The Science Advisory Board of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, seeks public input on how NOAA science and technology can help resolve environmental issues in the West.

The board will meet Nov. 6-8, in Tucson, Ariz. Open to the public, the meetings will take place at the Sheraton Tucson Hotel & Suites on Tuesday and Thursday and at the Institute for the Study of Planet Earth on the University of Arizona campus on Wednesday.

"We want to hear from the people these issues affect the most," said Michael Uhart, the board's executive director. "What they tell us can help shape the kind of science we conduct and what types of technology can be developed to solve environmental issues."

Topics tentatively scheduled for discussion during the two-day meeting include NOAA hydrologic research and services, water resources and regional-to-global water cycle research. Board meetings always allow time for public statements, either submitted in writing before the meeting or delivered orally at the meeting.

Information on how to submit statements to the board, as well as other meeting information, can be found on the Science Advisory Board Web site: http://www.sab.noaa.gov.

"Water is already a major issue in the west and is becoming an issue in other parts of the nation," Uhart said. "The board will use the information they hear at these meetings to develop recommendations about future research and technology development at NOAA."

NOAA's 15-member Science Advisory Board is the only federal advisory committee with responsibility to advise the under secretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere on long- and short-range strategies for research, education and the application of science to resource management.

Members of the board are eminent scientists, engineers, resource managers and educators appointed to serve a three-to-five year term.

The Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's coastal and marine resources.

To learn more about NOAA, visit: http://www.noaa.gov.