News and Updates Archive
July, August, September 2011
September 2011
Senator Mikulski and Representative Edwards Visit NSOF
On September 26, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD) and Representative Donna Edwards (D MD-4) joined county officials and NOAA leadership at NOAA’s Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) in Suitland, Maryland. Leadership briefed the Members and officials on NSOF’s mission, programs, and activities as well as the work NOAA does as an agency and highlighted the key to our success is the collaboration across the agency that creates the final product that the nation (and other nations) rely so heavily on.
The Members and officials then toured NSOF, met some of the employees, and concluded the visit with a press event. The NOAA senior leadership in attendance included:
- Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco
- Assistant Secretary for Environmental Observation and Prediction, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan
- Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services, Mary Kicza
NSOF, part of NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Services, houses more than $50 million in high technology equipment, including 16 antennas, which control more than $4.7 billion in environmental satellites. NSOF provides environmental data used to develop weather and climate products, as well as other information products used daily by industry and citizens across the Nation. Each day, NSOF processes more than 16 billion bytes of environmental data from 15 different satellites, supporting U.S. and international missions.
House Hearing on JPSS
On September 23, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, Subcommittees on Investigations and Oversight (Chair, Representative Paul Broun, R GA-10) and Energy and Environment (Chair, Representative Andy Harris, R MD-1) held a joint oversight hearing titled, “From NPOESS to JPSS: An Update on the Nation’s Restructured Polar Weather Satellite Program.”
NOAA’s Assistant Secretary for Environmental Observation and Prediction, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page of the OLIA website.
House Staff Visit Portland WFO
On September 20, the District Directors and other field staff from the offices of Representative Peter DeFazio (D OR-4), Representative Kurt Schrader (D OR-5), and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D OR-3) toured NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Portland, Oregon. Staffers were briefed on the structure and function of the WFO, and the products and services provided to constituents in northwest Oregon.
Senate and House Briefing on Joplin Tornado
On September 19, all interested Members and staff from the Senate and House were briefed via teleconference by officials from NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) on NWS’ service assessment report of the May 22, 2011, EF-5 tornado in Joplin, Missouri, that killed 159 people and injured more than 1,000 others. Within days, NWS’ Assistant Administrator, Dr. Jack Hayes, sent an assessment team to Joplin. The Team's charge was to survey the damage and examine warning and forecast services provided to the community by NWS. The team also reviewed warning communications, community preparedness and the public’s response to tornado warnings and concluded with the development of a final report, called a Service Assessment.
Senate and House Staff Briefing on Loggerhead Turtle Listings
On September 16, all interested Senate and House staff were briefed by officials from NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on NMFS' final rule to delineate the global loggerhead turtle population into nine distinct population segments (DPSs) and update the listing status of each of the DPSs under the Endangered Species Act. There has been considerable interest in this rule, especially on the east coast, given NMFS' original proposal to up-list certain of the DPSs from threatened to endangered status. While originally proposed to be reclassified as endangered, the final rule will list the Northwest Atlantic DPS as threatened. The North Pacific Ocean DPS will be reclassified as endangered, as proposed.
Staff for Senator Cochran and Representative Palazzo Visit the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer
On September 16, staff for Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Representative Stephen Palazzo (R MS-4) visited the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer when it was in port in Pascagoula, Mississippi. They then stayed on the ship as it transited from the NOAA Gulf Marine Support Facility (GMSF) outbound to offshore of Petit Bois Island, where they were then transferred to the NOAA Fisheries small boat R/V HST and back to GMSF. During their time on the ship they were provide a briefing on the bridge related to the channels and islands and proposed dredge disposal options in the area. They also learned about the basic operations, staffing, and mission of the ship.
Homeported in Davisville, Rhode Island, the Okeanos Explorer is part of the NOAA fleet of ships and aircraft operated, managed, and maintained by NOAA's Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, which includes civilians as well as commissioned officers of the NOAA Corps, one of the seven uniformed services of the United States.
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Senate Committee Markup of CJS Bill
On September 14 and15, the Senate Committee on Appropriations (Chair, Senator Daniel Inouye, D-HI) and its Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS), and Related Agencies (Chair, Senator Barbara Mikulski, D-MD) held a markup of S 1572, the Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act 2012. The Committees’ recommendation provides $5,022,271,000 for NOAA. The recommendation is $434,238,000 above the fiscal year 2011 enacted level and $463,463,000 below the budget request.
House Hearing on LightSquared Network
On September 8, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology (Chair, Representative Ralph Hall, R TX-4) held a hearing titled, “Impacts of the LightSquared Network on Federal Science Activities.” LightSquared would like to build a 4G network that would utilize spectrum next to the GPS bands that NOAA uses in daily operations. The Federal Communications Commission is currently considering a modified plan from LightSquared. This hearing was an opportunity for the federal agencies to comment on how the LightSquared proposal could affect their science activities. NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Operations, Mary M. Glackin, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Senator Inouye, Senator Begich, and Congressional Staff Event on IUU Fishing
On September 7, Senator Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), and all interested congressional staff attended a signing ceremony in Washington, DC. NOAA’s Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, hosted the Commissioner for Maritime Affairs from the European Union (EU), Maria Damanaki, as they signed a statement pledging bilateral cooperation to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, known as IUU fishing. The signing ceremony was a building block that will allow more effective future work together on these important issues that are critical to U.S. fishermen.
Senate and House Staff Attend Climate and Weather Briefing
On September 7, all interested Senate and House staff attended a briefing on 2011 Weather and Climate Extremes and NOAA's weather and climate science, products and services provided by officials from NOAA’s National Weather Service and NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service.
Senator Nelson Visits NHC
On September 1, Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida. During his visit the Senator was briefed by several hurricane specialists regarding Hurricane Katina and the developing system in the Gulf of Mexico. This was followed by a 15 minute press briefing in the front of NHC with the local FOX, ABC and Univision affiliates, along with Reuters and the Miami Herald. During his statement Senator Nelson drove the point home about the importance of the Hurricane Hunter program, and how detrimental any cutbacks would be to NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, Aircraft Operations Center in Tampa.
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Senator Nelson (left) speaks with NOAA National Hurricane Center Director Bill Read and hurricane specialist John Cangialosi regarding Hurricane Katia. |
August 2011
Senator Begich and Alaska Delegation Staff Attend NSOF Event
On August 24, Senator Mark Begich (D-AK); staff from the offices of Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Representative Don Young (R AK-At Large); 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, attended the ribbon cutting and dedication ceremony of the newly constructed NOAA Fairbanks Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) Building in Fairbanks, Alaska. NOAA has had a presence at the Fairbanks Station since 1973 and the new building is a signal of NOAA's long-term commitment to Fairbanks. Data from environmental satellites that are received at the Fairbanks Station are critical to NOAA's mission (weather, climate, commerce and transportation, ecosystems) and contribute other U.S. Government activities.
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Senator Begich and Dr. Lubchenco and other guest at the ribbon cutting. |
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Senator Wyden, Representative Schrader, and Governor Kitzhaber Attend MOC-P Dedication Ceremony
On August 20, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Representative Kurt Schrader (D OR-5), Governor John Kitzhaber (D-OR), over a dozen members of the State Legislature, and other state and local officials as well as staff for Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) joined NOAA leadership and invited guests at the dedication ceremony of NOAA’s new Office and Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), Marine Operations Center – Pacific (MOC-P) in Newport, Oregon.
MOC-P in Newport officially assumed operational control of NOAA’s Pacific fleet on July 1, and the ceremony, co-hosted with the Port of Newport, included remarks from Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, Representative Schrader, and Governor Kitzhaber. Additional remarks were provided by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco; the Director of OMAO and the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps, RADM Jonathan Bailey; the Director of the Marine and Aviation Operations Centers, RADML Michael Devany; and various local officials.
The Members of Congress and other VIPs also received tours of the facility and briefings on MOC-P’s programs and activities. Public tours of MOC-P were available the afternoon of August 20 and on August 21 and were attended by over 2,000 people.
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MOC-P in Newport, Oregon, which NOAA leases from the Port of Newport, includes 40,852 square feet of office and warehouse space, a 1,300 foot long pier, and a small boat dock. The main buildings are built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental design (LEED) standards for environmental sustainable construction and have achieved a LEED Silver rating. |
Senator Wicker Joins NOAA Corp at Ceremony and Tours NOAA Ship Pisces
On August 18, Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) attended the ribbon cutting and grand opening of the Anchor Square development in Pascagoula, Mississippi, where he was joined by members of NOAA’s Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO), NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps). OMAO donated a surplus anchor to the City of Pascagoula in June, which was mounted for public display at the new "Anchor Village" small business incubator.
After the event, Senator Wicker and his staff, toured the NOAA Ship Pisces, which was then opened to the public for tours throughout the afternoon.
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Senator Wicker on the bridge of the Pisces with members of the NOAA Corps. |
Senator Cochran and Representative Palazzo Staff Attend Coast Survey Boat Open House
On August 18, staff from the offices of Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) and Representative Steve palazzo (R MS-4) joined officials from NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey (OCS) in Biloxi, Mississippi. OCS has two survey boats in Biloxi that are currently surveying in the Mississippi Sound area and held a small open house to see the boats (the Chinook and Westerly), crews, and equipment. The open house also included a visit over to a small wreck that was found in the water nearby so they could see it using sidescan and multibeam sonar. The team and equipment will be working on this Mississippi Sound survey project until November. To date, they have surveyed over 1,000 line miles of area.
Representative Ellmers’ Staff Visit WFO
On August 12, staff for Representative Renee Ellmers (R NC-2) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Raleigh, North Carolina. The visit provided an overview of the programs and services provided by the WFO for the region.
Representative Thompson Visits Lower Klamath Basin
On August 11, Representative Mike Thompson (D CA-1) joined NOAA’s Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Commerce, Monica Medina, and officials from NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service for a visit to the Lower Klamath Basin in California. During their visit, they met with key stakeholders and parties to the Klamath Agreements, such as salmon fishermen, members of the Yurok Tribal Council, and members of the Federal team.
Senator Lautenberg Staff Visit WFO
On August 10, staff for Senator Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ) visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office Baltimore/Washington in Sterling Virginia. During the visit they were provided an overview brief, tour of the operations area with an Advanced Weather Interactive Processing System demo, as well as some of the observation systems (radar, upper-air) used at the office.
Representative Wittman and Delegation Staff Attend CBIBS Dedication
On August 10, Representative Rob Wittman (R VA-1) and staff from the offices of Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Senator Jim Webb (D-VA), and Representative Scott Rigell (R VA-2) joined NOAA’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, in Virginia Beach, Virginia, for a dedication ceremony. The ceremony celebrated the dedication of the 10th buoy in NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS), a network of observing platforms that provide real-time data about local meteorological, oceanographic, and water quality conditions.
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Representative Wittman and Dr. Sullivan. |
Representative Wittman and the buoy observation platform. |
Representative McMorris-Rodgers Visits WFO
On August 8, Representative Cathy McMorris-Rodgers (R WA-5), Republican Caucus Vice-Chair, visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, Weather Forecast Office in Spokane, Washington. She was provided information on weather safety, NOAA weather radios, and a briefing that outlined what the office does, and the products and services provided to her 5th-district constituents.
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Representative McMorris-Rodgers gets a tour of the WSR-88D weather radar facilities at NWS WFO Spokane with Warning Coordination Meteorologist Anthony Cavallucci, Science and Operations Officer Ron Miller and Meteorologist-in-Charge John Livingston. |
July 2011
Senate Hearing on Federal Disaster Assistance
On July 28, the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government (Chair, Senator Richard Durbin, D-IL) held a hearing titled, “Federal Disaster Assistance - "Are We Weather-Ready?" The hearing was very positive for NOAA and focused in general on erratic and unusual weather catastrophes and how they may pose a significant risk to assets and may lead to an increased public demand for disaster assistance from multiple Federal agencies. Much of the questioning and discussion focused on the increasing frequency and severity of these events, and their links to climate change. Each other witness' testimony cited the importance of NOAA's data and information, and how it is used in their respective sectors.
NOAA’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Additional information on the hearing, including the arhcived webcast, may be found on the Senate Committee on Appropriations website.
House Committee Markup of HABS Bill
On July 28, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Committee (Chair, Representative Ralph Hall, R TX-4) held a markup of HR 2484, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2011. The bill would reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to include a comprehensive and integrated strategy to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia, to provide for the development and implementation of a comprehensive research plan and action strategy to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and for other purposes.
The bill authorizes $18 million annually for NOAA and $2.7 million annually to U.S. EPA to expand the research into freshwater bodies. It also requires NOAA to assess and report on the dead zone in the Chesapeake Bay and develop a plan for reducing, mitigating and controlling it. The Committee approved the bill and reported it favorably to the full House for a floor vote at a later date to be determined.
Senate Hearing on Arctic Economic Development
On July 27, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard (Chair, Senator Mark Begich, D-AK) held a hearing on how the United States can seize emerging economic opportunities in the Arctic. Federal agencies including the Coast Guard, State Department and Navy will appear to discuss their roles supporting economic development in the region, including assisting navigation, marine safety and search and rescue. The hearing will also explore how agencies can cooperate with international partners and promote sound environmental regulations. NOAA did not testify, but will be submitting written testimony for the record.
House Hearing on NOAA’s Fishery Science
On July 26, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans, and Insular Affairs (Chair, Representative John Fleming, R LA-4) held an oversight hearing titled, “NOAA’s Fishery Science: Is the Lack of Basic Science Costing Jobs?” The hearing focused on how NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service collects data necessary for the management and allocation of fishery resources, how the amendments to the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Acthave affected domestic fishery management, and how the agency plans to provide fishery managers with better and more up to date information given increasingly tight budgets. 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 Hearing on USCG Reauthorization and Marine Debris Act Reauthorization
On July 26, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation (Chair, Representative Frank LoBiondo, R NJ-2) held a hearing titled, “How to Improve Operations and Implement Efficiencies for the United States Coast Guard.” One of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s priorities in the 112th Congress is enacting legislation to provide the necessary authorities and resources for the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to carry out its broad responsibilities. This committee was also assigned jurisdiction, along with the House Committee on Natural Resources, for Representative Sam Farr’s (D CA-17) bill, HR 1171, to reauthorize the Marine Debris Research, Prevention, and Reduction Act (MDRPRA).
The purpose of this hearing was to examine various reauthorization needs of the USCG, including ways to improve their operations and administration. The hearing also examined issues related to the reauthorization of the MDRPRA. The Deputy Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Holly Bamford, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
Senator Burr Staff Visit NCDC
On July 26, staff from the office of Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) visited NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Climate Data Center (NCDC) in Asheville, North Carolina. During the visit the staff were briefed on NOAA’s Climate Data Record Program.
House Briefing on Status of Deepwater Horizon NRDA
On July 25, all interested House Members and staff were briefed by officials from NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Office of Response and Restoration during a briefing titled, “Status of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill Damage Assessment and Efforts to Restore the Gulf of Mexico.” The briefing was sponsored and attended by Representative Kathy Castor (D FL-11) and Representative Steve Scalise (R LA-1), Co-Chairs of the newly-forming House Gulf Coast Caucus. Similar to the Senate -sponsored briefing held last April, the theme of this briefing was looking forward since last year's oil spill with emphasis on the efforts underway to assess and restore the Gulf region. Officials from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Task Force and the U.S. Commission on the B.P. Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling also participated in the briefing with NOAA. In addition to Representative Castor and Representative Scalise, Member attendees included Representative Charles Boustany, Jr. (R LA-7), Representative Sheila Jackson Lee (D TX-18), and Representative Blake Farenthold (R TX-27).
Senator Reed and Senator Whitehouse Staff Attend and Host Coastal Management Event and Fishermen Meeting
On July 22, staff for Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) attended an event hosted by Governor Lincoln Chafee (I-RI) in Providence, Rhode Island, to announce the Rhode Island Ocean Special Area Management Plan. They were joined by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Administrator, Dr. Jane Lubchenco, who presented the keynote address announcing this first-of-its-kind ocean management plan.
In addition, the staff for Senator Reed and Senator Whitehouse held a meeting for Dr. Lubchenco with local fishermen so they could discuss their concerns and interests for Northeast fisheries.
Senate Hearing on Gulf Oil Spill
On July 20, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard (Chair, Senator Mark Begich, D-AK) held a hearing titled, "Looking to the Future: Lessons in Prevention, Response, and Restoration From the Gulf Oil Spill.” The purpose of the hearing was to understand the current status of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the state of progress of long-term restoration activities and the Natural Resource Damage Assessment, and the continuing challenges faces in the wake of the spill. The Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, David Kennedy, testified and a copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
House Committee Markup – Chesapeake Bay Bill
On July 20, the House Committee on Natural Resources (Chair, Representative Doc Hastings, R WA-4) held a markup of several bills including HR 258, the Chesapeake Bay Accountability and Recovery Act of 2011.The bill would require the Office of Management and Budget to prepare a crosscut budget for restoration activities in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, to require the Environmental Protection Agency to develop and implement an adaptive management plan, and for other purposes. The Committee approved the bill and reported it favorably to the House for a vote on the floor at a later date to be determined.
House Committee Markup – CJ’s Home Protection Act
On July 20, the House Committee on Financial Services (Chair, Representative Spencer Bachus, R AL-6) held a markup on several bills including HR 1751, CJ’s Home Protection Act of 2011.The bill would amend the National Manufactured Housing Construction and Safety Standards Act of 1974 to require that weather radios be installed in all manufactured homes manufactured or sold in the United States. The Committee approved the bill and reported it favorably to the House for a vote on the floor at a later date to be determined.
Staff for Senator Wyden, Senator Merkley, and Representative Schrader Tour NOAA Ship Shimada and MOC-P
On July 14, staff from the offices of Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR), Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and Representative Kurt Schrader (D OR-5) received a tour of the NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada during its port call to Newport, Oregon. During the tour, the staff were briefed on the vessel’s design, capabilities, and current mission and program activities including the variety of sensors aboard and mode of operation of the vessel to conduct Hake (Pacific Whiting) fisheries assessments, as well as the Teacher at Sea program. The staff also received a tour of NOAA’s new Office and Marine and Aviation Operations, Marine Operations Center – Pacific (MOC-P). MOC-P in Newport officially assumed operational control of NOAA’s Pacific fleet on July 1. The tours and briefings were conducted by officers of the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps.
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NOAA Ship Bell M. Shimada |
House Committee Markup of HABS Bill
On July 14, the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Committee, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment held a markup of HR 2484, the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Research and Control Amendments Act of 2011. The bill would reauthorize the Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act of 1998 to include a comprehensive and integrated strategy to address harmful algal blooms (HABs) and hypoxia, to provide for the development and implementation of a comprehensive research plan and action strategy to reduce harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, and for other purposes. The committee approved the bill and reported it favorably to the full Committee for further consideration at a later date to be determined.
House Appropriations Full Committee Markup of FY 2012 CJS Bill – Passes With $47 Million Increase
On July 13, the House Committee on Appropriations (Chair, Representative Harold Rogers, R KY-5) held a markup and vote on the FY 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bill that would fund the Department of Commerce and NOAA. The Committee approved the legislation that would cut NOAA's budget to just under $4.5 billion in FY 2012, or almost $1 billion less than President Obama's request. The bill now goes to the House floor for a vote at a later date to be determined, but the Committee has said it may be before the House goes into recess on Friday, August 5.
Of note was an amendment introduced to the bill by Representative Sam Farr (D CA-17) that was approved by the Committee and restored $47 million to NOAA operations, research and activities. The amendment brings the agency back up to 2008 spending levels.
Senate and House Staff Briefing on Status of U.S. Fisheries
On July 13, all interested Senate and House staff were briefed by officials from NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) on the Status of U.S. Fisheries for 2010 report. The Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act requires that NMFS report annually to the Congress and the eight Regional Fishery Management Councils on the status of fisheries within each Council's geographical area of authority and identify those fisheries that are overfished or are approaching a condition of being overfished. This report has been issued each year since 1997.
House Committee Staff Visit NHC
On July 12, staff from the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Homeland Security visited NOAA’s National Weather Service, National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida. The briefing at NHC provided an overview of NOAA’s seasonal hurricane outlook and forecast warning process, along with the NOAA-Federal Emergency Managament Agency (FEMA) effort on hurricane preparedness. The NHC hosts the joint NOAA-FEMA Hurricane Liaison Team.
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| James Franklin (Hurricane Specialist Unit Branch Chief) briefing congressional staff. | Hugh Cobb (Tropical Analysis and Forecast Branch (TAFB) Branch Chief) briefing congressional staff. |
Senate and House Staff Briefing on State of the Climate Report
On July 11, all interested Senate and House staff were briefed by an official from NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service, National Climatic Data Center. During the month of June, NOAA released the 2010 State of the Climate report and a new set of Climate Normals and this briefing addressed those issues.
Senate and House Staff Join NOAA at IWC
On June 11-14, staff from the offices of Senator Mark Begich (D-AK), Representative Lois Capps (D CA-23), and the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation joined NOAA’s Principal Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Monica Medina, and other NOAA officials at the 63rd Annual Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC), on Jersey Island, a British Crown Dependency off the coast of Normandy, France.
Senate and House Members Join Dr. Sullivan for Atlantis Launch
On July 8, dozens of Members of the Senate and House, and other federal and state officials, joined NOAA’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Environmental Observation and Prediction, Dr. Kathryn Sullivan, for the launch of the Space Shuttle Atlantis from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This was the 135th and final launch of the shuttle program, and the 33rd flight for Atlantis.
Dr. Sullivan’s last flight into space was aboard Atlantis in 1992.
House Appropriations Markup of FY 2012 CJS Bill
On July 7, the House Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies (Chair, Representative Frank Wolf, R VA-10) held a markup and vote on the FY 2012 Commerce, Justice, Science (CJS) appropriations bill that would fund the Department of Commerce and NOAA. The Subcommittee approved legislation that would cut NOAA's budget to $4.485 billion in fiscal 2012, $1 billion less than President Obama's request and $103 million less than the agency received in 2011.