Straight Talk:
NOAA Issues Clarified Partnership Policy

NOAA recently clarified the Policy on Partnerships in the Provision of Environmental Information, originally issued in December 2004. This is a good upgrade. Through the clarification, NOAA reconfirms its role in the Environmental Enterprise and its commitment to strengthen the partnership among government, academia, and the private sector which provides the Nation with high quality environmental information. The policy now more clearly acknowledges NOAA's recognition that cooperation, not competition, with private sector and academic and research entities, best serves the public interest. Following is the actual language:

"NOAA recognizes cooperation, not competition, with private sector and academic and research entities best serves the public interest and best meets the varied needs of specific individuals, organizations, and economic entities. NOAA will take advantage of existing capabilities and services of commercial and academic sectors to support efficient performance of NOAA's mission and avoid duplication and competition in areas not related to the NOAA mission."

The final language of the policy takes into account 139 comments received during a 90-day comment period between August 4 and November 2, 2005.

The policy, clarification, and background are available at: http://weather.gov/partnershippolicy.

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Norfolk, VA, was recently officially recognized as the latest of 26 TsunamiReady communities along U.S. coasts. Norfolk was also recognized as StormReady, becoming one of nearly 1,000 communities across the country with a proactive approach to warning and educating their publics about tornadoes, flooding, and other severe weather.

Participants in the ceremony included Paul D. Fraim, Mayor, City of Norfolk; Virginia Congressman Robert C. Scott; Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr., USN (Ret.), Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere; and Brig. Gen. David L. Johnson, USAF (Ret.), NOAA Assistant Administrator for Weather Services and Director, NOAA's National Weather Service.

NOAA expanded its tsunami detection and warning capability since the Indian Ocean tsunami, and community preparedness programs like TsunamiReady are key components of this effort.

The recognition ceremony also featured the first public display of a simulation of the Indian Ocean Tsunami presented on NOAA's Science On A Sphere exhibit at Nauticus. The simulation will be part of the permanent exhibition and will be open to the public after Nauticus' winter renovation. A new NOAA tsunami kiosk will also be added in the future.

The TsunamiReady and StormReady designations verify that the City of Norfolk has made progress on educating its citizens about all natural disasters, from hurricanes to tornadoes and winter storms, to tsunamis. The programs will enable the city to apply for additional reductions in the premiums paid into the National Flood Insurance Program which could result in an additional savings of over $100,000 for the city and local taxpayers. Read the full NOAA news story here.

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TAO Transition Activities for Data Access Concluded

On January 1, 2006, the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) officially became NOAA's operational data site for the Tropical Atmosphere Ocean (TAO) buoy network, concluding the transition from NOAA's Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory to NDBC. This move demonstrates NOAA's commitment to transitioning research to operations.

The 55 TAO buoys in the Pacific are a key to NOAA's ability to predict both El Niño and La Niña events.

TAO data can now be viewed at http://www.tao.noaa.gov.

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Aviation Safety Tips in Newest Issue of The Front

The NWS Aviation Branch has released a new edition of The Front.

The Front offers aviation weather tips to a broad community of NWS partners. Users may download and reprint this report at no charge. Articles in the latest edition include:

• FB Winds: New Name, Old Product
• Tips for Recognizing Reliable, Accurate Weather Sources
• Meteorology Behind the TAF: Area Forecast Discussion

To receive notice when The Front is released, e-mail nws.postmaster@noaa.gov. To download the latest edition, go to http://weather.gov/os/aviation/front.shtml. If you have article suggestions or comments, contact Michael.Graf@noaa.gov.

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WFO Baltimore-Washington Hosts Marine Users Committee

The Baltimore-Washington Weather Forecast Office (WFO) recently hosted several marine user groups in an effort to gain feedback on marine products, services and forecasts for the Chesapeake Bay north of Smith Point, VA, and the Tidal Potomac River.

From left: Steve Rogowski, Meteorologist and Assistant Marine Program Leader; Steve Zubrick, Science and Operations Officer; Jay Nelson, Northern Virginia Sail and Power Squadron; Raul Chiesa, Annapolis Power Squadron; Doug Wilson (kneeling), NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office; Marc Cruder; Marine Inspector Coast Guard DC Headquarters; PO Brad Stickles, Coast Guard Baltimore; Captain Nancy Gardner, Chesapeake Area Professional Captain’s Association; Rich Kowalczyk, Pentagon Sailing Club; Lee Chesneau, Ocean Prediction Center; Brandon Peloquin, Meteorologist and Marine Program Leader; Jim Lee, Meteorologist In Charge; and James Brotherton, Meteorologist.

The first meeting of the Marine Users Committee in December 2005 included a presentation from Marine Program Leader Brandon Peloquin regarding products and services the NWS provides to local marine customers. Assistant Marine Program Leader Steve Rogowski discussed the marine forecast process. Marine users provided feedback on ways to improve the WFO Baltimore-Washington Marine Program in an open forum session.

Planned activities include creating new marine outreach materials such as pamphlets, brochures and stickers. The committee also discussed the desire to acquire additional observations to aid in marine forecasting.

Participants in the Marine Users Committee included representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard, local Power Squadrons, local Sailing Clubs, and the Chesapeake Area Professional Captain's Association. Representatives from the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office and NOAA's Ocean Prediction Center also attended.

The committee plans to meet twice annually and has scheduled the next meeting for the spring in Annapolis, MD.

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Recent NWS-related Obituaries

David K. Larm, 58, January 12, 2006. Former Officer-In-Charge at Columbia, MO, and Data Acquisition Program Manager at Kansas City, MO. He worked for the National Weather Service for 30 years, and was recently employed with the FAA as a contract weather observer. He is survived by his wife, Josie Larm; mother, Alice Larm, Boonville, MO; son, David A. Larm and wife Sarah, Platte City, MO; daughter, Kristen Redford and husband John, Kansas City, MO; and four grandchildren. Published in the Kansas City Star January 15, 2006.

David M. Higginbotham, 71, January 3, 2006. He worked for the National Weather Service for 38 years, worked from 1994 to 1998 at PRC, and from 1998 to 2002 at RDC. He is survived by his wife, Anita Higginbotham; his daughters, Patricia A. Hayden, Diana L. Wilson, Rachel R. Welch, and seven grandchildren. Published in the Kansas City Star January 5, 2006.

Please feel free to forward obituaries of former colleagues to NWS.Focus@noaa.gov and we will share them with NWS.

Snapshots

Click here for a look at photos we've received from around the NWS.