NOAA’s Coastal Data Development Center, located at Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, led efforts to loan vital computer equipment to the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources to support state activities in the aftermath of Katrina. The equipment, valued at over $200,000, will temporarily replace DMR equipment destroyed by Hurricane Katrina’s massive storm surge.

The state agency suffered substantial destruction of its computing and records systems severely impacting its post-Katrina resource assessments and remediation efforts. The new computing equipment will help bring DMR back to normal levels of operations and benefit Mississippi’s recovery efforts. Working with the DMR staff, NCDDC procured desktop computers, field survey laptops, hardware accessories, printers and projectors to help meet the agency’s needs.

"We appreciate NOAA's Coastal Data Development Center providing this essential equipment," said Bill Walker, DMR executive director. "This equipment will allow us to better help the residents of coastal Mississippi to recover from this destructive storm. This is yet another example of Mississippians working together in a time of crisis to provide maximum assistance to residents affected by Hurricane Katrina, and we genuinely appreciate NOAA's efforts."

DMR is a major NOAA partner, providing valuable marine ecosystem data, reports, and services to support ecosystem-based management in the region. According to NCDDC Director Joe Stinus, “The Gulf coast region took a beating from Hurricane Katrina and successful relief efforts rely on this kind of cooperation between federal and state authorities. NOAA has a large presence in this community and we’re proud to be able to lend a hand.”

DMR is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of Mississippi by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, 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. Through the emerging GEOSS, NOAA is working with its federal partners and nearly 60 countries to develop a global monitoring network that is as integrated as the planet it observes.

On the Web:

NOAA: http://www.noaa.gov

NOAA Coastal Data Development Center: http://www.ncddc.noaa.gov

Mississippi Department of Marine Resources: http://www.dmr.state.ms.us