The delegation included Jim Jacobs, President of CCGO, Rhea Graham, a former Director of the U.S. Bureau of Mines, Stephen Baker of Groundwater Watch and a consultant, Jim Arnold, an environmental attorney and representative of CORE Foundation and Ross Jacobs, a student. The delegation had a day in Sacramento packed with meetings.

Early in the morning, CCGO visited Stephen Testa, Executive Officer, State Mining and Geology Board, to discuss mining issues, mine waste reclamation, permits for mines and other environmental and economic topics. Later, the delegation met with John Parrish, State Geologist and leader of the California Geological Survey who spoke to the delegation about the various active geological projects as well as the funding needs of the survey. By noon, the group walked over to the California Capitol to view the gardens and grounds of the Capitol of California. We joined Rick Remple and George Dunfield of Board of Geologists and Geophysicists (BGG) for lunch in the Capitol cafeteria. After lunch, the legislative meetings started. We met with staff from Senators Joe Simitian, Loni Hancock, Mark Leno, and Carol Liu. We also met with staff from Assemblypersons Sam Blakeslee and Jared Huffman. The highlight of the day was a brief meeting with Assemblyman Sam Blakeslee, the new minority leader in the Assembly, who is the only geoscientist in the house. He has a PhD in geophysics and in his office, he had earthquake hazard maps. After a brief chat with him, the delegation had a photo-op in his office.

Topics discussed during the legislative meetings included the USTCF Financial Crisis (and 0.6¢ increase per gallon). All the people we met said they would support the fee increase to help with case closure of fuel tank sites. We also discussed the importance of geologists regarding groundwater, global climate issues, environmental concerns, earthquake hazards and other geology-related issues. The CCGO delegation also noted that the integrity of the licensure for geologists was important to CCGO, regardless of the name of the administrative agency. There is currently a plan by Governor Schwarzenegger to move the BGG to the SMGB. Although CCGO would prefer to keep the BGG independent, economic forces to large to fight will likely make major changes in the boards and state government. Although the BGG is self-sustaining based on the license fees, the changes may occur anyway.

After a good day in the Capitol, the CCGO delegation met with Kathy Snelson of Nossaman, LLP. The meeting was concluded after the priorities for CCGO for 2009 were established.

James A. Jacobs, PG, CHG
CCGO President
email: jimjacobs@ebsinfo.com