LEXIS-NEXIS® Congressional Universe-Document

Search Terms: coastal w/10 impact w/10 assistance, House or Senate or Joint

Document 13 of 62.

View Related Topics

April 6, 2000, Thursday

SECTION: PREPARED TESTIMONY

LENGTH: 8573 words

HEADLINE: PREPARED TESTIMONY OF DR. D. JAMES BAKER UNDER SECRETARY AND ADMINISTRATOR

BEFORE THE HOUSE APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE SUBCOMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, JUSTICE, STATE AND THE JUDICIARY

SUBJECT - NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION'S FY 2001 BUDGET BY

BODY:
Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and members of the Subcommittee, for this opportunity to testify on the President's FY 2001 Budget Request for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

I am accompanied today by Scott B. Gudes, Deputy Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, and Paul F. Roberts, Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer.

Let me begin by saying that NOAA's responsibilities in the environmental assessment and prediction realm include issuing advance short-term warning and forecast services, providing seasonal to interannual climate forecasts,

predicting and assessing decadal to centennial change, and promoting safe navigation.The comprehensive system for acquiring our observations-from satellites and radars to ships and submersibles- provides critical data and reliable information needed for the safe conduct of daily life and the basic functioning of a modern society.

NOAA also has environmental stewardship responsibilities. To fulfill its mission, NOAA has initiated and continues to support strong cooperative efforts to protect living marine resources. These efforts include creative and effective partnerships with the states of Washington, Oregon, and California to protect and recover at-risk Pacific salmon and steelhead species-partnerships that promote the economic strength of our Nation and enhance recovery of at-risk species. NOAA continues to play an invaluable role in contributing to the Nation's economic and environmental health. Our products and services include short-term weather forecasts, seasonal climate predictions, long-term global change prognoses, environmental technologies, nautical charts, marine fisheries statistics and regulations, assessments of environmental changes, hazardous materials response information, and stewardship of the Nation's ocean, coastal, and living marine resources.

Similarly, NOAA's strong support of fishery management programs have helped ensure the long-term sustainable harvest of valuable stocks of marine fish. For example, recent assessments of fisheries management actions to rebuild haddock stocks in New England indicate the stocks are recovering so well that harvest limits have been increased.

Summing up, we want you to know that NOAA continues to be a world leader in weather and climate research and forecasts, environmental monitoring and research, fisheries management, and sustainable use of the coast. This subcommittee, by approving investments in these key areas, has helped us maintain that lead. In FY 2001, this proposed budget is GOOD--good for NOAA, good for the Department of Commerce, and good for America!This year marks the 30th anniversary of our Agency, and our slogan for this event, "Our seas and our skies - 30 years of excellence at NOAA," captures the essence of who we are and what we do. By tackling challenges from the deep ocean to the surface of the sun, NOAA is helping to make America and the world a healthier place to live.

I would like to begin my budget presentation with the following observation: in an era of smaller and leaner budgets, we believe our FY 2001 budget request is solid. Our request of $2.9 billion in total budget authority not only provides the financial means to achieve our mission, but also reflects our ongoing commitment to programs you, our constituents, and our Nation have deemed necessary and most valued.

The FY 2001 Budget Request for NOAA reflects $2.9 billion in total budget authority, a 20% increase over the FY 2000 enacted budget authority. Most notably, the budget request: - includes a net increase of $263.3 million to continue many critical environmental programs, including resources to significantly enhance the stewardship capabilities at the twelve National Marine Sanctuaries, the 25 National Estuarine Research Reserves, and the 33 Coastal Zone Management states. includes funding to address increasing the number of days-at-sea by 140 for University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) ship time for critical data collection needs for the Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC) and Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Bloom (ECOHAB) programs. includes $8.3 million in base funding to continue construction of and acquire laboratory equipment for the first acoustically quiet Fisheries Research Vessel that is essential for conducting the stock assessment surveys necessary to monitor species' abundance, recruitment, age composition, and responses to ecological changes and fisheries pressure to build sustainable fisheries. The collection of fisheries and marine mammal information at-sea is essential to the development of sensible regulations to govern commercial and recreational fishing activities. The FY 2001 President's request includes $53.3 million each year for FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004 for the construction of the remaining three fisheries research vessels. includes funding for increased recurring lease and/or operations costs at NOAA facilities such as the David Skaggs Research Center in Boulder, Colorado. At the same time, funds are requested to continue the planning and design of a new state-of-the-art NMFS research facility near Juneau, Alaska. includes adjustments-to-base for pay related and inflationary cost increases to the National Weather Service, as well as for the FY 2001 pay raise for the remaining Line Offices. includes funds to continue to replace outdated observing equipment in order to maintain continuity of core data and services and provides funds for continuing technology infusion for systems developed for the Weather Service Modernization; includes a $17.0 million increase to establish educational training relationships through a joint partnership with a consortium of Minority Serving Institutions(MSis). These efforts would not only result in the education of new marine, atmospheric and environmental scientists, but would also assist many coastal communities in the development of new business and environmental engineering alternatives to support sustainable economic development; and,

- includes funds to implement the Commerce Administrative Management System (CAMS), which is critical to meeting NOAA's financial management requirements.

At NOAA, we know that PERFORMANCE is what counts! Therefore, our FY 2001 budget includes measures that will track results to the level of investment.

- The request is predicated on the need to ensure the continued delivery of essential science, technology and services to the Nation.

The President's Budget Request also allows NOAA to perform an essential role in a number of Departmental, interagency and Presidential initiatives, including the Natural Disaster Reduction Initiative; the Lands Legacy Initiative; the Climate Observations and Services Initiative; the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration Initiative; the Clean Water Initiative; the i implementation of the America's Ocean Future Report; and building the capacity of the Nation's Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs).Let me take a moment to say a few words about some of these important activities.

LANDS LEGACY INITIATIVE The Administration's historic Lands Legacy Initiative addresses some of the most serious challenges facing U.S. coasts and oceans. NOAA's FY 2001 budget requests a net increase of $263.3 million to continue many critical environmental programs, including resources to significantly enhance the stewardship capabilities at the twelve National Marine Sanctuaries, the 25 National Estuarine Research Reserves, and the 33 Coastal Zone Management states. Also included in our FY 2001 Lands Legacy request are additional funds for states to address polluted runoff and problems related to increased populations stressing the coastal regions. The initiative includes funds to maintain and protect our critical estuaries, as well as to map, monitor, and protect fragile coral reefs and implement priority recommendations of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. Funding is included to enhance the recovery of threatened and endangered coastal salmon, and provide grants to coastal states with existing offshore oil and gas production to protect and sustainably use coastal resources. I'll now go through the specific increases for this Initiative:

Coastal Zone Management Act

CZM Grants NOAA has requested an increase of $92.7 million in FY 2001 for the Coastal Zone Management (CZM) Program to provide grants and technical assistance to coastal states to systematically address the high cost impacts of rapidly increasing coastal populations, polluted runoff, deteriorating waterfront areas, and loss of coastal habitats.

- States have expressed concern in the past that there

has not been enough resources to address polluted runoff, the leading cause of degradation in coastal ! waters. This budget urges that $25 million be provided to states for reducing polluted runoff.NOAA's FY 2001 request also asks that $30 million of the total amount for CZM state grants be directed to implement community-based, environmentally protective solutions to combat the effects on coastal resources resulting from increased development and sprawl.

CZM Program Administration: In order to fulfill the expanded responsibilities of the Coastal Zone Management Program and the National Estuarine Research (NERR) Program, NOAA's FY 2001 budget requests an increase of $2.1 million to support our responsibilities under the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA).

The Coastal Impact Assistance Fund: This Fund will provide resources to seven coastal

states that have existing offshore oil and gas production. The seven states are: Alaska, Alabama, ! California, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas.

The additional $100.0 million in new funding will be available for activities consistent with Coastal Zone Management plans to protect and sustainably use ocean and coastal resources.

Polluted Runoff Grants NOAA also requests an increase of $2.0 million to help states finish developing their Coastal Nonpoint Pollution Control plans (Nonpoint Pollution Control Program, CZMA Section 6217), as highlighted in the Clean Water Action Plan.

Coral Reef Conservation and Protection In FY 2000, NOAA began to strengthen its capabilities to address the Nation's coral reef crisis. Working with State, territorial, and local partners, the $9.0 million NOAA requests in FY 2001 new funding will support research, monitoring, and local-level projects to reduce human impacts and increase sustainable use of America's valuable coral reefs which are priorities of the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force, and recommendations included in the America's Ocean Future report. Of these additional funds, $4.0 million will allow NOS to improve understanding of reef health and focus on preventing reef-damage from vessel grounding, pollution, fishing, and other human impacts.

National Marine Sanctuaries - NOAA requests an increase of $10.0 million for the Marine Sanctuary Program to improve and enhance the operations of the twelve existing National Marine Sanctuaries. Funds will be for research, monitoring, education, and outreach at all of the sanctuaries. Enhancing the operating and technical capacity of sanctuaries will result in better protection for these special places that include coral reefs, endangered marine mammals, sensitive habitats and cultural resources. Continued funding of $3.0 million is provided in the PAC account for Sanctuaries to complete high priority projects, such as exhibits and research and visitor centers to provide landside windows into the natural and cultural wonders of the Sanctuaries. Funds will also be used to conduct collaborative education projects and to complete a comprehensive facilities plan that will prioritize needs and opportunities at individual sites.National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS)

- NOAA requests an increase of $8.0 million for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System. $6.0 million will be used to improve the ability of NOAA and its state partners to protect, conserve, and restore coastal habitats and biodiversity at the Nation's 25 existing National Estuarine Research Reserves, and the 2 new sites in development. This increase will help make all reserves fully functional to better sustain valuable habitat for fish and other marine species, improve water quality, educate the public, and provide important research opportunities. The increase also will complete assessment of biological resources at each site and implement the System-wide monitoring program critical to tracking the health of each reserve. This effort will address a key recommendation of the 1999 interagency report, "Turning to the Sea: America's Ocean Future," to improve monitoring of the nation's estuaries.

- Funding of $2.0 million is requested in the PAC account for state land acquisition and construction of research and visitor facilities.

Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund

Also as part of the Lands Legacy Initiative, NOAA requests $42.0 million in new funding to increase support for the Pacific Coastal Salmon Recovery Fund. These funds will build on the FY 2000 Appropriation to provide a total of $100 million that will be used to enhance the recovery of threatened and endangered coastal salmon by providing Federal funds to help share the costs of conservation actions by tribes, States and local communities. The increase will provide assistance in the conservation of Pacific salmon runs at risk of extinction in the western states of California, Oregon, Washington, and Alaska. Funds provided to coastal tribes will not require matching funds, while those provided to States will have matching fund requirements. These new Federal resources will bolster lasting partnerships with tribal, State, and local governments in their effort toward Pacific salmon recovery and habitats restoration.

NATURAL DISASTER REDUCTION INITIATIVE (NDRI) Natural hazards related to severe weather or geophysical activity threaten lives, property and the stability of local and regional economies throughout the United States. A large and diverse group of partners continues to depend on NOAA and DoC to provide leadership to reduce costs and risks associated with natural disasters.

Strengthen weather Services and Research ($36.2 Million) NOAA's FY 2001 request includes $14.7 million in adjustments-to-base (ATBs) essential to sustaining a modernized National Weather Service (NWS). The ATBs include funding for the mandatory federal pay raise and projected inflationary increases in non-labor categories such as maintenance and service contracts. Since 70% of the NWS base operations is committed to labor costs, this funding is vital. We continue to make progress in providing advanced warning for both tornadoes and flash floods. The NDRI request also includes a base increase of $1.0 million for NESDIS's Environmental Observing Services. Also included in the FY 2001 request is $8.4 million to sustain base operations within the National Weather Service; an increase of $6.8 million for the NWS Systems Operations and Maintenance (O&M), $2.3 million to sustain and modernize the co-operative observer (COOP) network; and $2.0 million for the Weather Forecast Office (WFO) Maintenance. The request also includes a total of $1 million to continue implementation of the Advanced Hydrologic Prediction System (AHPS) in the Mississippi and Ohio River basins. Also included in the FY 2001 request is an increase of $1.0 million within Oceanic and Atmospheric Research(OAR) for the U.S. Weather Research Program (USWRP).

Enhance Satellite Coverage and Disaster Information To ensure the sustainability of NOAA's satellite coverage and disaster information, the Administration has requested $54.1 million in new funds for FY 2001. Included in this request are funds for both the current and future series of NOAA's Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) ($25.2 million) and new funds for NOAA's Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellites (POES) ($6.5 million). The FY 2001 budget request for polar satellites will support the NOAA-M satellite launch planned for FY 2001 and NOAA-N and N' to be launched in the future.

- For NOAA's award winning, Federal tri-agency National Polar Orbiting Environmental Satellite System (NPOESS) Program, our FY 2001 budget request provides $16.9 million in new funding. The convergence of the NOAA Polar program and the Department of Defense's Defense Meteorological Satellite Program into a converged NOAA/DoD/NASA Program will save the United States Government over $1.0 billion dollars over the life of the program by developing a satellite system that meets the needs of each of these agencies. NOAA's FY 2001 request also includes $5.5 million to create an integrated Global Disaster Information Network (GDIN). The GDIN is an interagency effort to improve all phases of disaster management and response ! by building a collaborative, public/private partnership to develop an information system to aid emergency managers and those affected by disasters. These funds will be used to improve coordination of and access to disaster information; to assure the reliability of Federal internet and other communication channels during disasters; and to standardize data sets, data access and data analysis tools.

Apply New Technology to Reduce Natural Hazards The NDRI request also includes funding to apply new technology to reduce natural hazards. The increase of $19.7 million is targeted for the acquisition and improvement of major systems associated with Advance Short Term Warnings and Forecasts. For FY 2001, this includes new increases to upgrade and improve the Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD) ($1.3 million); develop and deploy new sensors for the Automated Surface Observing System (ASOS) ($1.3 million); and continue software (Build 5.0) improvements and provide catastrophic backup for the AWIPS System ($1.4 million). The NDRI request also includes an increase of $2.0 million to maintain the Class VIII Supercomputer at NCEP, $2.0 million to procure additional computing capacity to issue improved Climate Products, $6.2 million to expand NOAA Weather Radio coverage and improve voice transmissions; and $5.5 million to install a Doppler radar in Evansville, Indiana. In addition, the President's Request also includes a total of $7.0 million to continue replacement of the Radiosonde Network which is critical to sustain upper air observations.

CLIMATE OBSERVATIONS AND SERVICES INITIATIVE In the last few years, demand has significantly increased from the private sector, the academic research community, government agencies, and the general public to provide timely data and information about climate variability, climate change and trends in extreme weather events.

- To respond to these needs (as several recent National Research Council reports have pointed out), NOAA must take immediate steps to repair its deteriorating data and observational systems. At the same time, NOAA must find funds to pay for new observations and develop more efficient and timely data infrastructure capabilities. In FY 2001, NOAA requests $28.0 million in increases for the Climate Observations and Services Initiative. This initiative will support transitioning our current research efforts and knowledge into operational systems and products. To do this, NOAA will focus its efforts to address key deficiencies in its observation and data management systems, implement new ocean observations, and develop a broad spectrum of new forecast products.

Climate Reference Network To ensure NOAA's capability to monitor decadal to centennial changes of temperature and precipitation, a climate reference network consisting of a few hundred stations must be developed by making use of the historical data from the best sites in the network of 11,000 cooperative observing sites. This climate reference network will build on data from stations identified as those with the longest environmentally stable records, most dedicated observers, and most reliable data with few interruptions. These records have been used to identify past trends, variations, and changes in climate but are now degrading at an intolerable rate. A climate reference network of about 250 stations will be identified with adequate spatial coverage to monitor temperature and precipitation trends across the USA. This will ensure long-term and bias-free global monitoring, including validation of NOAA's satellite monitoring capabilities. Using the $6.0 million requested for the climate reference network in FY 2001, NOAA will select the first 100 sites; place instrument types for temperature, precipitation, and soil moisture at a subset of the reference network; implement a means to electronically communicate all data collected in the reference network; develop a quality control package for observed data that includes checks for both random and systematic errors; and evaluate periods of concurrent data using old and new instruments to ensure a seamless transition to the new reference stations.

Improving the Availability of Climate Data and Information

As observational capabilities increase and observing networks expand, it is essential that data management and dissemination systems are in place to make the resulting data and information widely and easily accessible to public and private sector decision makers. NOAA must develop the required infrastructure to assemble, develop, and rapidly transmit data,information, and knowledge about past trends and future expectations of climate and weather events.

In FY 2001, NOAA requests $10.0 million in new funding, spread among the following infrastructure elements: $1.0 million for the NWS Climate Prediction Center to translate an enhanced capability to monitor global climate variability and insights about climate fluctuations gained from better observing systems into operational practice. How will we do this? Through improvements to climate forecast models, better assimilation of observational data, and development of a broad spectrum of new forecast products that emphasize risks of high-impact weather events in the context of climate variability.

$4.0 million in the Procurement, Acquisition and Construction account for the National Environmental

Data Archive and Access System (NEDAAS) to acquire new generation storage devices that will improve access by public, private industry, decision-makers, and scientists to the large volume of space-based and ground-based data, such as Doppler radar, polar and geostationary satellites.)These new resources will make NOAA's data management activities more efficient for both in situ and satellite data, drive down NOAA's costs of data management per data set, and improve user services by providing access to data that is presently too costly to access for most users. $1.0 million to develop and implement real-time operational updates to NOAA's premier research quality long-term ocean and atmospheric reference data sets. The Nation's highest quality long-term peer- reviewed data sets are being used in a research mode, but are now ready for exploitation by private industry, decision-makers, and the general public.

These funds will be used to develop the infrastructure necessary to update routinely these data sets in real-time and ensure access to the data. $2.5 million to improve observation network performance by ensuring that key in-situ and satellite observing networks systems adhere to the principles and guidelines for Long-term Climate Monitoring as articled by the U.S. National Academy of Sciences.

The new funding will be used to monitor the performance of these networks using performance indicators to identify problems early enough to prevent serious degradation; provide for overlapping coverage when new instruments are introduced; ensure the data are used in national and international assessments to help evaluate the data quality; and provide for adequate metadata (information about the operation the network and related algorithms used for processing the data). Improving the overall performance of these networks will allow NOAA to avoid reconstructing entire historical data sets because of problems uncovered long after initial observations.

- $1.5 million for observations and analysis in linking climate and extreme weather events critical to the general public and decision makers. Of particular importance is how climate variations such as El Nino, the North Atlantic Oscillation or long-term trends influence the probability of occurrence of extreme weather events. An observational and analysis effort is proposed to better forecast high-impact weather on both short and long time scales; localize the predicted area of impact with high resolution nested modeling and field programs; develop new tools for risk evaluation and prediction of extreme or significant weather types; and understand better the underlying physical processes that govern the unique weather of topographically complex regions.

Baseline Observatories In FY 2001, NOAA requests $3.0 million to upgrade and expand operations at NOAA's remote manned Global Atmospheric Baseline Observatories at Barrow, AK; Mauna Loa, HI; American Samoa; and the South Pole, Antarctica. These observatories measure more than 250 different atmospheric parameters relevant to the study of climate change. Moreover, they are critical to the collection and continuity of the world's longest atmospheric time series, supplying the scientific community with information on the state and recovery of the ozone layer, global carbon dioxide, and other trace gases impacting the global climate. Funds are needed to rehabilitate the aging Barrow, Mauna Loa, and Samoa observatories by upgrading the equipment and facilities; upgrading the Dobson ozone spectrometer equipment; and upgrading 11 continuous surface radiation sites. Routine aircraft flask profile measurements of trace gases and aerosols also will be expanded to cover the continental U.S. and the Pacific basin, and enhanced sampling from ships and buoys will be undertaken. Finally, funds are requested to expand the gas and aerosol baseline measurements of effluents flowing from the Asian mainland to Hawaii, and North America.

Ocean Observations Improved understanding of ocean circulation and physics is fundamental to our ability to predict climate variability. Finer measurements of ocean data are needed to track climate shifts, understand the interaction of oceans and atmosphere and predict severe weather and the regional impacts of climate variability. This component of the initiative requires $9.0 million for NOAA to complete the U.S. portion of the global array of profiling floats (ARGO) for temperature and salinity. NOAA, with its international partners, will use these resources to construct, deploy and operate an array of profiling floats for data collection in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. It will also deploy additional surface drifting buoys in the Southern Hemisphere and other under-sampled regions to complete the Global Drifter Array and improve and increase sampling from Voluntary Observing Ships (VOS). NOAA will build upon current U.S. (NASA) and French (CNES) satellite altimetry programs, TOPEX and JASON, to ensure their continuity through the next decade. Studies of satellite systems and ground systems architecture, including orbits, will be performed that will ensure effective assimilation of altimetry into ocean models. In conjunction with this, NOAA will upgrade global sea-level stations for satellite altimeter drift calibration and for monitoring of long-term trends. Most of these funds (up to $7.5 million) will be managed through the National Ocean Partnership Program (NOPP).MINORITY SERVING INSTITUTIONS As part of a Commerce-wide capacity building effort, NOAA requests $17.0 million to continue educational training relationships through a joint partnership with a consortium of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs). These efforts will not only result in the education of new marine, atmospheric and environmental scientists, but also assist many coastal communities in the development of new business and environmental engineering alternatives to support sustainable economic development. There are four components of this Initiative: $10 million for the creation of three Cooperative Science Centers, one each in atmospheric, environmental and oceanic sciences. $5 million for the Environmental ! Entrepreneurship Program to provide funds to MSIs to support research for sustainable management in natural resource-depleted environments.- $1 million for the Graduate Scientist Program. This program will focus on recruitment of minorities and provide funding for full-time academic training in atmospheric, environmental, and oceanic science. $1 million for the Student Fellowship Program. This Program, a component of the larger DoC Student Fellowship Program, will target MSI students in their junior year who have an interest in these areas. The program will provide scholarships during the junior and senior years to students who make a commitment to obtain degrees in the natural resources science and related management fields. Internships will be available at NOAA during their Junior and Senior year academic breaks. In addition, NOAA will help develop capacity at the i consortium MSIs and allow these institutions to train a greater number of resource scientists and managers. This effort will provide the Department with a broader and more diverse pool of potential employees. Having additional trained, natural resource managers will expand the overall scientific community and provide NOAA with additional sources of scientific data that would allow the agency to more effectively carry out its mission.

SOUTH FLORIDA ECOSYSTEM RESTORATION INITIATIVE NOAA's FY 2001 Budget Request includes an increase of $1.6 million to address issues related to the South Florida Ecosystem Restoration effort. The South Florida Initiative is an integrated effort among Federal, tribal, State and non-governmental partners to halt the degradation and restore the function of the South Florida ecosystem. As the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers begins to implement major construction and re-routing of water flow through the South Florida ecosystem, downstream coastal resources will be affected.

NOAA supports the portion of the South Florida Restoration Initiative exclusively devoted to restoring and protecting the coastal and marine portions of the ! South Florida ecosystem such as the fisheries habitat and coral reefs. Continued investment is necessary to restore and maintain the marine ecosystem and the associated economies of South Florida and the Florida Keys.

JASON

I would like to take this opportunity to point out our continued support for the JASON project, a private-public partnership, at a level of $2.0 million within the National Ocean Service. This is the first time that NOAA is requesting funding for this important effort to expand opportunities for learners of all ages by providing education about our valuable ocean resources through interactive technologies.

CLEAN WATER INITIATIVE NOAA's FY 2001 budget requests an increase of $6.9 million to support the Administration's Clean Water Initiative. Implementation of this Initiative will help protect coastal communities from polluted runoff. Polluted runoff is now the major source of coastal water pollution and one of the primary factors associated with outbreaks of harmful algal ! blooms (e.g., Pfiesteria) and the spread of hypoxic zones in U.S. coastal waters. NOAA's FY 2001 request will strengthen and enhance critical research, monitoring, resource trustee and coastal management capabilities of the National Ocean Service required to address the sources of polluted runoff and symptoms of degraded coastal waters, including harmful algal blooms, hypoxia, and beach closings. Let's briefly review new funding for programs under this Initiative:

Harmful Algal Blooms Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) are an expanding problem in all of our Nation's coastal areas. Over the past two decades, an estimated $1.0 billion in economic losses have occurred in coastal communities due to HABs such as red and brown tides, and Pfiesteria, that are associated with polluted waters. In FY 2001, the requested increase of $2.4 million will be used to work with States, universities, and communities to conduct rapid monitoring and assessment response activities in response to HAB outbreaks.

In addition, these funds will improve overall understanding of HABs by improving the support provided to the interagency program, the Ecology and Oceanography of Harmful Algal Blooms (ECOHAB).

Polluted Runoff Grants The FY 2000 budget requests an increase of $2.0 million to aid coastal states in completing and getting final approval of their polluted runoff programs. It will also support the development of nonpoint control programs in the new CZM states through Polluted Runoff Grants (Nonpoint pollution control Program, CZMA Section 6217). These grants are also counted as part of the Lands Legacy Initiative, along with an additional $2.0 million in state grants (Section 306/309 of the Coastal Zone Management Act), for a total of $4.0 million.

Coastal Protection and Restoration Program In FY 2001, NOAA requests an increase of $0.5 million to enhance our Coastal Protection and Restoration Program managers' ability to address the impacts of hazardous waste sites on coastal water quality and NOAA trust resources more quickly and effectively.NOAA will be able to expedite restoration and cleanup of coastal natural resources without costly litigation, share NOAA's technical expertise, and create cost effective approaches for remediating waste site contamination as part of the Clean Water Initiative.

AMERICA'S OCEAN FUTURE INITIATIVE This Initiative continues much of the work of last year's Year of the Ocean (YOTO) and Resource Protection Initiatives. NOAA's FY 2001 budget request increase of $51.6 million continues to focus on necessary actions designed to explore, protect and restore America's vital ocean resources. Highlighting the important role the ocean plays in the daily lives of all Americans, the Administration's 1999 interagency report, "Turning to the Sea: America's Ocean Future," introduced measures to promote new scientific insight into the oceans, sustain use of fisheries and other marine resources, provide new opportunities for economic growth,enhance overall coastal management, and protect fragile coastal communities and ecosystems, such as coral reefs, from damage and environmental degradation. The Report and this Initiative are a result of recommendations made at the National Ocean Conference to develop a coordinated, disciplined, long-term Federal ocean policy.

- Let's look at our new funding request for programs under this Initiative:

Safe Navigation

In FY 2001, NOAA requests an increase of $6.2 million to promote safe and efficient navigation. These resources will improve the competitiveness of U.S. ports and exports while lowering the risk of marine accidents and resulting pollution.

In partnership with the private sector and local authorities, NOAA will focus on the quality assurance necessary to fully implement the Physical Oceanographic Real-Time Systems (PORTS). PORTS provide real- time oceanographic data critical to safe, efficient navigation, hazardous spill response, coastal flood warnings and other applications, NOAA will continue to modernize the national spatial reference systems and continue progress on NOAA's electronic chart database, including accelerating shoreline mapping primarily through private sector contracts. Providing real-time oceanographic data and a complete suite of electronic charts with timely updates of hydrographic, shoreline and navigation data are key recommendations of the "Turning to the Sea: America's Ocean Future" report. Modernized, accurate positioning supports the PORTS program, electronic charts, other navigation- related programs and many economic sectors that depend on accurate location data.

Aquaculture Wild fish stocks in the U.S. and around the world are dwindling. At the same time world demand for protein continues to rise. The U.S. incurred a $6.9 billion trade deficit in fisheries products in 1998. NOAA's FY 2001 budget requests $2.6 million to promote the development of an environmentally friendly and commercially viable domestic aquaculture industry. The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research will use $1.6 million for research and development of environmentally and economically sound aquaculture technologies through a peer reviewed competition to identify projects that will lead to business development. The National Marine Fisheries Service will direct $1.0 million toward developing aquaculture standards that protect the environment, promoting ecologically-sound farming technologies, and addressing site selection criteria to assist those who plan to invest in aquaculture within federal waters. These funds will further the administration's ocean stewardship mission by protecting the environment while developing sustainable aquaculture.

Fisheries Stock Assessments, Conservation, and Management - In FY 2001, NOAA requests an increase of $11.9 million in this area.- Of this sum, $3.6 million will be used to establish the National Observer Program and to augment current observer coverage to carry out mandates in the Magnuson Stevens Act. $3.0 million will be used to support work on fisheries oceanography. This increase supports programs to improve stock predictions by identifying and assessing critical environmental processes that control long-term trends in the Nation's fishery production. It also supports a network of biophysical moorings in the North Pacific Ocean. These moorings will provide data on key oceanographic indicators, and give greater insight into environmentally-induced shifts in the productivity of commercially important fish stocks.

Also included is an increase of $1.8 million to support field studies to refine essential fish habitat and reduce the impacts of commercial and recreational fishing gear on essential fish habitat. Further, NOAA requests an increase of $1.0 million to collect fisheries statistics and perform economic analyses required by the National Standard 8 of the Sustainable Fisheries Act (SFA). The analysis will include socioeconomic characteristics of commercial and recreational fishermen, economic values within fisheries, and vessel data within fisheries, all of which will improve the analytical capability to predict and monitor the economic and social consequences of management decisions.

Also requested is an increase of $2.5 million to develop a core economic data collection capacity within NMFS to determine economic consequences of various activities on participants in a fishery, including improved regulatory flexibility analyses.

Sea Floor Observatories In order to implement the 1999 interagency report, "Turning to the Sea: America's Ocean Future," NOAA's FY 2001 budget requests an increase of $3.1 million to unravel deep-sea mysteries, discover new opportunities in the ocean, and better understand how to protect marine resources. For example, these funds will launch a program to map and explore U.S. ocean waters with advanced underwater technology. It will expand activities at two existing shallow-water observatories, the Leo-15 - off of the coast of New Jersey, and the Aquarius in the Florida Keys. Further, the increase will fund two new deep-sea observatories, one on the Pacific Juan deFuca Ridge and the other in the Gulf of Mexico. Finally, to better understand the contribution that ocean resources provide to the Nation's economy, funds will also be used to assess the economic value of the domestic ocean and coastal resources.

Fleet Replacement Funds for new construction/conversion or repair to extend the life of a NOAA vessel are requested in the PAC account. In FY 2001, NOAA requests an increase of $8.0 million, to be allocated as follows: - $8.0 million to reactivate, convert, and upgrade the NOAA vessel ADVENTUROUS to support fisheries research activities. The ADVENTUROUS, a modern T-AGOS class vessel acquired from the Navy, is currently inactive but can be converted to meet marine mammal survey and some high priority fisheries data collection requirements.

(Note: $8.3 million is funded in the base budget to continue construction of a new acoustically quiet Fisheries Research Vessel (FRV). This vessel is essential to conduct stock assessment surveys that monitor species' abundance, recruitment, age composition, and responses to ecological changes and fisheries management's goal to build sustainable fisheries. This $8.3 million is not part of NOAA's request for increased funding.

Outyears: In FY 2002, FY 2003, and FY 2004, NOAA requests one ship per year at a cost of $53.3 million each.

Acquisition of Data This request supports the collection of hydrographic and coastal assessment data through days-at-sea for programs of significant national interest. NOAA requests an increase of $1.8 million. These increases will support an additional 140 days-at-sea of University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System (UNOLS) ship time needed to support ongoing and new ECOHAB program and Global Ocean Ecosystem Dynamics (GLOBEC) projects. This request implements a key recommendation of the Ocean Future report to increase research to understand the ongoing changes in ocean chemistry.

Resource Protection NOAA requests an increase of $13.5 million which includes $12.3 million in Endangered Species Act Recovery Planning and $1.2 million for Protected Species Management. The increase of $12.3 million will be used to implement programs to respond to the extinction crisis facing several highly endangered marine species and to expand efforts for Pacific and Atlantic Salmon. Included in this increase is $2.3 million to stem the decline of Pacific leatherback turtle and the northern Atlantic loggerhead turtle, Hawaiian monk seals, northern Atlantic and North Pacific right whales, and Cook Inlet Beluga Whales, all of which are on the brink of extinction. This will be done through a combination of research, monitoring and management actions to determine the causes for the decline and to implement recovery measures.

This initiative also includes $9.0 million to continue the Administration's support for the recovery of endangered Pacific salmon by investing in the scientific underpinnings of this recovery program and monitoring its effectiveness, and $1.0 million to provide a solid foundation for conserving Atlantic salmon in Maine through a strong investment in research.

Protected Species Management also includes $0.2 million to monitor marine biodiversity to maintain healthier marine species and ecosystems through evaluating the threats and their impacts on habitats and biodiversity and $1.0 million for coral reef assessments and reduction of fishery impacts not included in the Lands Legacy initiative.

Fisheries and Marine Resource Enforcement Enforcement is a key element of a credible management effort designed to support the growth and stability of the domestic fishing industry and protect our nation's living marine resources. NOAA requests an increase of $4.5 million for enforcement activities. This increase includes $1.3 million needed to expand current vessel monitoring programs, $0.2 million needed to provide additional enforcement activities associated with salmon recovery efforts, and $2.5 million to establish cooperative enforcement programs between NMFS and the coastal states.

NOAA also has other programs of note that are important to meet immediate programmatic needs and longer-term strategic goals. These activities are not covered in the initiatives I have discussed:

Pacific Salmon Treaty: NOAA requests a total of $70 million to implement the Pacific Salmon Agreement, an increase of $60 million. This increase will provide $20 million to capitalize the Southern Boundary Restoration and Enhancement Fund, $20 million to the Northern Boundary and Transboundary Rivers Restoration fund and $20 million to the State of Washington to complete the Vessel License Buyback Program. This increase is not included as part of the Lands Legacy Initiative.

The two endowment funds will be administered by the ! Pacific Salmon Commission for habitat, stock enhancement, science and salmon management initiatives in the U.S. and Canada.

Fisheries Habitat Restoration We also propose an increase of $2 million in this area. This will enable NOAA to increase the geographic scope of our restoration efforts and the number of projects that we are able to undertake with communities in partnership with public and private interests.

Sea Grant Congress established the National Sea Grant College Program to enhance the development, use, and conservation of the Nation's marine and Great Lakes resources. Sea Grant provides the major source of support for applied marine science research, including coastal and ocean engineering and management, fisheries and aquaculture, and marine-related social sciences and law. Its university-based network of 29 programs conduct scientific research, provide education and training, and facilitate technology transfer to ensure stewardship and responsible use of our resources. Through Sea Grant, NOAA forges a major link to the external academic community where a strong infrastructure and talented pool of scientists, engineers, educators, and outreach specialists can be tapped to meet Agency and Departmental missions. Such partnerships support the Administration's goal of a sustainable economy and environment.

In FY 2001, NOAA requests a $.6 million increase for the National Sea Grant College Program.

Not only is NOAA the national leader in oceans and atmospheric science, but we strengthen our knowledge through involvement in international organizations:

Global Learning and Observation to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE; Aimed at improving the quality of science education for the next generation of American scientists, the . GLOBE Program is a worldwide network of students, ! teachers, and scientists working together to study and understand the global environment. Students and teachers from over 8,000 schools in more than 85 countries are working with research scientists to learn more about our planet.- NOAA's FY 2001 budget requests an increase of $2.0 million for the GLOBE Program.

Suitland/Infrastructure One of NOAA's priority programs relates to our infrastructure needs for NESDIS satellite operations. The space currently occupied at the Suitland Federal Center, Federal Building #4, has significant asbestos problems. In addition to the asbestos concerns, water-testing results confirmed the presence of harmful substances in the water (coliforms), thereby warranting the use of bottled water for consumption. Also, due to the age of the facility, numerous roof leaks and other building system failures constitute threats to NOAA's critical infrastructure activities housed in the building. Consequently, an Advanced Appropriation of $15.2 million is requested to be available October ! 2001 to construct a new satellite operations facility. This facility is needed to address severe environmental deficiencies in the NESDIS Suitland facility. This Advance Appropriation supplements the FY 2000 final appropriation amount of $2.7 million that is providing the necessary funds to initiate the facility planning and design process. In addition, $3.0 million is requested as an Advanced Appropriation to be available on October 1, 2002 for furnishings and move-in expenses.

Commerce Administrative Management System (CAMS) - The full funding of CAMS is essential for NOAA to establish a sound financial accounting system and to meet its statutory obligations under the Federal Managers' Financial Integrity Act (FMFIA) and the Chief Financial Officer Act (CFO Act). CAMS is also essential in making NOAA's programs successful. NOAA requests $15.8 million for CAMS in the PAC Account in order allow for continued production support. These funds will support the Accounts Payable, Small Purchases, and the Travel Modules. NOAA's Total Budget Authority ATBs for all accounts in FY 2001 are $54.3 million.

Our highest priority continues to be to ensure that critical services are provided and that employees are given the support necessary to meet their personal career goals as well as the NOAA mission. I would like to take this opportunity to applaud one such NOAA scientist, Susan Solomon, whom the White House recently awarded the 1999 National Medal of Science. She is the first NOAA scientist to be awarded this medal.

In conclusion, the challenge of investing strategically in the Nation's future is accompanied by the requirement to be more effective, to identify and realize opportunities for savings, and to focus the efforts of all levels of Government on what matters most to the American people. Our citizens are increasingly demanding proof of performance documentation of the "bang for the buck" and NOAA's FY 2001 budget request includes measures which track results to the level of public investment. Success in the complexities of the 21st Century, will ! depend more and more on partnerships and cooperative ventures that link business, industry, and universities with Federal, State and local governments and international parties. NOAA will continue to develop those associations that most efficiently and economically leverage resources and talent, and that most effectively provide the means for successfully meeting program requirements.

Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory (GFDL) Super Computer NOAA's FY 2001 request includes an increase of $2 million to support the full year lease and to provide software support for a supercomputer to be located at the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory in Princeton, N.J. This will be the second year of the procurement. The computer will be used full-time to attack some of the most difficult, but critical obstacles to developing and testing new and more realistic models for predicting climate variability, climate change, and forecasting hurricanes.

The FY 2001 budget is an investment for the 21st century, a step toward a more viable, economically sound, and ecologically sustainable future... where environmental stewardship, assessment and prediction serve as keystones to enhancing economic prosperity and quality of life, better protecting lives and property, and strengthening U.S. trade.Thank you again for the opportunity to appear. I would be pleased to respond to any questions members of the Subcommittee may have.

END

LOAD-DATE: April 7, 2000

Document 13 of 62.


Search Terms: coastal w/10 impact w/10 assistance, House or Senate or Joint
To narrow your search, please enter a word or phrase: