Compendium of Budget Information for the 2009 General Session

Natural Resources
Appropriations Subcommittee
Subcommittee Table of Contents

Agency: Natural Resources

Line Item: Utah Geological Survey

Function

The Utah Geological Survey (UGS) provides timely, scientific information about Utah's geologic environment, resources, and hazards.

The Survey does not have regulatory power except in areas concerning paleontology. Otherwise, the agency must "assist,' 'advise,' and 'cooperate with' other groups.

UGS is organized in two areas: Support and Technical programs. The two support programs for the six technical programs are Technical Assistance and Administration. The Technical programs include:

  • Geological Hazards
  • Mapping Geology
  • Energy and Mineral Resources
  • Ground Water & Paleontology
  • Geologic Information and Outreach
  • State Energy Program

Statutory Authority

The following laws govern operation of the division:

  • UCA 63-73-2 and 3 create the Board of Utah Geological Survey. It consists of seven members with various backgrounds. The director of the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration sits as an ex officio member.
  • UCA 63-73-9 allows survey employees to trespass on any lands while on official business.
  • UCA 63-73-11 requires the survey to protect paleontological resources on school and institutional trust lands.
  • UCA 63-73-12 prohibits anyone from excavating for critical paleontological resources on state/locally controlled land without first getting a permit from the survey.
  • UCA 63-73-14 requires collections recovered from state/locally controlled lands to be owned by the state or a SITLA beneficiary.
  • UCA 63-73-20 requires the survey to develop a curriculum and materials for volunteers who assist paleontologists.
  • UCA 63-73-21 creates a special revenue fund known as the 'Utah Geological Survey Sample Library Fund' consisting of donations and interest. The director administers the fund. The Division may only spend up to the amount of interest generated in the previous fiscal year.
  • UCA 53A-20c-102 creates a revolving loan fund to finance energy efficiency projects in school district buildings which is administered by the Board of the Utah Geological Survey, assisted by staff from the State Energy Program.
  • UCA 59-7-614 allows for corporate income tax credits for installation of, and production from, commercial and residential renewable energy systems; the tax credits are to be certified by the Utah Geological Survey.
  • UCA 59-10-1014 allows for personal income tax credits for installation of, and production from, residential renewable energy systems; the tax credits are to be certified by the Utah Geological Survey
  • UCA 59-10-1106 allows for personal income tax credits for installation of, and production from, commercial renewable energy systems; the tax credits are to be certified by the Utah Geological Survey

Intent Language

    Under the terms of UCA 63-38-8.1, the Legislature intends that up to $3,500,000 appropriated to the Utah Geological Survey, provided by item 189, Chapter 1, Laws of Utah 2007, not lapse at the close of fiscal year 2008.

Funding Detail

Statute (UCA 59-21-1 and 2) allocates 2.25 percent of the state's share of federal mineral lease royalties to the survey. These receipts are a crucial part of the Division's revenue, and in recent years have ranged between 20% and 40% of the total budget, depending on current energy prices. Typically mineral lease revenues follow natural gas prices with a two-month lag, but are difficult to predict due to variable production reporting systems.

Statute (UCA 53C-3-203) allocates 1.66% of all distributions made to the Land Exchange Distribution Account (established through H.B. 134 by 2007 legislature) to be made to the Utah Geological Survey, to be used for natural resources development in the state. Prior to that legislation, this funding was allocated to the Utah Geological Survey as part of its federal Mineral Lease royalties. In addition, for FY 2008 and FY 2009, this statute appropriated 7.5% of all deposits to this account to the Utah Geological Survey, to be used for test wells and other hydrologic studies in the West Desert.

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $2,190,700 $2,385,400 $2,669,700 $2,806,400 $3,025,600
General Fund, One-time $142,600 $66,500 ($150,900) $1,400,000 ($1,000,000)
Federal Funds $676,200 $1,534,900 $1,080,200 $932,400 $930,100
Dedicated Credits Revenue $868,100 $664,700 $995,100 $900,400 $1,262,300
Federal Mineral Lease $1,685,800 $2,849,300 $2,746,100 $2,725,800 $4,181,600
GFR - Land Exchange Distribution Account $0 $0 $0 $2,148,100 $1,648,800
Beginning Nonlapsing $609,000 $209,900 $726,800 $719,900 $250,000
Closing Nonlapsing ($209,900) ($726,800) ($719,900) ($1,890,400) ($200,000)
Lapsing Balance $0 $0 $0 ($190,400) $0
Total
$5,962,500
$6,983,900
$7,347,100
$9,552,200
$10,098,400
 
Programs:
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Administration $610,600 $799,300 $787,400 $738,300 $577,800
Technical Services $596,900 $528,800 $530,900 $614,600 $770,700
Geologic Hazards $746,000 $811,600 $820,900 $967,500 $565,200
Board $900 $4,200 $3,900 $6,500 $4,900
Geologic Mapping $903,000 $889,800 $910,400 $955,200 $1,067,400
Energy and Minerals $1,442,800 $1,441,600 $1,533,700 $1,980,100 $1,211,300
Ground Water and Paleontology $1,005,600 $1,037,700 $1,262,000 $2,861,700 $4,124,400
Information and Outreach $656,700 $686,600 $787,300 $852,000 $917,400
State Energy Program $0 $784,300 $710,600 $576,300 $859,300
Total
$5,962,500
$6,983,900
$7,347,100
$9,552,200
$10,098,400
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $4,354,200 $5,064,200 $5,610,700 $6,194,600 $6,539,700
In-State Travel $49,000 $52,500 $80,100 $66,900 $91,800
Out of State Travel $30,300 $33,000 $32,900 $42,500 $47,900
Current Expense $856,100 $751,800 $696,700 $685,300 $2,401,100
DP Current Expense $282,700 $239,000 $261,900 $212,100 $218,000
DP Capital Outlay $48,900 $21,300 $12,400 $0 $12,400
Capital Outlay $121,300 $37,400 $13,200 $0 $87,900
Other Charges/Pass Thru $220,000 $784,700 $639,200 $2,350,800 $699,600
Total
$5,962,500
$6,983,900
$7,347,100
$9,552,200
$10,098,400
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 71.6 78.4 80.1 82.1 85.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Administration

Function

Administration provides management, secretarial, and general administrative support to the UGS staff and board. The Director, as the State Geologist, provides geologic information to DNR, other state and local government agencies, state educational institutions, industry, and the general public.

This program also manages the general building needs of the Utah Core Research Center.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $569,000 $664,600 $421,400 $736,600 $427,100
General Fund, One-time $14,100 $116,500 $4,000 $0 ($100,000)
Federal Funds $0 $0 $800 $0 $1,100
Dedicated Credits Revenue $27,500 $18,200 $9,700 $1,700 $14,700
Federal Mineral Lease $0 $0 $351,500 $0 $234,900
Total
$610,600
$799,300
$787,400
$738,300
$577,800
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $511,000 $605,200 $691,000 $626,200 $560,900
In-State Travel $1,200 $500 $2,300 $500 $2,000
Out of State Travel $4,200 $3,800 $3,200 $3,500 $6,400
Current Expense $92,600 $187,400 $89,200 $106,900 $106,700
DP Current Expense $1,600 $2,400 $1,700 $1,200 $2,000
Other Charges/Pass Thru $0 $0 $0 $0 ($100,200)
Total
$610,600
$799,300
$787,400
$738,300
$577,800
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 7.0 8.0 8.8 7.5 7.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Technical Services

Function

The Technical Services program includes the Editorial section, Technical Reviews, and Computer Support. The Editorial section prepares reports and maps for publication, and maintains a variety of databases.

Funding Detail

Dedicated Credits come from sales of publications.

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $594,100 $490,700 $140,600 $477,400 $317,600
General Fund, One-time $2,800 $0 ($800) $137,200 $0
Federal Funds $0 $38,100 $0 $0 $0
Dedicated Credits Revenue $0 $0 $0 $0 $24,900
Federal Mineral Lease $0 $0 $391,100 $0 $428,200
Total
$596,900
$528,800
$530,900
$614,600
$770,700
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $293,200 $266,700 $271,800 $388,200 $419,900
In-State Travel $600 $0 $0 $600 $0
Current Expense $16,000 $9,800 $6,800 $31,400 $144,700
DP Current Expense $263,700 $217,600 $252,300 $194,400 $206,100
DP Capital Outlay $23,400 $21,300 $0 $0 $0
Capital Outlay $0 $13,400 $0 $0 $0
Total
$596,900
$528,800
$530,900
$614,600
$770,700
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 6.0 5.5 5.0 6.0 6.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Geologic Hazards

Function

The purpose of this program is to help protect Utah citizens by reducing losses from geologic hazards. This is done by characterizing significant landslide and earthquake risks, completing detailed hazard maps (1:24,000) for major urban areas, helping state and local government agencies responsibly address hazards, and promoting hazard reduction through education.

This program's objective is to improve the geologic safety of essential public facilities and proposed development, to improve understanding of geologic hazards, to minimize adverse interaction between human activities and the geologic environment, and to respond to geologic-hazard emergencies.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $116,200 $482,800 $622,000 $300,000 $515,600
General Fund, One-time $3,300 ($50,000) ($152,000) $0 ($400,000)
Federal Funds $101,400 $109,400 $31,300 $95,900 $25,700
Dedicated Credits Revenue $5,000 $0 $49,300 $29,400 $62,900
Federal Mineral Lease $520,100 $269,400 $270,300 $542,200 $361,000
Total
$746,000
$811,600
$820,900
$967,500
$565,200
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $631,200 $677,200 $763,700 $895,300 $913,500
In-State Travel $3,700 $6,100 $3,500 $4,100 $3,500
Out of State Travel $4,400 $7,100 $5,100 $5,700 $9,300
Current Expense $52,600 $78,900 $44,000 $62,100 $38,300
DP Current Expense $600 $9,200 $400 $300 $700
Capital Outlay $40,600 $0 $0 $0 $0
Other Charges/Pass Thru $12,900 $33,100 $4,200 $0 ($400,100)
Total
$746,000
$811,600
$820,900
$967,500
$565,200
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 9.5 10.0 10.7 11.4 11.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Board

Function

UCA 63-73-4 establishes a seven-member policy board for the Division. The director of the School and Institutional Trust Lands Administration is a non-voting member of this board. Duties of the board are to: establish and review policies, programs and priorities, review and recommend budgets, assess the needs of the community with regard to development and use of geologic resources, keep the director advised concerning survey policies.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $900 $4,200 $3,900 $6,500 $4,900
Total
$900
$4,200
$3,900
$6,500
$4,900
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $300 $300 $1,200 $2,600 $1,800
In-State Travel $0 $2,300 $800 $3,200 $1,100
Current Expense $600 $1,600 $1,900 $700 $2,000
Total
$900
$4,200
$3,900
$6,500
$4,900
Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Geologic Mapping

Function

This program produces printed and digital geologic maps, most at 1:100,000 and 1:24,000 scales. Mapping priorities are set each year by a State Mapping Advisory Committee represented the main land management agencies in the state. Program goals are to complete 1:100,000 scale maps by 2015 and map selected areas at 1:24,000 in the rapid urban growth areas as priorities dictate. Maps provide detailed geologic information needed for proper land use decisions.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $193,200 $156,000 $330,600 $200,000 $466,800
General Fund, One-time $500 $0 ($600) $0 $0
Federal Funds $279,600 $16,400 $228,800 $290,000 $233,900
Dedicated Credits Revenue $0 $249,300 $0 $21,400 $0
Federal Mineral Lease $429,700 $468,100 $351,600 $443,800 $366,700
Total
$903,000
$889,800
$910,400
$955,200
$1,067,400
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $612,000 $723,100 $750,600 $806,700 $961,300
In-State Travel $19,800 $17,600 $16,300 $20,900 $17,000
Out of State Travel $1,500 $2,800 $1,800 $3,500 $2,900
Current Expense $202,700 $79,900 $76,300 $79,700 $66,100
DP Current Expense $4,700 $400 $400 $5,400 $1,100
DP Capital Outlay $16,000 $0 $0 $0 $0
Other Charges/Pass Thru $46,300 $66,000 $65,000 $39,000 $19,000
Total
$903,000
$889,800
$910,400
$955,200
$1,067,400
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 9.2 10.5 9.8 9.8 12.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Energy and Minerals

Function

This program encourages energy and mineral resource development through a variety of studies to inventory and characterize the state's deposits. Many of these projects are funded in part by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. Geological Survey, or the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, and may include industry, academic, or consulting partners. The results of these projects help industry, the general public, and other governmental agencies make decisions about managing and developing resources in Utah. This program also maintains the Utah Core Research Center, which contains cuttings from wells and cores across the state.

Division administration has reported that even though coalbed methane production has peaked and is now declining, new discoveries of natural gas from deeper formations within the Uinta Basin. This has resulted in record gas production in 2006 and 2007. Natural gas is now the most important fossil fuel in the state for revenue generation, surpassing coal, which led during most of the 1990s, and oil, which dominated the 1980s. Increased oil production is also occurring due to the central Utah thrust belt discovery, and increased oil production from the Uinta Basin.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $0 $119,500 $394,700 $208,000 $722,500
General Fund, One-time $0 $0 $0 $0 ($500,000)
Federal Funds $217,400 $647,400 $466,700 $107,300 $51,900
Dedicated Credits Revenue $311,700 $0 $315,800 $200,700 $352,400
Federal Mineral Lease $514,600 $1,191,600 $349,600 $1,234,600 $534,500
Beginning Nonlapsing $609,000 $209,900 $726,800 $719,900 $250,000
Closing Nonlapsing ($209,900) ($726,800) ($719,900) ($490,400) ($200,000)
Total
$1,442,800
$1,441,600
$1,533,700
$1,980,100
$1,211,300
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $1,056,000 $1,120,400 $1,262,700 $1,386,100 $1,410,900
In-State Travel $8,200 $7,400 $16,500 $8,300 $16,000
Out of State Travel $16,600 $13,200 $14,900 $18,300 $17,500
Current Expense $213,900 $103,000 $95,800 $75,200 $95,900
DP Current Expense $6,100 $2,500 $2,700 $8,700 $2,700
DP Capital Outlay $0 $0 $12,400 $0 $12,400
Capital Outlay $33,200 $0 $0 $0 $87,900
Other Charges/Pass Thru $108,800 $195,100 $128,700 $483,500 ($432,000)
Total
$1,442,800
$1,441,600
$1,533,700
$1,980,100
$1,211,300
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 17.6 16.9 17.4 17.8 18.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Ground Water and Paleontology

Function

This program evaluates the quantity and quality of Utah's ground-water resources; and helps identify, protect, and preserve Utah's fossil resources through public outreach programs and through inventory and recovery projects that reconcile preservation and development needs.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $345,800 $0 $423,500 $241,600 $131,500
General Fund, One-time $119,100 $0 ($200) $1,262,800 $0
Federal Funds $77,800 $20,900 $13,300 $30,300 $9,000
Dedicated Credits Revenue $241,500 $117,900 $302,700 $264,100 $498,000
Federal Mineral Lease $221,400 $898,900 $522,700 $505,200 $1,837,100
GFR - Land Exchange Distribution Account $0 $0 $0 $2,148,100 $1,648,800
Closing Nonlapsing $0 $0 $0 ($1,400,000) $0
Lapsing Balance $0 $0 $0 ($190,400) $0
Total
$1,005,600
$1,037,700
$1,262,000
$2,861,700
$4,124,400
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $781,800 $902,600 $1,024,400 $1,152,600 $1,215,900
In-State Travel $15,100 $17,400 $38,900 $27,300 $47,000
Out of State Travel $3,600 $2,000 $5,500 $7,100 $5,300
Current Expense $105,200 $103,100 $145,900 $135,800 $1,736,500
DP Current Expense $400 $5,100 $1,400 $500 $1,600
Capital Outlay $47,500 $0 $13,200 $0 $0
Other Charges/Pass Thru $52,000 $7,500 $32,700 $1,538,400 $1,118,100
Total
$1,005,600
$1,037,700
$1,262,000
$2,861,700
$4,124,400
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 14.4 15.1 15.5 16.0 16.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: Information and Outreach

Function

This program answers public inquiries, performs public, teacher, and media outreach, prepares translated publications for a non-technical audience, manages the UGS web site (geology.utah.gov), manages the DNR Bookstore and its web site (mapstore.utah.gov), and the DNR Library. The program also prepares publications for non-technical users of UGS information.

Funding Detail

Dedicated Credits come mostly from sales at the DNR bookstore.

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $371,500 $386,000 $251,400 $572,900 $356,500
General Fund, One-time $2,800 $0 ($1,300) $0 $0
Dedicated Credits Revenue $282,400 $279,300 $292,400 $279,100 $309,400
Federal Mineral Lease $0 $21,300 $244,800 $0 $251,500
Total
$656,700
$686,600
$787,300
$852,000
$917,400
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $468,700 $543,900 $615,600 $685,500 $739,700
In-State Travel $400 $300 $600 $400 $600
Current Expense $172,500 $141,300 $168,200 $164,700 $173,400
DP Current Expense $5,600 $1,100 $2,900 $1,400 $3,700
DP Capital Outlay $9,500 $0 $0 $0 $0
Total
$656,700
$686,600
$787,300
$852,000
$917,400
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 8.0 9.1 9.7 10.0 11.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents

Program: State Energy Program

Function

The State Energy Program (SEP) program was transferred from DNR's Division of Energy to UGS in FY2006. It promotes renewable energy and energy efficiency and conservation throughout the state. This is done through the administration of incentive programs such as the Renewable Energy Tax Credit (UCA 59-7-614, UCA 59-10-1014, UCA 59-10-1106) and Public Facilities Energy Efficiency Pilot Program. Support is given to the development of wind energy in the state through the Anemometer Loan Program and other SEP activities that aid in characterizing the state's wind resources and providing other assistance to prospective wind developers. SEP also serves as a repository of technical and policy information that is used by government and private partners in the development of energy programs and policies. The 2007 legislature established a $5 million revolving fund administered by the SEP. This provides loans for energy efficiency projects in public schools

Public information is an important aspect of SEP's activities. The program supports and manages state working groups on energy efficiency, and geothermal, wind, and solar energy. SEP also maintains an extensive set of energy information tables and figures on the UGS website to assist both the general public and researchers regarding Utah's energy production, consumptions, resources, and prices.

Funding Detail

Sources of Finance
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
General Fund $0 $81,600 $81,600 $63,400 $83,100
Federal Funds $0 $702,700 $339,300 $408,900 $608,500
Dedicated Credits Revenue $0 $0 $25,200 $104,000 $0
Federal Mineral Lease $0 $0 $264,500 $0 $167,700
Total
$0
$784,300
$710,600
$576,300
$859,300
 
Categories of Expenditure
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Personal Services $0 $224,800 $229,700 $251,400 $315,800
In-State Travel $0 $900 $1,200 $1,600 $4,600
Out of State Travel $0 $4,100 $2,400 $4,400 $6,500
Current Expense $0 $46,800 $68,600 $28,800 $37,500
DP Current Expense $0 $700 $100 $200 $100
Capital Outlay $0 $24,000 $0 $0 $0
Other Charges/Pass Thru $0 $483,000 $408,600 $289,900 $494,800
Total
$0
$784,300
$710,600
$576,300
$859,300
 
Other Indicators
2005
Actual
2006
Actual
2007
Actual
2008
Actual
2009
Approp
Budgeted FTE 0.0 3.4 3.2 3.6 4.0






Subcommittee Table of Contents