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NOAA describes and predicts changes in the Earth's environment to conserve and wisely manage the coastal and marine resources of the United States. To accomplish this mission, NOAA operates three national environmental data centers, one of which is NODC headquartered in Silver Spring Maryland. NCDDC is a divisional component of NODC.

NODC's primary mission is to provide scientific stewardship of marine data and information. As NODC's coastal division, NCDDC is tasked to build the long-term coastal data record to support environmental prediction, scientific analyses, and formulation of public policy.

As a focal point for coastal data, NCDDC activities span across NOAA's long-term goals and across NOAA's Line offices. These activities are effectively managed as projects and programs but are designed to be longstanding as an inherent element of scientific stewardship.