a key aspect of our future strategy.

There was very positive discussion during and after the President’s presentation.

11:45 AM – New Business

Discussion on workforce issues needed at Annual Meeting.

Noon – Adjourn