News and Updates Archive
July, August, and September 2008
September 2008
Hearing on Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration
On September 10, the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans (Chairwoman Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam) held a hearing on Chesapeake Bay Oyster Restoration. The Director of NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office, Peyton Robertson, was the NOAA witness. Copies of hearing testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Representative Herseth Sandlin |
Representative Herseth Sandlin Meets With ESRL and NWS Staff
On September 7, Representative Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (D SD-At Large) met with representatives of NOAA’s Earth System Research Laboratory and NOAA's National Weather Service prior to her address at the BioEconomy Conference held at the Iowa State University in Ames, Iowa. The discussion covered NOAA drought-related services, including the National Integrated Drought Information System, development of a proposed National Climate Service within NOAA, and NOAA involvement in Missouri River issues.
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Representative Klein |
Representative Klein Visit to NHC
On September 6, Representative Ron Klein (D FL-22) visited NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC). Representative Klein is a strong supporter of the NHC and its staff, and the visit provided him an opportunity to witness first-hand the operations at the NHC, and to thank the NHC employees for their work during this busy season.
Senator Enzi Visits WFO
On September 4, Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) visited NOAA’s National Weather Forecast Office (WFO) in Riverton, Wyoming. Senator Enzi received a tour of the WFO, including the operations forecast area, and was briefed on the work of the WFO and its employees.
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Senator Mike Enzi (right) visiting the Riverton WFO. |
Speaker Pelosi’s Staff Attend B-WET Event
On September 4, staff from the office of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi (D CA-8), joined NOAA representatives at the Bay Area Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) Grant Awards at Crissy Field in San Francisco, California. This event ceremonially presented recipients with their FY 2008 grant from NOAA’s Bay Watershed Education and Training Program.
Representative Capps Attends B-WET Event
On September 3, Representative Lois Capps (D CA-23) joined NOAA representatives at the Bay Area Watershed Education and Training Grant Awards at the Museum of Natural History in Santa Barbara, California. This event ceremonially presented recipients with their FY 2008 grant from NOAA’s Bay Watershed Education and Training Program.
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Representative Lois Capps (right) helping to ceremonially present 2008 B-WET awards in Santa Barbara. |
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Representative Edwards |
Representative Edwards Visits NSOF
On September 3, Representative Donna Edwards (D MD-4) joined NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary, Mary Glackin for a tour of NOAA’s Satellite Operations Facility (NSOF) in Suitland, Maryland. Representative Edwards received a briefing to learn more about NOAA, including what NOAA does in her district.
Representative Farr Attends B-WET Event
On September 2, Representative Sam Farr (D CA-17) joined NOAA representatives at the Bay Area Watershed Education and Training Grant Awards at Monterey High School in Monterey, California. This event ceremonially presented recipients with their FY 2008 grant from NOAA’s Bay Watershed Education and Training Program.
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Representative Sam Farr (4th from right) helping to ceremonially present 2008 B-WET awards in Monterey. |
August 2008
Senator Martinez Visit to NOAA’s NHC
On August 25, Senator Mel Martinez (R-FL) toured NOAA’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) in Miami, Florida. The Senator recently met NHC’s Director, Bill Read, in Washington, D.C., and expressed his interest in visiting the Center to express his thanks to the NHC employees for their work.
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NHC Director Bill Read (left) briefs Senator Martiinez on Tropical Storm Gustav. |
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Senator Martinez (center) listens to NHC Director Bill Read as NHC Deputy Director Ed Rappaport looks on. |
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Senator Cochran |
Senator Cochran Attends NOAA Sentinel Dedication
On August 22, Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS) attended a dedication ceremony sponsored by NOAA’s Center for Oceanographic Products and Services in honor of the installation of a NOAA Sentinel at Bay Waveland, Mississippi. NOAA Sentinels are water-observing stations that have been built, or fortified, to withstand Category 4 hurricanes and deliver real-time storm-tide data, including water levels and weather conditions, during severe coastal weather events.
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Representative Michaud |
Representative Michaud and Congressional Staff Attend Restoration Event
On August 21, Representative Michael Michaud (D ME-2) and staff from the offices of Senator Olympia Snowe (R-ME), Senator Susan Collins (R-ME), and Representative Tom Allen (D ME-1), joined NOAA’s Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and Deputy Administrator, Bill Brennan, in Old Town, Maine, for an event in honor of the Penobscot River Restoration Project. They were joined by other dignitaries including Governor John Baldacci and the Chief of the Penobscot Indian Nation, Kirk Francis. The Penobscot River Restoration Trust organized this event to celebrate the first stage (dam purchase) of a $50M project, which will ultimately remove two dams and build a bypass channel around a third dam, opening nearly 1,000 miles of habitat for Atlantic salmon and 11 other species of migratory fish. NOAA has provided significant funding toward this project, including $10M in FY 2008.
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Senator Sununu |
Senator Sununu and Congressional Staff Attend Dam Removal Event
On August 21, Senator John Sununu (R-NH) and congressional staff from the offices of Senator Judd Gregg (R-NH) and Representative Paul Hodes (D NH-2), joined NOAA representatives in Merrimack, New Hampshire. NOAA and partners organized this event to celebrate the removal of the Merrimack Village Dam. The project will restore fish passage to over 14 miles of main stem and tributary habitat for migratory fish. This is one of the largest and most complex dam removal projects to take place in the Northeast in 2008, and is being undertaken through NOAA’s Open Rivers Initiative.
Congressional Staff Visit Ports of LA and Long Beach
On August 20-21, staff from the House Committee on Natural Resources, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and the offices of Senator John Kerry (D-MA) and Representative Jim Saxton (R NJ-3), visited the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. The trip demonstrated to the congressional staff how a port operates, how NOAA and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) products and services are essential to operation of a port and the vitality of the nation’s economy.
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Captain R.B. McKenna, Executive Director of the Marine Exchange of Southern California, showcases Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) technology and how it is used to track shipping in and around the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. |
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Congressional Staff Visit South Florida and the Keys
On August 18-22, staff from the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senate Committee on Appropriations; House Committee on Science and Technology; and the offices of Senator Richard Shelby (R-AL) and Senator Thad Cochran (R-MS), received first-hand experience of NOAA's coral reef ecosystem science and management activities in South Florida and the Florida Keys that highlighted NOAA’s Coral Reef Conservation Program and the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. During the trip, staff had the opportunity to meet with NOAA representatives and staff from partner agencies, academic institutions, and other organizations to learn about coral reef management challenges and successes in the region. Issues covered included understanding and controlling land-based pollution effects, managing for resiliency in the face of climate change, implementing effective protected areas, and mitigating coastal development.
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Group meeting in Fort Lauderdale with Florida state and county agency officials and representatives from the National Coral Reef Institute. From left to right: Back Row: Ken Banks, Broward County Environmental Protection Department; Dr. Richard Dodge, National Coral Reef Institute; Lou Fisher, Broward County Environmental Protection Department; Tom Hammond, House Committee on Science and Technology; Brittney Ingalls, Office of Senator Shelby (R-AL); Mike Conathan, Senate Commitee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Chantal Collier, Florida Coral Reef Conservation Program; Stacey Steep, House Committee on Science and Technology; Will Todd, Office of Senator Cochran (R-MS); Augusta Wilson, Senate Commitee on Appropriations; Bess Caughran, House Commitee on Science and Technology; Megan Maassen, House Committee on Natural Resources; Shannon Simpson, NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program. Front Row: Joanna Walczak, Florida Coral Reef Conservation Program; Wendy Wood, National Coral Reef Institute; Kris Sarri, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. (Credit: NOAA) |
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Mote Marine Lab’s coral nurseries at Summerland Key. From left to right: Brittney Ingalls, Office of Senator Shelby (R-AL) ; Megan Maassen, House Committee on Natural Resources; Dr. Dave Vaughan, Mote Marine Lab; Kris Sarri, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation; Will Todd, Office of Senator Cochran (R-MS); Augusta Wilson, Senate Committee on Appropriations . (Credit: NOAA) |
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An overview of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary’s marine zones off Key Largo aboard NOAA’s R/V Odyssey. From left to right: Mike Conathan, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Stacey Steep, House Committee on Science and Technology; Bess Caughran, House Committee on Science and Technology; Megan Maassen, House Committee on Natural Resources. |
New Director for NOAA’s Office of Legislative Affairs
We are pleased to announce that Karl Anderson has joined our office as the new Director of NOAA’s Office of Legislative Affairs (OLA). Karl previously served in the OLA as a Congressional Affairs Specialist for the National Marine Fisheries Service, before joining the Department of Commerce’s Office of Legislative and Intergovernmental Affairs. Karl’s experience working for, and with, Congress, as well as his previous position with NOAA, will contribute greatly to our legislative efforts.
Congressional Staff Visit Port of Seattle
On August 13-14, congressional staff from the offices of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Representative Jim McDermott (D WA-7), and Representative Rick Larsen (D WA-2) visited the port of Seattle. The trip demonstrated to congressional staff how a port operates, how NOAA and U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) products and services are essential to operation of a port and the vitality of the nation’s economy.
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LCDR Jeremey Weirich conducts a congressional staff tour of the bridge of the newly commissioned NOAA vessel OKEANOS EXPLORER as a part of the commissioning ceremony of events in Seattle on August 13, 2008 (Credit: NOAA) |
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Congressional staff are introduced to a wide range of industry operations, navigation issues, and infrastructure challenges by Charles Sheldon, Managing Director of the Port of Seattle, during a water cruise through the Port. (Credit: NOAA) |
Congressional Staff Attend NOAA Ship Commissioning Ceremony
On August 13, staff from the office of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Representative Norm Dicks (D WA-6), Representative Jim McDermott (D WA-7), Representative Jay Inslee (D WA-1), Representative Rick Larsen (D WA-2), and the House Committee on Science and Technology joined Deputy Secretary of Commerce John Sullivan; the Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.); the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Rick Spinrad; the Director of the NOAA Corps and the Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, Rear Admiral Jonathan W. Bailey; and other members of NOAA leadership for the commissioning ceremony for the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer in Seattle. The ship is the nation’s first federal ship dedicated solely to ocean exploration.
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NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer. (Credit: NOAA) |
Congressional Staff Attend AMS Meeting
On August 11-13, congressional staff from the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming joined NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Mary Glackin, at the American Meteorological Society Summer Meeting on Weather and Climate in Boulder, Colorado. The primary goal of the meeting was to better define the roles of weather and climate enterprise sectors, reach agreement on plans to move enterprise priorities forward, and increase public and political awareness of the critical contributions to national and economic security provided by the enterprise. DUS Glackin spoke and congressional staff appeared on a panel session focused on future weather and climate-related legislation.
Congressional Staff Visit NOAA Facilities in Seattle
On August 11-13, staff from the office of Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Representative Norm Dicks (D WA-6), Representative Jim McDermott (D WA-7), Representative Jay Inslee (D WA-1), and the House Committee on Science and Technology visited Seattle to learn about the breadth of NOAA activities and projects in the Seattle area. This included the Northwest Fisheries Science Center’s Manchester Research Station in Western Puget Sound, the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, the Office of Response and Restoration, and the NOAA Diving Center.
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Inside a hyperbaric chamber at the NOAA Dive Center. From left to right: Shimere Williams (House Committee on Science and Technology), Jeff Watters (Senator Cantwell), Darcy Nothnagle (Representative McDermott), Adrienne Sutton (NOAA's Office of Legislative Affairs), Sara Crumb (Representative Dicks), Dave Dinsmore (NOAA Dive Center Director), and Patrick Hogan (Representative Inslee). |
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Aboard the R/V Streeter touring restoration sites along the Duwamish River. From left to right: Sara Crumb (Representative Dicks), Adrienne Sutton (NOAA's Office of Legislative Affairs), and Shimere Williams (House Committee on Science and Technology). |
Congressional Staff Visit NOAA's James Howard Laboratory
On August 7, staff from the office of Representative Frank Pallone (D NJ-6) toured NOAA’s James Howard Laboratory in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to see how the lab works, how it does science related to summer flounder, and how NOAA partners with other institutions.
Congressional Staff Visit James Howard Laboratory
On August 7, staff from the office of Representative Frank Pallone (D NJ-6) toured NOAA’s James Howard Laboratory in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, to see how the lab works, how it does science related to summer flounder, and how NOAA partners with other institutions.
Open House at Aquarius
On August 4, Representative Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R FL-18), and congressional staff from the House Committee on Science and Technology attended an Open House at NOAA's Aquarius to celebrate 20 years of successful marine science. NOAA's Aquarius is the only undersea laboratory dedicated to marine science operating in the world.
All attendees were briefed on the program and its mission; dove to, and around, the Aquarius; and toured the inside of the habitat to learn more about its operations and advanced technologies. The attendees were particularly impressed with the Aquarius’ research contributions and potential for addressing high profile issues such as ocean acidification, and with the interagency successes of the operation. Representative Ros-Lehtinen followed up her visit with a local radio broadcast Monday afternoon, during which she extolled the capabilities of the Aquarius to address South Florida’s marine environmental issues.
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Representative Ros-Lehtinen (second from left) sits 45 feet underwater at Aquarius’ multi-purpose table with her niece (L), a budding marine science student, and Dr. Ellen Prager (R), Aquarius’ Chief Scientist. She is pointing outside to Roger Garcia, Aquarius’ Diving Safety Officer; who is diving on a revolutionary rebreather unit. |
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Representative Ros-Lehtinen (third from left) is joined in Aquarius by (left ro righ): her niece; her Chief of Staff, Art Estopinan; and Dr. Ellen Prager, Aquarius’ Chief Scientist. |
July 2008
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Senator Snowe |
Senator Snowe Briefed on Fisheries’ Issues
On July 31, Senator Olympia Snow (R-ME), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, Subcommittee on Oceans, Atmosphere, Fisheries, and Coast Guard was briefed by the Acting Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Jim Balsiger, on fisherie's issues related to Maine.
New Ranking Member on Senate Committee
On July 30, Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) was named as the new Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation by the Senate Republican Conference. The Committee has oversight of all NOAA programs and activities.
Omnibus Bill Rejected in Senate
On July 28, S 3297, an omnibus bill introduced on July 22 by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) that consolidated into one package a number of bills, was rejected by the Senate and is not expected to be considered again during this session of Congress. The NOAA related items in the bill (which may, or may not, come up for a vote separately, or in another package this session) included:
- Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Amendments of 2008
- Ocean Exploration (NOAA Undersea Research Program Act of 2008)
- Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act
- National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008
- Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2008
- Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2008
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AA Dunnigan |
Hearing on National Marine Sanctuary Act Reauthorization
On July 24, the Assistant Administrator of NOAA’s National Ocean Service, Jack Dunnigan, testified before the House Committee on Natural Resources, Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, and Oceans (Chairwoman Madeleine Bordallo, D-Guam). The hearing focused on HR 6537, the Sanctuary Enhancement Act of 2008, which will reauthorize the National Marine Sanctuaries Act. The hearing also focused on HR 6204, Representative Bart Stupak’s (D MI-1) bill to expand the boundaries of Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
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Right Whale |
Right Whale Bill Clears Senate Committee
On July 22, S 2657 was passed out of Committee and placed on the Senate Calendar. The bill will require the Secretary of Commerce to prescribe regulations to reduce the incidence of vessels colliding with North Atlantic right whales by limiting the speed of vessels, and for other purposes.
The companion bill, HR 5536, was introduced in March 2008 and referred to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. No additional action has been taken.
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Senator Mikulski |
Senator Mikulski Attends Conference Launch
On July 22, Senator Barbara Mikulski (D-MD), joined NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Mary Glackin, at the "We Have Come A Long Way" reception for Dr. Sally K. Ride, the first American woman in space, held at the Goddard Space Flight Center.
This was the opening event for the “Earth Then, Earth Now: Our Changing Climate” educator conference co-sponsored by NOAA and NASA and held at the NOAA Silver Spring campus at which Dr. Ride is a featured presenter.
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Representative Wittman |
Representative Wittman Attends Buoy Event
On July 19, Representative Rob Wittman (R VA-1) joined NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Mary Glackin, at a NOAA Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy deployment ceremony near Stingray Point, a historic peninsula near Deltaville, Virginia where Captain John Smith was stung by a stingray in July 1608 and nearly died. This is the fourth buoy in NOAA's Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System (CBIBS). CBIBS marks significant points along the new Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail and provides real-time data on local weather, water, and oceanographic conditions to mariners and educators.
Members of Congress Attend Sea Grant Day
On July 18, Representative Charlie Wilson (D OH-6) and Representative Marcy Kaptur (D OH-9) attended the 17th Ohio Sea Grant State Legislature/Congressional Day on Lake Erie. They were joined by NOAA’s Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, Mary Glackin; the Assistant Administrator for NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service, James Balsiger; and the Assistant Administrator for NOAA’s Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, Rick Spinrad.
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Representative Wilson |
Representative Kaptur |
Senate Committee Approves Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments
On July 15, HR 1006, the Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments of 2007, was reported favorably out of Committee in the Senate and placed on the Calendar. The bill will amend the provisions of law relating to the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and for other purposes.Representative Don Young (R-AK) introduced the bill in February 2007 and the House passed the bill in March 2007.
Senate Committee Approves Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments
On July 15, HR 1006, the Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Amendments of 2007, was reported favorably out of Committee in the Senate and placed on the Calendar. The bill will amend the provisions of law relating to the John H. Prescott Marine Mammal Rescue Assistance Grant Program, and for other purposes.Representative Don Young (R-AK) introduced the bill in February 2007 and the House passed the bill in March 2007.
Senate Committee Approves Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act
On July 15, S 2688, the Commercial Seafood Consumer Protection Act, was reported favorably out of Committee in the Senate and placed on the Calendar. The bill seeks to improve the protections afforded under federal law to consumers from contaminated seafood by directing the Secretary of Commerce to establish a program, in coordination with other appropriate federal agencies, to strengthen activities for ensuring that seafood sold or offered for sale to the public in or affecting interstate commerce is fit for human consumption.
House Passes Sea Grant Bill
On July 14, HR 5618, the National Sea Grant College Program Amendments Act of 2008, waspassed by the U.S. House of Representatives, under suspension, by voice vote.
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Robert Magnien |
Hearing on Harmful Algal Blooms
On July 10, the Director of NOAA's Center for Sponsored Coastal Ocean Research, Robert Magnien, testified before the House Committee on Science and Technology, Subcommittee on Energy and Environment (Chairman Nick Lampson, D TX-22) on Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs): The Challenges of the Nation's Coastlines. The hearing focused primarily on the science behind the problem and what NOAA, and the HABs community, are doing to address these issues. Other witnesses included state managers and scientists who highlighted NOAA's contribution through existing HABs extramural research grants, and expressed their overall support for NOAA.
A copy of the written testimony may be viewed on the Congressional Testimony page.
House Passes Ocean Acidification Legislation
On July 9, HR 4174, the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives under suspension, by voice vote. The bill will establish an interagency committee to develop an ocean acidification research and monitoring plan establishes ocean acidification activities within NOAA. The legislation also authorizes $55 million for the NOAA over the next four years and $41 million for the National Science Foundation.
House Approves Shark Conservation Act
On July 8, HR 5741, the Shark Conservation Act of 2008, passed the U.S. House of Representatives under suspension, as amended, by voice vote. The bill will amend the High Seas Driftnet Fishing Moratorium Protection Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act to improve conservation of sharks. The bill will require new, more stringent restrictions to ban shark finning - the practice of slicing off a shark's fin and leaving its body to sink and die in the ocean. The new bill requires all commercial fishers to land sharks with the fins naturally attached. NOAA recently proposed rules with the same requirements for commercial fishers in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico.
The measure still must meet the approval of the Senate and White House if it is to become law.
House Passes Maritime Pollution Prevention Act
On July 8, HR 802, the Maritime Pollution Prevention Act, passed the U.S. House of Representatives under suspension, as amended, by voice vote. The bill will limit pollution from ocean going vessels and bring the United States into agreement with MAPOL Annex VI, an international shipping treaty. The legislation directs U.S. EPA, in consultation with the Coast Guard, to place limits on ships' emissions of nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide and ozone-depleting chemicals to bring the United States into compliance with the treaty. The international community established the standards in 1997, and they went into effect in 2005.
The House first passed the legislation more than a year ago but needed to approve a final version of the bill due to minor changes made in the Senate. The bill has received widespread support from Administration officials and environmentalists alike, and the President is expected to sign it.
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Coral reefs. (Credit: NOAA) |
Coral Report Delivered to Congress
During the week of June 30 - July 3, NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program delivered the Report to Congress on Implementation of the National Coral Reef Action Strategy. This much-anticipated document provides a comprehensive overview of actions taken by federal, state, and territory agencies of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force to conserve coral reefs during the period of fiscal years 2004-2006. NOAA serves as Co-chair of the Task Force and more information about the work of the Task Force may be viewed on their website at http://www.coralreef.gov/index.html.
The Office of Legislative Affairs, in partnership with NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program, has developed several congressional policy briefs in support of the Report and the International Year of the Reef 2008. These may be viewed on the Policy Briefs page.