Serving professionals in engineering, environmental,
and groundwater geology since 1957

MONTHLY DINNER MEETING

Date: Monday August 1, 2005
Location: Double Tree Club Hotel, 7 Hutton Centre Drive, Santa Ana, CA (see general directions below)
Time: 6:00 p.m.-Social Hour; 7:00 p.m.-Dinner; 8:00 p.m.-Presentation

Cost: $22 per person with reservations, $12 for students, $5 late fee
Reservations: Call (949) 442-1713 ext. 224

PRESENTER: Mr. John Parrish, State Geologist, Assistant Director of the California Geological Survey
TOPIC: California Geological Survey

ABSTRACT

The California Geological Survey is celebrating its 125th Anniversary this year. Although it was not until 1880 that the California State Mining Bureau, predecessor to the California Geological Survey, was established, the "roots" of California's state geological survey date to an earlier time. As might be expected for a state that owed its existence to the gold rush of 1849, the Legislature recognized that geologists could provide valuable information. In 1851, one year after California was admitted to the Union, the Legislature named John B. Trask, a medical practitioner and active member of the California Academy of Sciences, as Honorary State Geologist.

In 1880 the State Mining Bureau was established by the Legislature. The establishment of the Bureau was a direct action in response to the need for information on the occurrence, mining, and processing of gold in the state. Its focus was on California's mining industry and the Governor appointed the State Mineralogist. In 1891, the Bureau published the first geologic map of the state showing eight stratigraphic units in color, along with numerous blank areas where information was lacking. The second colored geologic map of the state, published in 1916, showed 21 stratigraphic units and was accompanied by an explanatory volume (Bulletin 72, Geologic Formations of California).

The 1960's were years of development of new programs and modernization of long-standing programs. In 1962, eighty-one years after its creation, the Division of Mines was renamed the Division of Mines and Geology (DMG). Its focus had shifted from an organization that was primarily mine-oriented to one responsible for a broader range of practical applications of geology, especially geologic and earthquake hazards. A highlight of the decade was the completion in 1966 of the geologic mapping program.

In 2002, the name of the DMG was "changed" by the Director of the Department of Conservation to the "California Geological Survey". As the Survey enters the 21st Century, it is time to re-evaluate the CGS's purpose, programs and technologies so ensure that it remains relevant to the people of the State of California."

BIO

Mr. Parrish earned his B.S in Geology at the University of Redlands, California, his M.S. in Geology at the University of Houston, Texas. John earned his Ph.D. in Geology at the University of Wales, United Kingdom, where he performed his doctoral work on a marine geology-oceanography research project employing shipboard geological and geophysical data gathering techniques to investigate the recent sediments, bed forms and shelly fauna over 10,000 square miles of the Western Irish Sea from St. John's Point to Cahore Point, Ireland.

John held various positions as a Geologist with the Tenneco Oil Company in Denver, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, London, England, and Bakersfield. John was engaged in the exploration and development of company leaseholds in Crazy Mountain, Bull Mountain and Wheatland basins, Montana; Big Horn and Wind River basins, Wyoming; San Juan Basin, New Mexico; Williston Basin, North Dakota. He worked as a supervisor with a team of exploration geologists developing company prospects in central and western Kansas, the Anadarko Basin and Texas Panhandle, and Arkansas' Arkoma Basin. He supervised 16 professional geologists and the coordination of exploration projects in the West Texas and Permian Basin areas, and prepared and managed annual capital operating budgets in the $25 million range, and was involved with deep drilling projects on eight wells (to 18,000 feet). In London Mr. Parrish successfully coordinated and managed offshore exploration and exploitation projects of ten geologists, geological engineers and geophysicists in British, Norwegian and Dutch North Sea areas, acted as principal technical liaison between the company and its various partners and European government ministries (Dept.'s of Energy, Defense, Fisheries, etc.), prepared and managed yearly operating capital budgets in the $65 million range, and was involved with the development of Heather Field, the awarding of partnerships in six Norwegian offshore blocks, and the discovery of Heidrun and Smorbuck fields. Then back to the United States in Bakersfield, John's duties included both on-shore and off-shore activities including Alaska, Oregon, Washington, and California. John left Tenneco for Santa Fe Energy Resources in Bakersfield where he was responsible for the company's Pacific Division mineral exploration properties in the San Joaquin Valley and the Sacramento Valley (approximately 25,000 fee acres). He also developed exploration programs for deeper investigations below company's fee producing properties at Midway-Sunset Field.

In 1993 Mr. Parrish left the petroleum industry for government with his appointment as Executive Officer of the State Board of Registration for Geologists and Geophysicists. Later the following year he became the Executive Officer for the State Mining and Geology Board, where he remained until April of this year, when he was appointed to the position of State Geologist, Assistant Director of the California Geological Survey.

DIRECTIONS TO THIS MONTH'S MEETING

  • From LAX/Long Beach/Seal Beach/Fountain Valley
    Take 405 south to 55 Freeway North (toward Riverside), Exit at first exit (Mac Arthur Blvd). Turn left (West) on MacArthur. Make first available left at Hutton Center Drive. Hotel is one block down on the left.

  • From Los Angeles (Near Dodger Stadium)/Burbank/Buena Park
    Take 5 Freeway south to 55 Freeway south (toward Newport), off at Mac Arthur Blvd. Turn right (west) at MacArthur, and then make first available left at Hutton Center. Hotel is one block down Hutton Centre Drive on the left.

  • From San Diego/Oceanside/Mission Viego
    Take 5 Freeway north to 405 Freeway north to 55 Freeway north (toward Riverside), off at Mac Arthur Blvd. Turn left (west) on MacArthur. Make first available left at Hutton Center Drive. Hotel is one block down on the left.

  • From Newport Beach
    Take 55 Freeway north (toward Riverside) off at Mac Arthur Blvd. Turn left (west) on MacArthur. Make first available left at Hutton Centre Drive. Hotel is one block down on the left.

  • From Riverside/Yorba Linda
    Take 91 west to 55 Freeway south (toward Newport) off at Mac Arthur Blvd. Turn right (west) on MacArthur. Make first available left at Hutton centre drive. Hotel is one block down Hutton Centre, on the left.

  • From Diamond Bar/Fullerton/Anaheim
    Take 57 Freeway south to 5 Freeway south to 55 Freeway south (toward Newport), off at Mac Arthur Blvd. Turn right (west) on MacArthur. Make first available left at Hutton Centre Drive. Hotel is one block down Hutton Centre Drive on the left.
Please visit the Hotel website for further information, www.dtcluborangeco.com