The Wise Report

The Wise Report

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

February 18, 2012

The Texas Board of Professional Geoscientists (TBPG) met on Friday, February 17, 2012. Highlights of this meeting are:

• The TBPG has proposed a new rule to allow wavier of exams for those who grandfathered in another state. This would allow PGs who were grandfathered into their licenses to practice geology in Texas, but not require reciprocity with that state for Texas PGs who were grandfathered. Currently, grandfathered PGs can only practice geology in other states that have reciprocity with Texas. Passage of this rule would not help grandfathered Texas PGs to practice in non-reciprocity states.
• Advisory Opinion #6 (AOR #6) has been withdrawn from consideration. This advisory opinion was to determine if any or all geoscientific work that is conducted through an academic institution or non-profit research institution or for-profit organization automatically qualify as "geoscientific research".
• A motion was made to refer AOR #7 to committee. This advisory opinion determined thatthose who engage in the work performed in the exploration for and development of oil, gas, or other energy resources, base metals, or precious, or nonprecious minerals, including sand, gravel, or aggregate, are not required to be licensed under the Texas Geoscience Practice Act.The motion was made on behalf of a request by the Texas Mining Reclamation Association (TMRA) uranium division. This has to do with the requirement by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) that all underground injection control (UIC) permits for in-situ mining permits have their cross-sections and boring logs sealed by a PG. The general feeling was that the PG exemption relates only to exploration and production, and not to environmental issues or requirements. This issue may need to be addressed sometime in the future. Matt Cowan, President of the Texas Association of Professional Geoscientists (TAPG) and Secretary of the Houston Geological Society (HGS) spoke out against this motion, saying that it's time to bring finality to this issue, as was promised to the Texas geoscience community. The motion was defeated and the Board granted final approval to AOR #7 with a vote of 8-0.
• The Oil and Gas Advisory Work Group has been dissolved by the Board.
• Dr. Judy A. Reeves has given notice that she intends to resign from the Board for personal reasons. She is a Professional Member of the Board and her term expires on February 1, 2017.

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The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) will hold a public hearing on proposed rules regarding the use of a Class I well for disposal of certain wastes through underground injection into a bedded salt formation in Austin on March 20, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. in Building E, Room 201S, at the TCEQ's central office located at 12100 Park 35 Circle.

Henry M. Wise, P.G.

The Wise Report

2/18/2012