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Special Projects Manager
New Mexico Bureau of Geology & Mineral Resources
76 Encantado Loop
Santa Fe, NM 87508

Phone: (505) 466-6696
Fax: (505) 466.3574
E-mail:

Doug Bland is a special projects manager and geologist with the New Mexico Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources. He has past experience as a manager and geologist in the fields of policy, legislation and regulations development, environmental permitting requirements, negotiation, mediation, budgeting, and personnel management. In addition, he has experience in mineral and petroleum exploration and development, surface/subsurface investigation, mapping, and analysis of rock, soil, oil, gas, and water characteristics.

Education

• University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
  M.S. Geology, 1982, Focus: Structural geology and sedimentology
  Thesis: “Geology and Structure of the Bannock Range, Pocatello County, Idaho”
• Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University, Blacksburg, Virginia
  B.S. Geology, 1977

Professional Interests

• Natural resource policy
• Environmental management for resource extraction
• Natural resource regulation
• Natural resource education
• Sustainable development
• Mediation
• Field geology

Professional Experience

New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology; Bureau of Geology and Mineral Resources, Socorro, New Mexico

Special Projects Manager and Geologist   February 2004 – present

Coordinator for the bureau’s series of Decision-Makers Field Conferences, including the 2005 conference on Mining in New Mexico, and the 2007 conference on Water Issues of the Middle Rio Grande. These conferences gather high-level decision makers including legislators, government agency heads, and leaders in industry and public organizations for three days of talks and activities in the field. The primary goal of this series of conferences is to provide in-depth scientific and technical information on natural resource topics to a broad spectrum of influential people who make policy decisions, laws and regulations on these topics. Issues of current concern and potential solutions to these issues are discussed. Better informed decision makers result in better policy. Duties include overall conference manager, conference moderator, and technical program leader. Responsible for coordinating development of the technical program of speakers, and serve as an editor of the conference guidebooks of technical papers.

Also involved in other educational and research projects, including organizing the 2006 annual conference for the Association of American State Geologists in Santa Fe, NM, which includes technical sessions and twelve field trips. 

State of New Mexico; Energy, Minerals and Natural Resources Department; Mining and Minerals Division, Santa Fe, New Mexico

Division Director  December 1998 – December 2002

Responsible for overseeing all aspects of the Mining and Minerals Division, including three major programs, with an annual budget of over $2 million. Two of the three are mine regulatory programs, and are described in the Mine Regulatory Program Manager section below. The third is the Abandoned Mine Land Program, which implements construction projects to facilitate safeguarding and reclamation at abandoned mine sites across the state. Also responsible for managing division administration, publications, public outreach, mine registration, budget and personnel matters. Appointed by the governor, and reported directly to the Cabinet Secretary.

Mine Regulatory Bureau Chief  July 1998 – December 1998

Manager of the bureau comprised of the Mining Act Reclamation program and the Coal Mine Reclamation program. These two programs establish permits for operation, reclamation and closeout of mines under separate statutes and regulations. The Mining Act Reclamation program permits metal and certain industrial minerals operations, and includes inspection and enforcement provisions. The Coal Mine Reclamation program performs similar functions for coal mines under state requirements with federal oversight. This position requires management of all aspects of the program, including personnel management, budget, planning, policy development, regulatory and statutory changes, and interaction with upper management, industry and the public.

Bureau Chief  January 1998 - July 1998

Chief of the Mining Act Reclamation Bureau.  I was responsible for managing all aspects of the Mining Act Reclamation program described in the Mine Regulatory Bureau Chief position outlined above.  Prior to July 1998, there was a separate manager for each of the two regulatory programs.  When these positions were combined, I assumed the duties of both managers.

Program Chief   October 1996 - January 1998

Chief of the Mineral and Policy Program.  I was responsible for managing employees and activities including mineral policy and regulations development, promotion and education programs for the mining industry, publications and outreach activities for the Division, and management of the Mine Registration, Reporting and Safeguarding regulatory program.  Personal responsibilities included: development of mining statutes and regulations, formulation of mining policy, negotiation of issues and contracts with industry, other agencies and the public, Clerk to the Mining Commission, and represent the Governor, Department or Division on various Boards, Commissions, groups and task forces, including the Department’s Office of Policy, Planning and Communications.

Geologist IV   April 1989 - October 1996

Geologist in the Mineral and Policy Program (formerly the Mine Registration and Geological Services Bureau).  Primary responsibilities included:  special projects, mine inspections, publications manager, petroleum, minerals and geothermal information specialist, and liaison to other State and federal agencies.  Special projects include: mining environmental reclamation regulations development; lead author for coal and uranium chapters of the New Mexico Energy Policy; author of the publications "Permit Requirements for Energy and Minerals in New Mexico" and "New Mexico's Coalbed Methane Industry". As publications manager, I produced the comprehensive Annual Resources Report on the state's mineral and energy industries.  I also compiled and analyzed industry statistics. Was selected from almost 500 employees as the 1994 "Department Employee of the Year" for work on environmental regulations, and overall competence, efficiency, attitude and work ethics. 

Frank Moolin and Associates, Anchorage, Alaska
Soils Geologist   February 1989 - April 1989

Worked as geologic consultant with drilling rigs in collection and preparation of soil and permafrost core samples.  Analyzed samples for lithology, composition, porosity, water and ice content.  Prepared core logs and descriptions for use in development of large-scale government construction projects.

Exxon Company, USA, Corpus Christi, Texas
Senior Petroleum Geologist  June 1982 - October 1988

Responsible for: 1) subsurface mapping and data analysis in pursuit of oil and gas reserves; 2) identifying drilling prospects for management approval; 3) field work including electric logging, sample analysis, conventional coring and abnormal pressure detection; 4) computer mapping and data management; and 5) field surveillance and lease stewardship. Proposed and drilled 57 prospect locations with a total investment of over $30 million and a success rate of 84%. Developed an alternative geologic interpretation in an oil field previously considered depleted, and then initiated an aggressive drilling program which resulted in increases of 3200% in natural gas production and 1200% in oil production. Was given a promotion and special recognition for "outstanding contribution" for proposing 25 drill well locations in one year, an all-time division record.

University of Wyoming, Laramie, Wyoming
Teaching Assistant  September 1980 - June 1982

Responsible for teaching labs and classes in the following courses:  Seismic Prospecting, Structural Geology, Structural Geology and Tectonics, and General Geology.

Sohio Petroleum Company, Denver, Colorado
Field Geologist  May 1980 - September 1980

Performed surface geologic mapping while working with gravity and seismic exploration crews in the Idaho-Wyoming thrust belt. Collected soil and rock samples, and developed interpretations of geologic and geomorphic features.

Century Geophysical Corporation, Casper, Wyoming
Geologist   July 1977 - September 1979

Responsible for electrical logging of mineral exploration and development drill wells, including preparation of logs, computer and equipment operation, maintenance and repair. 

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