By Walt Schmidt, State Geologist & Chief
The Florida Geological Survey (FGS) is the only agency in the State of Florida which collects, stores, interprets, maintains, and publishes geologic and hydrogeologic
data from throughout the State. Regional agencies, counties, and cities do not
have the data-base or the expertise to justify their own geologic programs. They
have relied on the State Geological Survey for this kind of assistance for 100 years. The FGS maintains a well- cuttings and core repository which includes samples collected from over 18,000 drill holes throughout the state. Academia is not the place for an applied earth science program as proven by the experiences of all fifty states and our collective experience from the last century. Universities (including state universities) historically focus on teaching, and research of interest to the current faculty which can result in peer acknowledgement. Their organizations are not set up for long term institutional memory and data maintenance or agency support. In addition, because they have not historically been “applied” programs, they have little current expertise regarding applied geologic programs which is the forte of State Geological Surveys.
Ecosystem Management and environmental dynamics has been an emphasis of many
federal and state governmental agencies in recent years. The Florida DEP
carries out programs in environmental regulation,
land-use management and conservation, and holistic
ecosystem / watershed management to integrate science, planning,
regulations, and land management practices for the best
possible program. Earth science is the foundation of all
these programs. Without fundamental geologic and
hydrogeologic information and interpretations no basic
environmental understanding can be obtained! And without
basic understanding of the earth-systems involved, no
regulatory or land management plan will be successful. Any
environmental regulatory or land management program will be seriously embarrassed if it is suggested that it can implement comprehensive ecosystem management, manage state lands and parks, and pursue environmental regulation without the benefit of a geologic research
team to supply earth systems interpretations.
In the early 1990’s the Department of Environmental Protection conducted a wide survey of all data base users. It was intended to begin to plan for efficient ways to integrate the many users of the various kinds of data. 43% of the programs stated that they needed geologic data to carry out their program functions! The FGS
has developed its geologic information through the electronic communication media, including the INTERNET. In this way various programs and others
are able to access earth science data and interpretations from their desktop to facilitate their job tasks.
The FGS routinely offers assistance regarding assessment of economic minerals of various land parcels for the Division of State Lands, the Department of Agriculture, the CARL Program, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and several others.
The FGS has a total of 39 FTE’s which is the only DEP earth science research component. Knowledge of the earth materials found under our uplands (in addition to the submerged lands) are important to our society for many reasons such as: we grow our food on them; we extract our drinking water from them (and our drinking water travels through them), we extract building materials from them (including materials to build roads, dams, and buildings, etc.), we dispose of waste in them, we are exposed to natural and societally enhanced hazards (including coastal erosion, flood prone areas, sinkholes, pipeclays, radon, mercury, and others). The economic impact of the earth materials and their benefit to society throughout Florida is at least as significant as that of the marine realm. Try to imagine our life style in Florida if the above topical areas were not available or were lost to us because of pollution or bad management practices.
In addition to uplands earth science pursuits, there has been identified a need for coastal, nearshore geological investigations. Needs for such purposes as beach restoration and inlet management have been identified by the State, the Florida Shore and Beach Preservation Association, the Environmental Protection Agencies’ consortium pursuing the Gulf of Mexico Program , the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Minerals Management Service, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. State geological surveys have been identified by the Federal Government as the lead state agencies in pursuing such investigations. The FGS is currently involved in such coastal studies, and has commitments for additional studies from participating Federal funding sources.
Most government programs at all levels are a fiscal drain on their tax bases. This is not out-of-line because most government services are not designed to make a profit, they are to provide a service to the public, hopefully using their appropriated dollars efficiently. State Geological Surveys, however, do provide economic benefits to the state and taxpayers. Geologic information is used for many purposes by state and local planners (such as avoiding development over a useful mineral deposit, avoiding costly waste clean-up by properly locating landfills or disposal wells). It has been estimated by economists that geologic map data provided by state geological surveys provides a payback of 7 to 55 times the initial investment! This type of assessment has also been carried out by the federal government with the same results.
The FGS has no plant facilities financial encumbrances because of a highly unique relationship with the Florida State University in association with the Department of Geosciences (academic research cooperation through a “Memorandum of Understanding”, and building deed restrictions). This translates into significant dollars (there is no building rent) which are spent on applied research and public service and utilized towards production of task oriented information services for the DEP.
About twenty years ago the National Geological Mapping Act passed Congress(and has been subsequently reauthorized) and was signed into law by the President. This
act describes the usefulness of geologic data and
partnerships between state and federal geological
surveys, academia, and the private sector. Six members of the Florida Congressional
delegation were co-sponsors of the act upon the
recommendation and encouragement of the Florida State
Geologist. It was also endorsed by past DER Secretary
Carol Browner, and past DNR Executive Director Virginia
Wetherell, and all five water management districts. In
addition, the National Governor’s Association through
their Policy NR-17 supports the National Geological
Mapping Program as a successful and needed state/federal
partnership. The FGS has grants under this
program each year to study the near- surface geology of various parts of the State.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency in their “Ground Water Resource Assessment Technical Assistance Document” specifically states that State Geological Surveys should be the primary agencies for the state ground water regulatory agencies to work with in characterizing the aquifers of the state. In this statement, the EPA has recognized the separate, valuable mission and services carried out by state geological surveys.
The National Academy of Sciences, through a report
released by their National Research Council, also
recommends the state geological surveys be the primary
state programs to be relied on for information related
to: geochemistry, biogeochemistry, fluids in and on the
earth, sustaining sufficient natural resources, mitigating geological hazards, and minimizing and adjusting to the effects of global and environmental change.
Regulation of Oil and Gas exploration and production has historically been assigned to the Geological Survey. This has resulted because of the petroleum geology, petroleum engineering, and general geologic background and data repository needed to assist with regulatory decisions. The program has been successful from an industry standpoint regarding clarity of regulations and from an environmental protection standpoint in that operations have been compatible with the surrounding terrain and minimized surface impact. In addition, multiagency, industry, and conservation groups, along with the public, have routinely been involved with the decision making process. The procedures have been praised both within Florida and by other agencies and conservation groups from other states.
FGS Staff Productivity / Involvement
Geologic project or report production has increased ten-fold over the last fifteen years while staff numbers have been relatively unchanged. This is due to a revised and redirected mission designed to provide applied geologic products with short turn-around time to supply the public and agencies with scientific support to assist with planning and environmental conservation / protection decisions.
The number of interagency assistance contracts and grants has increased from only one twenty five years ago, to more than an average of twelve per year in recent years. These include partnership projects with several federal agencies, state agencies (including several bureaus within the DEP), all water management districts, counties, cities, and universities. These have averaged in total about $200,000 per year in supplemental budget for the FGS.
The “Geological Research Programs” of the Florida Geological Survey have received Davis Productivity Awards, for their increase in applied research productivity serving the Florida public.
The Chief of the Survey is a past President of the Association of American State Geologists (AASG) and continues as an active member and Chair of several committees. This is an association of the Chief Executives of the fifty state geological surveys. This national visibility and recognition reflects the respect the other 49 State Geological Surveys have for the Florida program. In addition, it has resulted in a dozen or more federal grants to the FGS for geologic projects (ultimately returning federal tax dollars to Florida which previously went to other states). Two recent publications prepared by FGS
staff were chosen by the Geological Society of America (GSA) and AASG as the recipient of their annual Frye Environmental Geology Award. This award is from all eligible reports published from any of the fifty state geological surveys and the entire publication listings of the GSA. It truly represents national recognition for the FGS Environmental Geology program as it demonstrates applied use of geologic interpretations.
Two senior staff members were recently recognized with a “Hero of Industry Award”, presented by the Florida Geologic professional societies and the phosphate industry. This praised the geologic work which contributed to a better understanding of the Neogene phosphate deposits and their aquifer / aquitard characteristics. Other professional staff have been elected President of the Southeastern Geological Society, the Florida Association of Professional Geologists, and the Florida Section of AIPG.
Several staff have been singled out by external groups for their outstanding contributions and production. These have included DNR Employee of the Month selections, DNR Sustained Exemplary Performance Awards, Individual Davis Productivity Awards, DEP Total Quality Leadership trainers, DEP Ecosystem management committee members, DEP Employee of the Month, many technical advisory committees members, Legislative committee appointments, and university advisory panels. In addition, several professional staff had been asked to serve on the Florida Board of Professional Geologists Examination Committee (which prepared the professional geologist exam for Florida PG’s).
Due to General Revenue reductions and trust fund shortfalls over the last decade the FGS has lost several staff positions. As a result all staff have taken on several jobs, learned additional skills, and worked many extra hours to continue to provide the professional product we expect. These are really Public Service Heros as described by the Davis Productivity Awards Chairman.
Staff have organized and taught a summer three-week workshop for secondary school earth science teachers, and led fieldtrips for numerous professional and lay groups.
Lectures are routinely given to schools and civic groups
on Florida Geology and rocks and minerals, and
educational publications have become a continuing part
of our publication series (including a new poster
series, State Park Leaflets, and maps and Special
Publications describing the State’s geologic resources
and history). In typical years in response to
requests, the FGS sends out an average of 1,000
publications per month to the professional community and
the public. More recently our publications are available on our website,
providing continuing access for the public.
