What is the use of Geology in Louisiana

So Louisiana is at it again, and by it I mean doing something that they will probably regret in the long hall. So while I have covered many other things that I consider stupid in political actions in Louisiana (see here and here) this threatens the very safety of the state itself. The current budget for the upcoming fiscal year at LSU does not cover the cost of the Louisiana Geological Survey (Source).

Let me give you a little background. Unlike most states where the state geological survey is under the control of the state government directly in Louisiana the geological survey exists within the auspices of Louisiana State University, see link article for why. Well over the last few years LSU, along with most other major public universities, have been facing budget shortfalls. This is bad because it means that the universities must make some sacrifices this typically entails no new hires until the economy is turned around. LSU was facing a bigger budget crisis than most other major universities to the point that programs as large as some library functions were in the talks to get cut. Unfortunately for LGS they are one of the programs that is currently on the chopping block.

Now I am probably a little biased because I am a geologist by training but I find not just the LGS but also the USGS and most geological surveys to be important to the infrastructure of the state/country. In Louisiana this is especially important. Why? The main reason is that Louisiana's very existence is dependent on what the LGS finds.

LGS Director Chacko John said he was not previously approached about the decision, and he was surprised when he heard LGS was facing the axe in the next round of budget cuts.
John stressed the importance of the department’s work to the oil and gas industry. The LGS discovers new oil and gas deposits using geological mapping, which greatly benefit the industry.

John said no institution in the state ranks near LGS in many areas, like modeling of aquifers, locating of natural resources and mapping the state.

It is also important in these state completely dependent on the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico that it understands how levees on the sides of the river work because the elevation of New Orleans is between -6.5 and 20 feet (-2 and 6 meters) (Source). This makes the area prone to massive storm damage during hurricanes (see Hurricane Katrina). Also the geologic map of Louisiana is currently out of date and the LGS is in the process of updating it this will help with future understanding of both where the Mississippi River has been and where it might go in the future and how we can save lives.

So I plead with you Louisiana save the Louisiana Geological Survey, and to anyone who might be reading this make sure you spread the word.