FROM THERE TO HERE
AND
THE FUTURE
Robert M. White
NOAA Leadership Seminar
August 25, 2004
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
A Proud History
of Service and Science
1807 Coastal Survey
1870 Weather Bureau
1871 Fisheries Commission
(Bureau Commercial Fisheries)
1965 ESSA, Environmental Science Service
Administration
1970 NOAA
Half Century of U.S.
Environmental Progress
1960 JFK elected President
1962 Silent Spring, Rachel Carson
1968 Stratton Commission on Oceans
“Our Nation and the Sea”
1968 National Environmental Policy Act
Half Century of U.S.
Environmental Progress II
1970 Environment Institutionalized by Nixon
(NEPA, NOAA, EPA)
2003 Pew Ocean Commission
2004 Watkins Ocean Commission
The Making of NOAA
• Stratton Commission
• ESSA, Department of Commerce
• Bureau of Commercial Fisheries,
Department of Interior
• Ocean Data Center, U.S. Navy
• Great Lakes Survey, Corp of Engineers
• Sea Grant Program, National Science
Foundation
The Making of NOAA II
• Marine Minerals Technology Center,
Department of Interior
• National Data Buoy Project,
U.S. Coast Guard
• Recommendations not included
• Independent Agency
• Coast Guard
An Environmentally
Integrated Agency
“Science, Service and Stewardship”
National Missions:
• Weather and Climate Observations
and Predictions
• Hydrological measurements and predictions
• Nautical charts
• Aeronautical charts
• Marine advisory services
An Environmentally
Integrated Agency II
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Fisheries management
Protection of marine resources
Environmental science and technology
Others
Unique Facilities
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Fleet of ships
Fleet of aircraft
Computer facilities
Earth Orbiting Satellites
National radar network
National hazard warning radio network
Policy and Politics
Legislative Authority
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1970 Reorganization Plan #4
1972 Marine Mammal Protection Act
1972 Coastal Zone Management Act
1972 Marine Protection Research &
Sanctuaries Act
• 1976 Coastal Energy Impact Act
• 1978 Ocean Pollution Act
• 1978 National Climate Program Act
Technological
Underpinnings of Service
• Digital electronic computer
- Mathematical Modeling
• Remote Sensing technology-Radar
- Severe storms
- Charting
• Earth Orbiting Satellites
• Global Communications
- The Internet
NOAA Services
Fundamental Rationale
• Weather
– Agricultural, Aviation, Weather Hazards
• Climate
– Energy, Agriculture, Health
• Navigation Charts
– Nautical, Aeronautical
• Hydrology
– Observations, Drought, Floods
• Ocean Prediction
– Sea level, Tides, Currents
NOAA Stewardship
Preserving Our Environmental
Future
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Ocean sanctuaries and restricted areas
Fisheries management
Air and ocean pollution
Coastal Zone management
NOAA’s Global Reach
Lead Agency
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World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
UNESCO (IOC)
International Whaling Commission (IWC)
United Nations Environment Program (UNEP)
Fisheries Agreements
International Programs
1963
1960’s
1965
1970’s
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1972
1989
World Weatherwatch WMO
Global Atmospheric Research Program WMO
International Hydrological Decade UNESCO
International Decade Ocean Exploration UNESCO
Integrated Ocean Station System IOC & UNESCO
Earthwatch-Observing the Earth UN/UNEP
International Decade for Natural Hazard reduction UN
NOAA’s Future
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Global Earth Observation System
Ocean and Coastal Stewardship
Ecosystem Fisheries Management
Climate Observations Prediction & Impact
Hazardous Weather & Environmental Prediction
Ocean Observation and Prediction
Environmentally Sustainable World
Proposed New Organic Acts
July 1-15, 2004
• HR4546 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration Act – Vern Ehlers (R-MI)
• HR4607 – The National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Organic Act of 2004 – Bush Administration
• S2647 National Ocean Policy and Leadership Act
– Ernest Hollings (D, SC), Ted Stevens (R-AK) et al