Eric D. Colburn, PLS

It has come to my attention that the University of Maine is proposing budget cuts in its Survey Engineering Technology (SVT) program, and I’d like your help in getting the University to change its mind. If these proposed budget cuts are implemented in this survey program it could have a huge negative impact on our profession and in our land surveying businesses, too. The following information sent to me explains in detail what the issue is, how to voice your opinion on this matter, and how to let the University of Maine know how important it is to you that this program remain fully funded.

Please read through this information so that you understand how dire and unacceptable a situation this is. Then, I ask you to take immediate action by using the contact information below to contact the University of Maine with your opinion on this plan! As a professional land surveyor and as president of the New England Section ACSM, I will be contacting the University of Maine to let them know:

• How important this program is to me, as a professional land surveyor and a land surveying business owner,
• How important this program is to the students who are the future of our industry, and
• How this budget cut will impact our profession and industry locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.

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Professional Land Surveyor News

FEMA Announces That eLOMA Is Available Again

The other day I told you FEMA announced that the eLOMA process was temporarily unavailable. Also, FEMA would not be issuing Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA).

This was because Congress did not reauthorize funding for FEMA, along with other programs such as extension of the current highway bill and funding for extending federal unemployment benefits, the National Flood Insurance Program’s authorities expired on February 28, 2010.

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Professional Land Surveyor News

FEMA Announces That eLOMA Is Temporarily Unavailable

Yesterday, as a registered user of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Mapping Information Platform (MIP), I received an email notice that the eLOMA process is temporarily unavailable. Also, FEMA will not be issuing Letters of Map Amendment (LOMA).

Because Congress did not reauthorize funding for FEMA, along with other programs such as extension of the current highway bill and funding for extending federal unemployment benefits, the National Flood Insurance Program’s authorities expired on February 28, 2010.

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT

President Proposes $1.1 Billion for BLM in Fiscal Year 2011 to Protect Resources and Manage Uses of Public Lands

With a focus on renewable energy development, climate change adaptation, and other key priorities, President Obama today requested $1.1 billion in appropriations for the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Land Management in Fiscal Year 2011. This represents an $8.0 million increase from the BLM’s FY 2010 enacted funding level.  The President’s request reflects his continuing commitment to be prudent with taxpayer dollars while setting priorities for spending.

“Today’s budget proposal will advance the BLM’s mission of protecting the land’s resources while facilitating environmentally sound use of America’s public lands,” said BLM Director Bob Abbey. “Under this proposal, we can and will meet the challenges facing our agency in today’s fast-growing West.” Under the President’s proposed budget, the BLM will focus on the following priorities:

New Energy Frontier

The New Energy Frontier initiative recognizes the value of environmentally sound, scientifically grounded development of both renewable and conventional energy resources on the Nation’s public lands. To encourage and facilitate renewable energy development, the President’s FY 2011 BLM budget proposes a $3.0 million increase that builds on the $16.1 million increase for renewable energy provided in FY 2010. The funds would be used to complete environmental studies for solar energy projects in Nevada and potential wind energy zones in Oregon and Nevada. In the conventional energy program, the BLM will focus on implementing oil and gas leasing reforms put forward by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar while placing continued emphasis on oil and gas inspections, environmental enforcement, and production monitoring activities.  The budget includes a $2.0 million increase in BLM’s Soil, Water, and Air Management program for air quality monitoring that will be targeted to areas with current or anticipated intensive oil and gas development to help BLM ensure that the energy development complies with environmental requirements and minimizes or addresses potential litigation issues.
The Budget maintains BLM’s oil and gas management program capacity at current levels, with a $3.0 million decrease to reflect the completion of specific Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA) studies. In addition, the Budget proposes new fees – estimated to generated $10 million annually – to help offset the cost of BLM’s oil and gas inspection and enforcement activities.

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