Geologic Mapping Meeting

DOGAMI scientist measuring coastal erosion.

The Oregon Geologic Mapping Advisory Committee will hold its annual meeting on Wednesday, August 23 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Portland State Office Building (800 N.E. Oregon St. in Portland).

The meeting agenda is available at www.OregonGeology.org.  As the agenda indicates, much of the focus is on Eastern Oregon, although there are sessions on urban hazard areas and landslides.  But this is actually an issue that those concerned about coastal land use planning might want to address.  Mining interests often drive the state’s Department of Geology and Mineral Industries (DOGAMI), but the agency also plays a critical role in identifying and mapping coastal hazards and tracing erosion due to sea level rise.  Advocates for addressing these concerns in the coastal region might wish to appeal to the committee, which advises DOGAMI, to shift focus.

The Oregon Geologic Mapping Advisory Committee (OGMAC) helps prioritize geologic mapping in the state of Oregon to focus on areas where natural hazard and resource management issues require good geologic data. OGMAC meets annually and is made up of professional geoscientists and natural resource specialists representing federal, state, and local government agencies, academia, and private industry who have a vested interest in Oregon's geologic framework, hazards, and resources.

For information, contact Ali Ryan Hansen, DOGAMI communications director, (971) 673-0628, ali.hansen@oregon.gov.