The Wise Report
The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) adopts amendments to 22 TAC §§851.10, 851.20, 851.23, 851.25, 851.30, 851.80, 851.157, and 851.203; adopts the repeal of §851.158; and adopts new rules §§851.158, 851.159, and 851.220 concerning the licensure and regulation of Professional Geoscientists. The amendments to §§851.10, 851.20, 851.23, 851.25, 851.30, 851.80, 851.157, and 851.203; the repeal of §851.158; and new rules §851.159 and §851.220 are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the July 7, 2017 issue of the Texas Register (42 TexReg 3549). New rule §851.158 is adopted with changes to the proposed text. The repeal of §851.158 will be effective as of the date the new §851.158 takes effect.
Adopted amendments to §851.10 and §851.30 clarify the definition and role of an “Authorized Official of a Firm” (AOF). Adopted amendments to §851.80 amend language to establish a proctored review of a Texas Geophysics Examination for a fee, and provide a reduction of the renewal fee to half price for a person who has a medical disability. Adopted amendments to §851.20 clarify that an applicant who is not a citizen of the United States must provide a copy of a current visa or something equivalent.
Adopted amendments to §851.23 provide an alternate process for applicants who cannot provide a professional reference to verify qualifying work experience. Adopted amendments to §851.25 re-sequence elements of the existing rule so that the rule is consistent with the Texas Geoscience Practice Act, and provide that, by rule, the Board has determined that a person has satisfied “other equivalent education, as determined by the Board,” if the applicant has a four year college or university degree and has the appropriate number of total hours of geoscience coursework and in upper level courses. The adopted change also provides that the Appointed Board could still determine whether an applicant’s education is equivalent after review of the applicant’s credentials.
Adopted revisions to §851.157, along with the repeal of current §851.158 and the addition of new §851.158 and §851.159, reorganize the rules in current §851.157 and §851.158, and provide that the default for not responding to a Notice of Alleged Violation or a scheduled informal settlement conference may be to a Board Order instead of the current default of scheduling a hearing with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH), and provide certain clarifying language regarding the procedures by which complaints are investigated and adjudicated. Current §851.158 is repealed because these provisions are provided for in TOC Chapter 1002, Subchapters J and K, making the rule redundant and, therefore, unnecessary.
An adopted amendment to §851.203 adds provisions to the default process that is followed when a respondent does not appear at a SOAH hearing. Adopted new rule §851.220 provides a procedure for judicial review of a default or contested Board Order by a respondent.
The Board adopted new rule §851.158 with changes to include the addition of subparagraph (I) under paragraph (1), which now specifies the staff action of “dismissing complaints that are administrative, meritless, or non-jurisdictional (with or without advisement).” Additional language to paragraph (3)(A) was added to show that the notice of alleged violation will state “the authority of the TBPG to enforce the Act and take disciplinary action.” In paragraph (3)(B), it now reads, “The notice of alleged violation will provide three options,” and combines item (iv) with item (i), which now reads, “Accept the proposed findings and proposed disciplinary action, “and waive the right to an informal conference, contested-case hearing, and judicial review,” by signing and returning the enclosed proposed Board order.”
For more information go to: sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/September222017
The U.S. Geological Survey has stitched together geologic maps of the Lower 48 States, providing a seamless quilt of 48 State geologic maps that range from 1:50,000 to 1:1,000,000 scale. The new product, called the USGS State Geologic Map Compilation, is a database compilation based on the Preliminary Integrated Geologic Map Databases for the United States.
It provides a standardized Geographic Information System format that allows users to more readily conduct spatial analyses of lithology, age, and stratigraphy at a national-scale. As an example, a named rock unit (Dakota sandstone) might be called something different from State to State, on their respective State geologic maps. In the new database, rock units are characterized by their type (lithology) like “sandstone or granite” not by their formal name. This consistency across the single database now makes it easier for users to access information, rather than having to collect it from multiple databases.
The new map can be found at: doi.org/10.5066/F7WH2N65, and at ags: sciencebase.gov/arcgis/rest/services/Catalog.
Digital borehole geophysical logs and related data files are now accessible through GeoLog Locator, a new web-based map view and retrieval tool developed by the U.S. Geological Survey.
The tool releases more than 7000 digital borehole geophysical logs at more than 1700 locations to the public—many for the first time. Hydrogeologists, groundwater hydrologists, and geologists can search and explore the online database, which primarily includes information collected by the USGS, as well some data compiled from other sources with permission.
At the map interface, users can zoom and click on individual borehole locations to view and download available logs. The interface is fully searchable by state, county, USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), site number or station name, or by using a geographic bounding area. Users can search by log criteria, such as log category (generally logging tool type), file format, minimum logging depth, or log collection date range. Logs can be downloaded in batches that result from search criteria or can be downloaded individually.
A wide range of borehole log types are available, including acoustic, caliper, electric, electromagnetic, fluid, lithologic, nuclear, optical, well construction, or a combination or composite of these types. File formats include ASCII, DOC, IMG, LAS, PDF and original.
The map can be found at: https://webapps.usgs.gov/GeoLogLocator/#!/search