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The Office of the State Geologist: Earth-Science Serving the Commonwealth

The Office of the State Geologist: Earth-Science Serving the Commonwealth. Stephen B. Mabee State Geologist. February 12, 2008. http://www.geo.umass.edu/stategeologist. Responsibilities. Perform geologic mapping Coordinate research activities Advise state & federal agencies

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The Office of the State Geologist: Earth-Science Serving the Commonwealth

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  1. The Office of the State Geologist: Earth-Science Serving the Commonwealth Stephen B. Mabee State Geologist February 12, 2008 http://www.geo.umass.edu/stategeologist

  2. Responsibilities • Perform geologic mapping • Coordinate research activities • Advise state & federal agencies • Connect people with information

  3. Why do we need new geologic maps? • Maps save money • Existing maps are outdated • Do not show enough detail • Do not have needed info. • Constant barrage of new data • Needs for maps have changed • Not keeping pace with the need

  4. Benefits to the Commonwealth • Unique access to funding • Fills critical need for geologic mapping and interpretation • Provides unique access to Capitol Hill via AASG • Able to leverage resources at U-Mass

  5. Who we serve... • Town, State and Federal agencies • Water Resource Managers • Environmental and Geotechnical Community • Educational Sector • Homeowners • Energy Industry • Aggregate and Construction Industry

  6. Selected accomplishments: • Acquired $908,000 in outside funding • Helped channel another $495,000 for mapping in MA • Prepared 16 new geologic maps in 7 counties • Developed new fracture characterization maps • Initiated program to convert maps to GIS products • Helped develop paperless well reporting system for drillers • Created a State Mapping Advisory Committee • Created web page to facilitate access to geologic info

  7. DEVELOPING TRENDS • Number of GSHP installations tripled in 2007 • 9000 wells/yr installed in MA - >50% in bedrock • Earth Science info hard to find – but needed • High precipitation events – short time frame Boston Interstate 495 0 20 Percentage mi 0 40 19 - 24 km N 14 - 18 9 - 13 5 - 8 -1 - 4 Land Use Changes 1971 – 1999 (data from MassGIS)‏

  8. WHAT IS NEEDED A modest investment of $500,000/year to the State Geologist Office will allow us to: • Double or triple our current geologic map production • Continue important studies on understanding bedrock aquifer systems • Evaluate granites for geothermal energy development • Leverage federal $$ for data preservation • Investigate impacts of climate change on natural hazards and water resources • Fund the staff needed to do the work

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