To NOAA's FY 2002 Budget Request... TO THE READER: I am pleased to present the Budget Summary for the Department of Commerce's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for Fiscal Year 2002. This Summary contains information on NOAA's programs and strategic goals for Members of Congress, Congressional staff, the media, NOAA constituents and customers, and other individuals who have an interest in our programs. It provides information on how NOAA supports and enhances the goals of the Department of Commerce and the President. NOAA, through its seven line offices and staff offices, has established itself as one of the world's premier scientific and environmental agencies. From Boulder to Beaufort, from Kansas City to Gloucester, from Princeton to Seattle, from Honolulu to Ann Arbor, and Silver Spring to Juneau, the men and women of NOAA are providing services and addressing the critical issues that Americans face every day We are an agency that deals with environmental change. We are experts in climate, with its cooling and warming trends. We are an agency that manages fluctuating fisheries and marine mammal populations. We observe, forecast and warn the public about the rapidly changing atmosphere and especially severe weather. We monitor currents and tides, and beach erosion. We survey the ocean bottom and provide mariners products to maintain safe navigation. We operate the nation's most important constellation of earth observing satellites. Through our website, we provide a voyage of knowledge and exploration to Americans everywhere, and especially to schools and young people across our Nation. This FY 2002 Budget Request strongly supports NOAA's commitment to advancing our environmental assessment/prediction and natural resource stewardship missions. This budget supports our infrastructure to allow NOAA to continue its mission in future years. This budget supports our research, science and services from the local weather forecast offices around the nation to our aircraft that fly into hurricanes and winter storms. It provides for technology infusion, critical infrastructure to reduce single points of failure, and it continues our special partnerships with universities, states, and local governments around the nation. This budget request invests in education and human resources. This FY 2002 budget embarks NOAA into the 21st century and our second thirty years. Under the leadership of Secretary of Commerce Donald L. Evans, we are confident that our team of meteorologists, oceanographers, marine biologists, computer scientists, climatologists and other professionals will do an even greater job of serving the American people. We greatly appreciate the support that the Congress and our constituents have provided NOAA in the past. And, we are proud to provide the FY 2002 program for your NOAA. Scott B. Gudes Acting Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere Acting Administrator, NOAA Deputy Under Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce NOAA Home Page | Main Budget Menu