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The Integrated Ocean Observing SystemWhere do we go from here?

J. Michael Hemsley, PE, CFMDeputy Director for Coastal Operations, OceanUS

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Intersection of IOOS and theNational Marine Sanctuary System

Global Ocean System

NationalBackbone

Gulf of Alaska

HawaiiPacific Islands

HIHWNMSNWHICRERFBNMS

PacificNorthwest

OCNMS

CaliforniaCBNMSGFNMSMBNMSCINMS

Gulf ofMexico

FKNMSFGBNMS

GreatLakes

TBNMSUPGulf ofMaine

SBNMSMid-Atlantic

MNMS Southeast

GRNMSFKNMS

Adapted from Implementation of the Initial US Integrated Ocean Observing System. Part I: Structure and Governance (May 2003)

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Global ProductsDetect/Predict

ENSO, Extreme Weather, Climate Change

• Increase resolution of field estimatesSea surface windsSST & SSSSurface currents & wavesSea ice

• Improve sea level predictionsTidesLong – term, secular changes

• More accurate estimates of changes inHeat & freshwater content of the oceansAir–Sea fluxes of heat, water & momentum

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National BackboneInitial Operational Observing Subsystem

EEZ, Great Lakes

• Remote SensingNational Polar – Orbiting Environmental Satellite

(NOAA, Navy, NASA)

• In Situ SensingStream gauge network (USGS)Tide gauge network (NOAA, USGS)Buoy programs – moored instruments (NOAA, Navy)Wave gauge programs (NOAA, Navy, USACE)Hydrographic & Habitat surveys (NOAA, USGS)Fish stock assessments (NOAA)

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Status of RAs

• Funded Groups:– MARA– SECOORA– GMOOS– GLOS– AOOS– NANOOS– CeNCOOS– SCCOOS

• GoMOOS

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POTENTIAL

• Hawaii and the Pacific Islands• Caribbean

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A National Federation of Regional Associations

• Represent Regional Associations at Federal Level Enable effective communications among NOPP agencies & RAs Encourage evolution of a national backbone that meets regional needs, Contribute to the development of common standards & protocols &

facilitate their use Promote development of & funding for Regional Coastal Ocean Observing

Systems nationwide

• Coordinate Development of Regional Associations Promote technology & information transfer Facilitate use of common standards & protocols Work with RAs to establish geographic boundaries as needed

• Periodically Recertify Regional Associations• NFRA Representation

Regional Associations Participating NOPP Agencies (ex officio) OceanUS (ex officio) GSCOM (ex officio)

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REGIONAL ORGANIZATIONAL

WORKSHOP• March 29-30, 2004, in DC• Objectives

– Review proposed certification criteria– Review draft annual report format and

content– Establish the NFRA Organizing Committee– Draft and sign a joint resolution supporting

the regional concept

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STATUS OF NFRA DEVELOPMENT

• NFRA Organizing Committee Established– Committee composition:

• Two representatives from each region• Mix of representatives from academia, state and local

government, NGOs, and industry• Ex officio members from federal agencies, Ocean.US, and

USGSC– Tasks

• NFRA mission• Proposed organization and composition of the NFRA• Terms of reference• Timeline for establishment

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STATUS OF RA DEVELOPMENT

• Comments received on certification criteria and being included in final draft

• Input received on needed enhancements to backbone and RCOOSs

• RAs in various stages of development:– Identification of stakeholders– Defining mission, terms of reference, etc.– Identifying sub-regional observing systems to be

included in the RCOOS– Developing governance structure

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NEXT

• First Joint Federal-NFRA Workshop to identify community needs – September

• Finalize the certification criteria• Receive and review additional

proposals for development of Regional Associations

• Continue the process to certify RAs and establish the NFRA

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OCEAN.US and NFRA WEBSITES

• HTTP://WWW.OCEAN.US

• HTTP://WWW.USNFRA.ORG

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