STEPHEN G. CONRAD'S GEOLOGIC MAPPING LEGACY

Stephen G. Conrad has been a driving force for geologic mapping throughout North Carolina for the last fifty years. His efforts began with reconnaissance mapping for the 1958 Geologic Map of North Carolina. In 1960, he was promoted to Assistant State Geologist and supervised detailed geologic mapping in the Carolina slate belt and the Brevard zone. In 1961 he assisted in obtaining legislative approval for an Asheville Survey office. Mr. Conrad was appointed the State Geologist of North Carolina on July 16, 1964. From 1964 to 1968, geologic mapping commenced in Polk and Orange counties as well as the Marion and Denton 15' quads. In 1968 Steve entered into a cooperative mapping agreement with the TVA to map forty 7.5' quadrangles within the French Broad River drainage. This program produced the first detailed geologic maps by the Survey and brought in the services of contract and student mappers. Concurrently in the Raleigh area, mapping of the geology, mineral resources and engineering geology of multiple counties was underway. The high-water mark of mapping activity came in 1978 with projects in 21 quadrangles and 5 multi-county planning regions. After the 1979 reorganization of TVA jeopardized work on several quadrangles, Conrad negotiated an agreement with the USGS to complete and publish them. He obtained legislative support for the 1985 State Geologic Map and he instigated detailed geologic mapping of two quadrangles after they were named as potentially suitable sites for high-level radioactive waste storage by the Department of Energy. In 1986, the Survey began detailed geologic mapping to provide technical leadership on the potential siting of a low-level radioactive waste facility. Beginning in 1988 Steve oversaw a two-year effort to establish the geologic framework for a proposed Superconducting Super Collider facility. In 1989 the Survey began long-term 100K-scale mapping as part of the USGS COGEOMAP program. As a member of the American Association of State Geologists, Steve met often with federal agencies, congressional staff and the State's congressional delegation to discuss national geologic priorities. He and other state geologists were vital in elevating COGEOMAP into the federally legislated and funded National Cooperative Geologic Mapping Act.