MEDIA ADVISORY

What: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Congressional briefing on "Meeting the Challenges of Urban Growth" that highlights how science information and decision support tools are helping communities around the country balance population growth and economic development with maintaining a healthy environment.

When: February 17, 2000 10:00-11:00 a.m.

Where: Room 311 Cannon House Office Building, 1st & Independence Ave., SE

Meeting the Challenges of Urban Growth is the second in a series of Congressional briefing sponsored by the USGS and Representative Tom Davis that highlights how earth and biological science information used by decision makers to make communities safer and healthier. The urban growth seminar is co-sponsored by the Association of American Geographers and several non-profit organizations. Mark Schaefer, Acting Assistant Secretary, Dept. of the Interior will introduce speakers: John Kelmelis, USGS; Carol Whiteside, President, Great Valley Center of California; Gerald W. Adelmann, Executive Director, Chicago Openlands Project.

As the nation's largest water, earth and biological science, and civilian mapping agency, the USGS works in cooperation with more than 2,000 organizations across the country to provide reliable, impartial scientific information to resource managers, planners, and other customers. This information is gathered in every state by USGS scientists to minimize the loss of life and property from natural disasters, contribute to the sound conservation and the economic and physical development of the nation's natural resources, and enhance the quality of life by monitoring water, biological, energy, and mineral resources.