Program Update: Interagency Ocean Observation Committee – November 2010
Filed under: Discovery,IOOC,News & Resources,Program Updates,Program Updates - Interagency Ocean Observation Committee
The Interagency Ocean Observing Committee (IOOC) engaged with the U.S. IOOS Program Office and Regional Associations at the annual Regional Coordination Workshop on November 16-17 in Washington D.C. IOOC Co-chair, David Kennedy, led sessions for the first day and half with 11 committee representatives from seven federal agencies. The meeting included presentations and thorough discussion on ocean observing issues related to Marine Operations, Water Quality, Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning, and Climate Change and Ocean Acidification. In addition, several senior federal, military, and political officials reported on the status of the National Ocean Policy and national security matters as they relate to ocean observing.
New federal collaborations with the regions include an offer by USGS to identify an employee to serve on the board of each RA, and the EPA’s Enterprise Data Architect distributing his email address to the participants with a request to work with the RAs on data issues. Additional key topics included whether to pursue an Ocean Science Board study and the need for an IOOS plan.
The third joint meeting between the IOOC, the IWG-Facilities and Infrastructure, and the IWG-Ocean and Coastal Mapping was held on November 30 to continue progress on Strategic Action Plan #9. The plan addresses ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observations, mapping, and infrastructure. Selected representatives from each of the groups are beginning to develop the initial draft of the action plan, which is due on November 8, 2011.
The IOOS Data Partners Criteria Working Group held their first meeting on December 1, 2010. The working group began outlining the steps to develop a process to identify data criteria and a verification process for all IOOS data providers and collectors to ensure that IOOS data is quality controlled, with appropriate metadata and in forms most likely to be useful to IOOS customers. The criteria developed by this working group will guide contract certification standards and data protocols required by the ICOOS Act.
The next IOOC full membership meeting will be held December 2, 2010 from 2-4:00 p.m. The IOOS Program Office will be presenting their annual Lead Federal Agency report to the committee as required by the ICOOS Act.
Planning is underway for the next IOOC industry workshop tentatively scheduled for the week of May 10, 2011 and will focus on the Great Lakes region. DTE Energy based in Detroit, Michigan has agreed to co-sponsor this event and has provided the Edison Boat Club as a venue. The tentative date for this event is Tuesday, May 10th, 2011. The organizing committee is holding regular conference calls and includes participants from the Great Lakes Observing Systems, regional federal staff from NOAA and USGS, the Michigan Farm Bureau, and industry representatives from Battelle and Baird. Additional organizing team members from Canada are joining the calls. Topics for the draft agenda include IOOS/Great Lakes observation, power utilities, water quality, and transportation.
Additional information and updates can be found on the committee’s website at www.iooc.us.
