Dear members,

For your information, please read the following letter submitted to the Kansas Department of Health and Environment from Ted Jochems and myself.

Debra FitzGerald, 2002 President of the KGS

---

December 30, 2002

Donald R. Carlson, P.E.
Chief, Industrial Programs Section
Bureau of Water
Division of Environment
Kansas Department of Health and Environment
1000 SW Jackson, Ste. 420
Topeka, Kansas 66612-1367

RE: Geologist Developing and Certifying NPDES SWPPPS

Dear Mr. Carlson,

     The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) has proposed a modification of the Kansas National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit procedure to add geologists and architects to the group of professionals authorized to develop and certify Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs).  Relevant to this we have read Public Notice No. KS-02-179/183 (Kansas Register, 12 Dec 2002) and your letters of 12 Dec 2002 to Ted Jochems, Member Kansas Geological Society (KGS), and Debra FitzGerald, President, Kansas Geological Society.

     The Kansas Geological supports this modification.  Our society is a professional organization of geologists practicing in the oil and environmental industries in Kansas.  Surface mapping is a major part of a geologists education  and mapping skills are used throughout a geologists career.  These skills give us a good understanding of drainage systems, basins and topography.  Almost all geologists in Kansas are involved in the study of oil or gas or water contained in sedimentary rocks.  Knowing how such rocks were formed gives us an understanding of the movement of sediments on an eroding land surface.  Therefore, we are well equipped to analyze the surface topography around a drillsite, predict which areas might erode during a heavy rainfall and develop a plan for containing stormwater pollution.

The membership of the KGS appreciates the efforts of the KDHE to include our profession in the development and certification of SWPPPs.  We thank you for your time and consideration and wholeheartedly support your proposed modification.

Sincerely,

Ted Jochems
Member, Kansas Geological Society

Debra FitzGerald
President, Kansas Geological Society

 INTRODUCTION TO POWER POINT XP

     A class is being offered by Wichita State University’s Continuing Education Program on the basics of Microsoft Power Point presentations. 

     We had considered putting a class on for our membership but feel this one is very inexpensive and readily available to anyone who might be interested.  The following information is taken from the WSU Catalog of non-credit courses, Spring 2003:

Course length:  1 day, Friday March 28
Time:  9 AM to 4 PM
Instructor:  Norm Gentry
Fee:  $74.00 per person, includes text
Location:  WSU Westside Center, 
7011 W. Central
For more information, 
call WSU (316) 978-3731

---

WSU Geo Advisory Association
Announces 9th Annual Bash

      The WSU Geo Advisory Association will hold it’s 9th Annual Bash on April 27, 2003.  This year’s bash will be held in the Coastal Room at WSU’s Eck Stadium.  This is a great opportunity to explore the stadium amenities while attending the WSU vs. Creighton University baseball game.

      There will be an ice breaker and catered lunch from noon to the last inning of the game.  Watch the game, socialize with friends, faculty and students in the shade of the Coastal Room (via closed circuit TV) or sit in the bleachers.

Cost: $15 for adults, $5 for children under 12
Get your tickets from any of the GeoAdvisory Board Members 
or by calling Kevin Smith at 978-3140 
in the WSU Geology Department.
 

---

WSU Field Trip /Short Course Offered

     Dr. Wan Yang of the WSU Department of Geology is offering a Spring field trip and laboratory workshop on March 29 and 30, 2003.  The title of the course is “Sedimentology and Stratigraphic Architecture of Upper Pennsylvanian Oread Cyclothem in Shelf-to Delta Transition Zone, SE Kansas and NE Oklahoma” 

     The field trip on the 29th will be worth 8 CEU’s and the lab workshop on the 30th will be worth 4 CEU’s.  The workshop may be taken for college credit yielding 45 CEU’s if one registers through Wichita State University.  Please call the Library for more information.  Space is limited both as a college class and as a KGS sponsored event. 

---

The Kansas Geological Society offers one Day Field Trip to Sternberg Museum in Hays, Kansas

 The KGS, through the efforts of Bob Cowdery, is offering a one day trip to the Sternberg Museum in Hays, KS.  Participants will meet at the museum at 9:00 am on May 3, 2003.  After a tour of the museum, the participants will go to visit outcrops where specimens have been collected.  The field trip will be worth 6 CEU’s.  Each person going is responsible for their own transportation, admission to the museum and meals.  There is no additional cost for the event.

---