----------------------------Original message---------------------------- I thought that this would be of interest to others. Alberta |============================================================================| | Alberta Auringer Wood, Maps, Data and Media Librarian, Memorial | | University of Newfoundland, St. John's, Newfoundland, CANADA A1B 3Y1 | | phone: 709-737-8892; fax: 709-737-2153; Internet: [log in to unmask] | |============================================================================| ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 23 Feb 1996 14:25:19 GMT From: B.Boneham <[log in to unmask]> To: Multiple recipients of list <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Future Structure of B.G.S. Dear All I am forwarding the following mailing to allow those of you who wish to respond to be able to do so. regards Brian Boneham Nene College Northampton NN2 7AL From: CHARLIE NIVEN <[log in to unmask]> Subject: Future structure of British Geological Survey Sender: [log in to unmask] To: [log in to unmask] Cc: [log in to unmask], [log in to unmask] Reply-to: CHARLIE NIVEN <[log in to unmask]> As USERS of services provided by the British Geological Survey (even if it is only glancing at a geological map !) you have the chance to comment on the proposed future structure of the BGS. According to a recent government announcement the Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) has begun a "prior options review" of the British Geological Survey (BGS). "BGS is the national centre for earth science information and expertise, one of the world's major geoscience organisations and the oldest national geological survey (founded in 1835). Its work relates to mineral, energy and groundwater resources, land use and geological hazards. Activities undertaken include basic, strategic and applied geoscience surveying, monitoring, research and development. The BGS also carries out training and is custodian for geoscience data. Headquarters are at Keyworth, Nottinghamshire, and there are other offices at Edinburgh, Exeter, London, Wallingford, Belfast and in Wales (attached to the University of Wales, Aberystwyth). BGS staff number about 770, of whom over 550 are scientists. BGS received annual income of 29.3 million in 1994/95 of which 13 million was from the NERC through the Science Budget. A prior options study will be undertaken to establish whether abolition, privatisation, contractorisation or rationalisation would be appropriate for the organisation. Comments should be sent by the end of February 1996 to: Dr David Lynn, NERC, Polaris House, North Star Avenue, Swindon, SN2 1EU. Telephone: 01793 411583 GTN: 14341583 Fax: 01793 411691 E-mail: [log in to unmask] " It is not clear from the above what the four options actually mean in practice but since the status quo is not an option then it is obvious that the government intends to make cuts in the budget. If the cuts are as drastic as anticipated the availability of geological information and maps may be drastically reduced. It is believed that when stocks of older maps are used up only elctrostatic copies may be provided at prohibitively expensive rates i.e. 75 each! We have already seen the cost of published material rise dramatically e.g. Memoirs which cost 22 when published in 1994 now cost over 50 less than 2 years later. The quality of available material will stagnate and the effects will be felt throughout the scientific and professional communitites. This is especially true of site investigation where reliable, up to date maps can save the construction industry considerable amounts of additional expenditure. It has been estimated that the amount of extra costs for reliable S.I. bourne by private developers would be GREATER than the amount saved by cutting the BGS science budget. BGS has had a 13% cut in staff in the past three years. This is your chance to make informed comments about how you think BGS should continue; reply to Dr. Lynn on or before 29th February 1996. Charlie Niven Technical Director ENVIRONMENTAL GEOTECHNOLOGY CO. LTD. --Boundary (ID 3bDuVZ7nJLo7IYiNAj8vhQ)--