February 12, 2004

Boise State Receives $800,000 In Federal Funds For New Center

A proposed Center for Environmental Science and Public Policy at Boise State University took another step toward becoming a reality earlier this week after President Bush signed an appropriations bill that includes $800,000 in federal funds to help construct the new facility. The $11 million center, to be housed in a new seven-story addition on the east side of the Mathematics/Geosciences building, would include facilities and programs that link fundamental science research to science-based public policy, K-12 education and public outreach. Design work on the new building addition will start this spring, with groundbreaking projected for as early as 2006, or when fund-raising efforts are completed. Boise State officials are seeking an additional $4.3 million in federal matching funds over the next two years toward building the new center, along with support from the state and private sectors. “This new center is part of the emerging involvement of Boise State at the advanced and graduate levels with programs in the Treasure Valley and the state of Idaho,” said John Owens, Boise State’s vice president for research. “The strong support of Idaho’s entire congressional delegation played a critical role in securing this federal appropriation, and we very much appreciate their efforts.” The center will include a variety of environmentally focused centers and institutes that would collaborate with state and federal agencies, other universities, industry and the public, Owens said. Boise State programs to be housed in the new center include the Environmental Science and Public Policy Research Institute, Environmental Finance Center, Geotectonic Research Center, Permian Research Institute, Geospatial Research Facility and others. In addition, personnel from the Idaho Geological Survey would be housed in the center, and the building would also provide much-needed science teaching and classroom space. The research facilitated by the new building will include investigations of regional earthquake hazards, the health and dynamics of watershed systems, the assessment and monitoring of surface and subsurface contamination, and better understanding of the controls on distribution of energy and mineral resources. The center plans also include an Interactive Earth Science Exploratorium, an interactive museum that would generate interest for the earth sciences among K-12 students and the public. -30- Contact John Owens Vice president for research 208 426-5770 jowens@boisestate.edu Media contact Janelle Brown communications and marketing 208 426-1790 jbrown2@boisestate.edu