# Presentation: 742244

## NOAA

- VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.)
- Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator
- March 22, 2005

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

## OVERVIEW

-  NOAA Budget
-  Current environment
- 	- New Department of Commerce Secretary
- 	- New Committee Members on the Hill
- 	- New Appropriations Subcommittee Structure
-  Current Issues
- 	Hurricane Response
- 	Tsunamis
- 	Ocean Action Plan
- 	GEOSS

- Gutierrez at Earth Observation Summit III

- Gutierrez at NOAA’sNational Hurricane Center

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

**Notes:**
Overview/Menu Slide

I plan to talk with you today about:
NOAA’s budget: particularly I want to give you a sense of where we intend to go in 06;

Our current environment at NOAA: The 2004 election has brought the need to create new relationships on the Hill; this is the context we are now working in and some challenges and opportunities that we face;

Current issues:  The past year brought with it many challenges and opportunities.  I’d like to take a few moments to reflect upon NOAA’s role in facing those challenges and stepping up to those opportunities.

## HISTORICAL NOAA BUDGET TRENDS

- ($ in Billions)

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

**Notes:**
Shows Enacted Versus Request

We continue to make progress in both budget cycles

FY 06 is a $205M or a 6% increase over the FY 05 request

FY 06 is a $333M or 9.2% decrease from the FY 05 enacted

FY 06 is a $242.5M or 7.3% increase over the FY 06 current program including inflation and pay raises

Upward trend is a reflection of support within the Administration and Congress

## FY06 NOAA BUDGET SUMMARY

- Reflects Administration’s Support for NOAA’s Strategic Goals
- Supports Improved Performance in NOAA
- Maintains Essential Environmental Services for the Nation

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

## CURRENT ENVIRONMENT

- New: Secretary Carlos Gutierrez
- Committee highlights:
- Retired: Ernest Hollings
- Term Limited: Ted Stevens as Senate
-        Appropriations Chair (still a member)
- New: Thad Cochran—Senate Appropriations Chair
- New: Richard Shelby (R) & Barbara Mikulski (D)—Appropriations Subcommittee Leaders
- New: Jerry Lewis—House Appropriations Chair
- New: Ted Stevens—Commerce Chair
- New: Inouye—Commerce (co-chair) and Appropriations
- Committee change:
- NASA/NSF now part of Senate Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

**Notes:**
Carlos M. Gutierrez is the 35th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce.  Previously he was the former chairman of the board and chief executive officer of Kellogg Company.   

In nominating Mr. Gutierrez, President Bush said, “He understands the world of business, from the first rung on the ladder to the very top. He knows exactly what it takes to help American businesses grow and to create jobs.” 

## HURRICANE RESPONSE - FORECAST ACCURACY 

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- error (nautical miles)

- Yearly-Average Official 48 hour Track Forecast Error, Atlantic Basin

- STIP

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- Yearly-Average Official 48 hour Intensity Forecast Error, Atlantic Basin

- NOAA Tropical Prediction Center’s Performance Measures

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

**Notes:**
The figure on the left depicts NOAA’s track forecasting success.
The figure on the right is an indicator of our need to enhance focus on intensity forecasting.

## U.S. PLAN FOR AN IMPROVED TSUNAMI MONITORING SYSTEM

- $37.5M over next 2 years
- Enable enhanced monitoring, detection, warning & communications throughout
- Advanced technology DART buoys
- Nearly 100% coverage for U.S. coastal tsunami
- Expanded monitoring capability throughout Pacific & Caribbean basins
- Part of future global observation & global tsunami warning systems

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

## U.S. OCEAN ACTION PLAN

- Highlights
- Establish Committee on Ocean Policy
- Develop Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy
- Build an Ocean Observing System
- Develop and Deploy New State-of-the-Art Research Vessels
- Continue Support for Market-Based Management of Fisheries
- Support Accession to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

**Notes:**
On December 17, 2004, President Bush submitted the “U.S. Ocean Action Plan” to Congress in response to the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy recommendations.  The U.S. Ocean Action Plan outlines the near-term and longer-term actions that protect our ocean and marine resources.   The U.S. Ocean Action Plan 1) summarizes the Administration’s ongoing actions to advance ocean policy as the Commission deliberated;2) identifies additional near-term actions that provide direction for ocean policy; 3) outlines comprehensive, long-term actions for the future; and 4) improves governance between Federal, state, local and tribal authorities
Highlights of the Administration’s Response
Improve Federal Coordination.  President Bush is established, by Executive Order, a Cabinet-level Committee on Ocean Policy to advise the President on the establishment or implementation of policies concerning ocean-related matters.  The Committee would also facilitate, among other things, (1) development and implementation of common principles and goals for governmental activities on ocean-related matters, (2) use of science in the establishment of policy on ocean-related matters, and (3) collection, development, dissemination, and exchange of information on ocean-related matters.  Federal agencies will work closely with states, tribal and local governments, and others to ensure that they are conducting effective and coordinated ocean and coastal programs.
Develop an Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy.  The President’s National Science and Technology Council’s Joint Subcommittee on Oceans (JSO) will develop a Framework for an Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy by March 31, 2005, followed by a detailed plan and strategy by December 31, 2006.  The Implementation Strategy will identify how the various ocean science sectors (government, academic, industry and non-government) can and should be engaged, individually or through partnerships.
Build an Ocean Observing System as Part of the Global Earth Observation Systems.  The United States is leading the effort to bring the international community together to develop an integrated, comprehensive, and sustained global earth observing system, which includes a substantial ocean component, known as the Global Ocean Observing System.
Develop and Deploy New State-of-the-Art Research Vessels. The National Science Foundation, with the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute, is funding the construction of a deep-sea manned submersible.  When completed in 2008, it will be the most capable deep-sea research vehicle in the world.  The Navy also recently transferred the USNS Capable to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the first vessel solely dedicated to NOAA’s ocean exploration program.
Market-based Management of Fisheries.  The Administration will also continue to support market-based fisheries management tools, such as individual fishing quotas (IFQs) for improving fisheries management reducing cumbersome regulation, and enhancing safety at sea.  IFQs provide individual fishermen more certainty with an exclusive, market-based share of the annual harvest quota.
Support Accession to the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (LOS).  As a matter of national security, economic self-interest, and international leadership, the Bush Administration supports U.S. accession to the LOS Convention.   The Administration is continuing to pursue discussions with Congress on ratification.
BACKGROUND -- At the President’s direction, the Administration is working with every level of government and the private sector to advance the next generation of ocean policy.  We encourage more effective management and conservation of our ocean and coastal resources.  To accomplish that, the Bush Administration has launched and supported numerous innovative science, management, and policy initiatives.  
 	To encourage greater Federal coordination and integration, the President signed an Executive Order establishing a Cabinet-level “Committee on Ocean Policy.”  This Committee will advise the President on domestic policies concerning ocean-related matters and facilitate (1) the development and implementation of common principles and goals for governmental activities on ocean-related matters, (2) use of science in the establishment of policy on ocean-related matters, and (3) collection, development, dissemination, and exchange of information on ocean-related matters.
	The President also directed Executive branch agencies to work with States, tribal and local governments, communities and interested individuals to advance mutual objectives and ensure that programs are conducting effective and coordinated ocean and coastal activities.

## EARTH OBSERVATION SUMMIT III

- February 16: Brussels, Belgium
- Agreement on Implementation Plan and Resolution
- Set up new GEO
- Structure & Secretariat
- WMO offer to host
- Near-term Opportunities Include:
- Data Management System for Earth Observations
- Improved Observations for Disaster Warnings
- Global Land Observing System

- Science Advisory Board Public Session

**Notes:**
A major step in the international process took place on February 16, 2005 – Earth Observation Summit III.

Agreement on Implementation Plan and Resolution
Set up new GEO Structure and Secretariat
WMO offer to host
Near-term Opportunities Include: 
Data Management System for Earth Observations
Improved Observations for Disaster Warnings
Global Land Observing System

Secretary Gutierrez led the US delegation/was the ministerial representative to the EO Summit III.
Earth Observation Summit III is the centerpiece of a of a week-long initiative titled “Earth and Space Week” being hosted by the European Commission in Brussels.

The key anticipated outcome was agreement on an implementation plan and issuance of a resolution.

The U.S. interagency process has identified a number of near-term opportunities that we feel can be accomplished in relatively short time.

Within the U.S., clear plans have been developed for these opportunities, which are relevant to national priorities, agency missions, and customer needs. The identified observations needs are high-priority and multi-year in their goals, with tangible results easily identified. These potential outcomes cut across all societal benefit areas identified in this strategy. 

Near-term priorities include:
Sea Level Observing System
National Integrated Drought Information System
Air Quality Assessment and Forecast System
We hope these will eventually be U.S. contributions to GEOSS as well, to be integrated with other nations’ contributions.

EOS I
July 31, 2003, Washington, D.C.
34 Countries + 20 International Organizations
EOS II
April 25, 2004, Tokyo, Japan 
47 Countries + EC + 26 International Organizations
EOS III February 2005, Brussels
60 Countries + EC and 34 International Organizations
10-Year Implementation Plan
Commerce Secretary Gutierrez led the US delegation