Minutes - January 9, 1998
Utah Geological Survey Board Meeting

Attendance:

• Jerry Golden
• Deedee O'Brien
• William Berge
• Craig Nelson
• Richard Kennedy

• Russell Babcock
• Cary Smith

• Lee Allison
• Kimm Harty
• Cheryl Ostlund
• Richard Giraud
• Patricia Stokes
• Jeffrey Quick
• Tom Chidsey
• Dave Tabet

• Howard Rigtrup, Department of Natural Resources
• Jahan Bani, Office of Energy and Resource Planning

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

INTRODUCTION OF NEW STAFF

DIRECTOR'S REPORT

Governor's Proposed Budget
Director Allison indicated that we submitted some building blocks in our FY99 budget request to the Department of Natural Resources. However, none of our building blocks were included in the Governor's budget proposal. Our budget will be approximately the same as last year, with an anticipated three percent salary increase for employees proposed by the Governor.

Werner Haidenthaller, associate director, has transferred to the Department of Workforce Services. We have been conducting interviews for his replacement.

Sample Library Construction Update
Kimm Harty informed that Board that work is on schedule. They are currently finishing pouring the concrete slab for the warehouse. The building will arrive in 10 days. Even with a few contract changes, the project is still under the original budget estimate.

Friends of Utah Geological Survey Director Allison presented the financial report on the Friends of Utah Geological Survey fund. The fund started 1997 with a balance of $430.24, donations totaled $110, expenses were $244.04, and the year-end balance is $296.20.

Report on Scientific Meetings
Director Allison reported that the 1997 Geological Society of America's Annual Meeting held in October went very well. UGS employees led eight field trips and gave 13 presentations. The Association for Women Geoscientists held their 20th anniversary meeting at Snowbird just prior to GSA, and UGS employees were heavily involved in organizing and running the meeting. The Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument science forum and field trip went well also. UGS staff organized and co-led the field trip, gave six scientific talks, and co-chaired two review panels. The upcoming American Association of Petroleum Geologist's national meeting is here in May. AAPG anticipates over 7,000 attendees. In September we will be chairing the Society of Vertebrate Paleontologist's annual meeting. The national meetings for the Industrial Minerals Forum and Association of Engineering Geologists will be in Salt Lake in 1999.

National Park Services Co-ops The National Park Service created a geosciences division two years ago. The UGS has more cooperative programs with NPS than any other state survey, and we are trying to find additional ways to work with the NPS on other programs. We are currently mapping Zion National Park and will be mapping Cedar Breaks in the near future. We are suggesting a one-day training seminar on the geology of the different areas for the park rangers for the NPS, and are thinking about proposing this seminar to State Parks as well.

USGS Earth Sciences Information Center
Director Allison indicated that the USGS will be closing or reorganizing their Earth Science Information Center in Salt Lake. He has met with some of their staff from Denver about taking over the Salt Lake ESIC functions at the Natural Resources Bookstore.

DISCUSSION ITEMS

Director Allison indicated that the US General Accounting Office asked several government agencies to report on mineral values on the monument. We were the only agency that responded. Dave Tabet and Jeff Quick drafted a paper on the coal quality on the Kaiparowits Plateau. We did a number of quality checks on the data used in the report and used data from approximately 600 samples. We feel that the southern end of the Kaiparowits Plateau (the southern end of the monument) has the better quality coal.

Director Allison reminded the Board that earlier last year, UGS staff had put together a proposal to Congress to complete a resource study of the monument. We were asked by School Institutional Trust Lands Administration to hold off submitting the proposal while they held in discussions about school trust land exchanges. David Terry, SITLA director, recently indicated there had not been much work done on trading out of state trust sections to date. We would like to resubmit the proposal, and Director Allison is waiting to hear from Trust Lands about going forward with the study proposal.

Global Warming Implications for the Production and Use of Utah Coal
Following the signing of the Global Warming Treaty in Kyoto, Japan, we decided to look at what effects the treat might have on Utah. Jeff Quick informed the Board that his work demonstrates variation of carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion according to coal rank. The type of subbituminous coals found in Utah produce less CO2 than all other type of U.S. coal. Director Allison feels that this is one of the most important studies that we have done, and will have national implications.

Professional Salaries
Director Allison informed that Board that he is concerned about the low pay of geologists in Utah state government compared to other states, local and federal government, and private industry. Salaries at UGS tend to run approximately $10,000 lower than other state and local government agencies. We have had a difficult time filling vacant positions because of the low salaries. Some UGS staff are looking for other positions because of the low pay. Director Allison has requested the Department of Natural Resources' Human Resource director pursue a review of geologist pay. He has requested a 25 percent increase in salaries for the professional staff. Howard Rigtrup indicated he will be meeting with Joanne McHugh next week to discuss this matter. The Board members gave their support for pursuing this.

ACTION ITEMS

Annual Employee Award
Director Allison proposed creating an award for outstanding scientific contributions by a UGS employee. The Board would select the winner from nominations received by the Director. He recommended it be named after the first UGS director, Arthur Crawford. Director Allison felt that this would be a way to recognize UGS employees and their accomplishments. The Board members asked the Director to develop criteria. They recommended the award be a plaque with a monetary award.

ANNOUNCEMENTS/MISCELLANEOUS

Richard Kennedy suggested to have a report on the work being done in the southern regional office as part of the Director's report in future meetings.

ADJOURNMENT

Meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m.