In 1999, the eve of the beginning of the third millennium, it is important for the New Hampshire Geological Society (NHGS) members to step up their efforts to fulfill our mission of promoting earth science in our community. The NHGS strives for this goal by encouraging education, research, service and public awareness of the geological sciences, and specifically New Hampshire geology.
Why make an extra effort now? Because there are recent state and national geologic initiatives which presently facilitate attainment of NHGS goals. These include Governor Shaheen's September 1998 proclamation for Earth Science Week, the political momentum which is building in support of a state license for professional geologists (see the New Hampshire Council of Professional Geologists (NHCPG) article by Dorothy Richter in this issue), and the public's recent yearn for big screen renditions of geologic and environmental phenomena.
It may be odd to reference a medium such as movies within The Granite State Geologist, but consider how film lately has increased the public's awareness of earth science. Geology-related fields such as oceanography (The Titanic), volcanology (Dante's Peak, Volcano), paleontology (Jurassic Park I/II), astronomy (Contact, Deep Impact, Armageddon), and meteorology (Twister!) have been featured in bits and pieces within an array popular movies.
According to the National Ground Water Association (NGWA), interest in hydrogeology and waste sites will most certainly be piqued with the movie release of the book A Civil Action regarding the famous Woburn, MA case. Herein lies an opportunity. In New Hampshire, about 55 percent of the households have groundwater as their drinking water supply, most of which are from private wells. Questions regarding groundwater and contamination will inevitably arise from people you know. By responding to these concerns appropriately, NHGS members can help educate the public regarding geology, and the importance it plays in controlling groundwater availability, quality and contaminant cleanup alternatives. Check with the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (DES) in Concord or the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) office in Pembroke for public information on groundwater. You will find that, thanks to the efforts of the environmental community and DES, the vast majority of the groundwater supply is healthful.
The NHCPG is also achieving a great deal of momentum toward establishing regulation for the professional practice of geology within the state. In order for a regulatory statute regarding professional practice to be enacted, the NH legislature must realize the need and support for such legislation. It is imperative that NHGS members assist the NHCPG in obtaining legislation to regulate the geologic profession. In doing so, we will have achieved a marked increase in public awareness regarding geology in New Hampshire.
One of my main goals for NHGS will be to make Earth Science Week an important milestone within our geologic timelines. Earth Science Week takes place the second full week of October, which is for 1999 is the 11th through 16th. In New Hampshire, the inaugural week was preceded by presentation of the new USGS Bedrock Geologic Map of New Hampshire and the commendation of the late Dr. John Lyons. Earth Science Week, which is a national initiative lead by the American Geological Institute, offers NHGS a great opportunity to focus attention on the role geology plays in our lives. It will be on the NHGS agenda to have an Earth Science Week task force to support Eugene Boudette, the State Geologist, in development of public outreach programs geared toward this end. Suggestions would be welcome (also see http://www.earthsciweek.org).
The following is also on my wish list for the NHGS during the next twelve months: increased attendance at meetings especially amongst the undergraduate and graduate community and faculty, more volunteers for our committees, implementation of a colloquium or seminar format during one of our three dinner meetings, additional guest speakers, exciting geology field trips, memberships paid-in-full, sponsorships, and donations, and support of the NHCPG in their push for legislation.
On behalf of the NHGS, I would like to express our gratitude to Greg Kirby, Gene Simmons and Dorothy Richter for their contributions as past Board Members. Greg Kirby's energy and enthusiasm as President has certainly been noteworthy and will be missed. Hopefully, he will continue to contribute as Past-President. These individuals, in addition to continuing board members Lee Wilder, Gretchen Rich and Tim Allen, committee members Steve Shope and Nelson Eby, and the former Ad Hoc Committee have put in a lot of time and effort for the benefit of the Society and the professional geologist and are acknowledged herein.
I look forward to an exciting year for New Hampshire geology . See you at the next meeting, April 8th!
We presently have 174 names on our mailing list. Of this group, 121 are current members and paid-up for the 1998 - 1999 membership year. This number has been fairly consistent over the past two years.
The membership year runs from June 1st through May 31st. The status of your membership (as of mid-January) is listed on your address label. If the date does not read "1999," then your membership has expired, and we would urge you to become current.
If you know someone who may like to join, please have them call me at 603-778-3988, and I will gladly send them an application form.
Starting Balance, 1 January, 1998 5,518.87
Income
Dues 2,517.00
January 1998 Meeting 694.00
April 1998 Meeting 578.50
Summer 1998 Picnic 351.00
Dividend/Interest Income 139.05
Mineral Raffle 104.50
October 1998 Meeting 661.50
Donations 75.00
Total 5,120.55
Expenses
January 1998 Meeting 514.90
April 1998 Meeting 862.78
Summer 1998 Picnic 464.89
October 1998 Meeting 810.80
Postage/Copying 22.40
Bank Fees 78.68
Newsletter Publication 537.07
Insurance 206.00
Deposit for Booth 50.00
Scholarship 538.88
Total 4,086.40
Ending Balance, 31 December, 1998 6,553.02
Bank Account Balances, 31 December, 1998
Savings Account 5,184.30
Checking Account 557.39
Oppenheimer Money Market 811.33
Total 6,553.02
The New Hampshire Geological Society (NHGS) and the New Hampshire Council of Professional Geologists (NHCPG) are complementary organizations. The history of the two groups is intimately intertwined, but their goals are somewhat different. NHGS is a scientific society, and NHCPG is a business association concerned with the professional practice of geology. If you live in New Hampshire or are interested in the geology of New Hampshire, you really should support and belong to both. Conveniently, Gretchen Rich is the Treasurer of both NHGS and NHCPG.
The NHGS was formed in 1990, largely as a result of the failed first legislative effort in 1989 to certify geologists in New Hampshire, and it has grown to be the geological society in the state. With over 150 members, NHGS holds three dinner meetings with a technical speaker each year, a geological field trip each summer, and in most years, a family/geological summer picnic/field trip. In addition, NHGS sponsors both scholarships/travel grants that educators can use to attend science teachers' workshops, and materials grants that educators can use to purchase earth science classroom supplies. The NHGS seeks to advance understanding of the geology of the state, and provides a matchless forum for congenial interactions with fellow geologists and interested non-geologists. The next NHGS dinner meeting will be at 6 pm on Thursday, April 8th. Come, enjoy.
The NHCPG grew out of discussions that began at the January 1998 NHGS meeting, where the issue of what, if anything, we geologists should be doing about regulation of the profession first arose. After that meeting, an informal Ad Hoc Committee met seven times between January and September. THe fact-finding of the Ad Hoc Committee culminated in the formal organization and incorporation of the NHCPG in October, 1998, in order to provide a framework for dealing with issues of the professional practice of geology and to promote a legislative effort to regulate such professional practices. To achieve its mission, the NHCPG has undertaken a fund-raising campaign to pay for the expenses of passing legislation (including the cost of hiring a lobbyist) and for membership in the National Association of State Boards of Geology (ASBOG) in order to get access to its written examination currently used in twenty states. NHCPG meetings don't include pleasant dinners and are certainly less fun than NHGS', but they are important to the future of the professional practice of geology in the State of New Hampshire. NHCPG needs your input at meetings, and especially needs your financial support. If you think you will opt to "grandfather" under New Hampshire's legislation, you really ought to help get the legislation passed by sending a personal contribution and by encouraging your employer to provide corporate sponsorship.
The NHCPG has retained Greg Smith and Teresa Rosenberger of the McLane law firm to lobby the legislature. The lobbyists assisted members of the NHCPG Legislative Committee in drafting proposed legislation for the licensing of professional geologists in New Hampshire. The Legislative Committee worked long and hard, producing a bill that should be a clear benefit to the health and welfare of the citizens of New Hampshire. The bill will be introduced in the 1999 legislative session.
The NHCPG has already met with representatives from the Consulting Engineers of New Hampshire (CENH), and has invited representatives from CENH, NHSPE, ASCE-NH, SENH, the NH Board of Professional Engineers, the NH Joint Board, and the NHDES, as well as NHGS and AIPG, to participate in a Joint Working Group in order to receive input from the related professions and build support for the proposed legislation.
The NHCPG asks that all interested geologists convey their thoughts, concerns, etc. to either Tim Stone or Dorothy Richter. We want your input, be we also need to provide a unified, positive voice in this critical phase of the legislative process. We must avoid mixed messages from the geological community inadvertently turning into misunderstandings by the various parties in this process. There simply is no reason for this bill to be controversial. Remember, we feel this legislation is good for the related professions as well as the public.
Regular meetings of the NHCPG are held at 5:30 pm on the first Wednesday of each month in a first-floor conference room at the NHDES offices on Hazen Drive in Concord. All interested geologists are invited to attend any or all of these meetings„mark these dates: March 3, April 7, May 5, and June 2.
In Issue 24 of The Granite State Geologist, we published a letter we found on the internet, addressed to Ann Landers, in which "A Jealous & Bitterly Resentful Wife of an Engineer" wishes she had married a geologist.
Ann replies:
DEAR JEALOUS: I've been swamped with letters from the lucky wives, daughters, husbands, mothers, and sisters of geologists. They've given me a real education, and made me feel a little jealous too. Read on:
PORTLAND: Geologists ARE different. And I say "Vive la difference!" I thought maybe I was the luckiest woman ever to have been born, but I have found that other geologist's wives have similar experiences. My geologist husband has more sensitivity and consideration than 10 "normal" men, selflessly making life safe, loving and meaningful for others. I am so lucky to have this man in my life!
DENVER: Ann, the best piece of advice you could pass along to your readers is this: If you can't be one yourself, do whatever it takes to associate with as many geologists as you can. My life has been rich, so meaningful, since I divorced the egghead engineer I was married to for 12 years. If I weren't so ecstatic nearly all my waking hours, I would be in despair over all that wasted time. But in retrospect, I would have traded fifty years with "Mr. Pocket-Protector" for just a few weeks of the blissful existence I have with my big lovable rockhound. He has shown me all the richness that life holds. I spend hours just basking in the warmth of his vast knowledge of life, the universe, and everything. He has so much beauty and understanding. And he's always ready to share that gift. He's able to explain the most incredibly complex concepts in a way that helps you understand, and makes you feel just plain good all over. And how can anyone be so perfect, yet so warm and sensitive to the needs of others? Think of the world we would have if everyone were a geologist!
Check out http://nhgs.org/NHGS/, where you will find online a complete set of back-issues of The Granite State Geologist as well as a directory to world-wide web resources pertaining to New Hampshire Geology. Your contributions of links and other ideas are welcomed! Send them to tallen@keene.edu
With the help of the New Hampshire Geological Society, the Marland Pratt Billings and Katharine Fowler-Billings Fund for Research in New England Geology was established in 1996, honoring the contributions of Marland and Kay Billings to the study of the geology of New England. The purpose of the Billings Fund is to encourage geological field work and related research in the New England region, and also to ensure the continued financial viability of the New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference, which held its 88th annual meeting in 1996 at Mount Washington in New Hampshire.
The Fund is managed as part of the endowment of the Mount Washington Observatory, of which the Billings were longtime members and supporters. The purposes of the Fund are entirely consistent with the scientific and educational mission of the Observatory. The Fund is overseen by a committee consisting presently of MWO and NHGS members Tim Allen, Keene State College; Brian K. Fowler, Mt. Washington Observatory, and Mark Van Baalen, Harvard University (chair).
Contributions to the Fund have already amounted to several thousand dollars, and it is hoped that the principal will grow over the years from contributions. Since the Mount Washington Observatory is a 5O1(c)(3) corporation, these contributions will be tax deductible. Contributions to the Billings Fund may be sent in care of the Mount Washington Observatory, P.O. Box 2310, North Conway, NH 03860. Questions about the Billings Fund should be directed to Mark Van Baalen, EPS Dept., Harvard University, 20 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA, 02138; 617-495-3237, mvb@harvard.edu.
The Billings Fund is now inviting applications for student field work grants. One or two grants (probably in the range of $500 to $1000) will be offered in time for the 1999 field season. The purpose of these grants is to foster continued field work in New England, much of which builds on the pioneering contributions of Marland and Kay Billings. These grants are limited to funding expenses related to field work (e.g. field equipment and supplies, transport, accommodations, and the preparation of maps) and would not fund a new hard disk for a computer or lab fees for sample analysis, etc.
Fulltime students may apply for grants directly, provided that a letter of support from the faculty advisor is included. Faculty members may also apply for grants for their fulltime students, although applications from students are preferred. Students need not be enrolled in a college or university in the six New England states, but the proposed field work must take place in these states.
A description of the proposed project should include the purpose and goals of the field work, and should describe deliverable items resulting from the field work, e.g. a geologic map and report. If awarded a grant, the student must agree to provide to the Billings Fund Committee a copy of the project results, and the Billings Fund should be acknowledged in any publications resulting from the project.
Proposals have no specific format or length, but 3-5 pages might be appropriate. Proposals should describe how the project will contribute to our knowledge of New England geology, and indicate hypotheses to be tested. A project time line and description of the previous experience of the student would be appropriate as well. The Billings Fund Committee wants to make sure that projects are scientifically worthwhile, do-able in a finite amount of time, and will produce a result.
The deadline for applications is March 1, 1999, and awards will be announced by May 1, 1999. Written applications should be submitted to Mark Van Baalen, Harvard University, EPS Dept., 20 Oxford St., Cambridge, MA 02138; mvb@harvard.edu.
The New Hampshire Geological Society is soliciting applications for the Lincoln R. Page Scholarship. This scholarship will reimburse award winners up to $300 for expenses related to their continuing education in the earth sciences. The scholarship is open to any and all individuals who seek to continue their earth-science education in a manner consistent with the purposes of the New Hampshire Geological Society. K-12 teachers are especially encouraged to apply. Appropriate expenses would include travel to regional or national earth-science related conferences, course tuition, etc... Applications should consist of a one-page letter explaining the purposes for which funds are sought, and how an award would benefit the individual and meet the purposes of the NHGS. The application should be accompanied by a letter of endorsement from the applicant's school principal, faculty advisor, or employer as appropriate. We anticipate that only one award will be made per year.
The Society also offers a Classroom Enhancement Grant. Teachers from across the state are invited to submit proposals for a grant of funds (up to $300) to support the purchase of earth-science related teaching materials (equipment or supplies) for use in their classroom.
Applications and proposals will be considered as they are received, and should be sent to: The New Hampshire Geological Society, Scholarship Requests, Suite 133, 26 South Main St., Concord, NH 03301.
NHGS Members: Please help spread the word about these programs by talking with the teachers in your local school district! These programs are funded with the proceeds from mineral raffles at NHGS meetings and other contributions, as well as your NHGS Membership Dues. Thank you for your continued support!
The Granite State Geologist is seeking authors to research and write short articles on several topics about NH geology, including (but not limited to):
1. Geology of the Ossipee Ring Dike Complex, including bibliography and suggested field trip stops. This is a classic structure about which many igneous petrology students are interested. Are there sources for aerial photos of the range which show the ring dike formation?
2. The granite quarries of New Hampshire (Milford, Concord, Conway, others?), including geology of the granites, historical information on the quarrying, locations where the stone has been used, and (of course) bibliography. Someone asked: "Why is New Hampshire called the 'Granite State' if there are no quarries? Isn't the Bunker Hill Monument made of NH granite?"
What would be your compensation for researching and writing these articles? After editorial review, your article would be published in The Granite State Geologist and at the NHGS web-site, where it would likely become THE place on the internet to get information on the topic. You would have the satisfaction of making a valued contribution to the NHGS and to the education of folks from around the world with an interest in New Hampshire Geology. Send your article to Tim Allen, MS 2001, Keene State College, Keene, NH 03435-2001.
Future Meetings of the Society in 1999 are set for April 8 and October 7, with the annual field trip and family outing on August 14. Mark these dates on your 1999 calendar now!
The NHGS Board of Directors will be meeting on the first monday of every third month for the rest of the year„May 3rd, August 2, and November 1.
Future Meetings of the NH Council of Professional Geologists (NHCPG) are set for March 3, April 7, May 5, and June 2„5:30 pm at the NHDES offices on Hazen Drive in Concord.
The Northeast Section meeting of the Geological Society of America will be held in Providence, Rhode Island, March 22 through 24.
The Spring Meeting of the Vermont Geological Society, featuring the presentation of student papers, will be on Saturday, April 17. Contact Steve Wright (swright@zoo.uvm.edu) for more information.
Visit the NHGS's Web-Site, at URL: http://nhgs.org/NHGS/, and don't forget our directory of NH Geology on the Web, at URL: http://nhgs.org/NHGS/NHgeol.html
Please, send stuff for the newsletter to: Tim Allen, MS 2001, Keene State College, Keene, NH 03435-2001, telephone: 603-358-2571, fax: 603-358-2897, or preferably by e-mail: tallen@keene.edu Electronic submissions in the form of plain ASCII text (as the body of your e-mail) are preferred. Don't wait for deadlines„send material in at any time!
Questions: Should the newsletter be tied to the meeting announcements, or should it follow the meetings? Should the newsletter be distributed electronically instead of, or in addition to, by mail? Please, let Jack Jemsek, Mike Robinette, or Tim Allen know your thoughts.
"We see no vestige of a beginning, no prospect of an end..."„words attributed to James Hutton, in thinking about the uniformitarian nature of the rock cycle.
The Granite State Geologist, newsletter of the
New Hampshire Geological Society
copyright ©1999 New Hampshire Geological Society
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