Why We Are HereEric Lindstrom, Co-chair Interagency Ocean Observation CommitteeGreat Lakes Industry WorkshopJune 21, 2011

Table of Contents

Great Lakes

Observing System

Partnerships and

Alliances

Importance of Observing the Great Lakes• Largest body of freshwater in the world• 18% percent global freshwater• 95,000 square miles total• 9,000 miles of shoreline• 5,000 tributaries• 288,000 square miles of drainage area• 40 million people • $4.5 trillion annual Gross Regional Product

Great Lakes Growth & Impacts

• Water levels• Invasive species• Point-source pollution• Nonpoint-source pollution• Atmospheric pollution

1-Jan-1901 1-Jan-1921 1-Jan-1941 1-Jan-1961 1-Jan-1981 1-Jan-20010

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

Great Lakes Region Population (in Thousands)Bureau of Economic Assessment

2010 Outlook for Jobs• 994,879 Manufacturing • 217,635 Tourism • 118,550 Shipping• 118,430 Agriculture• 38,085 Science • 10,980 Utilities• 10,003 Mining

Largest Freshwater Fishery

• Fishery management• Invasive species monitoring• Harmful algal blooms

19501952

19541956

19581960

19851987

19891991

19931995

19971999

20012003

20052007

20090

10,000,000

20,000,000

30,000,000

40,000,000

50,000,000

60,000,000

70,000,000

80,000,000

90,000,000 Annual Commercial Landings

Pounds$

Shipping & Transportation

• 15 Major International Ports• 50 Smaller, Regional Ports • 163 million tons of cargo each year• 118,550 jobs in shipping, freight

transport, and warehousing

Great Lakes Variables

Variables

Physical

Geological

Chemical

Biological

Platforms

Ships

Buoys

Floats/Drifters

Satellites

Aircraft

Sensors

Optical

Acoustic

Electro-magnetic

Mechanical

Data

Analyses

Nowcasts

Climate Records

Information

Integration

Forecasts

Models

Capabilities

Weather/ Climate

Maritime Operations

National Security

Public Health

Ecosystem Health

Conceptual Framework for Observations

The Great Lakes In Context

Global Ocean Observing System

Interagency Ocean Observation Committee

Integrated Ocean Observing System

Great Lakes Observing System

Industry

Academia

Government

A National Federation of Regional Associations• U.S. Coastal Communities• Great Lakes• Caribbean and the Pacific Islands• National Federation of Regional Associations

Integrated Ocean Observing System

• An Integrated and Sustained Observing and Prediction System.

• A collaborative framework.• 17 Federal Agencies• 11 Regional Associations

• Three Subsystems• Observations• Data Management & Communications• Modeling & Assessment

• Three Cross Cuts• Research and Development• Outreach/Education• Regional Governance and Management

Articulation of Requirements

Measurement and Sampling Plans

Proposals and Funding

Implementation

Integration and Maintenance

IOOC and the Great Lakes Integrated Ocean Observing System

Alliances

Global Ocean Observing System

• ~8000 Platforms

• Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS)

The Great Lakes In Context

Global Ocean Observing System

Interagency Ocean Observation Committee

Integrated Ocean Observing System

Great Lakes Observing System

Industry

Academia

Government

Knowing Partners & Building Alliances• National Ocean Policy• Strengthening the Governance Structure• Implementing Strategies (Nine Priority Objectives)• Designing a Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP) framework

• Federal Government• Working to protect habitats, human and health• Funding research, cleanup, restoration, and pollution prevention activities

• Industry • Supporting Research and Development• Providing essential platforms

• Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)• Creating Decision Support Tools• Providing Data Management

• Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS)• Observing & Monitoring• Conducting Modeling & Analysis• Developing Products

Conclusion

• What are your data needs?

• Benefits for your operations.

• New, sustainable partnerships.