# Presentation: 051148

## Building the Regional  Network: Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Coordination Workshop

- Richard W. Spinrad
**November 7, 2006**

## Federal / Regional funding model?

**From Draft Part I of IDP addendum**

- Figure 3. The funding model for the coastal component of the IOOS includes (1) federal support for the
- National Backbone (observing subsystem infrastructure) that encompasses all IOOS regions; (2) RA
- administration (oversight, governance, and management activities); (3) implementing, operating and
- improving RCOOSs as an integral part of the IOOS (regional observing subsystem infrastructure, DMAC
- and modeling); and (4) non-federal funding for RCOOSs (regional observing subsystem infrastructure,
- DMAC and modeling). Currently, eleven regional groups (n = 11) have been funded to establish RAs to
- oversee the development of eleven RCOOSs.

**Federal / Regional funding model?**

**Notes:**
National Backbone: Federal
RA Administration: Federal
RCOOS: Non–Federal
RCOOS: Federal
Figure 3. The funding model for the coastal component of the IOOS includes (1) federal support for the
National Backbone (observing subsystem infrastructure) that encompasses all IOOS regions; (2) RA
administration (oversight, governance, and management activities); (3) implementing, operating and
improving RCOOSs as an integral part of the IOOS (regional observing subsystem infrastructure, DMAC
and modeling); and (4) non-federal funding for RCOOSs (regional observing subsystem infrastructure,
DMAC and modeling). Currently, eleven regional groups (n = 11) have been funded to establish RAs to
oversee the development of eleven RCOOSs.

## Committee on Ocean Policy Structure

**Committee on Ocean Policy Structure**

**Ocean.US**

## Committee on Ocean Policy Structure

**Interagency Program Office**
**(Ocean.US)**
***Certification and Accreditation***
**Legal Structure**
**Business Plan**
**RA User Requirements**
**Etc.**

_**Contract **_
**Feds/RAs**

## Questions?

## Back UP Slides

**Notes:**
National Backbone: Federal
RA Administration: Federal
RCOOS: Non–Federal
RCOOS: Federal
Figure 3. The funding model for the coastal component of the IOOS includes (1) federal support for the
National Backbone (observing subsystem infrastructure) that encompasses all IOOS regions; (2) RA
administration (oversight, governance, and management activities); (3) implementing, operating and
improving RCOOSs as an integral part of the IOOS (regional observing subsystem infrastructure, DMAC
and modeling); and (4) non-federal funding for RCOOSs (regional observing subsystem infrastructure,
DMAC and modeling). Currently, eleven regional groups (n = 11) have been funded to establish RAs to
oversee the development of eleven RCOOSs.

## NOAA IOOS Oversight Structure

**NOAA IOOS Oversight Structure**

## Figure 2. Conceptual model of relative funding levels for coastal IOOS development within IOOS regions: (1) Solid bar – The base, management cost of RA operations (office space, staff, operating funds, etc) is federally funded and stable with little variability among regions.  Based on the management costs of subregional observing systems such as GoMOOS and SEACOOS, Ocean.US has estimated the annual cost to be about $500K for each certified RA. (2) Horizontal stripes – Federally funded operation and maintenance of National Backbone infrastructure broken down into three categories: observations, DMAC and modeling. This will vary among regions depending on the number and cost of federal assets in each region (e.g., tide gauges, stream gauges, NDBC buoys, stock assessments). Guided by the IOOS Development Plan, funding priorities for the Backbone are determined by the sponsoring federal agencies in collaboration with the NFRA. (3) Vertical stripes – Federally funded operation and maintenance of RCOOS infrastructure broken down into three categories: observations, DMAC and modeling. Priorities for implementation (from research to operational activities and education) are determined by consensus between RAs and the funding agencies. Actual levels of funding will be determined by the funding agencies and will vary among regions based on the priorities of stakeholders in each region and on observing system requirements for providing data and information in forms and at rates specified by the stakeholders. Following an agreed upon process, funding may be allocated to RAs to support RCOOS infrastructure, research and education in their region or may be allocated directly to organizations that contribute to RCOOS operations – or some combination of both. (4) Open bar – Non-federal funding for regional priorities (research, education, operational capabilities): Levels of funding for RA activities and RCOOS operations from non-federal sources will vary substantially among regions depending on regional priorities and the ability of RAs to attract state funding and funding from private sectors and foundations. Unlike the other funds these do not have to address federal mission areas. 

**Figure 2.** Conceptual model of relative funding levels for coastal IOOS development within IOOS regions: (1) **Solid bar** – The base, management cost of RA operations (office space, staff, operating funds, etc) is federally funded and stable with little variability among regions.  Based on the management costs of subregional observing systems such as GoMOOS and SEACOOS, Ocean.US has estimated the annual cost to be about $500K for each certified RA. (2) **Horizontal stripes** – Federally funded operation and maintenance of National Backbone infrastructure broken down into three categories: observations, DMAC and modeling. This will vary among regions depending on the number and cost of federal assets in each region (e.g., tide gauges, stream gauges, NDBC buoys, stock assessments). Guided by the IOOS Development Plan, funding priorities for the Backbone are determined by the sponsoring federal agencies in collaboration with the NFRA. (3) **Vertical stripes** – Federally funded operation and maintenance of RCOOS infrastructure broken down into three categories: observations, DMAC and modeling. Priorities for implementation (from research to operational activities and education) are determined by consensus between RAs and the funding agencies. Actual levels of funding will be determined by the funding agencies and will vary among regions based on the priorities of stakeholders in each region and on observing system requirements for providing data and information in forms and at rates specified by the stakeholders. Following an agreed upon process, funding may be allocated to RAs to support RCOOS infrastructure, research and education in their region or may be allocated directly to organizations that contribute to RCOOS operations – or some combination of both. (4) **Open bar** – Non-federal funding for regional priorities (research, education, operational capabilities): Levels of funding for RA activities and RCOOS operations from non-federal sources will vary substantially among regions depending on regional priorities and the ability of RAs to attract state funding and funding from private sectors and foundations. Unlike the other funds these do not have to address federal mission areas.

- Early version of IDP II

**Notes:**
Figure 2. Conceptual model of relative funding levels for coastal IOOS development within IOOS regions: (1) Solid bar – The base, management cost of RA operations (office space, staff, operating funds, etc) is federally funded and stable with little variability among regions.  Based on the management costs of subregional observing systems such as GoMOOS and SEACOOS, Ocean.US has estimated the annual cost to be about $500K for each certified RA. (2) Horizontal stripes – Federally funded operation and maintenance of National Backbone infrastructure broken down into three categories: observations, DMAC and modeling. This will vary among regions depending on the number and cost of federal assets in each region (e.g., tide gauges, stream gauges, NDBC buoys, stock assessments). Guided by the IOOS Development Plan, funding priorities for the Backbone are determined by the sponsoring federal agencies in collaboration with the NFRA. (3) Vertical stripes – Federally funded operation and maintenance of RCOOS infrastructure broken down into three categories: observations, DMAC and modeling. Priorities for implementation (from research to operational activities and education) are determined by consensus between RAs and the funding agencies. Actual levels of funding will be determined by the funding agencies and will vary among regions based on the priorities of stakeholders in each region and on observing system requirements for providing data and information in forms and at rates specified by the stakeholders. Following an agreed upon process, funding may be allocated to RAs to support RCOOS infrastructure, research and education in their region or may be allocated directly to organizations that contribute to RCOOS operations – or some combination of both. (4) Open bar – Non-federal funding for regional priorities (research, education, operational capabilities): Levels of funding for RA activities and RCOOS operations from non-federal sources will vary substantially among regions depending on regional priorities and the ability of RAs to attract state funding and funding from private sectors and foundations. Unlike the other funds these do not have to address federal mission areas.