News and Updates Archive
July, August , and September 2009
September 2009
House Committee Markup of HABS Legislation
On September 30, the House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment (Chair, Representative Brian Baird, D WA-3) held a 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 Subcommittee reported the bill favorably to the full House Committee on Science and Technology.
House Passes Three NOAA-related Bills
On September 29 and 30, the House passed three NOAA-related bills. HR 905, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act, will expand the boundaries of the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve. HR 1053, Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2009, requires the Office of Management and Budget to prepare a crosscut budget for restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed. HR 1771, the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009, would reauthorize the Chesapeake Bay Office of NOAA.
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Representative Himes |
Representative Himes and B-WET Grant Announcement Event
On September 26, Representative Jim Himes (D CT-4) joined NOAA officials at an event at Soundwaters Coastal Center, Cove Island Park, Stamford, Connecticut, for a NOAA Bay-Watershed Education Training (B-WET) Program grant announcement. B-WET has awarded Soundwaters a $99,000 grant to provide a comprehensive, innovative, hands-on environmental education program for all eight grade students in Stamford. Following the announcement, Representative Himes participated in a two-hour beach clean up at Cove Island Park, which was part of Soundwaters 20th Anniversary Celebration that took place throughout the weekend.
House Passes NOAA-Related Bills
On September 22, the House passed two NOAA-related bills. HR 1080, the Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated Fishing Enforcement Act of 2009 would strengthen enforcement mechanisms to stop illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, and for other purposes. HR 860, the Coral Reef Conservation Act Reauthorization and Enhancement Amendments of 2009 would give new authority to NOAA to respond to, and enforce against, any harm to coral reefs and codify a coral reef task force first created in 2000.
Members of Congress and Staff Attend Senate National Preparedness Month Fair
On September 18, over 150 Members of Congress, congressional staff, and constituents attended the 3rd Annual Senate National Preparedness Month Fair. NOAA’s National Weather Service participated in the Fair, which was coordinated by the U.S. Senate Sergeant-At-Arms office, and was joined by U.S. Senate Police Operations, Security and Emergency Preparedness, along with FEMA and other partners in Emergency Management and Response across the National Capital Region.
Hearing on HABHRCA Reauthorization
On September 17, the House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment (Chair, Representative Brian Baird, D WA-3) held a legislative hearing to discuss a draft bill for reauthorization of the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act (HABHRCA). The Director of NOAA’s National Ocean Service National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science’s Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research, Rob Magnien, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Senator Shelby and Representative Gordon Join NOAA Leadership at Embassy Dinner
On September 17, Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Representative Bart Gordon (D TN-6) joined NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Mary M. Glackin; NOAA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Affairs, Dr. James M. Turner; and NOAA’s Climate Goal/Program Team Lead, Chet Koblinsky, at a dinner at the French Embassy in Washington, DC. Mr. Koblinsky was a keynote speaker at the dinner, which was in honor of Mr. Yannick d’Escatha, Chairman and CEO of the French Space Agency (CNES), and celebrated 30 years of French and U.S. cooperation on the Argos system. The Argos system is a series of transmitters that are attached to many things throughout the world - ranging from drifters in the ocean to tags on animals. The data from those transmitters are referred back through NOAA's polar-orbiting satellites to help the scientific community better monitor and understand our environment.
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Dr. Lubchenco |
Hearing on HR 3534
On September 16, the House Committee on Natural Resources (Chair, Representative Nick Rahall, D WV-3) held the first of two hearings on HR 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act of 2009 and 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.
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Senator Reed |
Senator Reed Attends Restoration Event
On September 14, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) joined NOAA representatives and over 75 other attendees at an event in Newport, Rhode Island, to celebrate the restoration of a 64-acre salt marsh in Newport. Three barriers had restricted tidal flow to the marsh for more than 70 years, shrinking it by 14 acres. The project replaced culverts and removed a defunct dam in the center of the wetland system - this is the first intentional dam removal in Rhode Island. By removing these barriers, this restoration is expected to improve water quality and growing conditions for native marsh plants and improve habitat of the marsh and tidal creeks for fish such as striped bass and bluefish, shellfish, waterfowl and shorebirds. It will also reduce flooding and make the marsh more resilient to storm damage. NOAA contributed $150,000 to the project through NOAA's Community-based Restoration Program.
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Senator Akaka |
Senator Akaka Attends Vessel Blessing
On September 3, Senator Daniel Akaka (D-HI) joined representatives of NOAA’s National Ocean Service at Rainbow Marina in Peal Harbor, Hawaii, for a ceremony to bless the new, research vessel Hihimanu. This vessel is the first small boat to be put to use since the Papahanaumokuakea Marine National Monument was designated. It will be home-ported at Midway Atoll, and its primary missions will be coral reef research and monitoring, oceanographic monitoring, marine mammal surveys, and archaeological and cultural research.
Hearing on Aquaculture
On September 9, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife (Chair, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam) held a hearing on offshore aquaculture. The Acting Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Dr. Jim Balsiger, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Representative Hirono |
Representative Hirono Celebrates New Preserve America Community
On September 2, Representative Mazie Hirono (D HI-2) joined representatives of NOAA’s National Ocean Service and NOAA’s Pacific Islands Region for a celebration co-hosted by Kaua’i County and NOAA. The celebration marked the designation of Kaua’i County as a Preserve America Community. Preserve America is a White House initiative that encourages and supports a community’s efforts to preserve its cultural and historic heritage.
August 2009
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Representative Edwards |
Representative Edwards Speaks at Space Luncheon
On August 25, Representative Donna Edwards (D MD-4) joined NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Mary M. Glackin, at the head table of the Maryland Space Business Roundtable Luncheon. Representative Edwards was the keynote speaker and her district includes major NOAA National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service and National Weather Service facilities.
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Representative Miller |
Representative Miller Briefing on Flood Observations
On August 21, Representative Brad Miller (D NC-13) was briefed by staff from NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Raleigh, North Carolina, on flood and river observations in the state. The briefing was scheduled at the request of the Wake County (NC) Soil and Water District. Wake County Soil and Water has begun work on developing an urban mesonet of stream gauges and meteorological stations similar to what's currently in place in Charlotte, North Carolina. NWS representatives joined with local U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) representatives to answer technical questions and provide information on how these observations could be used in NWS and USGS operations.
Representative Schock Visits WFO
On August 21, Representative Aaron Schock (R IL-18) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) Central Illinois Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Lincoln, Illinois. The visit included a briefing presented by WFO staff describing NOAA's mission, structure, and services. Since the visit was only two days after the Williamsville Tornado (rated EF3), which occurred within Representative Schock's district, the WFO staff used that event to demonstrate the use of the tools available. Following the briefing, Representative Schock briefly met with WFO staff in the operations area, where the rolls of the forecasters and data-collection specialists were discussed. Finally, he was given an opportunity to use the Weather Event Simulator (WES) to issue a simulated Tornado Warning based on the March 13, 2006 Springfield Tornado event.
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Representative Schock (right) being briefed in the WFO operations area. |
Congressional Staff Visit New England
On August 17-21, staff from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, House Committee on Natural Resources, and personal staff from various congressional offices participated in a tour of NOAA facilities and programs and met with industry and science partners in New England. The tour covered sites in Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine, and included visits to the Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary, a Gloucester fish processing facility, a cod aquaculture business in Portsmouth, a dam removal project on the Winnicut River, and education facilities at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. The tour provided a first hand look at how NOAA is serving local communities in New England.
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Congressional staff in Gloucester during New England visit. |
Senator Begich Staff and Senate Committee Staff Attend Satellite Facility Event
On August 18, staff from the office of Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation joined the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, and the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, Mary Kicza, in Fairbanks, Alaska, for a construction celebration event. The event was one of the stops on Dr. Lubchenco’s larger visit to the region, and celebrated the start of construction on the new facility for NOAA’s Satellite Command and Data Acquisition Facility. The Facility is being built in partnership with the Army Corps of Engineers with American Recovery and Reinvestment Act funds.
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Representative Stupak |
Representative Stupak Visit to Thunder Bay
On August 12, Representative Bart Stupak (D MI-1) visited NOAA's National Ocean Service Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and the Great Lakes Maritime Heritage Center in Alpena, Michigan. Representative Stupak received an update on the Sanctuary, a tour of the facility, and was able to see the exhibits in the Center. Representative Stupak introduced the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act, HR 905, in February. The bill was reviewed during a hearing on July 8, passed out of Committee in the House on July 29, and currently awaits floor action.
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Representative Shuler |
Representative Shuler and Senator Burr Staff Attend Event Celebrating New Cooperative Institute
On August 12, Representative Heath Shuler (NC-11) and staff from the office of Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) joined the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, and the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, Mary Kicza, at a reception held at the North Carolina Arboretum in Asheville, North Carolina. The reception – Celebrating the NOAA Climate Cooperative Institute in Asheville – was sponsored by the Centers for Environmental and Climatic Interaction and held in celebration of the formation of the Cooperative Institute for Climate and Satellites-North Carolina. This important new research endeavor is located in Asheville as a result of a cooperative agreement between NOAA and a broad national team of science leaders led by the University of Maryland and North Carolina State University. Representative Shuler and Dr. Lubchenco both provided remarks.
Senator Dorgan Staff Visit WFO
On August 10, staff from the office of Senator Byron Dorgan (D-ND) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Bismarck, North Dakota. The WFO briefed the Senator’s staff on the recent flooding in the upper mid-west, and related interagency partnerships. In addition to those topics, they provided a tour of the office, a demonstration of the weather event simulator, and showed how the office issues warnings. Senator Dorgan held a hearing in early February based primarily on NWS' flood outlook for the Red River, which came to pass in March and April.
Representative Inglis Staff Participates on Research Cruise
On August 4-10, staff from the office of Representative Bob Inglis (R SC-4) joined the crew of the NOAA ship Nancy Foster on a research cruise from Woods Hole, Massachusetts, which located and identified historic resources associated with the Battle of the Atlantic in World War II. The vessel visited two sites of interest located just southeast of the Hatteras Inlet in North Carolina, before it arrived in port at Charleston, South Carolina. Once in port in Charleston, Representative Inglis’ staff met with representatives of NOAA’s National Ocean Service Coastal Services Center for a briefing on the work of the Center.
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NOAA ship Nancy Foster |
Senate Committee Markup of Research Bills
On August 5, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair, Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) held a markup of S 952, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2009; The Committee approved the bill, which has been sent to the Senate Floor for a vote where it awaits further action. Two other bills that were scheduled for consideration were pulled and will be marked up at a later date to be determined. They were S 1538, the Black Carbon and Other Aerosols Research Act of 2009; and S 1539, the Greenhouse Gas Observation and Analysis System Act of 2009
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Representative Carnahan |
Representative Carnahan Visits WFO
On August 5, Representative Russ Carnahan (D MO-3) visited the NOAA National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office in St. Louis, Missouri. Representative Carnahan is a Member of the House Committee on Science and Technology, which has oversight of the National Weather Service’s programs and activities.
Representative Fallin Visits NWC
On August 4, Representative Mary Fallin (R OK-5) visited NOAA's National Weather Center (NWC) in Norman, Oklahoma. The Center includes staff, programs, and services from both NOAA's National Weather Service and NOAA's Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research. Representative Fallin toured the phased array radar and met with NWC staff for a briefing on their work.
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Mike Foster, Meteorologist-in-Charge, explains the NWS Norman Forecast Office's area of responsibility to Representative Fallin. |
Pam Heinselman, NSSL Research Meteorologist and PECASE award winner, demonstrates phased array radar to Representative Fallin. |
July 2009
Hearing on Hurricane Research
On July 28, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Senator Bill Nelson, D-FL, chaired) held a hearing on Weathering the Storm: The Need for a National Hurricane Initiative. The Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Dr. Rick Spinrad, testified. The hearing addressed hurricane research, planning, and response – from basic research into understanding and forecasting to building technology to community preparedness. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Representative Woolsey Staff Visit Hatchery
On July 28, staff from the office of Representative Lynn Woolsey (D CA-6) joined representatives of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Santa Rosa Area Office for a field visit to the Warm Springs National Fish Hatchery. The visit was an opportunity for the staff to learn about onoign efforts to raise and reintroduce listed species of Steelhead and Coho salmon into the Russian River and nearby tributaries. The staff were also briefed on several ongoing habitat restoration and conservation projects taking place in the area.
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Senator Cardin |
Senator Cardin Presents NWS Award
On July 27, Senator Ben Cardin (D-MD) joined representatives of NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) for an award ceremony in Solomon’s Island, Maryland. NWS honored the University of Maryland Chesapeake Biological Laboratory in Solomon's Island for its ongoing participation in NOAA's NWS Cooperative Observer Program. Senator Cardin presented the NWS Honored Institution Award and a Department of Commerce Certificate of Appreciation in a ceremony at the lab.
The Chesapeake Biological Laboratory has supported the NWS Cooperative Observer Program by reporting daily weather observations since shortly after the lab was founded in a small waterman's shack in 1925. Over the years, cooperative observers have been the bedrock of weather data collection and analysis. Without the century-long accumulation of accurate weather observations taken by volunteer observers, scientists could not begin to adequately describe the climate of the United States. Some 11,700 volunteer observers participate in the nationwide program to provide daily reports on temperature, precipitation, and other weather factors.
Hearing on Global Climate Change
On July 23, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment (Chair, Delegate Eni Faleomavaega, D-AS) held a hearing on Global Climate Change and Impacts on the Most Vulnerable Societies. The Director of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service National Climatic Data Center, Tom Karl, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Senator Reed, Senator Whitehouse, Representative Kennedy at Marine Debris Event
On July 20, Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), and Representative Patrick Kennedy (D RI-1) joined NOAA representatives and state officials for a marine debris removal event in Narragansett, Rhode Island. The hands-on event celebrated the receipt of a third NOAA award and continuing marine debris removal efforts in Narragansett Bay. There was a speaking program followed by a demonstration of the Clean the Bay operation and a boat tour to view some shoreline debris.
Hearing on Aviation Weather Services
On July 16, the House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Investigations and Oversight (Chair, Representative Brad Miller, D NC-13), held a hearing on aviation weather services. The GAO is currently completing an inquiry into NOAA’s National Weather Service’s (NWS) provision of aviation weather services to the FAA, and the FAA's requested proposal to consolidate the Center Weather Service Units. The hearing examined issues and concerns surrounding FAA's requirements and requests for, and NWS provision of those services. The Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Weather Service, Dr. Jack Hayes, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Left to Right: Mr. David Powner, Dr. Jack Hayes, and Mr. Richard Day (Photo courtesy of the House Committee on Science and Technology) |
ARRA Project Event with Oregon Congressional Staff
On July 10, staff from the offices of Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) joined the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, in Newport, Oregon, at an event to highlight one of the recently announced American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) project awards given by NOAA.
Dr. Lubchenco and the congressional staff joined Oregon crab fishermen and Oregon state officials to celebrate the project, which will remove derelict crab pots along the coast of Oregon. This project will be implemented by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and partners. Dr. Lubchenco spoke about the $7 million in ARRA funding for this and two other Oregon projects.
Representative Capps, Representative Farr, and Representative Sarbanes Staffers Attend B-WET Reception
On July 15, staff from the offices of Representative Lois Capps (D CA-23), Representative Sam Farr (D CA-17), and Representative John Sarbanes (D MD-3) joined the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco; the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, John H. Dunnigan; and other NOAA representatives at the NOAA Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Program reception in Washington, DC. The National Marine Sanctuaries Foundation hosted the reception at the National Aquarium in the Herbert C. Hoover Building for the regional B-WET program representatives who were in DC for the B-WET National Conference (July 14-16). Dr. Lubchenco was the keynote speaker at the reception.
Hearing on Chesapeake Bay and Thunder Bay Legislation
On July 8, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans and Wildlife (Chair, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam), held a hearing on HR 1771, the Chesapeake Bay Science, Education, and Ecosystem Enhancement Act of 2009, and HR 905, the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary and Underwater Preserve Boundary Modification Act of 2009. The hearing focused on suggestions for improving these two bills, as well as an additional bill related to EPA’s work in the Chesapeake. The Director of NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office, Peyton Robertson, testified. A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Representative Baird |
Representative Baird Visit to PMEL
On July 6, Representative Brian Baird (D WA-3) visited NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory (PMEL) in Seattle Washington. Representative Baird received a tour of the facility and was then briefed on research related to ocean acidification and tsunamis.
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Representative Kosmas |
Representative Kosmas Visits ARRA Project in Florida
On July 2, Representative Suzanne Kosmas (D FL-24) joined staff from NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service Restoration Center in St. Petersburg for a visit to, and briefing on, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) Indian River Lagoon Restoration Project in Stuart, Florida. This $4 million project will survey and enhance oyster reefs in the lagoon.