May 10, 2005 Page 2
The Ocean Observation System Coalition
Legislative Update May 10, 2005
The U.S. Department of Commerce issues views on S. 361
The U.S. Department of Commerce has presented the U.S. Senate with specific guidance and recommendations pertaining to S. 361, “The Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2005.” The Department has issued a letter detailing the Administration’s official position on several aspects of the legislation (see attached copy of letter).
Highlights of the Department of Commerce’s recommendation include:
● The Department supports the goals of S. 361 to establish IOOS
● The Department supports the inclusion of the Great Lakes
● The Administration supports designating NOAA as the lead agency for IOOS
● The Department supports establishing an interagency program office to provide guidance and oversight for IOOS
● The Department raises concerns about the liability language included in the bill
● The Department suggests that the legislation should not emphasize research and development over operational services, as both are essential components of IOOS
● The Department opposes obligating a fixed percentage of IOOS related appropriations for the regional associations.
An effort to clear S. 361 by the full Senate stalled
On April 19, S. 361 was reported out of the Senate Committee Commerce, Science, and Transportation. The legislation was place on the Senate Legislative Calendar to await consideration by the full Senate. On Tuesday, April 26, the Senate attempted to take up and pass S. 361 by Unanimous Consent. Unfortunately, Sen. Sununu (R-NH) placed a hold on the bill because of the wording related to authorization levels and the estimated funding requirements for IOOS. On Tuesday, May 3, the Ocean Observation System Coalition met with Senator Sununu’s office to review the Senator’s concerns. If Sen. Sununu lifts his hold, then the bill can move forward again for passage. See page 2 for a more detailed summary of this meeting.
NFRA responds to Chairman Gilchrest
On April 19, Congressman Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD), Chairman of the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, held a hearing on H.R. 1489, “The Coastal Ocean Observation System Integration and Implementation Act of 2005.” During the hearing, Chairman Gilchrest solicited additional input from the NFRA on how regional associations should be referenced in the bill. NFRA prepared the attached response, which was submitted to the House Resources Committee staff on April 29. On May 5, David Martin met with the Subcommittee staff to review NFRA’s recommendations. See page 2 for a summary of this meeting. Testimony from the April 19 hearing is now available on the House Resources Committee web site: http://resourcescommittee.house.gov/archives/109/fcwo/index.htm.
Emergency Managers Conference on IOOS Coming up on June 2
National Emergency Managers Association and the International Association of Emergency Managers will be sending out invitation soon for a conference in Washington DC that will discuss IOOS and its potential to improve government and community response to natural hazards such as hurricanes and extreme coastal weather events. Please contact Gary Magnuson at NOAA for more information about the conference: .
Ocean Observation Coalition meeting with Senator Sununu’s Office.
On Tuesday, May 3, representative of the Ocean Observation Coalition and CORE met with Mike O’Rielly and Grant Bosse on Senator Sununu’s staff to resolve questions and concerns that prompted Sen. Sununu to place a hold on S. 361. Senator Sununu’s staff indicated that the Senator continues to support the goals of S. 361 to establish and Integrated Ocean Observation System. However, the Senator is concerned about language in the bill which authorizes “such sums as may be necessary” for IOOS. The Senator’s office has two primary concerns. 1) that authorization figures be based on realistic and justifiable cost estimates, and 2) that the authorization number be grounded in achievable expectations in terms of future appropriations.
Janet Campbell from the University of New Hampshire, Josie Quintrell from GoMOOS, Molly McCammon from AOOS, and Kris Holderied from CORE responded to questions from Sen. Sununu’s staff to explain the origins of IOOS funding profile included in the Ocean Commission report. The group reiterated that these numbers were credible and agreed to provide the Senator’s office with more detail on the funding profile than the existing Ocean.US breakdown.
Senator Sununu’s staff emphasized that the funding levels proposed by the Ocean Commission’s report (which are supported by the Coalition) may significantly exceed what could be achieved through the appropriations process. The Senator would prefer that authorization levels coincide with levels that may be attained by appropriators. The group indicated that some of the goals identified in the Ocean Commission’s report may be phased in over a longer period of time than the five year funding profile. The Coalition acknowledged that if full funding could not be achieved in five years, some aspects of IOOS could be implemented throughout an extended time period. The Coalition also indicated that the authorization levels included in the Gilchrest bill in the House were discouragingly low. The Coalition reiterated the importance of retaining a strong position in the Senate to enable favorable negotiations with the House.
NFRA Comments on HR 1489 Delivered to House Resources Committee Staff
On Thursday, May 5 David Martin from NANOOS and Chair of NFRA met with Bonnie Bruce, professional staff on the House Resources Subcommittee on Fisheries and Oceans, and Gene Kim, a Sea Grant Fellow with the Subcommittee, to discuss NFRA’s recommended changes to HR 1489 “The Coastal Ocean Observation System Integration and Implementation Act of 2005.” Paul Siri from Commonweal Ocean Policy Program also participated in the meeting to discuss comments and support for HR 1489 from California water interests.
The Subcommittee staff had no problems with the recommended NFRA changes to the bill, and much of the discussion focused on the role and structure of the Regional Associations in IOOS. Among the issues the Subcommittee appears to be contending with include: what is the regional role, the definition of regions, the organization structure to represent the regions, accountability of regional entities -both in terms of funding and responsiveness to local concerns, and the specific relationship between regions and federal agencies. David Martin provided information and examples about how Regional Associations are organized, the selection and function of RA Boards, the integration of federal representatives into RAs, and the process by which regions prioritize and implement initiatives with federal resources. The discussion seemed to address all of the staff’s questions. The Subcommittee staff also expressed the Chairman Gilchrest’s favorable position toward research, data collection, and data sharing as part of the legislation.
The Subcommittee expects to put together an ocean package for consideration later this calendar year. In the near term, the Subcommittee anticipates a hearing on NOAA Organic Act issues later this month and another ocean related hearing in June.
For more information on ocean observing legislation and the need for a national ocean observing system, contact Glen Mandigo with the Ocean Observing System Coalition at 202-467-5459, ext. 224,