Professional Licensure for Geologists in Michigan.
Dear MBGS members:
The American Institute of Professional Geologists (AIPG) is requesting support from the Michigan Basin Geological Society (MBGS) in their effort to establish legislation that would require professional licensure for geologists in Michigan. The fact sheets that follow give information relating this AIPG licensure effort.
The officers of the Michigan Basin Geological Society are seeking input from you on your agreement or disagreement with this licensure effort. Additionally if professional licensure is desired, should it be general in nature or specific. We believe that a decision to support or not support this request should by made only after our membership has had time to consider the issue and a chance to voice their opinions. Please send your comments to me godboldt@michigan.gov. or to any MBHGS officer. Thank you
FACT SHEET
WHO
The American Institute of Professional Geologists Michigan Section is seeking to establish legislation that would require professional licensure for geologists in Michigan
WHY
Michigan is a geologically diverse state with extensive mineral, oil & gas, precious metal, and water resources. We also experience hazards such as floods, slope failure, sink holes, rockfalls, and erosion. Groundwater supplies are a significant source of concern throughout the state. Increasingly we are dealing with soil and groundwater contamination, which threatens our drinking water.
Professional geologists are the people who advise property owners, underwriters, and government agencies in the public and private sectors about these important matters. Today in Michigan, where a manicurist, an athletic agent and a barber require a professional license, there is no law that protects the public against substandard, fraudulent, or unethical practices by requiring geologists to be licensed.
HOW
By establishing minimum standards of competency for geologists working in the state, a new professional Geologist (PG) Law will:
dramatically reduce the risk of error leading to loss of life and property from geologic hazards such as floods, slope failure, sink holes, rockfalls and erosion and greatly reduce the expense of repeating incorrect and/or incomplete work
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• establish a mechanism to determine whether a professional geologist is competent to assess the availability, protection, and quality of groundwater supplies and to assess, investigate, and clean up soil and groundwater contamination.
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• establish a pre-trial dispute resolution mechanism funded by the geology profession that will reduce lawsuits and their attendant burden on the courts.
WHO
The AIPG-Michigan Section has more than 300 active members and represents professional geologic organizations in Michigan and local chapters of national geologic organizations.
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1. Why is licensure of geologists being proposed in Michigan?
Licensure is being proposed for a variety of reasons. These include –
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a. Michigan has experienced several instances where adequate geological analysis was not performed and the public safety and health have been compromised or funds wasted.
Generally, states use the term “registration” to refer to an exam-based formal program that regulates the practice of geology. To be consistent with state laws, some states like Michigan and Indiana use the term “licensure,” which means the same thing. In contrast, “certification” by states and professional organizations typically implies a minimum standard of qualifications, but is not exam-based.
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3. Is it proposed that all geologists practicing in Michigan be licensed?
No. The proposed program would require licensure only for geologists whose practice may affect the health and safety of the public. This would include those performing many types of environmental work, siting of facilities, land development, and water resource development. Other geologists though, may want to become licensed to enhance their marketing potential.
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4. What are the proposed requirements to become a licensed Professional Geologist in Michigan?
The proposed minimum requirements for geologist licensure in Michigan include a bachelors degree in the geosciences with 8 years experience in geologic practice; a masters degree with 7 years experience, or a doctorate degree with 6 years experience; successful
Frequently Asked Questions
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1. Why is licensure of geologists being proposed in Michigan?
Licensure is being proposed for a variety of reasons. These include –
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a. Michigan has experienced several instances where adequate geological analysis was not performed and the public safety and health have been compromised or funds wasted.
Generally, states use the term “registration” to refer to an exam-based formal program that regulates the practice of geology. To be consistent with state laws, some states like Michigan and Indiana use the term “licensure,” which means the same thing. In contrast, “certification” by states and professional organizations typically implies a minimum standard of qualifications, but is not exam-based.
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3. Is it proposed that all geologists practicing in Michigan be licensed?
No. The proposed program would require licensure only for geologists whose practice may affect the health and safety of the public. This would include those performing many types of environmental work, siting of facilities, land development, and water resource development. Other geologists though, may want to become licensed to enhance their marketing potential.
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4. What are the proposed requirements to become a licensed Professional Geologist in Michigan?
The proposed minimum requirements for geologist licensure in Michigan include a bachelors degree in the geosciences with 8 years experience in geologic practice; a masters degree with 7 years experience, or a doctorate degree with 6 years experience; successful completion of an exam; a demonstrated record of active professional practice in geologic work of a character satisfactory to the board; and submission of written endorsements attesting to the applicant’s professional competency.
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5. Is there a proposed grandfather period to apply for licensure?
A 1-year grandfather period is proposed. Those who apply during the grandfather period will still need to meet the requirements of experience and education, but will not be required to pass an examination.
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6. Is it proposed that subdisciplines of geology be licensed?
Yes, the proposed program includes licensure for all geologists if they are practicing geology before the public. Subdisciplines of geology will not require a separate license.
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7. Are there continuing education requirements for renewal?
Yes, nine hours of continuing education credits are proposed over a three year period.
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8. What is “Practice of Geology Before the Public”?
The answer to this question is a working definition that may be revised as the licensure effort moves through the legislative process. The current working definition, which has been reviewed by members of the Michigan Chapter of the American Institute of Professional Geologists, is:
Practice of Geology before the Public means the performance of geological service or work including but not limited to consultation, investigation, evaluation, planning, geologic mapping, interpretation of geologic data, preparation of geologic reports, geologic cross-sections, and geologic maps, inspection of geological work, and the responsible supervision thereof, the performance of which is relevant to public welfare or the safeguarding of life, health, property and the environment, except as otherwise specifically provided by this act. A person shall be construed to practice or offer to practice geology, within the meaning and intent of this act, who practices any branch of the profession of geology; or who by verbal claim, sign, advertisement, letterhead, card or in any other way represents himself or herself to be a geologist; or who through the use of some other title implies that he or she is a geologist or that he or she is registered under this act; or who holds himself or herself out as able to perform or who does perform any geologic services or work recognized by the Board as the practice of geology.
Michigan Basin Opportunities: Alternative Views of Well Logs Using Log Curve Amplitude Slicing and Tomography
Dr. Albert “Buddy” Wylie
Well log tomography is a new technique that generates subhorizontal slices through well log curves on a sample-by-sample basis across petroleum fields or basins. The slices through the log curves represent approximate time lines and are relative chronostratigraphic surfaces that can be contoured to show trends in log curve amplitudes in map view when time-surfaces (e.g., unconformities, flooding surfaces, ash beds) bracket the interval of interest. Animation allows the visualization of changes in the distribution of amplitudes, interpreted lithofacies or reservoir properties between successive slices. Application of the well log tomography technique facilitates correlation because it highlights trends in log curve amplitudes that are not apparent using traditional methods to compare log curves. This presentation will show examples of the on going application of well log tomography to the Antrim, Traverse, Dundee, Niagaran and Trenton Formations in the Michigan Basin.
Biography:
Dr. Buddy Wylie is currently a Research Scientist/Engineer with Michigan Technological University. Buddy has more than 20 years of experience in petroleum exploration and reservoir characterization. He has held positions with Chevron, Santa Fe Energy, and Mobil among others and has been involved in many large exploration and reservoir characterization projects in West Texas, New Mexico, Argentina, and California's heavy oil reservoirs. His present interests include the continued development of log curve amplitude slicing and well log tomography for subsurface imaging and analysis of petroleum systems and reservoirs in Michigan and other areas.
May 6, 2004: AIPG Chapter meeting “Superglacial Stream Incision into Debris-Covered Ice, Matanuska Glacier, AK,”
By Brandi Boyd, Senior at Central Michigan University
At On the Border – Mexican Grill
21091 Haggerty Road
Novi, Michigan
Exit off I-275 at 8 Mile Road, approx. ¼ mile north of 8-Mile on Haggerty Road
Schedule: Cash Bar and appetizers 5:30 PM; Dinner 6:30 PM;
Meeting 7:15 PM-7:30 PM; Speaker 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM
RSVP by May 3. Telephone or e-mail registration with
Name, Company, Address, Phone, Fax, Amount
Due, and Dinner Choice to AIPG-Michigan Section,
c/o Mr. Scott Cesarz, Superior Environmental, Inc.
Contact Telephone is 248-596-1170, the FAX is 248-
596-1175, and email address is: cesarzs@superiorenvironmental.com .
Reservations not cancelled by March 1 will be billed. Checks to AIPG-Michigan.
NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA
FIELD CONFERENCE
Sponsors:
Michigan Basin Geological Society (MBGS),
American Institute of Professional Geologists, Michigan Chapter (AIPG)
Michigan Association of Environmental Geologists (MAEP)
Friday, April 30
Saturday, May 1
Sunday, May 2
The conference will open Friday evening with presentations followed by all day Saturday and Sunday morning field excursions. Each excursion day will end at Gaylord.
Stops on the field excursion will visit natural gas seeps, glacial features (kames, eskers, kettle lakes, moraines) karst features (sinkholes), a local quarry to discuss the Dundee Limestone, geomorphic surface expressions, oil & gas production and some local history. The trip will take us through Alpena, Montmorency, Otsego and Presque Isle Counties.
Friday evening presentations:
Gas Seeps of Northeastern Lower Peninsula
By Tyrone Black, Michigan DEQ Geological and Land Management Division.
Evaluation of Relationships between Hydrogeologic Environment and Petroleum
Hydrocarbon Remediation in Quaternary Glacial Sediments by Lisa M. Boettcher and Arden D. Davis, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.
A Poster Presentation: The Glaciated Landscape in the Grand Traverse Bay
Region of Michigan and the Nature of the Greatlakean Advance of the
Laurentide Ice Sheet in Michigan, USA
By S.C. Lundstrom, U.S. Geological Survey.
The Traverse Group from the Outcrop to the Subsurface: A New View combining the Historical Literature with Log Curve Amplitude Slicing to Identify Exploration
Opportunities
By Albert S. Wylie, Jr., Department of Geological and Mining
Engineering and Sciences, Michigan Technological University.
How Michigan Got it's Thumb
By David Baxter, Consultant.
Precambrian Basement Structures and Their Possible Role in Karstic Activity Across the Northern Michigan Basin
By David Baxter, Consultant.
REGISTRATION INCLUDES:
Friday evening presentations, Saturday continental breakfast, Saturday field trip, Saturday lunch, Sunday continental breakfast and field guidebook. Registrants are responsible for their own lodging, meals other than those listed above and transportation both to the Otsego Inn and during the field excursion. We encourage carpooling during the field excursion to minimize the number of vehicles in the caravan.
CONFERENCE FACILITY AND LODGING:
The conference will take place at the Otsego Club in Gaylord, Michigan. Registrants are responsible for their own lodging. Group rates for the conference registrants have been arranged for. A rate of $65 per night will be given to those mentioning the MBGS Conference when booking their room. The Otsego Club (800-752-5510 or 989-732-5181) is located on M-32 one mile east of Gaylord.
Registration begins at 6:00 pm on Friday, April 30
Friday evening presentations from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm
in the Spitzman Room, Otsego Club.
Saturday field excursion from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm
Sunday field excursion from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm.
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NORTHEAST LOWER PENINSULA FIELD CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FORM
Name:_________________________________________________________
Address:_______________________________________________________
e-mail address:_________________________________________________
Daytime Phone:_________________________________________________
MBGS Member AIPG Member MAEP Member
Registration Fee (per person): $45.00 US, a confirmation will be sent by e-mail
Limit of 40 registrants. Registration must be received by April 15, 2004.
One registration form per person.
Mail form with payment to (check payable to "MBGS"):
NELP Field Conference, MBGS
5711 Ambler Street, Holt Michigan 48842
Attn: Mark Wollensak
Direct any questions to Mark at (517) 719-8321 or mark@mbgs.org