PRESS RELEASE: DNR Names New State Geologist and Utah Geological Survey Director

Salt Lake City – Utah Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Executive Director Joel Ferry has named Darlene Batatian as the new State Geologist and director for the Utah Geological Survey (UGS), effective today. Batatian replaces Bill Keach, who retired earlier this month after serving as the agency’s director and State Geologist for six years.

“Darlene’s professional experience is expansive, ranging from geologic field mapping to geologic hazards, groundwater site investigations, land development and public policy,” said Ferry. “In her year with the agency, she has brought tremendous leadership, energy and strategic direction to the team. We’re looking forward to her continued leadership moving forward.”

Darlene received a bachelor’s degree in earth sciences from UC Santa Cruz and a master’s degree in geology from Idaho State University. Her work has included drilling paleomagnetic cores on Alaskan islands, geologic mapping near Sun Valley, Idaho, delineating mineral resources for proposed Wilderness Study Areas with the U.S. Geological Survey, and groundwater monitoring projects at Hill Air Force Base and in the U.S. Territory of Guam.

Batatian has focused on Utah geology for decades, serving as Salt Lake County Geologist from 1998 to 2006, where she was responsible for addressing impacts of geologic hazards on proposed developments. She was also instrumental in advancing Utah’s professional licensure requirement for geologists.

“The UGS is an incredible workplace for geoscientists. Staff are talented, motivated and intelligent scientists who practice in arguably the most diverse and complex geological environment in the nation,” Batatian said. “As one of the most technically proficient geological surveys in the U.S., I believe UGS is second to none. I am excited to elevate UGS as a valued resource for the geoscience data that is the ‘bedrock’ of Utah’s success.”