News and Updates Archive
October, November, and December 2009
November 2009
Senate Committee Markup of S 850 and S 1224
On November 19, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair, Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) held a markup that included two NOAA-related bills. S 850, the Shark Conservation Act of 2009, would amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to improve the conservation of sharks; and S 1224, the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009, would reauthorize NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office. The Committee reported favorably on both bills, which now go to the Senate floor for a vote at a later date.
House Committee Markup of HR 1672 and HR 3644
On November 18, the House Committee on Natural Resources (Chair, Representative Nick Rahall, D WV-3) held a markup on several bills, including two related to NOAA. HR 1672, the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act of 2009, would promote the protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits; and HR 3644, Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Regional Program and National Environmental Literacy Grant Program Act, would direct NOAA to establish education and watershed programs which advance environmental literacy, including preparedness and adaptability for the likely impacts of climate change in coastal watershed regions. The Committee reported favorably on both bills, which now go to the House floor for a vote at a later date.
Senate and House Staff Briefing on Oceans and Human Health
On November 17, all interested Senate and House staff attended a briefing sponsored by the House Oceans Caucus on the health effects of chemicals in coastal waters. This was the second and last briefing in the Prescription for Healthy Oceans and People series. The briefing featured a panel of NOAA experts and partner representatives who discussed NOAA's efforts to monitor current and emerging chemicals of concern in coastal waters, and to understand potential human health effects associated with exposure to contaminated seafood or waters. For more information, please visit NOAA's Oceans and Human Health Initiative.
Senate and House Committee Staff Join NOAA at ICCAT
From November 6-15, staffers from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation and the House Committee on Natural Resources, joined NOAA officials at the 21st Regular Meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) in Recife, Brazil. Congressional staff attended the meeting because of two primary issues of interest to Congress — Bluefin tuna and North Atlantic swordfish. NOAA Statement at the Conclusion of ICCAT.
Senator Cardin and Representative Sarbanes at CBIBS Event
On November 11, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) and Representative John Sarbanes (D MD-3) attended a NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS) event in Annapolis, Maryland. This event celebrated the deployment of the seventh buoy in the CBIBS, located at the mouth of the Severn River off Annapolis. The CBIBS provides real-time weather, water condition, and water-quality data and marks key points along the Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail. Three buoys are now located in Maryland waters; these will be joined by three additional buoys in the near future, including the one in Annapolis.
Senate Passes CJS Appropriations Bill
On November 5, the Senate passed the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2010, HR 2847, by a vote of 71-28. The bill would provide just over $4.77 billion to NOAA, and now goes to conference with the House.
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Dr. Lubchenco |
Senate Hearing on the Ocean Policy Task Force
On November 4, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard (Chair, Senator Maria Cantwell, D-WA), held a hearing on the Ocean Policy Task Force. The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
October 2009
Representative Holt, Representative Biggert, and the Congressional R&D Caucus Host Briefing on Computer Modeling
On October 29, abut 30 House staff attended a briefing on computer modeling sponsored by Representative Rush Holt (D NJ-12) and Representative Judy Biggert (R IL-13), Co-Chairs of the Congressional Research and Development Caucus. Given the importance of models in weather forecasting, a representative of NOAA’s National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center was invited to participate.
Hearing on Magnuson Act Implementation
On October 27, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife (Chair, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam) held a hearing on NOAA's implementation of the Magnuson-Stevens Fisheries Conservation and Management Act of 2006. The Director of Scientific Programs and Chief Science Advisor for NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Dr. Steve Murawski, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Representative Souder |
Representative Souder Visit to Satellite Sensor Facility
On October 26, Representative Mark Souder (R IN-3) visited the ITT Space Systems Facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, where two important types of sensors for NOAA’s next generation satellites — one for NPOESS and one for GOES-R — are being developed and manufactured. Representative Souder was joined by representatives of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service.
Senator Isakson and Senator Chambliss Host Grants Workshop – NOAA Invited
On October 26, Senator Johnny Isakson (R-GA) and Senator Saxby Chambliss (R-GA) hosted their 2nd Annual State-wide Grants Workshop in Savannah, Georgia. This year, NOAA was invited to participate and a representative of NOAA’s Grants Management Division attended to answer questions, distribute literature, and promote NOAA’s grant programs to the 350 people that attended. Learn about the many grant opportunities at NOAA: NOAA Grants - One-pager [PDF].
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Senator Reed |
Senator Reed and Groundbreaking Ceremony
On October 26, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) joined the Director of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and NOAA Corps, RADM Jonathan W. Bailey, and other officials at a groundbreaking ceremony in Davisville, Rhode Island, for the research facility and offices of the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer.
Senator Cantwell Attends Restoration Event
On October 24, Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), joined NOAA representatives at a kickoff event for the Fisher Slough Marsh Restoration Project in Fisher Slough, Washington. NOAA awarded The Nature Conservancy $5.2 in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds to restore Fisher Slough Marsh, critical to Chinook, Chum, and Coho salmon, in the Skagit River floodplain.
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Senator Cantwell, right, at the restoration event. |
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Representative Woolsey |
Representative Woolsey - Sanctuary 20th Anniversary Event
On October 24, Representative Lynn Woolsey (D CA-6) attended an event celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary in Point Reyes Station, California. The Sanctuary celebrated its 20th anniversary by recognizing the Cordell Expeditions Team that was instrumental in the designation of the Sanctuary in 1989. Representative Woolsey presented the Cordell Expeditions team members congressional certificates and then made remarks.
House Committee Passes HR 3820
On October 21, the House Committee on Science and Technology (Chair, Representative Bart Gordon, D TN-6) held a markup of HR 3820, the Natural Hazards Risk Reduction Act of 2009. The bill reauthorizes the National Windstorm Impacts Reduction Act, which provides NOAA authority to conduct windstorm impact mitigation research and development activities, and provides new authority for an interagency committee to coordinate federal hazard research and development mitigation activities. The Committee reported the bill favorably, which now goes to the House floor for a vote at a later date.
Hearing on HR 1672 and HR 2458
On October 20, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife (Chair, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam) held a hearing on two NOAA-related bills. First, HR 1672, the Northwest Straits Marine Conservation Initiative Reauthorization Act; would promote protection of the resources of the Northwest Straits, and for other purposes. The second bill, HR 2548, the Keep America’s Waterfronts Working Act, would amend the Coastal Zone Management Act of 1972 to require establishment of a Working Waterfront Grant Program, and for Other Purposes. The Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management for NOAA’s National Ocean Service, David Kennedy, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Representative Baird |
Representative Baird Addresses Briefing on HABs and Human Health
On October 20, Representative Brian Baird (D WA-3) addressed a briefing of over 35 Senate and House staff on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs), the affects on human health, and NOAA’s research to address the issue. This briefing was the first of a two-part briefing series sponsored by the House Ocean Caucus on oceans and human health and featured a panel discussion on how NOAA is helping to protect human health and coastal economies from the effects of HABs. NOAA scientists from various Line and Program Office and coastal decision-makers participated and used regional examples on how NOAA's HAB programs and research assist local managers and health officials.
Hearing on B-WET Legislation
On October 15, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife (Chair, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam) held a hearing on HR 3644, the Bay-Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Regional Program and National Environmental Literacy Grant Program Act. The Director of NOAA’s Office of Education, Louisa Koch, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
House Full Committee Approves Harmful Algal Bloom Legislation
On October 7, the House Committee on Science and Technology (Chair, Representative Bart Gordon, D TN-6) held a full Committee markup of HR 3650, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009 (HABHRCA). This HABHRCA reauthorization bill helps to enhance NOAA's efforts in addressing the threat HABs and hypoxia pose by establishing an overarching HABs and hypoxia program within NOAA and mandating the development of Regional Research Action Plans aimed at garnering input from local experts and managers. The bill was reported favorably out of the Committee and will be sent to the House Floor for a vote, date to be determined.