Impact Assessment: How the Sequester Is Affecting the Geosciences

Alexandria, VA — Beginning today, the Federal Government’s discretionary spending accounts will be cut by $85 billion through the rest of the fiscal year. These across-the-board spending reductions, known as the sequester, were first proposed in 2011 as a penalty so severe they would force Congress to work together to solve the nation’s deficit woes. Unfortunately, no agreement on a package of replacement cuts or additional revenue in time to avoid the sequester has been made. We now face substantial cuts to critical programs, and want to know how the sequester is affecting geoscientists.

Although the initial effects of the sequester may not be immediately felt, the loss of contracts, slower permitting and oversight processes, furloughs, fewer research grants and cooperative agreements, and long term uncertainty about future budgets could affect geoscientists working in all sectors of the economy.

To assess the sequester’s impact on the geosciences, AGI will be administering weekly surveys gauging individuals’ experiences with the sequester as it relates to their professional situations. We greatly appreciate your participation, as your responses will provide us with valuable insights and real-life reports about how the sequester is, or, alternatively, is not affecting geoscientists’ ability to address our nation’s critical needs. To participate in the survey please visit http://crirvave-aninaah-arn//<inday-nhn?ciq=-2277123)/

The American Geosciences Institute Sequester Survey is a tool to quantify the effects of the sequester across the geosciences. All personal information and responses are confidential and will not be sold or used for alternate purposes.