To: National Research Program staff

From: Matthew C. Larsen, Chief Scientist for Hydrology

Date: December 22, 2005

Subject: Acceptance of honoraria

Scientists and staff are reminded that they are not to personally accept honorarium for activities such as talks given at universities, etc. Supplementation of one's Federal salary violates a criminal ethics statute 18 U.S.C. 209. Personal acceptance of payment for work related to the USGS mission is permissible only with Ethics Office approval and supervisory concurrence via a USGS Form 9-1510, Request to Engage in Outside Work or Activity. You may inform the university that the USGS has contribution acceptance authority, and that they can donate the honorarium to a USGS project, but you may not solicit a contribution.

The applicable SM chapter is 500.19 - Contributions and Grants to USGS from Outside Sources. In accordance with Paragraph 6(e). "Contributions of money and personal property of $5000 or less may be accepted by a local USGS office without Associate or Regional Director approval; providing that the receiving location completes the Contribution Report Form (Form 9-3089) and submits it for the concurrence of Program Management one level above where the contribution has been offered. An example would be a $500 honorarium offered for reviewing a technical publication."

Paragraph 3(D) states that "Prohibited Sources can include a person or entity who...has or is seeking to obtain a contract, lease, grant (including cooperative agreement) or other business benefit or assistance from USGS;...[or] apppears to be offering the contribution or grant with the expectation of obtaining an inappropriate advantage or preference in dealing with the USGS."

If you have additional questions, please contact the USGS Deputy Ethics Counselor, Nancy Baumgartner, at (703-648-7474) nbaumgartner@usgs.gov or the Ethics Program Specialist, Sharon Bonney, sbonney@usgs.gov (703-648-7439).

___________________________________

Matthew C. Larsen
Chief Scientist for Hydrology
U.S. Geological Survey, 436 National Center
Reston, VA 20192
tel: 703-648-5044, fax: 703-648-5002