State Of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (Sccoos) Development
2004
1.
Expected progress through 1 July 2004
1.1
Grant Period
SCCOOS has been granted $100,000 from NOAA Coastal Services Center to
develop an organizational framework for building capacity and partnerships
among existing regional associations and agency end-users, encouraging and
enhancing collaboration among data providers, data managers, and users of data
and information. We expect the one-year funding period to begin on 1 June 2004.
Funds from this grant are budgeted as follows:
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1.2
Six month support of a SCCOOS program coordinator; we will seek
resources from state and local sources to increase this position to a 100%
FTE
Subcontract to the California Coastal Coalition to develop an end-user
outreach effort to engage stakeholders in Southern California in
developing collaborative partnerships among data providers, data
managers, and users of data and information
2 months of support for Dr. Eric Terrill, who will initiate, guide, develop
and represent SCCOOS operations and opportunities, in a continuation of
his efforts for the past two years.
Travel to both Sacramento and Washington, D.C. for establishing
collective partnerships and for representing SCCOOS to the state and
federal government.
Timeline of activities to date
Over the last two years SCCOOS has engaged in an ad hoc organizing effort to
develop stakeholder support at state, regional, and local levels as encouraged by
the Ocean.US IOOS initiative.
September 2002. Last fall a legislative workshop held at SIO focused on the need
to bring an Integrated Coastal Ocean Observation System to Southern California.
This workshop brought together 62 participants, including elected officials,
academics, local, state, and federal agency representatives, and non-governmental
organizations, in support of deploying SCCOOS in a timely manner. Over twenty
agencies and organizations have now adopted official resolutions of support for
the SCCOOS consortium. (Participant list forthcoming.)
February 2003. First SCCOOS organizational meeting held at Scripps Institution
of Oceanography. A summary of meeting achievements include: 1) a broad
definition of necessary steps for the implementation of SCCOOS, 2) a review of
capabilities of the member organizations, 3) an identification of existing and
State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
potential agencies for SCCOOS collaboration, 4) identification of the strengths
and weaknesses of Southern California as a region for national investment in a
pilot observatory, and 5) definition of what a core program would look like.
(Participant list forthcoming.)
March 2003. Completion of a Memorandum of Understanding between the
SCCOOS Board of Governors that we anticipate will be the initial implementers
of coastal observing assets. The MOU is posted at
http://sccoos.ucsd.edu/documentation.shtml.
April 2003. John Orcutt, Chair of the SCCOOS Board of Governors, attends
Ocean.US meeting held in Washington D.C. A resolution is signed with other
senior regional representatives to establish a National Federation of Regional
Associations (NFRA).
May 2003. SCCOOS provides a coordinated response plan to the State of
California to apply Proposition 40 funds to implement infrastructure to measure
ocean currents. This infrastructure, including a nested, HF radar array to map
ocean surface currents extending from the border to Central California and to
more than 150km out to sea, will provide one of the cornerstones for an
operational SCCOOS. The letter of intent to submit to this RFP is available for
download at (http://www.sccoos.ucsd.edu/docs/letter-of-intent-SCC.pdf).
September 2003. A two-day, SCCOOS Strategic Science Planning Meeting is
held at the NRC Beckman Center in Irvine. A strategic science process was
discussed and formulated that includes the identification of crosscutting working
groups, scientific disciplines, observational technologies, data products, and subregional needs. Time was also spent on a review of a data management structure
for SCCOOS, including a review of the Ocean.US DMAC report. SCCOOS
agreed to adhere to the DMAC plan given the experience in IT shared by
SCCOOS member affiliates JPL, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, and the
San Diego Supercomputer Center (SDSC). A process and governance plan was
also examined at some length with discussion of 1) a review of existing regional
organizations around the country, 2) potential models for SCCOOS, 3) short term
and long range governance planning, 4) a process for admission of new
consortium members, and 5) the effective and meaningful integration of end
users.
Participants
Federal agency representatives:
Paul Moersdorf, NOAA
Becky Smyth, NOOA
Academic and research representatives:
Grace Chang, University of California, Santa Barbara
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
Bruce Cornuelle, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Paul DiGiacomo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Falk Feddersen, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Burt Jones, University of Southern California
Jim McWilliams, University of California, Los Angeles
Mark Moline, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
John Orcutt, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Keith Stolzenbach, University of California, Los Angeles
Eric Terrill, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Frank Vernon, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Libe Washburn, University of California, Santa Barbara
Steve Weisberg, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
Other
Carolyn Keen, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Suzanne Lawrence, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Kathleen Ritzman, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
September 2003. The Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
became a member of the SCCOOS Board of Governors MOU. Dr. Stephen
Weisberg, head of SCCWRP, also serves on the GOOS steering committee.
October 2003. SCCOOS submits to NOAA a request for resources to implement
a pilot observatory effort that would address a broad range of resource
management and end user needs. Separate funds are also requested from NOAA
to generate an outreach and business plan. This is the funded organization
proposal referenced above.
February 2004. CeNCOOS and SCCOOS sign an MOU establishing a Federation
of California Regional Observing Systems. Based upon the national federation,
the MOU ensures that CeNCOOS and SCCOOS will coordinate activities to
enable state-wide standards and data sharing protocols.
March 2004. SCCOOS members Libe Washburn and Eric Terrill attend the ACT
meeting for the Surface Current Mapping Initiative in Florida.
March 2004. George Robertson, Chief Scientist from the Orange County
Sanitation District, attends Ocean.US meeting to discuss industry participation in
the IOOS. Also in attendance from the region were Buzz Bernstein, Seaspace
Corporation.
March 2004. SCCOOS holds Strategic Planning meeting in Santa Barbara.
Meeting is held to further discuss organization structure for the operational
components of SCCOOS and the formulation of a response to the California State
sponsored Coastal Ocean Current Monitoring Program (COCMP). SCCOOS
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
creates an operating board and internal review process for prioritizing components
to the estimated $11M COCMP program.
Participants
Academic and research participants
Steve Aceti, CalCoast
Grace Chang, University of California, Santa Barbara
Yi Chao, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Russ Davis, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Paul DiGiacomo, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Toby Garfield, San Francisco State University (CeNCOOS)
Niki Gruber, University of California, Los Angeles
Bob Guza, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Todd Hansen, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Ben Holt, Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Burt Jones, University of Southern California
Art Miller, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Mark Moline, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Russ Moll, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
John Orcutt, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Jeffrey Paduan, Naval Postgraduate School (CeNCOOS)
Carlos Robles, Cal State Los Angeles
Keith Stolzenbach, University of California, Los Angeles
Eric Terrill, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Libe Washburn, University of California, Santa Barbara
Steve Weisberg, Southern California Coastal Water Research Project
Other
Carolyn Keen, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Suzanne Lawrence, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
Kathleen Ritzman, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UCSD
March 2004. SCCOOS representatives attend Ocean.US organizational meeting
to review criteria for Regional Association certification and the establishment of
the National Federation of Regional Associations
April 2004. ROADNet (Real time Observatories, Applications, and Data
management Network) middleware used to integrate real-time HF radar data from
systems at SIO, UCSB, and Rutgers. ROADNet is an NSF Information
Technology Research project, compliant with the DMAC, that is also being used
to integrate real time data not only from radars, but meteorological, seismic,
geodetic, stream chemistry, and imagery data from southern California and
globally.
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
May 2004. SCCOOS representatives Larry Cooper (SCCWRP), Mark Otero
(SDCOOS), Paul Reuter (SDCOOS), and Julie Thomas (CDIP) attend OOSTech
in Washington D.C. to share experiences in I.T. and online data products.
May 2004. SCCOOS submits a comprehensive proposal the California State
Coastal Conservancy with participants from CeNCOOS for $21M worth of
coastal current monitoring infrastructure.
1.3
Names of individuals who are leading the effort (not limited to principal
investigators)
John Orcutt, Russ Davis, Eric Terrill, Art Miller, Ben Holt, Bob Guza, Bruce
Cornuelle, Burt Jones, Carlos Robles, Carter Ohlmann, Ed Dever, Erika Shaw,
Falk Feddersen, Frank Vernon, Grace Chang, John Largier, John Roads, Keith
Stolzenbach, Libe Washburn, Mark Moline, Paul DiGiacomo, Kent Lindquist,
Reginaldo Durazo, Steve Weissberg, Tommy Dickey, Tony Michaels, Yi Chao,
Dan Rudnick, Jim McWilliams, Karen Baker, Russ Moll, Rolf Goericke, Ed
Dever, Neal Driscoll, Jeff Babcock, Jules Jaffe, Cheryl Peach, Harry Helling,
Nicolas Gruber, Suzanne Lawrence, Kathleen Ritzman, Steve Aceti.
1.4
Existing observing systems that are candidates for incorporation into
SCCOOS
1.4.1 Annual operating costs (we are in the process of gathering this
infomation).
1.4.2 Current funding period (ibid)
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Cal Poly Pier, Physical/Bio-optics AUV platform
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Coastal Data Information Program (CDIP) Wave Buoys
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HF Radar Current Mapping Network in Mexico, Imperial Beach, San
Diego, and Santa Barbara north to Point Conception
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Quarterly coastal LIDAR surveys
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Comprehensive, quarterly Southern California Bight ship surveys
(CalCOFI)
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The San Diego Coastal Ocean Observing System
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Santa Barbara CHannel Re-locatable Mooring (CHARM)
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Santa Monica Bay Observatory mooring
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Satellite based remote sensing – ocean color, synthetic aperture radar,
scatterometry
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Aircraft and tower-based atmospheric marine boundary measurements
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MMS Santa Barbara Channel-Santa Maria Basin Moorings
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NEOCO pier program
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Santa Margarita Ecological Reserve Observing System
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Supplemental Weather Radar
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PISCO and SBCC-LTER inshore moored arrays
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SBCC-LTER ship surveys in Santa Barbara Channel
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
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1.5
SCCWRP
Ongoing high-resolution bathymetric and sub-bottom surveys in the nearshore for sediment sources and sinks, offshore tectonics, and habitat.
Status of studies to determine socio-economic benefits of SCCOOS
Studies to date cite annual beach spending in Southern California at $1.5 billion
(Resources Agency, 1997), although a paper by Linwood Anderson of UCLA
reports that beach visitation in Los Angeles declined markedly during the last two
decades of the 20th century due in part to perceptions—real and imagined—of the
dangers of storm water run-off. Ongoing studies at the Wrigley Institute of
Environmental Science and UCLA are examining the economic and social
impacts of the changing coastal environment, as well as how individuals interact
with and make decisions about coastal issues. Burt Jones, a SCCOOS principal
investigator, is investigating the economic costs and benefits to society of dirty
and clean beaches. Anderson is nearing completion of a project that seeks to
quantify the economics of beach use in Southern California, and has previously
investigated how Southern Californians perceive environmental quality and risk
in their beach going activities, as well as how public perception of beach quality
(water quality, for example) compares to actual measurements made; these reports
will inform the outreach component of SCCOOS, especially in relation to product
development for public education.
2.
Growing Pains and Future Development
2.1
Describe unanticipated problems encountered to date and how you have
responded to them
Lack of resources for adequate outreach and organizational efforts. Internal
resources and leveraging of existing programs has been used to support SCCOOS.
2.2
Based on our experience to date, what are the major barriers that must be
overcome to meet criteria for becoming an official Regional Association?
No major barriers are perceived but several tasks remain:
1)
2)
Formalization/acceptance by appropriate federal agencies to allow
SCCOOS to receive and disperse federal funds for purposes of
implementing, operating, and expanding coastal observing in Southern
California. In the interim, SCCOOS is relying on the business offices of
the NOAA Joint Institute of Marine Observations and the Marine Physical
Laboratory at Scripps Institution of Oceanography to act as the central
contracts and grants office for SCCOOS.
Appropriate governance structure that releases SCCOOS and its
participants from liability.
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
3)
Prioritization of users to whom SCCOOS will focus outreach efforts. This
will be an iterative process based upon outreach efforts. SCCOOS is
under funded in its ability to sustain outreach with its many users. The
lack of funding has prevented meaningful dialog with the ultimate data
users in this region.
Recognition/advocacy of SCCOOS by federal agencies will assist the
organization to facilitate local and state funding opportunities. Ocean.US
must recognize that many of the regions are well poised for local support,
and that organization structures are being defined to allow SCCOOS to
tap into local, state, and federal resources.
4)
2.4
When do you expect to have governance and strategic operating plans
completed?
Governance has been a central topic of discussion at both the Irvine and Santa
Barbara meetings referenced above. See http://sccoos.ucsd.edu/org.shtml for the
current governance chart. This is an ongoing process, but we anticipate
agreement on a model by fall of this year. Strategic operating plans are well
underway; we plan to hold working group meetings over the summer to settle on
firm plans for the coming year; we are awaiting NOAA and COCMP funding to
begin purchasing equipment, etc., although personnel are already devoting time to
the planning stages. While aspects of the governance structure remain unclear,
SCCOOS has been able to submit three major proposals (to NOAA(2) and the
California State Coastal Conservancy(1)), two of which have been funded. We
anticipate funding of the SCC proposal in conjunction with a coordinated effort in
central and northern California.
3.
FY 2005-2006
3.1
Objectives of regional organizing group
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3.2
Detailed definition of users and needs.
Synthesis of user needs to determine which of these regions can be effectively
addressed in SCCOOS and under which timeframe.
Generation of a flexible organization structure that allows for the delivery of
products and receipt of resources from local, state, and federal agencies.
Annual operating budget estimates to meet requirements for certification as
an RA
Our efforts have thus far been funded by Scripps Institution of Oceanography
using limited discretionary funds. We anticipate that RA start up funding will
allow us to set up a regional office to house the program coordinator, to hire
administrative support and a data management FTE to ensure quality of data, as
well as to interface between end-users and data providers. Funds will also be
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
used to cover start up costs (license and incorporation fees, telecommunications,
office computing and supplies), as well as fund travel to participant sites. These
funds will also allow us to host end-user meetings and science planning
workshops, create outreach materials (brochures, websites) and engage consultant
services, when needed. We estimate these costs to be on the order of $500k/year.
3.3
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Describe your expectations for development of the national backbone
through FY 06 (including in situ and remote sensing and DMAC capabilities)
In Situ
Moorings in strategically relevant areas (near major runoff sources in Southern
California) for measurement of physical, chemical (nutrient), and bio-optical
(suspended particulate, chlorophyll, phytoplankton bloom discrimination, satellite
ground truth) parameters. Similar moorings that would also include the
measurement of temperature, currents, surface waves, and meteorological
parameters may also be sighted at other, non-runoff regions such as in areas of
special biological significance.
Increased spatial and temporal resolution of important runoff areas using
autonomous glider fleets. Variables include temperature, salinity, optical signals
for suspended particulate material, chlorophyll, and dissolved oxygen.
Particularly important areas in Southern California include Tijuana River
discharge, San Pedro Bay, Santa Monica Bay, and Santa Clara/Ventura River
mouths.
Observations of freshwater flux to ocean (stream gauges), building on USGS
activities. Measurements of constituents of these waters including nutrients and
fecal indicator bacteria.
Observations of water properties (temperature, salinity, chlorophyll fluorescence,
nutrient concentration), surface and interior, building on other shore based
sampling systems activities.
High resolution wind models of sub-km resolution that operate in the
nearshore/coastal zone to resolve small scale wind changes that are driven by
coastal topography. Enhance coastal meteorological stations (and simplified
nearshore met moorings) for assimilation into wind models. Build on
NOAA/NDBC activities.
More long-term ocean monitoring: we need not only MET buoys with depthresolved currents but also depth-resolved temperature and salinity, chlorophyll
fluorescence, and spectral radiometers and other optical, biochemical sensors.
Consistency in measurements by MET buoys: all should include currents and
waves.
Biosensors for nutrients and bacteria.
Modeling that adequately resolves the nearshore region providing high resolution
dispersion estimates for contaminants in the nearshore region and providing beach
water quality predictions.
Remote Sensing
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
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4.
Regular monitoring of beach sand volume and morphology through aerial
photographs, LIDAR, and acoustic sensing to determine sand transport along the
coast of CA.
Establishment of an X-band download facility on the west coast to provide realtime access to U.S. and foreign satellites including ocean color and SAR.
Measurements to determine mechanisms of upwelling and other physical
processes and effects of physics on biology. This is also essential for the
groundtruth of satellites observations.
More multispectral satellite sampling (better data access, more passes and/or more
platforms).
Routine availability of SAR imagery, especially during the winter season.
Surface current observations (HF radar), building on COCMP; operational
support for existing HF radar installations, and the development of products and
IT systems.
DMAC
More accessible QC/QA'ed data, i.e., a simple website incorporating ALL ongoing oceanographic research/operations along S. Cal., including readily available
satellite data. Readily accessible data are useful for modeling purposes.
Although it has been decided that there will be no attempt to standardize regional
websites (in terms of graphic design, layout), there will be an attempt to assure the
quality of data as well as that a data set is accompanied by a metadata file.
Because there is not national standard at this time for metadata, perhaps
Ocean.US might suggest a set of metadata parameters that regional groups could
use as templates.
The initial effort for SCCOOS should identify 1) the type of datasets 2) how are
these data sets stored (flat or database files) 3) what protocol will be used to serve
these files (OPenDAP, ftp) 4) Type of Metadata (FDGC, instrument header files,
etc.) 5) Visualization tools (OpenGIS, Matlab, Map Server, etc).
FY 2007-2011 (Emphasis on FY 07)
4.1
Top six priorities for enhancing the national backbone (in situ and remote
sensing, DMAC)
There are several applications we have in mind for southern California that differ
from, or have higher priority here than the rest of the country. The six listed
below are not prioritized (we are in the process of narrowing these down to a list
of only five).
1.
Beach water quality and impacts on marine life.
 Moorings in strategically relevant areas (near major runoff sources in
Southern California) for measurement of physical, chemical (nutrient), and
bio-optical (suspended particulate, chlorophyll, phytoplankton bloom
discrimination, satellite ground truth) parameters. Similar moorings that
would also include the measurement of temperature, currents, surface
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
2.
3.
4.
waves, and meteorological parameters may also be sighted at other, nonrunoff regions such as in areas of special biological significance.
 Modeling that adequately resolves the nearshore region providing high
resolution dispersion estimates for contaminants in the nearshore region
and providing beach water quality predictions.
 Routine, telemetered measurements of nearshore (<=10 m water depth)
current, wave height and direction. The emphasis for these is near known
sources of coastal bacteria discharge, and is weighted by public beach
usage.
 Building from, and providing operational support to existing observatory
elements.
 Nearshore (as opposed to Mississippi river type) watershed management.
Beach sand management and erosion.
 Regular monitoring of beach sand volume and morphology through aerial
photographs, LIDAR, and acoustic sensing to determine sand transport
and sand resources along the coast of CA.
 Operational models of wave driven sand transport.
Observations to support Ecosystem Health Assessment and Marine Life Resource
Management
 Observations of species: species observations are the basic measurement
underlying scientific judgments and products related to resources and
ecosystems. Existing surveys do not sample all habitats, nor are all species
of concern surveyed; the frequency of observations are often below that
needed to track annual trends, and enhancement beyond FY 04 levels are
needed.
Improve sampling technology for species. Using off the shelf robotics,
acoustical and optical data sampling technology for species abundance in
time and space can be collected from habitats not now accessible and on a
more rapid and cost-effective basis
 Data assimilation modeling is the optimal tool for placing species
observations into an environmental context, which is essential for
assessments of ecosystem health, status of resources and effects of climate
change. These models have not yet reached a state in which they are
practical operational tools for the west coast. Development of these tools
needs to be accelerated in order to be ready for use in IOOS products.
Numbers of moored and autonomous instruments for continuous monitoring of
physical and bio-optical ocean properties should be increased. Greatly enhanced
environmental data from moored or autonomous instruments are central elements
in improving the accuracy of data assimilation models. The numbers of
autonomous instruments must be increased to provide accurate representations of
ocean dynamics.
 Increased spatial and temporal resolution of important runoff areas using
autonomous glider fleets. Variables include temperature, salinity, optical
signals for suspended particulate material, chlorophyll, and dissolved
oxygen. Particularly important areas in Southern California include
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
Tijuana River discharge, San Pedro Bay, Santa Monica Bay, and Santa
Clara/Ventura River mouths.
Increase availability of research vessels. A general problem for the entire coast is the lack of
vessels to install and maintain sensor arrays, and make species observations; capacities in these
areas shall be limited by the availability of suitable vessels.
5. Shipping traffic management (this is everywhere, but heightened here because of
the size and national security interests of our ports)
6. Offshore hazards including earthquakes, tsunami, and flood predictions
In contrast, there are several items that seem to have gained national attention,
that are of less interest to us, including things like coral reefs, harmful algal
blooms, etc.
4.2
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Top priorities for development of regional coastal ocean observing
capabilities (cost estimates are pending)
Further develop pre-operational activities
Development of a regional observing system measurement/data grid for consistent
instrument calibration, data processing, data post-processing (analysis), and
storage.
Improved regional satellite algorithms for SST, salinity, winds, internal waves,
biomass, etc.
Establishment of an X-band satellite downlink facility in Southern California to
allow real-time access to both U.S. and foreign satellites.
Identification and integration of relevant non-SCCOOS data. Develop
educational methods to train agency users of SCCOOS for their missions.
Education and outreach to K-12 and beyond and local communities to the
importance of regional and U.S. west coast oceanographic studies/operations.
Initiate pilot projects
Hydrographic surveys
Full integration of pre-operational observing assets with agency collected
monitoring data. Creation of data management tools for sharing data across users.
Develop an on-going (at least 3 year), interdisciplinary, real-time monitoring
system to determine the causes of formation and cessation of harmful algal
blooms along the U.S. west coast; then determine methods of mitigating these
HABs.
In situ examination of the sources of nutrients and pollutants into the coastal
ocean, e.g., upwelling and terrestrial runoff and the effects of these on ocean
chemistry. Elements necessary include offshore depth-resolved density
measurements and point source runoff measurements.
Marine Meteorological predictions for the coastal zone, including predictions of
fog/marine visibility through assimilating models based upon enhanced coastal
observations.
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
Enhance operational activities
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Identification and integration of relevant non-SCCOOS data.
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Development of a regional observing system measurement/data grid for consistent
instrument calibration, data processing, data post-processing (analysis), and
storage.
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Complete any missing regions/scales in the HR radar surface current mapping
array. Commitment to operational support for existing systems in the region.
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Near real-time high resolution ocean color for entire southern California Bight
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Moored measurements of physical, chemical (esp. nutrients), and bio/optical
variables near important runoff sources.
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Spatial mapping of physical, bio/optical, and if possible (chemical) variables
using glider type technology with temporal resolution on the order of 3-5 days
and cross-shelf extent of 15-20 km.
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Expanded glider sampling of the SCB, with expanded sensor capabilities as
possible.
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Added time series moorings for multi-sensor water property and ecological
measurements.
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Bottom measurement stations for currents, pressure, water properties, and
sediments.
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Event response (front, bloom, spill, search and rescue)
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Regular ship surveys especially for biological measurements (a modern form of
CalCOFI sampling).
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Capabilities: small rented aircraft with visible and infrared sensors to scout and
local ships to deploy relevant instruments (drifters, gliders, water properties,
ADCP). Aircraft capability dedicated to Southern California would allow event
response for LIDAR beach surveys, kelp surveys, hyperspectral overflights for
identification of stormwater runoff plumes, mapping invasive species in wetlands,
water level and wave measurements, marine atmospheric conditions including
aerosols and related air quality parameters.
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Land runoff patterns and operational observations (focus on large sources, e.g.,
Santa Ana River and important targets, e.g., Channel Islands marine protected
area); research on plume patterns and dynamics (observations, models, theory),
developing ideas of "zone of impact"; develop indices based on operational data
from stream gauge, waves, wind, tide, etc.; validate index with drifters and
observations of water quality parameters; operationalize use of indices and
promote use by managers concerned with nearshore water quality.
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Education and outreach to K-12 and beyond and local communities to the
importance of regional and U.S. west coast oceanographic studies/operations.
Bay observations, building on PORTS and other/limited systems (bays like San Diego Bay,
Mission Bay, Newport Bay, etc.); water properties (temperature, salinity, fluorescence;
nutrients), surface and interior currents (high-res HF radar and/or ADCP's); circulation model.
Connections of estuarine circulation models to operational coastal ocean modeling efforts
Coordinate and Continue Research
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Develop an on-going (at least 3 year), interdisciplinary, real-time monitoring
system to determine the causes of formation and cessation of harmful algal
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State of Southern California Coastal Ocean Observing System (SCCOOS) Development 2004
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blooms along the U.S. west coast; then determine methods of mitigating these
HABs.
In situ examination of the sources of nutrients and pollutants into the coastal
ocean, e.g., upwelling and terrestrial runoff and the effects of these on ocean
chemistry. Elements necessary include offshore depth-resolved density
measurements and point source runoff measurements.
Predictive models.
Sensor development.
Develop Relationships with End Users; Create End User Products
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Support the development of end user relationships via the SCCOOS project
office; the project office liaisons between end users and the research community.
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Through identification of end users and their of needs, develop a regional research
needs assessment.
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Link SCCOOS researchers with educators to facilitate K-12 education and
outreach activities, as well as informal science education and exhibits at museums
and aquaria.
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Continue to develop SCCOOS website, especially data portal, and disseminate
website throughout research, education and user communities.
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Determine what models are useful to end users, and develop webpages that allow
users to run these models in real time, using real time data.
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Identify appropriate outreach materials (brochures, media) that would be useful to
end users.
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Continue and augment the work of the SCCOOS team implementing the funded
NOAA organizational proposal.
4.3
5.
RA Operating Costs (4.3 through 5.2.2 are forthcoming)
4.3.1
Administration and Coordination
4.3.2
SCCOOS operations
Issues and Recommendations
5.1
Major issues that must be resolved
5.2
Recommendations
5.2.1
Organizing and funding RAs
5.2.2
Development of the national backbone
5.2.3
Developing RCOOSs
5.2.4
DMAC
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