Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
december 2016
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federal agencies & administration
Congressman Zinke (R-MT) nominated for Secretary of the Interior
December 20, 2016
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Congressman Ryan Zinke (R-MT) for Secretary of the Interior. Elected in 2014, Rep. Zinke is the first Navy SEAL veteran to be elected to the House of Representatives.
Rep. Zinke currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee. Rep. Zinke has accepted the President-elect’s nomination and now awaits Senate confirmation.
Sources: E&E News, POLITICO
President Obama designates new National Monuments in Utah and Nevada
December 28, 2016
President Obama designated two new National Monuments this December: Bears Ears National Monument in southeastern Utah and Gold Butte National Monument in southern Nevada.
Bears Ears National Monument includes roughly 1.35 million acres of federal land and is named after two distinctive geological features sacred to local tribes. Gold Butte National Monument spans 300,000 acres and contains cultural resources and unique geological formations.
President Obama stated that these designations will protect the desert landscapes of Utah and southern Nevada for the enjoyment and prosperity of future generations.
Sources: White House Office of the Press Secretary
Obama Administration releases plan to address potential meteorite strikes
December 30, 2016
The Obama Administration released the National Near-Earth Object Preparedness Strategy on December 30. This strategy acts to evaluate the nation’s current capacity to identify near-earth objects (NEO’s).
This document identifies which detection systems can be improved upon within our current infrastructure and recommends future investment areas. The strategy builds upon the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA) efforts to detect NEO’s and the Federal Emergency Management Administrations plans to address impacts.
This document will provide a roadmap to future action for federal agencies or for the future formulation of congressional bills that authorize investigation into these hazardous impacts.
Source: The White Office of Science and Technology Policy
NSF selects William E. Easterling as new Geosciences Directorate lead
December 9, 2016
The National Science Foundation has chosen former Pennsylvania State College of Earth and Mineral Sciences Department dean, William E. Easterling, to serve as the new head of the NSF Directorate for Geosciences (NSF GEO).
As dean at Penn State, Easterling’s research encompassed the renewable energy sector, food security issues, and environmental sciences. Easterling previously worked as a professor of geography and Earth system sciences, and has written or co-authored almost 100 peer-reviewed papers and reports.
He will formally take the role of NSF GEO director in June 2017.
Sources: National Science Foundation