Activities/Accomplishments of the U.S. GOOS Steering Committee

Mark Luther and Worth NowlinSECOORA WorkshopSept. 12, 2006

History of USGSCThe U.S. GOOS Steering Committee was formed in 1998 at the request of Dr. D. James Baker, Jr., Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere at NOAA, on behalf of interested Federal agencies. The group was requested to help in the development of information concerning options on how to match the needs of user groups with the observations and products required to meet those needs, addressing what is working well, what is not working well, the impediments we face at present, and the opportunities we face for the future.

History of USGSCThe first meeting of the U.S. GSC was held 16 December 1998 in Washington, DC. Reviewed the history of the Saxton/Weldon request and discussed responseOriginal U.S. GOOS Steering Committee members: T. Malone, W. Nowlin, C. Cooper, L. Crowder, M. Davidson, L. Fu, E. Harrison, J. Hindle, J. Mjelde, R. Molinari, Z. Powell, and S. Weisberg. Other Attendees: D. J. Baker (NOAA), M. Cole (NOAA), M. Johnson (NOAA), P. Pan (EPA)

US GSC MembershipChairWorth NowlinTexas A&M UniversityVice-ChairMark LutherUniversity of South FloridaVice-ChairStephen WeisbergCalifornia Coastal Water Research Project AuthorityBob CohenWeathernews Charlie ColganUniversity of Southern MaineMargaret DavidsonCoastal Services Center, NOAABrian DorschMarine Services & ConsultingFrederick GrassleRutgers UniversityEd HarrisonNOAA/PMEL Paul KellyJoint Ocean Commission Initiative Task Force Phil MundyNOAA/NMFSJeffrey ReutterDirector, Ohio Sea Grant College ProgramEvan RichertState of Maine/USMLiaison to Ocean.USTom MaloneOcean.US Office

Accomplishments of the USGSCAssist in the preparation of key documents for the development of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Nowlin and Malone reportFrosch reportTen-year Implementation Plan for Building a Sustained Ocean Observing System for Climate prepared by the Office of Global ProgramsReport of the Ocean.US Workshop (Airlie House). These reports provided the basis for establishment of the Ocean.US Office and for development of a plan for the U.S. IOOS.

USGSC ActivitiesPrepare a strategy for development of the U.S. coastal ocean observing system. Provide suggestions to the federal agencies involved in development of the U.S. IOOS, especially working through the Ocean.US Office.Work with nascent regional associations to aid in the development of observing systems that conform to GOOS design principles.

USGSC ActivitiesIdentify users and assess products needed from the coastal component of the U.S. ocean observing system. Assign priorities to users and products. This has been done on a regional basis; initial assessments have been made for U.S. Coastal regions.. Maintain awareness of draft and pending national legislation bearing directly on the development of a U.S. IOOS. Provide inputs as feasible.

USGSC ActivitiesEnhance awareness by users and government representatives of activities related to the development of the U.S. IOOS. A Communications Subcommittee was formed and encouraged the development of a Communication Plan for the IOOS and the hiring of a professional communicator for the Ocean.US Office.

USGSC ActivitiesEncourage pilot projects to further the evolution of observing system elements.Maintain an inventory of studies of the economic benefits of a GOOS and promote/encourage additional assessments. Studies of the economic benefits of regional coastal observing systems in U.S. waters are of special interest. Assist with the preparations for the Arlie House Workshop and the follow-up report, particularly budgetary requirements.

USGSC ActivitiesEncourage Ocean.US to adopt an Implementation Plan. Prepared a draft plan. Encourage the NOAA Administrator to provide additional support to the U.S. contribution to the global (climate and marine services) module of GOOS. Provide reviews of documents related to this module.Suggest and advocate for the formation of a National Federation of Regional Associations. Created concept of RAs and NFRA, Drafted IOOS Resolution, organized Summit

Why should USGSC continue?Provide unbiased neutral counsel* for IOOS entities, both federal and non-federal no other group has this chargeInsure coordination with international GOOS activitiesProvide Corporate memory, continuityNon-FACA More flexibility

* D. Martin, Personal Communication

Highlights of US GSC XIIFeb. 8-10, 2006, CSCUpdates on RAs, NFRA, Federal Legislation, Ocean.US, Private Sector activities, Global Module of IOOSDiscussion on what remains to be done to help move IOOS forward Overview of National Water Quality Monitoring Network for U.S. Coastal Waters and Their Tributaries Report on IOOS Public Health Workshop, January 2006

Major foci for the futureDefining the National BackboneBuilding a North American GOOS Regional Alliance Re-orient IOOS focus on products rather than observations Enhance U.S. participation in the global component of GOOSDefining the role of the U.S. GSC in IOOS Education and Outreach

New InitiativeDevelop straw plan for IOOS focusing on 3 areas: Coastal Inundation/Disaster Resilience; Marine Operations; Public Health; to build upon Implementation PlanWill convene expert teams in each areaStraw plans will be merged and given to RAs and Federal Agencies for review How can this activity be coordinated with/contribute to IOOS-RFQ development?

Next meeting Sept. 13-14, 2006Major topics:Future structure, leadership of USGSCDevelopment of Global GOOS Developing the IOOS within the Federal government Regional Development of the Coastal component of the IOOS An initial design for the U.S. Coastal IOOS IOOS Education and Outreach

Options for the futureRemain independent would allow maximum flexibility but must find stable source of fundingBecome subcommittee of ORRAP would provide stable funding but would limit activityBecome subcommittee of Ocean Studies Board stable funding but potentially more restrictive

Alliance for Coastal TechnologiesPartner InstitutionsGulf of MaineOcean Observing SystemMonterey Bay AquariumResearch InstituteUniversity of MichiganCooperative Institute forLimnology & Ecosystems ResearchMoss Landing Marine LaboratoriesSkidaway Instituteof Oceanography

University of Alaska