Great to see so many, with interests in the Earth Sciences, at the NHGS January Dinner Meeting. The large turn out showed a nice support for Dave Wunsch, New Hampshire's newly appointed State Geologist. Dave's talk on how he sees the duties of his office plus his explanation of HB 245, "relative to the duties and staff of the state geologist," demonstrated his hopes for the future. This legislation passed the House on February 22, but has yet to be considered by the Senate. (For more information, lookup HB245 at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ns/billstatus/quickbill.html; the text of the bill is also reproduced elsewhere in this newsletter).
On another note, we continue to realize the interactions among the planet's atmosphere, oceans, lithosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, biosphere and space. Timothy R. Carr, in his article "Connecting with the Integrated Earth," (Geotimes, January 2001) points out the increasing need for integrating technology and information from the various earth science disciplines. Successful prediction of Earth processes increasingly involves the sharing of information. He points out that, "An integrated systems approach is possible by the sharing of data through the internet and using digital modeling to simulate and visualize Earth processes." In this age of increasing technology, how is your own "internet access?" And how is it in your community's schools?
We need to make sure that our educational institutions are just not paying technology "lip service" but actually have adequate, up-to-date technology available, that it actually works, and that there is tech support available that can really fix problems. Our present students are your next employees, our next law makers, voters of the future and upcoming stewards of planet Earth. How can you help with seeing that your local schools actually have meaningful technology in use?
I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming spring meeting, Thursday, April 12!
The NH Board of Professional Geologists has completed work on the Initial Proposal of its Administrative Rules, and a public hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, April 24th at 9:00 a.m. in the offices of the Joint Board of Licensure and Certification, 57 Regional Drive in Concord. The proposed rules can be accessed from the Board's web-site at http://www.state.nh.us/jtboard/geo.htm There are still several hurdles to be crossed before final rules will be adopted and review of license applications begins. In other news, Ron Cook's nomination as public member of the NH Board of Professional Geologists was approved by the Executive Council, and Ron joined the board at their most recent meeting in February. For further information contact Donna Lobdell, Administrative Secretary:
NH Joint Board of Licensure and Certification
57 Regional Drive
Concord, NH 03301-8518
Telephone: 603-271-2219
TDD Access: Relay NH 1-800-735-2964
Fax: 603-271-7928
email: dlobdell@nhsa.state.nh.us
Mountain Press Publishing Company, Missoula, Montana, announces the publication of Roadside Geology of Massachusetts, by James W. Skehan. (Father Skehan presented pre-publication highlights from the forthcoming book to the NHGS back at our January 1999 meeting).
Sparkling beaches, tidal estuaries, and granite headlands ornament the Massachusetts coast, while giant folds of gneiss and schist crisscross the interior, squeezed up from between colliding continents like toothpaste from a tube. James Skehan explains the geologic history behind the rocks and landforms visible from the state's highways, including such well-known historic features as Bloody Bluff, Beacon Hill, Plymouth Rock, and Walden Pond. Interspersed through the guide book are takes of pioneering geologists such as Harvard's Louis Agassiz, the first to propose that continental glaciers - not the remnants of Noah's Flood as early settlers had imagined - polished the state's bedrock and deposited its enormous boulders and sand plains.
Numerous maps and photographs reveal ancient volcanoes, marble potholes, colorful minerals, dinosaur footprints, and the first commercial railroad - built with blocks of Quincy granite. Geologic roadguides include tours of Boston Harbor Islands National Recreational Area, Cape Cod National Seashore, Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Mount Greylock State Reservation.
Longtime teacher and researcher James W. Skehan is a professor emeritus in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Boston College and director emeritus of Weston Observatory. Skehan holds a doctorate in geology from Harvard University as well as a master's in theology from Weston College. As a Jesuit priest and a geologist, he actively promotes dialogue between scientists and theologians.
Roadside Geology of Massachusetts (ISBN 0-87842-429-6) is available for $20 from retail bookstores or directly from Mountain Press Publishing Company (http://www.mountainpresspublish.com/)
Richard E. Stoiber, emeritus professor of geology at Dartmouth College, passed away on February 9, 2001. Dick's death came just two weeks after a celebration of his 90th birthday.
All of us who remember Dick cannot forget his huge energy and great enthusiasm for Dartmouth and geology. His association with Dartmouth spanned seven decades from the time he entered as a freshman in 1928. He received his BA in 1932 and a Ph.D. from MIT in 1937. His teaching at Dartmouth began in 1935 and was only interrupted by war service with the US Army Signal Corps. He returned to Dartmouth in 1946 and spent the rest of his career inspiring students and pursuing his science. In the early 1960's Dick's scientific interest moved from economic geology to volcanology. His work in volcanology gained him and Dartmouth world-wide fame. He wrote over 100 scientific papers and so many of us remember "the Pumpkin," his textbook on optical mineralogy co-authored with Tony Morse (Dartmouth class of 1952). Most of all, Dick's students remember him for his strong support of their aspirations and his commitment to excellence. The "Stretch" (Dartmouth's field geology program) and its commitment to field instruction in areas of active faculty research is one of the many legacies that he leaves us. The Stoiber Field Fund, established to honor Dick when he "retired" in 1976, is another of his legacies. Field work for well over 100 student theses has been supported through this fund.
Dick's slides and professional papers will be archived in the "Richard E. Stoiber Archival Collection" in Baker Library at Dartmouth College. Dick's family has asked that contributions in his memory be made to the Stoiber Field Fund in care of the Department of Earth Sciences, 6105 Fairchild Hall, Dartmouth College, Hanover, NH 03755.
Meetings of the NH Council of Professional Geologists are scheduled for the first Wednesday of each month (e.g. April 4th), at 5:30 p.m. at the NHDES offices on Hazen Drive in Concord. Be there on time, however, as the doors are locked and you will need to be let in. (http://www.nhcpg.org/)
UNH Earth Science Departmental Colloquia (http://www.unh.edu/esci/colloquium2001.html) are held on Thursdays at 4:00 p.m. in James 119 unless otherwise noted. Please call ahead for confirmation of the schedule, as changes sometimes occur, at 603-862-1718.
The Geological Society of Maine Spring Meeting will be Friday, April 6, 2001, at the Department of Geosciences, in Bailey Hall on the University of Southern Maine's Gorham campus. The meeting features Student Poster and Oral Presentations beginning at 2:00, a business meeting at 4:00, Social Hour at 5:00, and Dinner at 6:00, followed by the Keynote speaker: Lisa Churchill-Dickson, "An Introduction to Maine's Fossil Record." For more information contact novak@usm.maine.edu, or check the GSM web-site at http://www.gsmmaine.org/
The NHGS Spring Meeting will be Thursday, April 12, at the Cat Ôn Fiddle Restaurant in Concord; Cash Bar at 6:00, buffet dinner at 7:00. The meeting features Garret Graaskamp of the American Ground Water Trust, "Ground Water Education--The Long-term Solution" The day is fast approaching when ground water stocks (both on Wall Street and under our feet) will be as valuable as gold. Why is this and what can we do to protect our ground water resources for the long-term? Garret Graaskamp of the American Ground Water Trust will discuss how the trust promotes opportunity, cooperation and action among individuals, users, providers and regulators in order to educate the public how best to benefit from and protect this precious natural resource. See the enclosed meeting announcement for more information.
The Vermont Geological Society's Spring Meeting will be held Saturday, April 21, beginning at 8:30 AM on the campus of Norwich University in Northfield, Vermont. For more information, contact Shelley Snyder at 802-658-0575 or Marjorie Gale at 802-241-3608.
The NH Board of Professional Geologists will hold a public hearing on its Initial Proposal of its Administrative Rules, Tuesday, April 24th. See page 1.
The Mount Washington Observatory will sponsor a two-day workshop on the glacial geology of "the notches" and adjacent areas in the White Mountains, May 5 & 6. The workshop will be lead by P. Thompson Davis of the Natural Sciences Department at Bentley College. On October 13 & 14, Woodrow Thompson of the Maine Geological Survey will lead another two-day workshop, focussing on the glacial geology of the northern White Mountains. For more information about either program, check online at http://www.mountwashington.org/, or call 1-800-706-0432 or 603-356-2137.
The National Ground Water Association (http://www.ngwa.org/) is once again sponsoring National Ground Water Awareness Week, May 6-12. In addition, they are sponsoring a Focus Conference on MTBE in Ground Water, June 4-5, in Baltimore, Maryland.
The fall 2001 New England Intercollegiate Geological Conference will be held in New Brunswick, Canada, September 21-23. This will be the 100th meeting of the NEIGC! (http://neigc.org/NEIGC/2001/)
The Capital Mineral Club's 38th Annual Gem & Mineral Festival will take place on October 6 and 7, 2001, at Sunapee State Park, Rte. 103, Newbury, NH.
Help celebrate Earth Science Week 2001, October 7-13! (http://www.earthscienceworld.org/)
The NHGS 2001 Annual Meeting will be October 11.
The Geological Society of America's 2001 Annual Meeting, a "Geo-Odyssey," will be in Boston, November 5-8. Many interesting pre- and post-meeting field trips are planned. (http://www.geosociety.org/)
SPONSORS: Rep. Dyer, Hills 8; Rep. Millham, Belk 4; Sen. Cohen, Dist 24
Be it Enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Court convened:
1 Department of Environmental Services; Duties and Staff of the State Geologist. Amend RSA 21-O:12, II to read as follows:
II. Geology shall be under the direction of the state geologist, who shall be the director of the New Hampshire geological survey. The geological survey shall collect data and perform research on the land, mineral, and water resources of the state, and disseminate the findings of such research to the public through maps, reports, and other publications. The state geologist shall: consult with the commissioner of the department of resources and economic development relative to the issuance of mining permits under RSA 12-E; assist the directors of the divisions of water and waste management as necessary; and perform such other duties as may be assigned by the commissioner. The state geologist and all members of the New Hampshire geological survey shall be [a] staff [members] members of the commissioner's office. [and] The state geologist shall advise the department, and all other branches of state and local government, concerning the geologic character of the state and its implications for both economic and scientific needs in conjunction with all existing and future environmental factors relating to the geology of the state. The state geologist shall maintain liaison with federal and other state geologic agencies and with the state university.
2 Effective Date. This act shall take effect 60 days after its passage.
For status information, lookup HB245 at http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/ns/billstatus/quickbill.html
The broad purpose of the New Hampshire Geological Society is to advance the science of geology in New Hampshire. We hope to pursue this goal by contributing to public education, strengthening the role of geology in environmental concerns, and disseminating knowledge about the geology of the Granite State. Membership in the society is open to all, including professional geologists in all areas and interested lay people.
The NHGS Spring Meeting will be Thursday, April 12, at the Cat Ôn Fiddle Restaurant in Concord; Cash Bar at 6:00, buffet dinner at 7:00. The meeting features Garret Graaskamp of the American Ground Water Trust, "Ground Water Education--The Long-term Solution" The day is fast approaching when ground water stocks (both on Wall Street and under our feet) will be as valuable as gold. Why is this and what can we do to protect our ground water resources for the long-term? Garret Graaskamp of the American Ground Water Trust will discuss how the trust promotes opportunity, cooperation and action among individuals, users, providers and regulators in order to educate the public how best to benefit from and protect this precious natural resource. See the meeting announcement for more information.
The NHGS 2001 Annual Meeting will be October 11.
The Lincoln Page Professional Development Fund provides up to $300 for expenses related to the recipient's 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.
The Society also offers a Classroom Enhancement Grant. Teachers from across the state are invited to submit proposals for a grant of funds to support the purchase of earth-science related teaching materials (equipment or supplies) for use in their classroom.
For more information, follow the appropriate links on the NHGS web-page, http://nhgs.org/NHGS/
The NHGS is preparing a travelling road-show kit about the geology of New Hampshire. We need examples of New Hampshire minerals and rocks. Your contributions are needed--please send them to the NHGS at PMB 133, 26 South Main Street, Concord, NH 03301.
Would you like to write about the geology of some of the various natural features in the State? Write about mining and quarrying history? What kind of research are you working on now? What was your most recent consulting project? We need to hear from you! Please contribute material for the newsletter or the NHGS web-site (which is at http://nhgs.org/NHGS/) by e-mailing tallen@keene.edu (or send regular mail to: Tim Allen, Geology, Mailstop 2001, Keene State College, Keene, NH 03435-2001). Do it today!
Last Modified July 26, 2001
The Granite State Geologist, newsletter of the
New Hampshire Geological Society
copyright ©2001 New Hampshire Geological Society