California has a new State Geologist

Effective June 1, 2020 California’s State Geologist is Steve Bohlen.

Steve is excited about applying his deep understanding of how the Earth works and his extensive experience in science and government to further the work of CGS and help amplify its role in protecting the public from natural hazards, supporting healthy watershed function, and identify mineral resources opportunities.

He is coming to us from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he has been leading the Energy and Homeland Security Program. In that role he has also served as an advisor to the Legislature on ways to achieve California’s carbon neutrality goals through carbon removal and negative emissions strategies.

(https://www-gs.llnl.gov/content/assets/docs/energy/Getting_to_Neutral_Executive_Summary.pdf)

A graduate of the Dartmouth College, Steve earned a Ph.D. in geochemistry from The University of Michigan in 1979. Following a postdoctoral fellowship at UCLA, he became a tenured professor at Stony Brook University. From1995 through 2000, Steve was Associate Chief Geologist for Science at the US Geological Survey. He was responsible for the scientific priorities and funding of the broad portfolio of USGS research, including the National Earthquake Hazards Reduction, Climate Change, Global Energy, and Minerals Resource programs. As President and CEO of Joint Oceanographic Institutions from 2000-2008, Steve led the global effort in scientific ocean drilling and the Integrated Ocean Drilling Program and the systems engineering and deployment of the US National Science Foundation’s Ocean Observatories.

Steve Bohlen replaces the former State Geologist John Parrish, who retired in 2018.

SOQ for Groundwater Basin Studies

Water Boards logo

The California State Water Resources Control Board (Water Boards) is soliciting Statement of Qualifications (SOQ) from firms that are able to provide groundwater basin studies in support of state intervention pursuant to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). The Request for Qualifications (RFQ) is open to all eligible firms and/or individuals that meet the minimum qualification requirements. The Water Boards intends to make a single contract award. The Contractor will be selected on the basis of written responses to RFQ #19-045-240, plus an oral interview. To view the time schedule, proposal requirements, and minimum qualification requirements for this solicitation, please visit http:///www.caleprocure.ca.gov.For questions, comments, and inquiries regarding this solicitation, please contact Gina Villalobos at gina.villalobos@Waterboards.ca.govor (916) 323-3739 by no later than Friday, November 22, 2019.

The Water Boards would like to thank you in advance for your interest in our service needs. The bidding process is the mainstay of our competitive system, and your participation is both appreciated and valued.

“Geologists’ Day” – September 20

Geology sign“Geologists’ Day” to be recognized September 20 – Do something extra!

“Geologists’ Day” will be recognized on Friday, September 20, 2018.  Sponsored by the AEG Advocacy Committee, this is a call for all professional, aspiring, and retired geoscience professionals to reach out for our profession.  This is a day to do something extra to raise awareness of the value of geoscience in public safety and policy-making.

Write a letter to your local newspaper about an issue that affects your area.  Give a talk to a local group – Rotary Clubs, scout groups, and various speaker programs are always looking for speakers.  Send a polite, thoughtful, clear, and brief email to one of your elected officials to consider geoscience in an upcoming vote or position statement they face – and offer to personally clarify the issue.  Offer an unbiased editorial to your local newspaper or television station on a geoscience issue that affects us all.  Post a Facebook message or send a tweet about a geoscience issue you care about.  Suggest a topic for a feature article for your newspaper or local television station.

You definitely don’t need to be a subject-matter expert to be an advocate for geoscience.  Anyone having general competence in geoscience, enthusiasm for its relevance to society, and a real interest in sharing its value to the community at large can do this.  These are just a few ways to recognize “Geologists’ Day” on September 20.  Think about it, and you can probably think of many more.

The simple recognition of “Geologists’ Day” will not change a building code, or enlighten an elected official, or inspire a young student.  But a real geologist, who is willing to do something extra just might.  This year, make it on “Geologist’s Day” – September 20!