Paleontology at the USGS (posted for E. Brouwers)

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Date: Mon, 8 Jan 1996 16:56:07 GMT
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From: Elisabeth Brouwers <brouwers@gdsvr1.cr.usgs.gov>
Subject: Paleontology at the USGS
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Paleontology has not been eliminated at the USGS, contrary to rumors that
may be floating around.  It is true that the USGS was one of the agencies
suggested for elimination early on in the budget cutting scenarios.
However, the USGS was successful in demonstrating the societal relevance of
its programs.  The USGS consists of three science divisions--geologic,
national mapping, and water resources.  The Geologic Division went through a
downsizing, or RIF, at the end of last fiscal year, resulting in about 25
percent reduction of staff.  In addition to the RIF, the USGS went through a
reorganization, which eliminated individual branches and reorganized
according to funding programs.  This is where the Paleontology and
Stratigraphy branch was eliminated, and the paleontologists left after the
downsizing were placed in one of several program structures.  So, the truth
is that the Geologic Division lost a lot of talent, including some
paleontologists, last year.  We are all working hard to overcome the sadness
and try to fill in gaps.

Elly Brouwers