# Presentation: 533408

## Group B Summary

*Session 3: Strengthening relationships at the regional level*

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

## Current Situation: Successes

- NDBC – Excellent example of asking RA’s for their input
- One on One – federal & sub-regional activities do work (i.e.  weather forecast offices/universities)
- It is possible to get multiple agency engagement and money, but hard to sustain
- Local federal office & local observation systems do cooperate on sharing of equipment and resources (without $ exchange)
- IOOS/RAs are permitting connections between feds and local not possible before
- The RAs can help the feds connect to the local community and local agencies (and can help feds with support for funding)
- Outreach and connection – the California and World Ocean Conference is an excellent example of local outreach.

## Current Situation: Issues

- Feds can’t sign MOA
- Agencies act different – need federal body to solve.
- Feds can certify system but not govern
- we will never be integrated without feds
- Time lost waiting for guidance
- Exception: Navy, MMS signed GCOS MOA
- Need to transition mature sub-regions into RA (varies with RA)
- Confusion exists between RA/fed relationships and sub-regional/fed relationship – who do the feds partner with?
- Where are other feds in the RAs  - e.g. FEMA, US Coast Guard
- State involvement –
- States have difficulty crossing state lines
- Too busy (while they do see potential value, its not important enough)
- Need clear message as to how IOOS will be funded

## Actions to improve interactions

- Need an MOA that feds can sign and a mechanism that allows federal agencies to participate ***formally*** at the regional level at the same table.
- Identify local, successful partnerships – and build on them at RA level.
- RAs need a ‘plan’ which leverages/builds on these local successes (both ways)
- RAs and feds need to communicate IOOS to the local federal/state agencies to generate interest and “buy in”
- RA Certification– needed to formally recognize RAs existence, and give them credibility

## Actions (continued)

- Need to share success stories between RAs and between feds
- NOAA should name an IOOS coordinator for each RA
- If NOAA is to lead IOOS, line offices have to participate in developing regional coordination and project execution.
- Feds need to ask for input from RA’s more consistently (like NDBC)
- RAs need to convince the feds that the RAs can help the feds do their job better (needs funded RAs)
- Need to build on existing interstate organizations

## Yet more Actions...

- Outreach/Education –
- need to talk about projects that will ***impact*** federal/state partners, e.g. inundation, water quality, water supply
- RAs need to share successes
- Keep at it!
- RAs should show leadership by hosting technical exchanges (e.g. MACOORA inundation workshop for non-scientists)
- Need to transition earmarks to base funding
- Encourage earmark programs to collaborate with RAs
- Use earmarks to demonstrate IOOS/RA value (right now!)
- Maintaining earmarks (which are locally supported) may exhaust RA projects in future.