To address EQF's last point. Well, there are scientists in the US government, but too many US congresspeople and senators seem to be more or less antic-science. The president has science advisors. The big USA geological and geophysical groups (AGU and GSA) place scientists into Senator staffs for periods of about a year. An oceanographer who was a housemate of HW in the early 80s has an office in the White House.

EQF may want to look at what existing government organizations do before proposing new one. Check FEMA, EPA, NOAA, USGS, , NRC, Dept of Energy, etc etc.

Chris