# Presentation: 356777

## Group D Summary

*Session 3: Improving relationships at the federal level*

- Building the Regional Network:  Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Coordination Workshop
- Nov. 7-9, 2006  Chicago, IL

## How do we engage RAs in the activities of federal agencies at the national level?

- RAs  and feds must identify the areas & issues that RAs most need to be part of – identify where to direct RA efforts to best influence, engage the feds – set priorities and mechanism to meet these  - outline consensus RA position and how to engage with the feds.  RAs would  benefit from some cohesiveness in approach and message?
- Some issues are best addressed at regional level – some issues need to be at the national level.  RAs interact at a comparable level as the federal decision – engage with feds at the level they are working on.
- RAs need the credibility to carry some weight in federal/national decision making.  This credibility is in part gained by a consistent – unified voice.  What is the mechanism for engagement and how is this carried to the highest level.  RAs engage as peers at the regional/state level,  NFRA engages as peer at the federal level.

## How do we engage the national offices of the federal agencies in the activities of the RAs?

- Question 2 is really captured in question 1.
- NFRA should encourage federal participation in its organization – this ensures two-way street.
- RAs are desperate for federal regional staff to be able to participate as RA members.
- Conversely, should NFRA provide membership(?) opportunities to feds.
- In regions with multi-jurisdictional federal agencies - RAs need a single regional coordination office to work with.
- Important that there needs to be clear federal agency point of contact, who is knowledgeable about IOOS and who is consistent – there needs to be continuity with fed staff

## What are the real or potential “disconnects” or barriers in these interactions? 

*Inertia, agency cultures*
- Solution: Need to inform the feds – leadership – of the role of RAs
*Funding (limits travel, participation, communication)*
- Solution: Need funding
*Legal restrictions*
- Solution: Legislative solution to allow feds to be on RA boards, NFRA ... congress must fix problem

## What are the real or potential “disconnects” or barriers in these interactions?

*Administrative and geographic boundaries (differ by agency)*
- Solution: Need cohesive vocabulary “song sheet”- mission, need some flexibility (both RAs and agencies) – this is all easier with consistent vocabulary and regular communication back and forth
*Lack of knowledge among key federal agency personnel about roles and responsibilities of RAs*
- Solution: Education, common “song sheet”, consistency of federal leadership
*Federal agency activities without input from RAs (e.g., in-house IOOS projects at federal agencies undertaken without sufficient regard to RA plans and without RA input)*
- Solution: Increase venues for maximum efficiency of RA and federal efforts – reduce competition

## Other

- Absence of a shared definition of the components and mission of IOOS – need shared vocabulary and shared mission, between RCOOS, RAs, and federal agencies – without cohesive message there will be a problem in making IOOS successful.
- Absence of federal directive to do this.  No national mandate or charter to do this.  Without mandate no change will occur.
- Accelerate the formal incorporation of the RAs - formalize the establishment of the RAs – needs legislation
- How to recognize the work that RAs have done to try to achieve certification
- Accreditation – lack of certification is zero order problem
- Lack of certification must not be allowed to impede development – must proceed