National Mapping Division Organization The headquarters of the National Mapping Division is located in Reston, Va., and is composed of three primary organizational units: Plans and Operations, Research, and Information and Data Services. Four mapping centers (Reston, Va.; Rolla, Mo.; Denver, Colo.; and Menlo Park, Calif.) and the Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center (Sioux Falls, S. Dak.) perform the operational mapping, remote sensing, printing, product distribution, and data dissemination activities. To accomplish its mission, the Division concentrates its activities in four major program areas. These program areas and specific activities are as follows: Map and Digital Cartographic Data • Collects, compiles, and analyzes information about natural and manmade features of the Earth's surface and documents changes in those features. • Produces and maintains a series of accurate, up-to-date, general-purpose base and thematic maps at primary, intermediate, and small scales. Provides image products derived from satellite imagery and aerial photography in response to specific requirements of Federal and State agencies. • Adds to and maintains the National Digital Cartographic Data Base to meet the requirements of all users for digital cartographic products and services. Information Management and Dissemination • Archives, manages, and makes available cartographic, remotely sensed, and other earth-science data in digital and graphic forms. • Distributes more than 8 million maps a year. Collects, analyzes, and disseminates information about cartographic and geographic data holdings of Federal and State agencies and private-sector organizations. Research and Technology • Conducts research to support cartographic production and related activities. • Provides technical assistance and technology to other Federal and State agencies in the coordination, development, and application of various spatial data and cartographic, geographic, remotely sensed, and image data. Conducts research to develop geographic information system applications, with emphasis on cooperative projects that demonstrate the integration of spatially related earth-science data. National Map and Digital Data Production The USGS prepares various base maps, image map products, digital cartographic data, and selected thematic maps of the Nation that are used extensively for land planning, land and resource management, and recreation purposes. These maps and data are made available in conventional printed form in various scales, in digital form, and as reproductions of aerial photographs and satellite images. Digital data are available from the National Digital Cartographic Data Base as digital line graphs or digital elevation models. Primary topographic maps, including 7.5-minute maps mostly at 1:24,000 scale for almost all areas of the lower 49 States and 15-minute maps of Alaska at 1:63,360 scale, are especially useful where detailed information is needed for all types of land and resource management. The program involves the periodic inspection for data currentness and appropriate revision of these detailed maps. Other series of topographic maps at smaller scales are also available, such as the intermediate-scale maps prepared at 1:100,000 scale and the 1:250,000scale map series, which provide complete topographic coverage of the United States. These map series are widely used by Federal and State agencies and the private sector for preparing their own special-purpose maps and depicting their unique data. Other base maps are avail Departments of the Interior and of Current international program efforts focus on technical assistance programs in developing countries and scientific cooperation and research through agreements with other countries as an extension and enhancement of the Survey's domestic programs. Cooperative research activities range from informal communications between scientists, through formal, jointly staffed projects, to multi-nationally staffed coordinated programs focused on particular problems or topics. Related activities that are integral to the international programs include institutional development, exchange of scientists, training of foreign nationals, and representation of the USGS or the U.S. Government in international organizations and at international conferences and meetings. Information Services The USGS disseminates much of the Nation's earth-science information through its Public Inquiries Offices, National Cartographic Information Centers (NCIC), 49 NCIC/State affiliated offices, and the Earth Resources Observation Systems Data Center. The information comes in many forms, from maps and books to computer-readable magnetic tapes and compact disks. About 130,000 different maps and books and about 8.9 million aerial and space images are available for purchase. USGS maps are also currently available from more than 3,600 authorized commercial map dealers nationwide. International Activities The U.S. Geological Survey has been involved with earth-science studies in foreign countries for nearly 50 years. Authorization is provided under the Organic Act, as revised, and the Foreign Assistance Act and related legislation when such studies are deemed by the Administrative Division Organization The headquarters office of the Administrative Division is located in Reston, Va. The Division is composed of five headquarters offices. Financial Management and Systems Management are centralized headquarters functions; Facilities and Management Services, Personnel, and Procurement and Contracts provide operational support at headquarters and at USGS field units through Regional Management Offices in Denver, Colo., and Menlo Park, Calif. The Assistant Director for Administration is the Division Chief. Under his leadership, the Division provides administrative direction and coordination to support the scientific and technical programs of the USGS. The Division also manages the development, maintenance, and operation of the financial management system for the entire Department of the Interior. Information Systems Division Organization The Information Systems Division's headquarters office is in Reston, Va. The Division is composed of five Offices: Assistant Director, Computer and Communications Services, Customer Services, Field Services, and Management Services. Service centers in Reston, Menlo Park, Calif., Denver, Colo., and Flagstaff, Ariz., provide a complete range of services to users. The Assistant Director for Information Systems is the Division Chief. He chairs the Information Systems Council, which is composed of the top ADP manager in each Division and in the Central and Western Regions. The council recommends technology-related policies to the Director, coordinates computer science research and technology, and provides guidelines for the sharing, acquisition, and use of major computer systems and information management programs for the USGS. Personnel At the end of fiscal year 1988, the USGS had 8,489 permanent full-time employees. The Survey's diversified earth-science research programs and services are reflected in its workforce, more than half of which possesses a bachelor's or higher level degree. Almost half of the USGS employees are professional scientists. Permanent employees are supported by other-than-full-time permanent employees, including many university students and faculty members. This relationship with the academic community has made the expertise of many eminent scientists available to the USGS. Students have also proved valuable during times of increased workload, especially during the field season. Academic institutions have also provided a means of recruiting qualified young professionals for permanent full-time positions upon completion of their studies. Awards and Honors Each year, USGS employees receive awards that range from certificates of excellence and monetary awards to recognition of their achievements by election to membership or office in professional societies. The large number of these awards attests to the high caliber of the Survey personnel. Of the many who received awards, the USGS is pleased to acknowledge here those individuals who became members or officers in professional societies or who received awards from those organizations. Also acknowledged are those who received the Department of the Interior's highest honor, the Distinguished Service Award, the Presidential Rank Award, and two USGS awards. Service in professional societies is one of the most important contributions. a scientist can make. Societies play a fundamental role in disseminating knowledge as well as provide a forum in which new ideas are tested. The active participation of Survey scientists in professional societies attests to the scientific vitality of the bureau. The bureau is particularly proud of those individuals who have been elected to society presidencies or chairmanships of society committees by their professional peers. Pat S. Chavez, Jr., Research Physical Scientist, National Mapping Division, was awarded the Alan Gordon Memorial Award by the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for his development of algorithms for processing both satellite imagery for cartographic applications and sonar data for the marine sciences. Alden P. Colvocoresses, Research Cartographer, National Mapping Division, was elected President of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for the period 1988-89. G. Brent Dalrymple, Geologist, Geologic Division, was named president-elect of The large number of these awards attests to the high caliber of Survey personnel. the American Geophysical Union for the period July 1, 1988-June 30, 1990. Wallace deWitt, Jr., Geologist, Geologic Division, received the Distinguished Service Award of the American Association of Petroleum Geologists in recognition of 44 years of exemplary geologic work and many years of varied services to AAPG. George Gryc, Geologist, received an Honorary Life Membership Award from the Alaska Geological Society, in recognition of his continuing service and contributions to the Society and to Alaskan geology. Janet L. Gwen, Geologist, Geologic Division, was selected as the 1987 recipient of the Steven Champlis Memorial Award at the Rocky Mountain Section, American Association of Petroleum GeologistsSociety of Economic Paleontologists and Mineralogists meeting. Kathleen M. Johnson, Geologist, Geologic Division, was awarded the Distinguished Service Award of the Association for Women Geoscientists for outstanding service. Michael P. McDermott, Marketing Program Manager, National Mapping Division, was elected President of the Washington, D.C., Chapter of the American Marketing Association for the period 1987-88. Alan Mikuni, Cartographer, National Mapping Division, was elected President of the Northern California Region of the American Society for Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing for the period 1988-89. Marshall E. Moss, Assistant Chief Hydrologist for Research and External Coordination, Water Resources Division, was elected General Secretary/Treasurer of the American Geophysical Union for the period 1988–92. Waverly J. Person, Geophysicist, Geologic Division, received a special achievement award from the National Associa tion of Government Communicators for two decades of service as the government's chief scientific spokesman to the public and news media on occurrences of earthquakes worldwide. Verne R. Schneider, Chief of the Office of Surface Water, Water Resources Division, was named Engineer of the Year for the U.S. Geological Survey by the National Society of Professional Engineers. David B. Stewart, Geologist, Geologic Division, was elected President of the Mineralogical Society of America for the period November 1987-88. Department of the Interior Distinguished Service Awards The highest honor given by the Department of the Interior to its employees is the Distinguished Service Award. Symbolized by a gold medal, this award for outstanding achievement was presented by Secretary of the Interior Donald Paul Hodel to ten USGS employees or their representatives: Michael H. Carr, Geologist, Geologic Division, for exceptional contributions to geologic exploration of the planets. Dan A. Davis, Associate District Chief of the Hawaii District Office, Water Resources Division, in recognition of his outstanding career as a water-resources scientist and administrator, and exceptional achievements in island hydrology throughout the Pacific Ocean. Frank C. Frischknecht (posthumously), Geologist, Geologic Division, for outstanding leadership in pioneering in the field of airborne geophysics, and for his influential advocacy and development of a wide variety of electrical geophysical methods. Paul E. Needham, Scientific Advisor for Geodesy and Advanced Systems, National Mapping Division, for outstanding technical guidance and leadership and invaluable contributions to the U.S. Geological Survey's surveying and digital mapping programs. Mary C. Rabbitt, Geologist, Geologic Division, for her major contribution to the earth science history of the United States through historical research and studies of the USGS. |