Geologic Resources Division

Contacts

Organization

The Geologic Resources Division is a part of the Natural Resource Program Center,administered by the Associate Director for Natural Resource Stewardship and Science. The Natural Resource Program Center consists of six divisions: Air Resources, Biological Resources Management, Environmental Quality, Geologic Resources, Natural Resource Information, and Water Resources.

The Geologic Resources Division is located in Denver,Colorado,with a liaison office in Washington D.C.The National Cave and Karst Research Institute, which is part of the Division,is located in Carlsbad, New Mexico.The Division ’s three branches work collaboratively to support NPS managers by providing technical information,regulatory tools,and specialized services to effectively manage geologic and mineral resources.

Geoscience and Restoration Branch

• Provides technical expertise to park staff on geologic features,processes,and geohazards.
• Manages NPS disturbed lands restoration program, including abandoned mineral lands restoration.
• Coordinates Servicewide cave and karst,coastal geology and paleontological resource management programs.
• Assists parks with geologic hazard management concerns.

Planning, Evaluation, and Permits Branch

• Develops NPS guidance on geologic resource management policy and regulatory concerns.
• Evaluates geologic resource related legislative proposals.
• Provides support to parks developing comprehensive park planning documents and minerals management plans.
• Assists park staff with geologic research and mineral development permits inside parks and provides expertise on oil and gas,and solid minerals exploration and development proposals outside park boundaries.
• Coordinates Servicewide geologic resource inventory and mapping efforts.