CompuServe Messages

Doug and all, Personally I find it unlikely that the USGS will be eliminated. They might get some trimming of the budget though (there probably is room for that considering how much time various USGS geologist spend doing research in other countires), and having spent time walking/hiking as a Bureau of Mines geologist while the USGS was flying in their expensive helicopter, I expect there is room to do a little trimming here too. Although as a consumer of geological data, I would like to see their budget increased (take the money from a few of those strange "artists." But, don't be surprised if the Bur. of Mines gets greatly trimmed or killed. As far as their data being put to good use and better products by private enterprise, I personally know of no examples. De Lorme? Please tell me what they produce that is so good. All I have seen so far are there state Atlases which are definitely useful, but a USGS topo quad, and other quads at various scales, are the most useful maps of all I've seen. I also have gotten a lot of good data out of their bulletins, pro. papers, etc. Some of their publications are being reprinted by private companies. Someone apparently just reprinted Bull 1114 — Minerals of Colorado (the new similar publication by Colorado collectors is apparently written but may be quite a ways from being printed, at 1600 pages it will cost a bundle, plus photos and color photos). Also, someone in S. Idaho reprinted a few old special papers, all I recall is the one on platinum prospecting and mining. Maybe we could convince Newt to dissolve Congress and save us BILLIONS! Lanny