News and Updates Archive

January, February, March 2011


March 2011

 

 

House Hearing on FY 2012 Budget

On March 31, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs (Chair, Representative John Fleming, R LA-4) held a hearing on NOAA’s FY 2012 Budget Request. The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, testified and the Assistant Administrator of NOAA's National Marine Fisheries Service, Eric Schwaab, was present to answer questions from the committee. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on our Congressional Testimony page.

 

Representative McKinley Staff Visit NOAA Operations in West Virginia

On March 30, staff for Representative David McKinley (R WV-1) joined NOAA’s Chief Information Officer, Joe Klimavicz, and other NOAA and federal officials, on a day-long tour of NOAA, NASA, and FBI IT security and high performance computing assets in Fairmont, Clarksburg, and Morgantown, West Virginia. The three agencies met and toured facilities to discuss opportunities for cooperation.

 

NOAA Corps Nominations Approved by the Senate

On March 28, the Senate approved the nominations for promotion in the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps  for packages PN 160, PN 161, PN 301 and PN 338. The details on each package (including the list of Officers) may be found by using the Search function on Thomas.gov and pulling up the package number.

 

Representative Noem Visit to WFO

On March 25, Representative Kristi Noem (R SD-At Large) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. During the visit she was briefed on the flood outlook by the WFO's Service Hydrologist and Warning Coordination Meteorologist. During her visit Representative Noem told the WFO staff that she was impressed how well NWS and the local (county), state, and federal partners were all working together on the flood fight.

 

Representative Polis Visit to Boulder

On March 22, Representative Jared Polis (D CO-4) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, Space Weather Prediction Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Rep Polis

Representative Polis (3rd from left) and staff of the WFO.

 

 

Senator Inouye and Representative Farr Speak at Marine Debris Conference

On March 21, Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) and Representative Sam Farr (D CA-17) joined NOAA’s Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Monica Medina; the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service (NOS), Dave Kennedy; and officials from NOS’ Office of Response and Restoration’s Marine Debris Division at the 5th International Marine Debris Conference in Honolulu, Hawaii.

 

Staff for Representative Hanabusa Visit Tsunami Warning Center

On March 21, staff for Representative Colleen Hanabusa (D HI-1) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Ewa Beach, Hawaii. The Center has forecast and warning responsibility for Hawaii and the broader Pacific region.

 

Senator Wicker Staff Visit Stennis

On March 22, staff for Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) visited NOAA’s facilities at the Stennis Space Center in Stennis, Mississippi. This included a tour of the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service’s National Coastal Data Development Center and the National Weather Service’s National Data Buoy Center.

 

Nominations Move Forward in the Senate

On March 17, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair, Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) held a markup on several NOAA-related nomination, and reported favorably all of the nominations noted below. The nominations now go to the Senate floor for a vote at a later date to be determined.

 

Congressional Outreach – Tsunami Updates and Response

On March 11, the OLIA began a series of outreach efforts to educate and update Members of Congress and their staff on what had happened during the disaster in Japan, the resulting tsunami, and other effects from the earthquake. These efforts have included (and many continue):

 

House Hearing on FY 2012 Budget

On March 10, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (Chair, Representative Ralph Hall, R TX-4) held a hearing on NOAA’s FY 2012 Budget Request. The Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on our Congressional Testimony page.

 

Senate Hearing on Assistant Secretary Nominee

On March 10, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair, Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) held a hearing on the nomination of Dr. Kathryn Sullivan who was named by the White House as the nominee to be NOAA’s new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Observation and Prediction. The Committee will vote on her nomination at a later date to be determined.

 

Senator Whitehouse, Representative Castor, and Representative Woolsey Join NOAA Administrator at Policy Forum

On March 9, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Representative Kathy Castor (D FL-11), and Representative Lynn Woolsey (D CA-6) joined the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, at a policy forum in the Capitol Visitor’s Center in Washington, DC. The Consortium for Ocean Leadership 2011 Public Policy Forum – Lessons Learned and Opportunities from the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill was a day-long public meeting that facilitates ocean policy discussions with representatives from Congress, the federal agencies, industry, and the academic research community. Dr. Lubchenco provided remarks during the afternoon and Members of Congress were invited to speak throughout the day.

 

Senate Hearing on Magnuson

On March 8, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries and the Coast Guard (Chair, Senator Mark Begich, D-AK) held a hearing on the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson Act). The Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Eric Schwaab, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on our Congressional Testimony page.

Maguson Maguson
Senator Mark Begich of Alaska, chairman of the committee, asks about science funding for fisheries. Senator Olympia Snowe of Maine discusses concerns of Maine fishermen and fishing communities.
Maguson Maguson
Eric Schwaab tells the Senate committee about the progress being made in rebuilding fisheries. Eric Schwaab speaks with Vito Giacalone of the Gloucester-based Northeast Seafood Coalition after the hearing.

 

 

Senator Kerry
Senator Kerry

Senator Kerry Meets with Secretary Locke and Dr. Lubchenco

On March 3, Senator John Kerry (D-MA) met with Commerce Secretary Gary Locke; the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco; and the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Eric Schwaab. The meeting was held to discuss New England groundfish and ongoing concerns with law enforcement.

 

 

Senator Hagan
Senator Hagan

Senator Hagan and Dr. Lubchenco Discusses Fisheries’ Issues

On March 3, Senator Kay Hagan (D-NC) was briefed via telephone by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco. During the call, Dr. Lubchenco briefed Senator Hagan on catch shares and discussed fisheries-related amendments that had been introduced in the House during the recent Continuing Resolution debate.

 

House Oceans Caucus Hosts Briefing on Overfishing

On March 2, the House Oceans Caucus (HOC) hosted a briefing in the Capitol Visitor’s Center for all interested Senate and House staff. The HOC invited the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Eric Schwaab, to brief staff on the problem of overfishing, Congress’ action to end overfishing through the 2006 reauthorization of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and how the law has been implemented to protect and rebuild valuable U.S. ocean fish populations.

 

FY 2012 Budget Briefings for Congress

Members of the Senate and House and congressional staff were briefed by NOAA leadership on the FY 2012 NOAA Budget Request (and/or the Line Office FY 2012 request). Below are the briefings recently held noting date, Member or staff, briefer, and OLIA Lead(s).

March 31

March 29

March 28

March 24

March 21

March 18

March 17

March 16

March 15

March 14

March 11

March 10

March 9

March 8

March 7

March 4

March 3

March 2

 

February 2011

 

Representative Hanabusa Staff Visit the Sette and NOAA Facilities

On February 23, staff for Representative Colleen Hanabusa (D HI-1) visited the NOAA Ship Oscar Elton Sette as part of their tour of NOAA facilities on Ford Island in Hawaii. During the visit, the staff toured various National Marine Fisheries Service/fishery-related facilities where they were briefed on the Pacific Research Center and NOAA budget impacts in Hawaii.

 

Delegate Faleomavaega Sanctuary Briefing

On February 18, Delegate Eni Faleomavaega (D-AS) was briefed by officials from NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, on the Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary Management Plan.

 

FY 2012 Budget Briefings for Congress

Members of the Senate and House and congressional staff were briefed by NOAA leadership on the FY 2012 NOAA Budget Request (and/or the Line Office FY 2012 request). Below are the briefings recently held noting date, Member or staff, briefer, and OLIA Lead(s).

February 25

February 24

February 23

February 22

February 18

 

NOAA Hosts Student Delegations For Capitol Hill Visits

On February 17, staff from NOAA’s OLIA served as hosts for four of 20 Coastal America Student Summit Delegations as they visited with, and met, Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD), Senator Senator Jim DeMint (R-SC), Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL), and Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL).

Coastal America is held its 3rd National Student Summit on Oceans and Coasts from February 14 - 17, 2011. The purpose of the Summit was to inspire students to protect, preserve, and restore coastal ecosystems through community involvement and encourage them to pursue future academic and career paths in the marine and environmental sciences. Twenty delegations comprised of students and educators from Coastal Ecosystem Learning Centers throughout the United States and one delegation from Mexico participated. Each delegation of four students worked closely with a Learning Center educator and local teacher to explore the relationships among the ocean, coasts, Great Lakes, inland seas and climate, and developed an action plan to address a particular ocean/climate related issue in their community.  The students then travelled to Washington, DC, to share their plans, discuss common concerns, and receive support from national experts.

 

Rep Tonko
Representative Tonko

Representative Tonko Briefing on Waterfront Enhancement

On February17, Representative Paul Tonko (D NY-21) was briefed by officials from NOAA’s National Ocean Service on the Mighty Waters Task Force – Regional Strategy for Waterfront Enhancements. Representative Tonko established a “Mighty Waters Task Force” to create a regional strategy for waterfront enhancement. The panel is comprised of 25 people including representatives from local businesses, community groups, colleges and universities, students, and government. The mission of the Task Force is to help create a climate of investment, recovery, preservation, and public awareness for the waterways and communities of the upper Hudson and Mohawk Rivers and Erie Canal.

 

Rep Pingree
Representative Pingree

Representative Pingree Call With Dr. Lubchenco

On February 15, Representative Chellie Pingree (D ME-1) spoke with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, during a call to discuss FY12 budget highlights.

 

 

 

Minnesota Delegation Briefing on Flooding

On February11, Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Senator Al Franken (D-MN), and Representative Collin Paterson (D MN-7) attended a briefing in Moorehead, Minnesota, where they were provided an update by officials of NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office, on the flood outlook for western Minnesota. The briefing also included information on flood preparation activities, the current spring flood outlook, and a public segment. Other state and federal agency officials attended as well.

 

 

Rep Dicks
Representative Dicks

Representative Dicks Briefing on Halibut

On February11, Representative Norm Dicks (D WA-6) was briefed by the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Eric Schwaab, on recent bag limit restrictions for the charter sector in the Pacific halibut fishery.

 

 

House Briefing on Climate, Weather, and Research

On February 10, staff for the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, along with individual Member staff from about a dozen offices, were provided a NOAA 101 briefing by NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Mary M. Glackin, with a focus on weather, climate, and research.

 

 

RepPerlmutter
Representative Perlmutter

Representative Perlmutter Call With Dr. Lubchenco on JPSS

On February 10, Representative Earl Perlmutter (D CO-7) held a conference call with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, to discuss the Joint Polar Satellite System (JPSS).

 

 

 

RepJohnson
Representative Johnson

Representative Johnson Meeting With Dr. Lubchenco

On February 9, Representative Eddie Bernice Johnson (D TX-30), the new Ranking Member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, met with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco. The meeting provided Representative Johnson and Dr. Lubchenco a chance to discuss their priorities and interests for the 112th Congress.

 

Senate and House Staff Briefings on Aquaculture Policy

On February 1-2, almost 40 Senate and House staff were briefed by the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Eric Schwaab, on NOAA’s draft aquaculture policy, which will soon be open for public review and input.

 

January 2011

 

Senate and House Staff Briefings on Marine Recreational Information Program

On January 28, over 30 Senate and House staffed were briefed by officials of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The briefings updated staff on NMFS' progress toward achieving the goals and objectives established in the Magnuson-Stevens Reauthorization Act of 2006 to implement an improved recreational fisheries survey, including the establishment of the Marine Recreational Information Program.

 

Senate Committee Staff Visit NSOF

On January 21, staff from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation visited NOAA’s Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) in Suitland, Maryland. During the visit, the congressional staff learned more about NOAA's satellite programs and the National Ice Center.

 

Representative Markey and Representative Thompson Meet With Dr. Lubchenco

On January 18, Representative Ed Markey (D MA-7), the new Ranking Member of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and Representative Mike Thompson (D CA-1) met with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco. The meeting with Representative Markey provided an opportunity to hear from Dr. Lubchenco what her priorities are for the 112th and for her to hear what his priorities and concerns are as well. Representative Thompson thanked Dr. Lubchenco for visiting his district in December to speak with his constituents about catch shares, Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning, Navy sonar, and other issues.

Markey Thompson
Representative Markey
Representative Thompson

 

House Staff Meetings With Assistant Secretary Nominee

On January 14, staff for the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology met with Dr. Kathryn Sullivan who was named by the White House as the intended nominee to be NOAA’s new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Observation and Prediction.

 

Senate Staff Meetings With Assistant Secretary Nominee

On January 10, staff for the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), and Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) met with Dr. Kathryn Sullivan who was named by the White House as the intended nominee to be NOAA’s new Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Observation and Prediction.

 

Governor Kulongoski Call With the Under Secretary

On January 4, Governor Ted Kulongoski (D-OR) spoke with the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco. During the call they discussed marine reserves and other issues of interest to the state of Oregon.