Great Lakes Beach Science
PROJECT DATA
PROJECT TASKS
ABOUT THE PROJECT |
About this Project: Improving Great Lakes Coastal Recreational Water-Quality Monitoring and ForecastingThis project "Improving Great Lakes Coastal Recreational Water-Quality Monitoring and Forecasting" is part of the Ocean Research Priorities Plan (ORPP) of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST). It addresses the ORPP near-term priority of “Forecasting the Response of Coastal Ecosystems to Persistent Forcing and Extreme Events” and is to be implemented over the next 5 years. The ORPP defines research priorities that focus on understanding critical ocean processes and interactions and applying that understanding toward stewardship and responsible use of the oceans and the Great Lakes. Project DescriptionThis project will link with NOAA’s Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS), the National Water Quality Monitoring Network, and the Great Lakes Regional Collaboration. Partners include federal, state, local and non-governmental entities. Satellite photo by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. The goal of this study "Improving Great Lakes Coastal Recreational Water-Quality Monitoring and Forecasting" is to advance the science of monitoring and assessing recreational water quality to provide beach managers with reliable, science-based information to make well-informed beach closure decisions to protect public health. The project will focus on:
Benefits of using data from this project:
BackgroundIn 2000, Congress tasked the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP) to investigate and provide recommendations for a “coordinated and comprehensive national ocean policy.” In July 2004, the USCOP published An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century with more than 200 recommendations, developed based on extensive hearings, written input, and public comment. In December 2004, upon consideration of these recommendations, the Bush Administration released the U.S. Ocean Action Plan (OAP). This broad plan proposed a fundamental restructuring of ocean governance, research, and management intended to “engender responsible use and stewardship of ocean and coastal resources for the benefit of all Americans.” In order to help identify the most important research challenges and opportunities, and to develop a coordinated response strategy, the OAP called for the National Science and Technology Council’s Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST) to prepare an Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy, using a transparent process that included input from the ocean research community. Project Partnership and CollaborationThe beach health research needs being addressed for this project were identified by partners at the 2005 Great Lakes Beach Health Research Needs Workshop sponsored by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and the Great Lakes Beach Association (GLBA). To continue this partnership, a project steering committee consisting of key partners will:
FundingThis project is funded by the USGS Coastal and Marine Geology Program in support of the interagency implementation of the ORPP near-term priorities. Contact Information
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