Update on Future USGS Science Directions 

                         MEMORANDUM



                                                                           
                                         March 14, 2001 


To:       All USGS Employees 

From:     Chip Groat    (signed) 
            Director 

Subject:  Update on Future USGS Science Directions 

Last summer I announced the development of future USGS science directions 
by the Associate Directors and Chief Scientists. These science directions 
are providing a vital framework in which USGS can show science leadership 
and excellence, while having an impact on critical societal issues.  I 
would now like to give you an update on our progress and what we are 
planning to do next. 

As you may recall, we identified eight topics and developed white papers 
for each. These were posted on the USGS intranet for your review and 
comment. In addition, about 350 USGS scientists, managers, and staff 
participated in 3 cyber seminars and 4 face-to-face listening sessions 
held last summer and fall, providing valuable feedback to us. Comments and 
questions were also posted to the web site. We have reviewed all your 
comments and, where appropriate, incorporated them into the white papers.  
The revised papers are now on the USGS intranet at 
http://www.usgs.gov:8888/director/spa/fsd 

Based on your comments, we have added a new topic, Environmental 
Information Science.  We have also combined the Ecosystems and Land 
Surface Change topics into one, Ecosystem Health, Sustainability, and Land 
Surface Change. 
  
We are now ready to proceed with the next step – developing a description 
of the science plan for each of the topics.  These plans will describe the 
science goals, fundamental research that needs to be accomplished, 
approach, products/outcomes, customers and partners and will include a 
high-level projection of the future skills, capabilities and support 
needed to build the science effort. The plans will be used for yearly 
budget development, as a basis for multiple-year planning, and to help set 
priorities for long-term planning. 

We have designated small teams of USGS scientists to develop the science 
plans for each of the future science directions.  The members of each team 
can be found at the web site listed above.  Each team will determine the 
best process for developing their plan and having it reviewed: workshops, 
discussions with internal and external colleagues, small group meetings, 
on-line discussions, literature reviews, etc. The plans they develop will 
be available in November 2001. 

Your participation in the future science directions process has been 
greatly appreciated.  I hope you will continue to participate by 
responding to any calls for information or assistance from the science 
plan teams.  Thank you for your help as we work together to shape the 
future of the USGS.