Division of Geology and Land Survey
News Archive

Previous releases may be obtained by contacting the communications office.

2008  |  2007  |  2006

News Releases Department honors Edith Starbuck with public service award
ROLLA, MO, DEC. 31, 2008 -- Citing her "dedicated, hard working, and selfless" service to the people of Missouri, the Department of Natural Resources has awarded geologist Edith Starbuck the annual James Hadley Williams Public Service Award. Starbuck, a registered geologist and 23-year veteran of the department's Division of Geology and Land Survey, received the award from State Geologist and Division Director Joe Gillman at a ceremony Dec. 11 at the department's Rolla office. "She is a dedicated public servant who exhibits great integrity," Gillman said in presenting the award. "In addition to her exemplary outreach efforts, Edie's extensive body of work relating to geologic mapping in Missouri is outstanding. She has authored and co-authored numerous geologic maps, which are a public resource of broad value to our society."

Rolla Department of Natural Resources staff adopt families for Christmas
ROLLA, MO, DEC. 23, 2008 -- Rolla staff from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources raised more than $1,100 for the Greater Rolla Area Charitable Enterprises.  The funds that staff collected went toward Christmas gifts for two families in Phelps County. "Thanks to the generosity of department staff we were able to buy not only Christmas gifts but also food gift certificates in the amount of $200 for both of our adopted families.  Without these donations two families may have gone without," said Michelle Oglesby, one of the organizers for the drive.  "This kind of generosity is a reminder to me for what this time of year is all about." GRACE is a charitable organization which meets the emergency needs of individuals and families in Phelps County, including food, shelter and clothes.

Avoid Holiday shopping stress -- Give books about Missouri's fascinating geology
ROLLA, MO, DEC. 5, 2008 -- Holiday shopping can be time consuming and stressful, but shoppers can avoid some of the traditional holiday stress by shopping at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla.  Geology and Land Survey, you say?  Yes, that's right, especially if you are looking for a special gift for your rock enthusiast, fossil hunter, outdoors person, naturalist or historian. Books make great gifts, and a number of very popular titles are available for those on your shopping list who enjoy the outdoors.  One of the division's best selling books is "Geologic Wonders and Curiosities of Missouri" by Thomas R. Beveridge, Second Edition, revised by Jerry D. Vineyard.  This beautiful 392-page book locates and describes more than 400 interesting geologic features, including mountains, hills, knobs, mounds, shut-ins, waterfalls, rapids, bluffs and others amazing features throughout Missouri. 

Missouri celebrates Earth Science Week
School children learn about rocks, minerals, fossils and topographic maps
 ROLLA, MO OCT. 21, 2008—St. James and Newburg students and their teachers marked Earth Science Week 2008 by learning about rocks, minerals, fossils and topographic maps. "No Child Left Inside" was this year's theme. Helping young people explore Earth science firsthand was this year's goal for staff members with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey. The division partners annually with the American Geological Institute during Earth Science Week to increase public understanding and appreciation of the earth.

Earth Science Week in Missouri, 2008
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, OCT. 9, 2008 -- The week of Oct. 12 through Oct. 18 has been declared as Earth Science Week to bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians. "No Child Left Inside" was selected by the American Geological Institute as the theme of Earth Science Week 2008 to increase public understanding and appreciation of the earth sciences. "We are pleased to partner with the American Geological Institute to encourage young people to learn about the geosciences by getting away from the television, off the computer and outdoors," said Joe Gillman, Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey director and state geologist.  "We encourage our educators to highlight the earth sciences as a career choice and demonstrate the benefits earth sciences bring to the community. We know for certain that learning takes place in the classroom, and parents as well as teachers play a vital role in embracing this year's "No Child Left Inside" theme."

Fifteen southwest counties enter into survey monument restoration contract with the department
ROLLA, MO, NOV. 5, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently entered into contracts with Barry, Cedar, Christian, Dallas, Douglas, Jasper, Laclede, Lawrence, McDonald, Miller, Newton, Ozark, Polk, Webster and Wright county commissioners and their respective county surveyors to help restore land survey monuments. The following county surveyors and commissions are under contract to restore land corner monuments of the U.S. Public Land Survey System with the department's Land Survey Program: Samuel Goodman, Barry County; Chad Pyle, Cedar County; Loyd Todd, Christian County; Gregory Maynard, Dallas County; Ray Riggs, Douglas County; Steve Louis, Jasper County; Robert Shotts, Laclede and Wright counties; Aaron Austin, Lawrence County; James Loncarich, McDonald and Newton counties; Jerry Harms, Miller County; Tim Morgan, Ozark County; John Nelson, Polk County and Dennis Amsinger, Webster County. 

Four St. Louis area counties enter into survey monument restoration contract
ROLLA, MO, NOV. 6, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently entered into contracts with Franklin, Gasconade, Montgomery and Warren county commissioners and their respective county surveyors to help restore land survey monuments. The following county surveyors and commissions are under contract to restore land corner monuments of the U.S. Public Land Survey System with the department's Land Survey Program: Cameron Lueken, Franklin County; Paul Dopuch, Gasconade County; Bart Korman, Montgomery County and Robert Lewis, Warren County. The department's Land Survey Program in Rolla is responsible for maintaining the land survey system in Missouri. This system serves as the foundation for all land titles in the state and provides the framework for establishing property boundaries and land boundary corners. "These cooperative agreements with county governments allow the division to accomplish the goal of maintaining our state's survey monuments while using the expertise of the county surveyors in this important endeavor," said Joe Gillman, state geologist and Division of Geology and Land Survey director. "This fiscal year, 379 monuments will be restored."

Eleven southeast Missouri counties enter into survey monument restoration contract
ROLLA, MO, NOV. 5, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently entered into contracts with Dent, Howell, Perry, Phelps, Pulaski, Ripley, Ste. Genevieve, Shannon, Stoddard, Texas and Washington county commissioners and their respective county surveyors to help restore land survey monuments. The following county surveyors and commissions are under contract to restore land corner monuments of the U.S. Public Land Survey System with the department's Land Survey Program: Craig Ruble, Dent County; Ralph Riggs, Howell County; Tim Baer, Perry County; Richard Elgin, Phelps County; Don Mayhew, Pulaski County; Troy Ayers, Ripley County; Gerald Bader, Ste. Genevieve County; Louie Carmack, Shannon and Texas counties; Dallas Peters, Stoddard County and Tim Daugherty, Washington County. 

Nine northeast counties enter into survey monument restoration contract
ROLLA, MO, NOV. 5, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently entered into contracts with Boone, Lewis, Marion, Monroe, Osage, Pike, Ralls, Randolph and Shelby county commissioners and their respective county surveyors to help restore land survey monuments. The following county surveyors and commissions are under contract to restore land corner monuments of the U.S. Public Land Survey System with the department's Land Survey Program: Robert L. Walker, Boone County; Norman Ellerbrock, Lewis County; John Janes, Marion County; Marty Wasson, Monroe, Pike, Ralls, Randolph and Shelby counties; and Ralph Kliethermes, Osage County

Andrew, Harrison, Henry, Nodaway and Pettis counties enter into survey monument restoration contract
ROLLA, MO, NOV. 3, 2008 -- The Missouri Department of Natural Resources recently entered into contracts with Andrew, Harrison, Henry, Nodaway and Pettis county commissioners and their respective county surveyors to help restore land survey monuments. The following county surveyors and commissions are under contract to restore land corner monuments of the U.S. Public Land Survey System with the department's Land Survey Program: Shane Terhune, Andrew County; John Teale, Harrison County; Michael Taylor, Henry County; Troy Hayes, Nodaway County and Kerry Turpin, Pettis County.

Mark Twain after-school science club enjoys geology field trip
Rolla students and sponsors visit Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology
ROLLA, MO, SEPT. 22, 2008 – A Wednesday field trip to the Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology provided thirteen energetic third and fourth grade students an opportunity to learn about the fascinating geology of our state. The potential future geologists, who are members of Rolla’s Mark Twain After-School Science Club, were treated to a tour of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Geology and Land Survey museum where they had an opportunity to examine and handle rocks, minerals and fossils. Geologist Edie Starbuck described the different rock types to the students and demonstrated ways to identify rock types. During the discussion, the students learned about the state rock, mineral and fossil (Mozarkite, galena and crinoid, respectively). Students also took in exhibits and displays about Ice Age mammals, caves and earthquakes. 

Missouri's 19th State Geologist and Director of the Division of Geology and Land Survey assumes responsibility
ROLLA, MO, SEPT. 11, 2008 -- One month on the job, fifth generation Missourian, Joe Gillman is leading the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey in areas important to the health, safety and welfare of Missourians. Gillman to suceed Mimi Garstang, who retired August 1.  Gillman represents the state regarding issues such as the development of new energy resources including coalbed methane and tar sands, understanding earthquake hazards related to the New Madrid Seismic Zone, the investigation of potential underground reservoirs for long term storage of carbon dioxide and developing and providing information required for the accurate and economical location of property boundaries in Missouri. A registered geologist, Gillman joined the department in 1995.

Partnership better prepares first responders for earthquake in New Madrid Seismic Zone
ROLLA, MO, AUG. 26, 2008 -- Damage reduction through preparedness was the topic of a State Farm® sponsored seminar hosted by Washington University's department of mechanical, aerospace and structural engineering on the university's campus in St. Louis. The seminar was targeted toward an invited audience of first responders at the local and regional level and covered the subjects of hazards, vulnerability, strengthening of infrastructure and the preparedness of local utility companies and government entities.  "Earthquake hazard mapping is an integral component of preparedness in the event of a damaging earthquake in the New Madrid Seismic Zone," said Bill Duley, Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey deputy director and assistant state geologist.

Fair-goers agree: Geology exhibit on display at the Missouri State Fair is at the top of their list
SEDALIA, MO, AUG. 15, 2008 -- Junior geologist Lydia Calderon and her family attended the Missouri State Fair Saturday and to their delight, found the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' rocks, minerals and fossil exhibit as exciting as always. Lydia's t-shirt said it all, "I wanna be a rock star!"  Lydia exclaimed, "I love rocks!" and continued saying that she collects rocks and minerals of all types. "My favorite is the quartz crystal," and gesturing toward the nearly 90 pound stalagmite that was formed inside a cave, Lydia said, "I think the pink dripstone is really neat too."

Department Geologists host regional coal forum
ROLLA, MO, JULY 3, 2008 -- Coal experts who are members of the Western Interior Basin Coal Forum met for their annual meeting at Montauk State Park in Salem on June 18.  The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey served as host for the geologists from Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas and Oklahoma. Scott Kaden, the department's coal geologist, organized this year's forum where discussion focused on coal production, clean coal technology, carbon sequestration, uses of and quality of the coal produced, coalbed methane, research and projects being conducted.  Missouri has vast coal reserves.

Missouri State Geologist announces retirement
JEFFERSON CITY, MO, JULY 3, 2008 -- Mimi Garstang, director of the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey and state geologist has announced her retirement, effective August 1.  One of a few women in the United States to hold the position of state geologist, Garstang began her career with the department's Division of Geology and Land Survey in 1979 and has served as Missouri State Geologist and division director since June 2000.  Prior to joining the department, she worked as an environmental geologist for the White Consulting Engineering company in Memphis.  Mimi's career touches some of Missouri's biggest environmental challenges, including the Times Beach dioxin sites, interstate river issues, the Weldon Spring site in St. Charles County and evaluating earthquake risk in the New Madrid Seismic Zone in southeast Missouri. Joseph A. Gillman is named successor.

Missouri Oil and Gas permit applications increase
ROLLA, MO, JUNE 3, 2008 --The number of applications received by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' State Oil and Gas Council for oil and gas exploration has surpassed last year's total in the first four months of this year. "Record oil and gas prices contribute to increased interest in oil and gas potential in Missouri," said Mimi Garstang, state geologist and director of the Division of Geology and Land Survey.  In 2005, the department received 25 applications.  Since 2006, the number of applications received quadrupled and the numbers continue to grow: 144 applications in the first quarter of 2008 with gas at $86 per barrel, 129 applications in 2007 with gas at $61 per barrel, 41 applications in 2006 with gas at $57 per barrel, 25 applications in 2005 with gas at $50 per barrel.

Gasconade and Maries counties receive assistance from department to restore and establish survey corners
ROLLA, MO, MAY 23, 2008 -- Surveying work has begun as a result of a request from local surveyors and the Gasconade County commissioners to have a 12-mile stretch of the boundary between Gasconade and Maries counties retraced. Corners of the Public Land Survey System (PLSS) which define this boundary will be remonumented.

Geologists evaluate predawn earthquake centered in Illinois
 ROLLA, MO, APRIL 18, 2008 -- Missourians experienced the shocks of 5.2 and 4.5 earthquakes in Mount Carmel, Illinois, along the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone. Mount Carmel is approximately 130 miles east of St. Louis. The Wabash Valley Seismic Zone is located in southeastern Illinois and southwestern Indiana.

Department responds to sinkhole collapses in Cape Girardeau
ROLLA, MO, FEB. 28, 2008 -- Geologists with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey are helping the city of Cape Girardeau to identify what is causing recent sinkhole collapses and likely locations where additional sinkholes may appear in the southeast portion of the city.

Department announces mapping partnership with State Farm Insurance
ROLLA, MO, FEB. 29, 2008 -- Geologists with the Missouri Department of Natural Resources met with State Farm Insurance executives today at the department's St. Louis Regional office to accept a check for $26,000 in support of an earthquake hazard mapping project under way at the department's Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla.

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2007

Counties enter into survey monument restoration contracts with department
ROLLA, MO, DEC. 19-28, 2007 – The Missouri Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Geology and Land Survey recently entered into contracts with a number of county commissioners and their respective county surveyors to help restore land survey monuments.

Rolla staff send Christmas gifts to soldiers serving in Iraq and Kuwait
ROLLA, MO, DEC. 5, 2007 – Five soldiers serving in Iraq and Kuwait whose family members are employees at the Rolla office of the Department of Natural Resources are set to receive Christmas gifts from home. Thanks to the generosity of department staff, cash donations totaled $616.45.

Fill the stockings with geologic treasures from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources
ROLLA, MO., DEC. 3, 2007 -- Looking for a Christmas gift for your rock enthusiast, fossil hunter, outdoors person, naturalist or historian?  If so, be sure to visit to 111 Fairgrounds Road in Rolla the next time you venture out to do your holiday shopping. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey has four sets of trading cards that make great stocking stuffers.  Also available are beautiful books about our state's amazing geology.

Rolla third and fourth grade students tour Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology
 ROLLA, MO, NOV. 20, 2007 -- Third and fourth grade students who are members of the Mark Twain Science Club toured the Department of Natural Resources' Ed Clark Museum of Missouri Geology last week. The museum, located at the Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla, features many aspects of Missouri geology. Minerals, rocks, fossils, geologic maps, karst models and historical equipment that geologists and surveyors have used are a few examples of items on display.  

Missouri Geological Survey Program commended by Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists
ROLLA, MO, NOV. 2, 2007 -- The Division of Geology and Land Survey, Geological Survey Program staff received a commendation from the Kansas City/Omaha Section of the Association of Environmental and Engineering Geologists. 

Staff participate in National Cave and Karst Management Symposium
ROLLA MO, OCT. 31, 2007 -- Department of Natural Resources staff from the Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla attended the 2007 National Cave and Karst Management Symposium, October 8 through Oct. 12 in St. Louis. Four geologists who deal with environmental challenges associated with the karst landscape in Missouri presented information at the symposium. Also participating were speakers representing other karst areas, including the Virginias, Kentucky, New Mexico, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas and the Yucatan peninsula.

Students learn about land surveying, geology during Earth Science Week
ROLLA, MO, OCT. 30, 2007 -- The 10th annual Earth Science Week celebration was held Oct. 14 through Oct. 20 and, as is customary, the Division of Geology and Land Survey led the effort for the Department of Natural Resources. 

Geologic treasures on display at Rolla High School
ROLLA, MO, OCT. 26, 2007 – Some of Missouri’s geologic treasures are on display at the Rolla High School library through the end of October, thanks to Rolla High School Library media specialist Jennifer Elmore and the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Geology and Land Survey (DGLS). 

Forrester Group donates rock core to McCracken Core Library
ROLLA, MO, OCT. 18, 2007 -- A recent donation of approximately 420 feet of rock core, including core descriptions, petrographic thin sections and electrical and nuclear geophysical well logs, was made to the McCracken Core Library by The Forrester Group Inc., an environmental consulting company with offices in Missouri and Kansas. These materials from the greater Springfield area had been used for purposes of environmental site characterization and remedial action planning. Thanks to The Forrester Group, this geologic record is now in the public domain and can be used by anyone needing geologic data in this area. The Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Geology and Land Survey manages the McCracken Core Library in Rolla.

Pratte named President-Elect at Missouri Society of Professional Surveyor's 50th Anniversary Meeting
ROLLA, MO, OCT. 15, 2007—At their 50th Anniversary meeting held Oct. 4-6, the Missouri Society of Professional Surveyors elevated Darrell Pratte as the 2008 President-Elect. Pratte is a Professional Land Surveyor with the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla. He has served as chair of the organization's Scholarship Committee and on the Board of Directors. MSPS, with headquarters in Jefferson City, helps foster the land surveying profession.  .

Earth Science Week Oct. 14-20
JEFFERSON CITY MO, OCT. 11, 2007—Earth Science Week has been declared the week of Oct. 14-20 bring awareness to the fact that earth sciences are fundamental to the health, safety and welfare of all Missourians. 

Ray and Lafayette County boundary determined
 ROLLA, MO, SEPT. 19, 2007 -- After years of uncertainty and pending litigation, the legal position for the boundary between Ray and Lafayette counties at the Camden Bend on the Missouri River has been determined. County commissioners from Ray and Lafayette counties met with State Land Surveyor Mike Flowers, Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey, at the Lexington County Courthouse Monday, Sept. 17, to put the final touches on the surveying project. The elected officials signed land plats that depict the legal boundary between the two counties.

Geologic mapping tool for society
ROLLA, MO, SEPT. 19, 2007 -- This year marks the fourteenth year that the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey has participated in the portion of the National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Program known as STATEMAP. The national program is administered through the U.S. Geological Survey whose headquarters are in Reston, Virginia.

State Land Survey Index on the Web
 ROLLA, MO, SEPT. 12, 2007 – Visitors to the Department of Natural Resources’ Land Survey Program’s Web site are now able to perform a number of searches from their home computers 24 hours a day, seven days a week, on the vast holdings at the state’s Land Survey Repository. Searches on the Land Survey Index include legal descriptions (township, range and section), subdivision plats, U.S. survey number, General Land Office plats and field notes by township, surveyor name or number and City of St. Louis city blocks and roads. 

Belle school children visit Rolla facility
ROLLA, MO, MAY 29, 2007 -- Missouri geology, the environment, water wells and paper models were all the rage on Friday, May 4, for Belle second grade students. Nearly 60 students and a number of teachers and parents visited the Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey in Rolla.

Rolla fifth graders tour Rolla offices
 ROLLA, MO, MAY 24, 2007 -- Three hundred fifth graders from Rolla Middle School attended the annual "Rolla School Daze" event at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources on May 17. Students enjoyed the beautiful weather during their half-day visit at the department's Fairgrounds Road facility. Earth science presentations concentrated on environmental protection, geology, land surveying and groundwater issues. 

Earthquake Awareness Week observed
 ROLLA, MO, JAN. 25, 2007 -- "Knowledge is the key to being prepared," is the advice from Mimi Garstang, state geologist and director of the Division of Geology and Land Survey as Missourians observe Earthquake Awareness Week Feb. 1-11. During Earthquake Awareness Week, citizens are encouraged to attend at least one of the various public events that will be held throughout the state. Geologists from the department will help expand the knowledge base for Missourians by participating in a variety of events, activities and workshops. 

Completion of abandoned oil well plugging project in Cass County
ROLLA, MO, JAN. 18, 2007 -- Seven abandoned oil and gas wells no longer pose safety or environmental threats to Cass County residents, thanks to a Missouri Department of Natural Resources program that permanently plugged the wells in the county near Garden City.  Geologists from the department's Division of Geology and Land Survey conducted a final inspection of the abandoned wells, which were recently cleaned and plugged by a contractor. 

New Madrid Seismic Zone debate causing rumbles in scientific community
Despite Debate, Earthquake Preparedness Still Urged
ROLLA, MO, JAN. 12, 2007 -- Differing opinions about the causes of earthquakes in southeast Missouri are stirring debate among scientists, but are not diminishing the importance of earthquake preparedness, according to the Missouri Department of Natural Resources' Division of Geology and Land Survey.  "Not all scientists are in agreement on how to interpret data or extrapolate what is observed," said Mimi Garstang, state geologist and Division of Geology and Land Survey director. 

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2006

Division Hosts Regional Meeting of State GeologistsAASG group photo

The division hosted the Association of American State Geologists Central States Cluster meeting Oct. 31-Nov. 2.  Discussion focused on new and ongoing projects for each of the states and ways in which states learn or benefit from the experiences of a neighboring geological survey.  Discussion topics included geologic hazards, mineral and energy resources, geologic maps, earthquakes, oil and gas production, core sample storage, STATEMAP, source water protection, water supply and rights, ethanol plants, and Web site design and maintenance.

Employees commended for efficiency, productivity
Three Division of Geology and Land Survey employees were honored as recipients of the Governor’s Award for Quality and Productivity in the innovation category. Team members from the department are Mimi Garstang, state geologist and division director; Peter Price and Myrna Rueff, geologists in the Geological Survey Program. The department, in coordination with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy, used innovative solutions to protect human health and the environment at the Weldon Spring Site Remedial Action Project, a nuclear and hazardous waste site in St. Charles County. The team was recognized at a ceremony on October 11 in the Capitol Rotunda. 

Earth Science Week LogoCitizens across the nation celebrated Earth Science Week Oct. 8-14, 2006
The 2006 theme for Earth Science Week is"Be a Citizen Scientist!"  You don't have to have a Ph.D. or even formal education in Earth science to be a citizen scientist, only an interest and desire to learn. A citizen scientist is YOU involved in real science and research, throughout the year!  Find more ideas about how you and others can become involved in Earth science by visiting earthsciweek.org.

 

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