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1. Opening of the Meeting
The fourth meeting of the U.S. GOOS Steering Committee (U.S. GSC) was called to order by co-chair W. Nowlin at 8:30 am on 17 January 2001 at the NOAA/NOS Coastal Services Center in Charleston, South Carolina. Meeting attendees with affiliations are listed in Appendix I. Members of the U.S. GSC present were Margaret Davidson, Ed Harrison, Thomas Malone (co-chair), Worth Nowlin (co-chair), and Steve Weisberg. Following introductions, the tentative agenda, given as Appendix 2, was approved and meeting arrangements were discussed.
Nowlin then reviewed the principal functions of the U.S. GSC and the objectives of this meeting. The principal committee functions are:
The meeting's objectives as seen by Nowlin were:
Discussion suggested that these meeting objectives were likely too ambitious, but provided a useful framework for the meeting.
2. National Development of GOOS
Captain David Martin, director of the Ocean.US Office of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program (NOPP), gave an overview of the establishment, objectives, and plans for the Ocean.US Office. Martin described conceptually his view of operational oceanography in 2010 and asked the meeting to image the differences between an observing system in which observations and products were coordinated/integrated and one in which they were not. He explained that the job of Ocean.US is to coordinate and integrate those components, especially those supported through federal agencies. He was very upbeat and enthusiastic, though it was clear that the task ahead for his Office is monumental.
Tom Malone gave an overview of Coastal GOOS. Premises forming a conceptual basis are that
This suggests that if a small set of common variables are monitored on sufficiently fine space and time scales, we can effect detection and prediction of processes.
The U.S. GSC is working to
Suggested Coastal GOOS priorities for 2001-2006 are to
Representatives from the EPA, NSF, and NOAA were invited to make remarks. Paul Pan of EPA reminded the meeting of the need to incorporate into U.S. GOOS plans provisions to meet the Clean Water Act. Mike Reeve of NSF's Ocean Sciences Division reminded the meeting that NOPP, and consequently the Ocean.US Office, has responsibility for oversight of more than operational oceanography-the mandate includes research. NSF initiatives related to developing sustained ocean observations include
Mike Johnson of NOAA's Office of Global Programs noted that differences between sustained observations for climate services and those for climate research are few. Thus, coordination of resources for the global module of GOOS is relatively easy.
3. Discussion of Southeast Atlantic Coastal Observing System Elements and Products Needed
Gil McRae of the Florida Marine Research Institute, part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, gave an overview of coastal components of Florida state agencies. He noted that prototype programs are being tested for long-term monitoring and assessment. He reviewed some nine existing monitoring programs with infrastructure for coastal monitoring. McRae noted the need for observational data to relate information from existing programs to environmental conditions. He stressed the lack of coordination between biological, chemical, and physical information.
Fred Holland reviewed programs of the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. The department's goals include: fishery management; monitoring, assessment, and research efforts; and education and outreach. He noted that atmospheric chemistry and deposition are missing from their programs and may be related to an important source of pollutants. Another area for potential improvement might be to include physical measurements of opportunity during regular trawl, trap, and long-line cruises; they are not now made. Holland suggested that caution must be exercised in rapid release of data to the public; data may be non-representative, misinterpreted, or otherwise lead to unnecessary public concern and misconceptions.
Fred Holland also reported on behalf of Betty Wenner on the status of the NERR in Ace Basin. This is one of 25 NERRs in the U.S.; one of 22 participating in active monitoring. The focus is on assessment of biodiversity.
Jim Boyd, on behalf of the Coastal Services Center, gave a practical demonstration of their web site describing U.S. Coastal Observing Systems. An impressive collection of such systems is grouped by geographic regions. Considerable basic descriptive information, as well as contacts, is included for each system.
Dennis Allen of the Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research, University of South Carolina, described the Baruch Marine Research Laboratory located on a private reserve. He gave an overview of the monitoring program in North Inlet Estuary begun in the 1970s with NSF and then NOAA support.
Stephen Benton, Division of Coastal Management, Raleigh, North Carolina, spoke on how state and local governments take data and use them in decision making. The specific area of interest was on use of data to improve man's relationship with the environment. He gave convincing examples of how decision-making based on short data sets can lead to major problems. Then Benton identified coastal data and information management needs in North Carolina, including:
Craig Campbell with the South Carolina Coastal Conservation League spoke on the decision-making process regarding use of land in the coastal zone (or elsewhere). It was stressed that any decision regarding land use should be made only after consideration of alternative scenarios. Modeling at regional scale and local scale should be used to assist in developing scenarios. Examples were given. When considering land use, key issues affecting water quality and ecosystem health are:
Harvey Seim, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, discussed the South Atlantic Bight Synoptic Ocean Observing Network (SABSOON). There are eight offshore towers, built by the military and available as observational platforms. Two had been instrumented to date with NOPP support; it was hoped to instrument two additional platforms by the end of summer 2001.
Madilyn Fletcher of the Baruch Institute for Marine Biology and Coastal Research discussed the NSF EPSCOR-a regional framework for interconnectivity of coastal ocean observing systems. This project is supported:
General discussion followed the foregoing presentations. Ed Harrison suggested "possible ocean service activities" that could be initiated.
Steve Weisberg offered a list summarizing key needs for data and information. He has prepared this list based on the U.S. GSC-III review of observing system components in the Southern California Bight and on the foregoing presentations regarding activities in the southeast Atlantic coastal region. He offered 10 areas of concern for which observations or products are needed:
These were accepted as a useful compilation of priority needs.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:30 pm and attendees were invited to dinner. The meeting reconvened at 8:30 am on 18 January 2001.
4. Review of Selected U.S. Regional Observing System Initiatives
Because these initiatives have web sites from which up to data information may be obtained, summaries of presentations are not included in this report. Web sites are given.
Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System (GoMOOS) was reviewed by Evan Richert. (http://www.gomoos.org/).
The point was made that to implement an U.S. coastal ocean observing system, we need mechanisms:
The Gulf of Alaska Ecosystems Monitoring Project (GEM) was reviewed by Phillip Mundy (http://www.oilspill.state.ak.us/gem/).
The Northern Gulf of Mexico Littoral Initiative (NGLI) was reviewed by John Blaha.
The NOPP-sponsored project to create a National Virtual Ocean Data System Hub (VODS Hub) was reviewed by Worth Nowlin (http://nvods.org).
5. Future Committee Initiatives and Activities
Fred Grassle, Rutgers University, reported on the recent National Research Council report on Ocean Observatories and the NSF-supported Ocean Observatories Steering Committee, chaired by Ken Johnson (MBARI). These observatories are unmanned systems at fixed sites providing power, command and control, communications, and sensors. They may be either cable-based or moored buoy in configuration. The steering committee will plan for science, set requirements and standards, and address management issues, among others. NSF was hoping to obtain major facilities support for this infrastructure. These observatories would support GOOS development. Examples are surface buoys for validation of numerical weather prediction and other model products and analyses or a coastal buoy network.
Grassle advocated describing a synoptic observational system in time and space as a prerequisite for coastal ecosystems research. He maintained that, if implemented, it would provide a common sense view of the marine environment. And, it would enable exploration of the unknown.
There was a general discussion of the role of the U.S. GSC in NOPP activities to develop a U.S. component of GOOS. It was the unanimous opinion that the U.S. GSC should maintain close liaison with the Ocean.US Office, providing input and assistance to that office as required and feasible.
The Office director, Dave Martin, agreed to prepare a document by February 2001 explaining the relationship between the U.S. GSC and his Office. Less clear was the desirable relationship between U.S. GSC and the NOPP Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). ORAP is a FACA committee of NOPP. Were the U.S. GSC to become an ORAP subcommittee, it also would need to be vetted as a FACA committee. Several questions were raised in that connection: Could the present membership continue or would ORAP appoint new members? As a FACA subcommittee, could the U.S. GSC have federal agency members? Would NGO representatives wish to continue as members? Martin agreed to inquire whether ORAP was interested in accepting the U.S. GSC as a subcommittee and, if so, what conditions would be involved (April 2001 action).
In order to make progress toward specifying a set of core needs for the U.S. regional ocean observing systems, it was agreed to constitute an intersessional working group. This group consists of Cohen, Grassle, Harrison, Malone, Martin, Mundy, Richert, Sallinger, Schaudt, Sheehan, and Weisberg (chair). The working group, to report at U.S. GSC-V, was given the following charge:
It was realized that the results presented by this working group at U.S. GSC-V would be interim, because the terms of reference were so broad.
Considerable discussion lead to the decision that the U.S. GSC should have as a
principal objective the formulation of
A design plan for a U.S. coastal ocean observing system.
To that end the following background documents were identified:
International coastal GOOS plans
NOPP reports
Report of the U.S. Coastal GOOS Workshop
The Clean Water Act
Results of U.S. GSC-III and IV
The ongoing elements that must be considered include:
observations
products
data and information management
costs.
As a major step toward this plan for a U.S. federation of regional coastal ocean observing systems, it was agreed that the major focus of U.S. GSC-V would be presentations summarizing activities in the principal U.S. coastal regions: Alaska, Great Lakes, Pacific Northwest, Pacific Southwest, Hawaii, Gulf of Mexico, Northeast Atlantic, and Southeast Atlantic. Nowlin agreed to contact suggested representatives for each region and specify information requested for presentations at U.S. GSC-V.
6. Closure of Meeting
It was agreed that U.S. GSC-V would be held in Seattle, Washington on 1-3 August 2001. Ed Harrison will be our local host and will contact the Applied Physical Laboratory, University of Washington, as a potential meeting site.
| Dennis Allen | Baruch Institute, University of South Carolina |
| Steve Benton | North Carolina Division of Coastal Management |
| John Blaha | Naval Oceanographic Office, Stennis |
| Jim Boyd | NOAA Coastal Services Center |
| Craig Campbell | South Carolina Coastal Conservation League |
| Bob Cohen | Weathernews Ocean Routes |
| Margaret Davidson | NOAA |
| Manhar Dhanak | Florida Atlantic University |
| Madilyn Fletcher | Baruch Institute, University of South Carolina |
| Fred Grassle | Rutgers University |
| Ed Harrison | NOAA/PMEL |
| Fred Holland | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources/MRD |
| Michael Johnson | NOAA Office of Global Programs |
| Phil Maier | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources/MRD |
| Tom Malone | UMCES, Horn Point Laboratory |
| David Martin | Ocean.US Office |
| Gil McRae | Florida Marine Research Institute |
| Phil Mundy | Gulf Ecosystem Monitoring |
| Jim Nelson | Skidaway Institute |
| Worth Nowlin | Texas A&M University |
| Paul Pan | EPA |
| Stephen Piotrowicz | NOAA Office of Atmospheric Research |
| Mike Reeve | NSF Ocean Sciences Division |
| Evan Richert | Maine State Planning Office |
| Asbury (Abby) Sallenger | U.S. Geological Survey |
| Ken Schaudt | Marathon Oil |
| Harvey Seim | University of North Carolina - Chapel Hill |
| Linda Sheehan | Center for Marine Conservation |
| Bob Van Dolah | South Carolina Department of Natural Resources/MRD |
| Steve Weisberg | Southern California Coastal Water Research Project |
| Stan Wilson | NOAA |
Wednesday, 17 January 2001
8:00 Coffee and rolls/juice
1. Opening of meeting
8:30 Welcome
Introductions
Adoption of Agenda
Meeting Arrangements
Functions of U.S. GSC and objectives of meeting (W. Nowlin)
2. National Development of GOOS
9:00 Plans for Oceans.US Office (D. Martin)
Overview of Coastal GOOS (T. Malone)
Federal agency perspectives
10:15 Coffee
3. Discussion of GOOS observing system components and products needed in the S. Atlantic region
From the perspective of their organization, each speaker is invited to discuss needs for coastal ocean data and products and ongoing and planned activities producing such data or products. Presentations should be 20-25 minutes in length, allowing time for questions.
10:30
Gil McRae, FL Marine Research Institute
11:00
Fred Holland, SC Department of Natural Resources
11:30
Betty Wenner, Ace Basin NERR (given by Fred Holland)
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch (brought in)
1:00 Demonstration of SCS's U.S. Coastal Ocean Observing Systems web page by Earle Buckley and Jim Boyd.
1:30 Dennis Allen, Baruch Marine Research Laboratory
2:00 Stephen Benton, Division of Coastal Management, Raleigh, NC
2:30 Craig Campbell, SC Coastal Conservation League
3:00 Coffee Break
3:30 Harvey Seim, SABSOON
4:00 Madilyn Fletcher, EPSCoR
4:45 Wrap up: Consideration of priority user needs
5:30 Adjourn for day
Thursday, 18 January 2001
8:00 Continental breakfast
4. Review of selected U.S. regional observing system initiatives
8:30 Gulf of Maine Ocean Observing System-Evan Richert, Maine State Planning Office
9:00 Gulf of Alaska Ecosystem Monitoring (GEM)-Phillip R. Mundy, Alaska Oil Spill Commission
9:30 The Northern Gulf of Mexico Littoral Initiative (NGLI)-John Blaha, NAVOCEANO
10:00 NOPP regional-national Virtual Ocean Data System Hub-Worth Nowlin, Texas A&M University
5. Future Committee initiatives and activities
10:30 Regional coastal observing system developments
Report from Ocean Observatories Steering Committee-Fred Grassle
12:00 - 1:00 Lunch (brought in)
1:00 Global ocean observing system developments
2:30 Develop action items for Committee and discuss assignments
3:00 Coffee break
6. Closure of meeting
4:15 Selection of venue and dates for U.S. GSC-V
4:30 Adjourn
| GSC-I | GSC-II | GSC-III | GSC-IV |
| GSC-V | GSC-VI | GSC-VII | GSC-VIII |
| GSC-IX | GSC-X | GSC-XI | GSC-XII |
| GSC-XIII |
Contact: Susan R. Martin (srmartin@tamu.edu)
Updated: 26 September, 2006
URL: http://ocean.tamu.edu/GOOS/GSC4/GSC4.html