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Vernon B. Sauer, Hydrologist, Water Resources Division, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the development of theory and procedures for applications of hydraulic principles to problems related to the surface-water programs of the U.S. Geological Survey. David W. Scholl, Geologist, Geologic Division, for his dynamic leadership of the marine geology program and for his productive scientific research into the geology of active continental margins. Mitsunobu Tatsumoto, Research Chemist, Geologic Division, for his outstanding contributions to the development of multi-isotopic geochemistry as a new research tool to investigate fundamental problems of crust-mantle evolution of mafic and silicic rocks, the understanding of lunar history, and the origin of meteorites.

Gene A. Thorley, Digital Cartography Program Manager, National Mapping Division, for outstanding contributions to scientific research in the field of remote sensing and for notable management of scientific programs in digital cartography and geographic information systems. Edwin P. Weeks, Research Hydrologist, Water Resources Division, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the understanding of ground-water flow and transport of dissolved gases and chemical constituents in the unsaturated zone.

Presidential Rank Awards

Presidential Rank Awards are granted by the Office of Personnel Management in recognition of prolonged, high-quality accomplishments by career members of the Senior Executive Service. The awards are presented each year by the President and are granted at the distinguished (the highest level) and the meritorious ranks. In 1988, awards were given to the following USGS employees: Philip Cohen, Chief Hydrologist, Water Resources Division, was given the distinguished rank award for sustained

extraordinary accomplishment in management of the USGS Water Resources Division and for directing the Division's technical support to other Federal, State, and local government agencies in water and other earth-science research and investigations.

James E. Biesecker, Assistant Director for Information Systems, was given the meritorious rank award for exceptional guidance in the planning and management of information resources in the USGS, which have had a major impact on the use of computing resources in the USGS, the Department of the Interior, and other Federal agencies and on the effective use of information technology in the earth sciences.

Lawrence A. Borgerding, Chief of the USGS Mid-Continent Mapping Center, was given the meritorious rank award for his innovative approaches to USGS mapping program activities, for his costsaving and future-oriented plans and program management, and for his aggressive pursuit of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action programs for the recruitment and professional development of ethnic minority members.

Edgar A. Imhoff, Manager of the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program, was given the meritorious rank award for fostering cooperative relationships with high-ranking officials at all levels of government and for developing a management strategy for the San Joaquin Valley Drainage Program, a cooperative, interdisciplinary effort of five Federal and State agencies to address the agricultural drainage problems of the San Joaquin Valley.

Lowell E. Starr, Chief of the USGS National Mapping Division, was given the meritorious rank award for his leadership, managerial competence, and scientific knowledge. Under his direction, the National Mapping Program of the USGS has led the way to innovative automated procedures in mapmaking and to the use of advanced computer technology in mapping and the design and application of sophisticated geographic information systems.

John Wesley Powell Awards

Each year the U.S. Geological Survey presents the John Wesley Powell Award to persons or groups outside the Federal Government for voluntary actions that result in significant gains or improvements in the efforts of the USGS to provide earth science in the public service.

The Powell award is named in honor of the second director of the USGS. Awards in 1988 were given to the following people:

John McPhee, a journalist from Princeton, N.J., who was selected in the privatecitizen category for his writing about geology and geologists. His books and articles describe many fundamental ideas underlying modern geology and have contributed significantly to the mission of the USGS by communicating the results of scientific investigations to the public and by increasing public awareness of the USGS.

Hugo F. Thomas, State Geologist, Hartford, Conn., who was selected in the State and local government category for his long-standing participation as a cooperator and his outstanding contributions to the earth sciences and to the programs and missions of the USGS. His contributions have advanced many USGS programs and have had a positive effect on cooperative efforts with other States. Harold Moellering, Professor, Department of Geography, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, who was selected in the academic category for his role as chairman of the National Committee for Digital Cartographic Data Standards from 1982 to 1987 and for his outstanding contributions to the effort of the USGS to develop and promulgate standards for digital spatial data. Under his leadership the NCDCDS received acclaim from mapping professionals throughout the world.

Handicapped Employee of the

Year

Edith Becker Chase, a senior editor, Water Resources Division, Reston, Va., was named the U.S. Geological Survey Handicapped Employee of the Year. She was cited for her distinguished 35-year career as a scientific writer and editor, having overcome a profound hearing impairment. She is widely recognized for her contributions to the scientific publications of the USGS. The award is made annually to a USGS employee as part of the observance of National Employ the Handicapped Week.

Experience with the Visually Handicapped

By Kathryn Gunderson

In September 1987, the USGS entered into an agreement with the Virginia Department for the Visually Handicapped to provide a training program for Amy W. Meade. Amy, who had been a USGS student employee, had recently become blind after graduating from college. The 3-month training program, conducted by the Information Systems Division, was aimed at helping Amy become computer-literate, thus acquiring the skills to become productively employed. Another goal of the program was to determine whether permanent employment at the USGS was desirable and practical for both Amy and the Survey.

The USGS has had an active program to recruit and hire employees who are handicapped.

A training plan was developed with two major objectives: (1) to have the employee acquire a basic understanding of computing concepts and specific hardware and software and (2) to apply this knowledge to existing USGS applications. The first part of the plan included training in the use of various hardware and software including the IBM PC/XT, Artic Vision Speech Synthesizer, Word Perfect word processing package, dBASE III Plus data base management package, and WYLBUR mainframe software. Good timing helped with the second part of the plan. On October 1, 1987, the Information Systems Division began a new customerassistance service referred to as the Help Desk. Having learned these computer skills, Amy assisted in monitoring calls to the Help Desk, while she also worked on several other projects. At the end of the 3-month training period, the USGS hired Amy as a Computer Assistant. Her newly

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The Spirit of Volunteerism in the USGS

By Maxine C. Jefferson

The spirit of volunteerism is a special one in the U.S. Geological Survey. More than 580 volunteers contributed more than 100,000 hours of their time to the USGS during fiscal year 1988. These volunteers are retired USGS employees, teachers, college students, high school students, and other community members who volunteer their time and talents because of their interest in public service and in the earth science mission of the USGS. The Volunteer for Science Program is a companion program to the national Take Pride in America public awareness campaign, which encourages citizens to help take care of the public resources through volunteer efforts. From its modest beginning in 1986 with only 55 volunteers, the program has grown remarkably, and now more than 780 volunteers have donated their services.

The program is of benefit both to the USGS and to the volunteers. Some volunteers welcome access to sophisticated scientific equipment and technology and the opportunity for field work. Students have been able to develop USGS work projects in cooperation with academic institutions that have provided college credit in their pursuit of a degree. USGS retirees and other retired citizens have a chance to continue to make contributions to their life-long field of research, or maybe to try their hand at a new area in which they have always had an interest but never had the time to

pursue. Some volunteers have degrees in science but earn their living in other professions; by volunteering, they feel that they are "keeping a hand in science." The benefits derived by the USGS are even more obvious. The volunteers have been involved in planning for the 28th International Geological Congress and in such major USGS projects as the Radon Project, the Continental Margin Mapping Program, the Mineral Resources Appraisal Project, the Glacier National Park Project, and the Arctic Alaska Project. They have also performed project support assignments involving such duties as recording rainfall measurements, field mapping, constructing streamflow gaging stations, and preparing scientific reports.

In July 1988, the USGS was honored by Secretary of the Interior Donald Paul Hodel for the success of the Volunteer for Science Program and was included in a White House ceremony in which the President recognized contributions made to the Take Pride in America Campaign. In further recognition of the Volunteer for Science Program, the second annual Volunteer Recognition Ceremony was held at the National Center in August 1988. The Director presented special Certificates of Appreciation to 65 volun

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The program has grown remarkably, and now more than 780 volunteers have donated their services.

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About 130,000 different

maps and books are available for purchase.

teers who worked on project assignments at the national headquarters of the USGS. In this ceremony, he thanked them for "taking pride, by taking part." Similar ceremonies of recognition were held in major USGS field locations.

Pleased with the results of the program so far, the USGS plans to continue. community outreach, increase the number of volunteers, and broaden the scope of activities wherever possible. The U.S. Geological Survey is convinced that a quality corps of volunteers will continue to make significant contributions to the earth sciences and will continue to sustain the spirit of the American tradition of volunteerism.

Outreach

Information

Dissemination

Along with its continuing commitment to meet the earth-science needs of the Nation, the USGS remains dedicated to its original mission to collect, analyze, interpret, publish, and disseminate information about the natural resources of the Nation. The results of USGS investigations are published in its scientific reports and in its topographic, geologic, and

hydrologic maps. About 130,000 different maps and books are available for purchase. A series of general-interest publications is available to inform the public about USGS activities. Research results and investigations are also published in journals of technical and scientific organizations and in publications of cooperating Federal and State agencies. News releases, real-time information on earthquakes in the United States and around the world, and news conferences on reports and events of current interest are other important means by which the USGS provides earth-science information to the public through the news media.

During fiscal year 1988, the USGS produced 5,308 new and revised topographic, geologic, and hydrologic maps; printed 11,147,000 copies of different maps; distributed 7,569,989 copies of maps; and sold 5,217,699 copies for $7,879,698. The number of reports approved for publication by the USGS in fiscal year 1988 was 5,073, with 70 percent designated for publication in professional journals and monographs outside the USGS and the remainder scheduled for publication by the Survey. In addition, 170,578 copies of technical reports of various classifications were distributed. These included 11,429 different book titles, with a distribution of 165,006 copies and a revenue of $310,464. Also, 1,068 new reports were released to the open files to make a total of more than 27,000 open-file reports available. Of these, sales of 30,644 copies generated an income of $265,609. Of the 124 titles in the USGS general-interest publications series, 518,533 copies were distributed to meet inquiries from the general public. Additionally, of the approximately 8.9 million different aerial and space images available for sale, about 180,000 copies are sold annually. USGS maps are also currently available from more than 3,600 authorized commercial map dealers nationwide.

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