News and Updates Archive
July, August, September 2010
September 2010
Representative Pingree and Senate Staff Join Dr. Robinson at Working Waterfronts Event
On September 28, Representative Chellie Pingree (D ME-1) and staff for Senator Susan Collins (R-ME) and Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME) joined NOAA’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Dr. Larry Robinson, at the Working Waterways and Waterfronts National Symposium on Water Access 2010 in Portland, Maine. Senator Collins provided pre-taped remarks for the event, and professional staff for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation spoke on behalf of Senator Snowe. Representative Pingree and Dr. Robinson gave keynote addresses to open the conference, which built on an inaugural symposium in Norfolk, Virginia, in 2007.
Representative Holt and Representative Biggert Remarks at Modeling Briefing
On September 23, Representative Rush Holt (D NJ-12) and Representative Judy Biggert (R IL-13) provided opening remarks at a briefing on modeling and Exascale computing. Members of the Congressional Research and Development Caucus and all interested congressional staff joined officials of NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Lab, during a panel presentation titled, "On the Road to Exascale – Extreme Computing-Based Modeling and Simulation." The panel of experts discussed the vision and challenges of an estimated decadal research and development, demonstration, and deployment program, involving a partnership among government, industry, and academia, to achieve Exascale capability and applicability.
House Hearing on South Pacific Tuna Treaty
On September 22, the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and the Global Environment (Chair, Delegate Eni Faleomavaega, D-American Samoa) held a hearing on “Renegotiating the South Pacific Tuna Treaty: Closing Loopholes and Protecting U.S. Interests.” NOAA’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Fisheries, Russell Smith, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Several Members Join Dr. Lubchenco at Event to Honor Representative Dicks
On September 15, Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Representative Don Manzullo (R IL-16), Representative Dana Rohrabacher (R CA-46), and staff for Representative Vern Ehlers (R MI-3) joined NOAA’s Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, at the Wings of Liberty Reception honoring Representative Norm Dicks (D WA-6). The reception, held at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, was part of National Aerospace Week, which is sponsored by the Aerospace Industries Association (AIA). The Aerospace Wings of Liberty Award is given to recognize Members of Congress who have made significant contributions to the aerospace industry.
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Left to Right: Dr. Lubchenco, Senator Inouye, and Marion Blakey, President and CEO of AIA. |
Congressional Staff Attend Open House on the Shimada
On September 14, staff for Senator Diane Feinstein (D-CA) and Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) attended a NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) sponsored open house on the NOAA Ship Bell M Shimada during a port call in San Francisco, California.
The newly commissioned Bell M. Shimada is the fourth in a series of the most technologically advanced fisheries vessels in the world and is managed by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and officers of the NOAA Commissioned Corps. Equipped with a full suite of modern instrumentation for fisheries and oceanographic research, the new technologies will dramatically improve NOAA’s ability to monitor to the region’s valuable fisheries and protected species and welcome in a new era in ecosystem-based research in support of management for the California Current Large Marine Ecosystem. The event included short talks about the new capabilities and ship-based research, a ship tour, scientific displays and casual interactions with command, crew and scientists.
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NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada |
Congressional Tour of Columbia River Basin
On September 2, over 15 Senate and House staff joined a US Geological Survey (USGS) tour of the Columbia River Basin. Staff from NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), Northwest River Forecast Center in Portland, Oregon, participated in a briefing in The Dalles, Oregon, related to the hydrology and water resources of the Columbia River. NWS staff discussed the importance of the USGS river gauges in our river forecast process and our partnership with USGS’ National Streamflow Information program. The congressional staff on the tour included staff from the offices of:
- Representative Jim Costa (D CA-20)
- Representative Tom Cole (R OK-4)
- Representative Jim Moran (D VA-8)
- Representative David Obey (D WI-7)
- Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
- House Committee on Appropriations
- House Committee on Natural Resources
- House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
- House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming
Senate and House Staff Visit Michigan Field Station
On September 1, staff from the offices of Senator Carl Levin (D-MI), Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Representative Mike Rogers (R-MI-8), and Representative Peter Hoekstra (R-MI-2) participated in an interagency event and field visit to the NOAA Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Lake Michigan Field Station, in Muskegon, Michigan. The event, in cooperation with various federal and state Great Lakes partner agencies, included a tour of the Lake Michigan Field Station, and talks by scientists about the Great Lakes foodweb, the status of the Great Lakes fishery, invasive species, harmful algal blooms, and the development of Great Lakes research products and services used by the public. Participants also sailed aboard the 55’ NOAA green ship to observe a scientific sampling demonstration in Lake Michigan followed by a tour of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act restoration sites at Muskegon Lake.
Senate Staff Visit WFO and Tsunami Center in Alaska
On September 1, staff for Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Anchorage, Alaska, where they learned about aviation weather forecasts. They also visited the Alaska Tsunami Warning Center in Palmer, Alaska.
Representative Pomeroy Tours WFO
On September 1, Representative Earl Pomeroy (R ND-At Large) toured NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Grand Forks, North Dakota. Representative Pomeroy was briefed by WFO staff on the work of the office as well as the climate outlook for the Devils Lake Basin.
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Representative Pomeroy listeing to Service Hydrologist, Mike Lukes, explaining hydrologic conditions for Devils Lake. |
House Staff Visit NOAA in Boulder and Norman
On August 31-September 1, staff from the House Committee on Science and Technology and the office of Representative Jared Polis (D CO-2) visited various NOAA laboratories, offices, and programs at the NOAA facility in Boulder, Colorado. During the site visit, staff toured and were briefed on the activities of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Geophysical Data Center; NOAA’s National weather Service (NWS) Space Weather Prediction Center and Weather Forecast Office; and NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), Earth System Research Laboratory. Over the course of the visit, staff toured and were briefed on a range of activities including: space weather prediction, geophysical data stewardship and products, earth system modeling and supercomputing, Science on a Sphere, greenhouse gas monitoring and research, climate attribution, water research and development, air quality and chemistry research, and a variety of emerging priorities like Arctic research, unmanned aircraft systems, and improving atmospheric forecasting and prediction for renewable energy.
On September 2, staff from the House Committee on Science and Technology visited the NOAA OAR National Severe Storms Laboratory and the NWS Storm Prediction Center and Norman Weather Forecast Office. While there, staff toured and was briefed on the hazardous weather testbed, phased array radar research and development, and the activities of the warding decision training branch.
August 2010
Senate and House Staff Visit GFDL
On August 30, staff from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; House Committee on Natural Resources; House Committee on Science and Technology; and the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global warming visited NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL), in Princeton, New Jersey. The group was provided an overview of GFDL, its organization and major activities, partnerships, and participation in national and international scientific assessments. Following the introduction, seven senior scientists from GFDL provided more in-depth presentations on topics that included climate modeling, the GFDL role in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, hurricanes and climate, NOAA’s supercomputer infrastructure, ocean color and hurricane prevalence, underwater oil plum modeling in the Gulf of Mexico, and fisheries and ecosystem modeling.
Senate Staff Visit to Humpback Whale Sanctuary
On August 27, staff for Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI) visited NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. They visited the Sanctuary Learning Center in Kihei, Maui, where they will receive an overview of the programs and activities of the Center and Sanctuary.
Senator Shelby Staff Join Marine Mammal Survey on OMAO Twin Otter
On August 25, staff for Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) joined personnel from NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service on one of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operation’s (OMAO) Twin Otter aircraft during a marine mammal survey in the Gulf.
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Representative Farr |
Representative Farr Visit to Fisheries Science Center
On August 26, Representative Sam Farr (D CA-10) visited NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Southwest Fisheries Science Center, in Pacific Grove, California. During the visit he was briefed on satellite-based research pertaining to marine ecosystems.
Senate and House Staff Trip to Chesapeake Bay
On August 26, over 25 Senate and House staff from the Mid-Atlantic region visited the Chesapeake Bay Program in Annapolis, Maryland. The trip was organized by EPA and NOAA was invited to participate. The trip included updates on the Executive Order initiatives, boat tours to see how policies and programs affect the Bay watershed, field work such as fish seining and water quality monitoring, and an interactive oyster exhibit.
House Staff Attend Commissioning of the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada
On August 25, staff from the offices of Representative Brian Baird (D WA-3) and Representative Jim McDermott (D WA-7) attended the commissioning of the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada in Seattle, Washington. The Shimada will support Pacific Coast fisheries research, and is the fourth of NOAA’s new Fisheries Survey Vessels and is managed and operated by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and officers of the NOAA Commissioned Corps. NOAA’s Principal Deputy Under Secretary, Monica Medina, was the keynote speaker and the Director of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and NOAA Corps, RADM Jonathan Bailey, also presented remarks.
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Senate and House Staff Visit Center in New Hampshire
On August 24, staff for Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH), Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), and Representative Carol Shea-Porter (D NH-1) visited the NOAA/UNH Joint Hydrographic Center - Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping in Durham, New Hampshire
Senate Field Hearing on the Arctic
On August 19, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair, Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) held a field hearing in Barrow, Alaska, on current and planned services for a changing Arctic. The hearing was attended by Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) and Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI). With ongoing work in NOAA to finalize a NOAA Arctic Vision and Strategy, this hearing was an opportunity to inform Members of Congress and the Alaskan public about the agency's current and planned activities, programs, and initiatives in the Arctic region. The Deputy Assistant Administrator for NOAA’s National Weather Service, Laura Furgione, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Senators Begich and Stabenow. From behind from left to right is:
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Hearing flyer |
Senator Begich, Laura Furgione, and Sonja Wolter from the NOAA Earth System Research Lab viewing NOAA's greenhouse gas monitoring equipment that flies aboard a Coast Guard C-130. |
House Oil Spill Hearing
On August 19, the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment (Chair, Representative Ed Markey, D MA-7) held a hearing on “The BP Oil Spill: Accounting for the Spilled Oil and Ensuring the Safety of Seafood from the Gulf.” A Senior Scientist in the Emergency Response Division of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, Dr. Bill Lehr, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Senator Bingaman Staff Tour UAC
On August 19, staff for Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM) toured the Unified Area Command (UAC) in New Orleans, Louisiana. The tour was organized and led by a NOAA Corps office from NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations and included an overview of response efforts to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, NOAA's role and the Environmental Response Management Application® (ERMA) sub-surface monitoring effort, and the cooperation between all agencies involved.
Representative Cole Staff Tour National Weather Center
On August 19, staff for Representative Tom Cole (R OK-4) toured NOAA’s National Weather Center in Norman, Oklahoma. The visit included a brief tour, overview of the Phased Array Radar demo project, and presentations from several programs in NOAA’s National Weather Service and Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research.
Representative Shimkus Tour of WFO
On August 13, Representative John Shimkus (R IL-9) toured NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office (WFO), in Paducah, Kentucky, where he was briefed on the WFO’s work and programs and had a chance to meet the staff. The local Channel 6 TV station covered the visit, and you may view a clip of their story on their website.
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Representatve Shimkus (3rd from right - front row, yellow shirt) |
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Representatve Capps |
Representative Capps Visits Channel Island Sanctuary
On August 5, Representative Lois Capps (D CA-23) participated on a cruise aboard the R/V Shearwater in NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary. The cruise provided an update on the UC Santa Barbara Building under construction, general information on the Sanctuary and its programs, as well as the National Marine Sanctuary System.
Senate Markup on VA Bill That Would Benefit NOAA Corp
On August 5, the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs (Chair, Senator Daniel Akaka, D-HI) held a markup of S 3447, the Post-9/11 Veterans Educational Assistance Improvements Act. The bill would amend title 38 of the United States Code, to improve educational assistance for veterans who served in the Armed Forces after September 11, 2001. Section 6 would authorize DoD to permit an individual to transfer his or her entitlement to benefits under the Post-9/11 GI Bill after the individual is no longer a member of the Armed Forces. Under current law, DoD must approve such a transfer while the individual is still a member of the Armed Forces. This section would also extend the transfer-of-entitlement option to members of the Public Health Service and NOAA (the NOAA Corps). The Committee reported the bill favorably to the Senate for a vote on the floor at a later date to be determined.
All Members of Congress Updated on Seasonal Hurricane Outlook
On August 5, the offices of all 541 Members of Congress and several Senate and House committees were notified by NOAA OLIA of the updated Atlantic hurricane seasonal outlook developed by NOAA’s National Weather Service, Climate Prediction Center.
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Representatve Cooper |
Representative Cooper Visits WFO
On August 5, Representative Jim Cooper (D TN-5) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office (WFO), in Nashville, Tennessee, where he was brief briefed on the WFO’s work and programs and had a chance to meet the staff.
Senate Hearing on the Gulf Oil Spill and Dispersants
On August 4, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works (Chair, Senator Barbara Boxer, D-CA) and its Subcommittee on Oversight (Chair, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, D-RI) held a joint hearing on the “Use of Oil Dispersants in the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.” The Director of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, Dave Westerholm, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Representatve McDermott |
Representative McDermott Attends Decommissioning of the NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan
On August 3, Representative Jim McDermott (D WA-7) attended the decommissioning ceremony for the NOAA Ship David Starr Jordan in Seattle, Washington. The shipwas built in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin in 1964 and commissioned in San Diego, California, in 1966. The ship was designed and built for the purpose of fisheries research in the tropical Pacific. Since commissioning, the vessel worked mainly off the southwestern U.S. coast and the eastern tropical Pacific.
Senate and House Staff View Mission Broadcast - the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
On August 2, staff from the Senate and House joined NOAA’s Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, and other NOAA officials at a broadcast viewing event at the NOAA Science Center in Silver Spring, Maryland. The event, held on behalf of NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Ocean Exploration and Research Program and the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer, featured a live broadcast from the joint Indonesia exploration mission via the Exploration Command Center. Staff from the Executive Office of the President and other White House offices, the Department of Commerce, other agencies, and the Indonesian Government also attended.
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NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer |
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Senator Begich |
Senator Begich Visit to Gulf
On August 1, Senator Mark Begich (D-AK) travelled to the Gulf for a first-hand look at the response efforts of NOAA and other federal agencies. During his visit, the Senator was briefed on all aspects of NOAA’s work in the region by staff from NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration.
July 2010
Senate Committee Approves SHORE Act
On July 27, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair, Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) held a markup of S 3597, the Securing Health for Ocean Resources and Environment (SHORE) Act. The Committee reported the bill favorably to the Senate for a vote at a later date to be determined. The bill would improve the ability of NOAA, the Coast Guard, and coastal states to sustain healthy ocean and coastal ecosystems by maintaining and sustaining their capabilities relating to oil spill preparedness, prevention, response, restoration, and research.
House Hearing on Coastal Jobs Bill and Ombudsman Act
On July 27, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Insular Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife (Chair, Delegate Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam) held a legislative hearing on HR 4914, the Coastal Jobs Creation Act of 2010I; HR 3910, the Longline Catcher Processor Subsector Single Fishery Cooperative Act;and HR 5180, the National Marine Fisheries Service Ombudsman Act of 2010. The Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Eric Schwaab, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Senate Hearing on Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill
On July 27, the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, Subcommittee on Water and Wildlife (Chair, Senator Ben Cardin, D-MD) held a hearing on “Assessing Natural Resource Damages from the BP Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill.” The Deputy Division Chief of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, South East/Gulf of Mexico Branch, Tony Penn, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Representative Thompson |
Representative Thompson Visits UAC for Briefing on the Oil Spill and Wildlife Issues
On July 23, Representative Mike Thompson (D CA-1) visited the Unified Area Command (UAC) in New Orleans, Louisiana. During the visit he was briefed by various NOAA staff on wildlife issues and the effects of storms to the operational areas.
Senate Hearing on Flooding in Tennessee
On July 22, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development (Chair, Senator Byron Dorgan, D-ND) held a hearing on “Lessons from the 2010 Tennessee Flood.” The Director of NOAA’s National Weather Service, Office of Hydrological Development, Gary Carter, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page. A copy of the webcast may be viewed on the Committee's website.
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Gary Carter |
Senate Markup
On July 22, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation (Chair, Senator Jay Rockefeller, D-WV) held a markup of several bills including the S 3614, the Oil Spill Response Act; S 3605, the America COMPETES Reauthorization Act of 2010; and S 3597, the Securing Health for Ocean Resources and Environment (SHORE) Act. The Committee reported S 3614 and S 3605 favorably to the Senate for a vote at a later date to be determined, but deferred action and a vote on S 3597.
House Passes Oil Spill Research Bill
On July 21, the House passed HR 2693, the Federal Oil Spill Research Program Act, which would create a new Committee comprised of NOAA, US Coast Guard, the EPA, and other agencies to coordinate a new oil spill research program and assess the status of spill prevention and response capabilities. NOAA would Chair the committee.
Senate Oil Spill Hearing
On July 21, 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 “Turning Ideas into Action: Ensuring Effective Clean Up and Restoration in the Gulf.” The Incident Operations Coordinator for the Emergency Response Division of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration, Doug Helton, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on our website at http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/111testimony.html .
Senate Markup on Public Lands Bill
On July 21, the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources (Chair, Senator Jeff Bingaman, D-NM) held a markup of HR 1612, the Public Lands Service Corps Act of 2010. The bill would amend the Public Lands Corps Act of 1993, and expand the program to include NOAA. The definition of public lands would be amended to include coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes waters and, as such, several of NOAA’s program offices could benefit from this legislation, including Sea Grant, the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, National Centers for Coastal and Ocean Sciences, and the Office of Habitat Conservation. The bill was reported favorably by the Committee and has been sent to the Senate floor for a vote at a later date to be determined.
Senate Committees Approve Funding Increase for NOAA in CJS Appropriations Bill
On July 21, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) (Chair, Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-MD) approved S 3636, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 2011 that includes a more than 17 percent funding boost for NOAA.
On July 22, the Senate Committee on Appropriations (Chair, Senator Daniel Inouye, D-HI) reported the bill favorably, which has been sent to the Senate floor for a vote at a later date to be determined. Altogether, the fiscal 2011 Commerce-Justice-Science bill includes more than $5.54 billion for NOAA.
Senate Hearing on Dispersants
On July 15, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (Chair, Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-MD), held a hearing on the use of dispersants as a response to oil spills. Other Members who attended the hearing included Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ). NOAA’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Dr. Larry Robinson, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
House Passes Arctic Mapping Bill
On July 14, the House passed HR 2864, a bill that would require NOAA to increase its mapping efforts in the Arctic. The bill would amend the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998.
Senate Hearing on Ocean Conservation and U.S. Exports
On July 14, the Senate Committee on Finance, Subcommittee on International Trade, Customs, and Global Competitiveness (Chair, Senator Ron Wyden, D-OR) held a hearing on "Marine Wealth: Promoting Conservation and Advancing American Exports." The purpose of this hearing was to explore the intersection of ocean conservation and international trade policies including how unfair fishing practices, like government subsidies and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing distort global markets and deplete fish stocks to unsustainable levels. The Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Eric Schwaab, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
House Committee Markup of the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act
On July 14 and 15, the House Committee on Natural Resources (Chair, Representative Nick Rahall, D WV-3) held a markup of HR 3534, the Consolidated Land, Energy, and Aquatic Resources Act. The bill would significantly reform the way the federal government conducts leasing and revenue collection for energy resources on public lands, including our oceans, and includes provisions that would remove the Department’s current authority to permit or regulate offshore aquaculture under the Magnuson-Stevens Act. The committee reported the bill favorably, which now goes to the House floor for a vote at a later date.
House Committee Markup of the Federal Oil Spill Research Act
On July 14, the House Committee on Science and Technology (Chair, Representative Bart Gordon, D TN-6) held a markup of HR 2693, the Federal Oil Spill Research Act. This bill would create a new Committee comprised of NOAA, US Coast Guard, the EPA, and other agencies to coordinate a new oil spill research program and assess the status of spill prevention and response capabilities. NOAA would chair the committee and would receive $2 million a year for the next four years to conduct oil-spill demonstration projects. The committee reported the bill favorably, which now goes to the House floor for a vote at a later date.
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Representative Dicks |
Representative Dicks Joins NOAA at Ocean Acidification Press Conference
On July 12, Representative Norm Dicks (D WA-6) joined officials of NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research at a press conference on ocean acidification in Puget Sound, Washington. At the press conference, held at the University of Washington (UW) in Seattle, NOAA and UW scientists announced findings about acidification in Puget Sound and the outlook for the Sound's waters if carbon dioxide continues building in the atmosphere.
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Representative Emerson |
Representative Emerson Attends StormReady Award Ceremony
On July 9, Representative Jo Ann Emerson (R MO-8) attended a ceremony in Fredricktown, Missouri, in honor of Madison County achieving StormReady designation under NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) StormReady Program. Representatives of three, local NWS Weather Forecast Offices also attended.
Representative Chaffetz Staff Visit WFO
On July 9, staff for Representative Jason Chaffetz (R UT-3) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS), Weather Forecast Office (WFO), in Salt Lake City, Utah. The WFO staff provided a tour of the facility and a 101 on NOAA’s and NWS’s programs and activities.
Senator Hutchison Staff Visit Sanctuary Office
On July 7, staff for Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) visited the office of NOAA's Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary in Galveston, Texas. The staff were primarily interested in the Deepwater Horizon blowout and potential affects to the Sanctuary and Sanctuary staff provided an update on the proposed draft management plan as well as samples of education materials used.
Senate Staff Join Flight on Twin Otter
On July 7, staff from the Senate Committee on Appropriations joined a flight on one of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations Twin Otter aircraft as it conducted multispectral imaging primarily to identify concentrated areas of recoverable oil or to validate the efficacy of response/mitigation actions. The staff were able to see the application of this technology over marsh area in the Louisiana Delta, in the immediate area of the source (also giving a good view of source surface activity), and along the shoreline of Orange Beach.
Field Hearing on ARRA in Hawaii
On July 7, the Senate Committee on Appropriations (Chair, Senator Daniel Inouye, D-HI) held a field hearing in Hawaii on the “Status of the Impact of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009 in Hawaii.” NOAA’s Chief Administrative Officer, William Broglie, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.