§ 9-2-803 — State geologist; appointment; term; removal; pecuniary interest in mineral property in state prohibited; duties; powers

Wyoming § 9-2-803

• Jurisdiction: Wyoming
• Title 09: Administration of the Government
• Ch. 2: AGENCIES, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND DEPARTMENTS
• Art. 8: GEOLOGIST, GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND TOPOGRAPHIC MAPPING

Text

(a) The state geologist shall be appointed by the governor
with the consent of the senate. He shall hold his office for six
(6) years or until his successor is appointed and qualified. No
person shall be appointed to this position unless he is a
professional geologist as defined by W.S. 9-2-801(a)(ii) with
the theoretical knowledge and the practical experience and skill
for the position. The governor may remove the state geologist as
provided in W.S. 9-1-202.
(b) Neither the state geologist nor the geological program
manager shall hold a pecuniary interest in a producing or
prospective mineral property of any kind, including oil and gas,
in this state.
(c) The state geologist shall:
(i) Examine and report on any state or school lands
when requested by the board of land commissioners and make
written reports concerning the geology of any lands in which
Wyoming is interested and on other matters about which the
respective state boards desire information;
(ii) Perform all other acts provided by the laws of
Wyoming relating to mineral deposits;
(iii) Make valuation surveys, investigations,
appraisements and reports on the mineral resources of the state;
(iv) Keep in his office full and complete records of
all work done by him or under his supervision, all of which
shall be the property of the state;
(v) Publish all reports, maps and data he considers
advisable and of public interest, and distribute the reports,
maps and data to the public upon request either free or at a
reasonable price;
(vi) Regarding roadside bedrock geological formations
shall:
(A) Receive, investigate and attempt to resolve
any complaints under W.S. 24-1-118(b)(iii);
(B) Report grievances under W.S. 24-1-
118(b)(iii) to the joint minerals, business and economic
development interim committee;
(C) Consult with the department of
transportation as provided in W.S. 24-1-118(b)(iv) on the
appropriateness of any signage identifying roadside bedrock
geological formations.
(d) The state geologist may:
(i) Designate and supervise mining operations on
state and school lands in the interest of economic development;
(ii) Cooperate with the United States government,
departments of the state of Wyoming, University of Wyoming or
private corporations in geological, topographic, soil and
mineral surveys, and in industrial investigations and
examinations that may bring about further economic development
of the mineral resources of the state. The cooperative
activities of his office may be accomplished on whatever basis
he determines but in no case shall the cost to the state exceed
fifty percent (50%) of the cost of the activity.