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Projects
for Fiscal Year 2009
Energy and Minerals Program
Provides geologic information to aid in the prudent development
of the state's mineral and energy resources. Major 2009 projects
include:
- assessing mineral resources on School and Trust Lands Administration
properties,
- calculating coal resources available for future mining in
Utah coalfields,
- characterizing oil and gas, oil shale, and tar sand deposits
in the Uinta Basin,
- modeling reservoirs to enhance oil production in the Paradox
Basin,
- assessing Utah’s potash resources,
- preparing an oil-play portfolio for Utah's major oil producing
regions,
- assessing Utah's saline resources,
- assessing geothermal resources of Utah,
- assessing mineral deposits of selected mining districts,
- investigating gypsum resources of central Utah,
- evaluating sustainability of geologic reservoirs for carbon sequestration.
Geologic Hazards Program
Helps protect Utah's public health and safety by providing information
to reduce losses from geologic hazards. Major 2009 projects include:
- mapping geologic hazards in western Salt Lake Valley, Cache Valley, Ogden Valley, Cedar City-Parowan Valley, St. George-Hurricane, and Zion National Park areas,
- studying landslides in Morgan and Summit Counties,
- mapping the geology of portions of Salt Lake Valley for use in evaluating geologic hazards,
- investigating the Washington fault, West Valley fault, and the Brigham City segment of the Wasatch fault,
- maintaining Utah multi-disciplinary earthquake and geologic hazards working groups,
- developing a model geologic hazards ordinance,
- updating program website with information for consultants.
Geologic Information and Outreach Program
Provides geologic information and outreach to the public, educators,
decision makers, and industry. Major 2009 projects include:
- providing information about geologically interesting sites including Cascade Springs, Fantasy Canyon, and Upheaval Dome in Wasatch, Uintah, and San Juan Counties,
- assisting Goblin Valley State Park with interpretive signs,
- preparing a geologic guide to the Northern Wasatch Front Canyons,
- enhancing UGS website with more geologic information.
Geologic Mapping Program
Maps the geology of the state, which provides the foundation of
all geologic studies. Major 2009 projects include mapping the:
Ground-Water & Paleontology Program
Maintains records of Utah's fossil resources, provides paleontological
recovery services and evaluates the quantity and quality of Utah's
ground-water resources. Major 2009 projects include:
- assessing the relation of geology to ground water in Morgan Valley,
- characterizing the geology and ground-water flow systems in western Millard County, with emphasis on Snake Valley,
- creating digital ground-water flow model for Cedar Valley, Utah County,
- assessing the relation of geology to ground water in Rush Valley, Tooele County,
- investigating dinosaur-bearing rocks in part of the Grand Staircase-Escalante
National Monument,
- studying Cedar Mountain faunas of central Utah,
- continuing to document dinosaur track and bone sites in the St. George area,
- documenting discoveries of new Tertiary mammal faunas in central Utah.
State Energy Program
Promotes energy efficiency and development of renewable energy resources in Utah and
provides education and information on a variety of energy topics. Major 2009 projects include:
- providing 21 days of energy code training to builders, contractors, building inspectors, engineers and architects,
- revising and expanding renewable energy tax credit rules following legislative reauthorization,
- awarding five grants totaling $58,000 for energy efficiency,
- starting to implement a new $5 million revolving loan program to fund energy efficiency improvements in public schools,
- rotating 20 instrument towers and site analysis of wind resources under the Anemometer Loan Program.
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