Program Update: Interagency Ocean Observation Committee – February 2012
The IOOC held its fifth stakeholder workshop, the Pacific Northwest Workshop, on February 2-3. The workshop, hosted by Microsoft Research, was held in Redmond, Washington. Over 150 participants attended the event, which was successful in connecting various sectors with the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems (NANOOS) as well as looking at strategies to strengthen observation systems in the Pacific Northwest. An additional day was added to hold a working session with Microsoft Research and to provide extra time to synthesize the outcomes from the workshop. Also, Seabird Electronics Inc. sponsored a lunch and tour of their facility on the final day. Thanks to all of the sponsors: Microsoft Research; Sea-Bird Electronics, Inc.; Sonardyne; Reed Exhibitions; and Puget Sound Partnership.
Planning is underway for the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Summit 2012, which will be taking place at the Hyatt Dulles on November 13-16. The event will work towards developing consensus for the next ten years of ocean observing. This includes an assessment of IOOS requirements; integration regionally, nationally, and globally; and assets and gaps. The event will be a culmination in the development of community white papers on various topics. Ultimately, the venue will provide an opportunity for attendees to review community input and work collaboratively to identify consensus. For more information and to express interest in attending, please visit the IOOS Summit website page.
The public review period on the proposed draft IOOS certification standards ended on January 6, 2012. The IOOC was directed by section 12304 (c)(2)(E) of the Integrated Coastal Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 to “develop contract certification standards and compliance procedures for all non-Federal assets.” The certification criteria is a culmination from two working groups focused on governance/management and data partnership components of regional entities associated with IOOS. The next step in the process is for the committee to adjudicate all comments received and publish the final certification criteria.
The Independent Cost Estimate (ICE) is being executed by the NASA Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL). JPL is currently reviewing core IOOS documents, including the recently completed Regional Build Out Plans outlining regional ocean observing needs for the next ten years. JPL is working with the IOOS Program Office to ensure the project is on track.
The IOOC recently held a joint meeting with the National Federation of Regional Associations for Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems (NFRA). The next full committee meeting will be held on Thursday, April 19, 2012 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Consortium for Ocean Leadership.
More information about the IOOC can be accessed at www.iooc.us, which contains updated information regarding commenting opportunities on committee activities; information on upcoming and past events; and relevant scientific, technical, and policy publications. If you have any questions, please visit this website or send an email to jyoung@oceanleadership.org.
