The Final State of the Union
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Summary:
Federal reports advance knowledge and describe actions to address ocean acidification and ocean and coastal mapping.
This Administration has strongly supported science and interagency coordination, across government and with academic, industry, and other stakeholders, to address societal needs and inform effective ocean management. Today, the Office of Science and Technology Policy is releasing three reports authored by the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC)’s Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability’s Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (SOST) that describe Federal actions on two pressing issues: ocean acidification and ocean and coastal mapping.
Improving ocean-acidification research and monitoring
Two reports released today respond to the 2014 Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring of Ocean Acidification, which was prepared pursuant to the Federal Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Act of 2009 (FOARAM). The “Implementation of the Strategic Plan for Federal Research and Monitoring of Ocean Acidification” report identifies the needs and activities described in the Strategic Plan that are being addressed by Federal agencies. These efforts will enable agencies to better identify and address gaps in research and information on ocean acidification. To complement the Implementation Plan, the “Fourth Report on Federally Funded Ocean Acidification Research and Monitoring Activities” responds to a Congressional request for biennial updates on implementation activities under FOARAM, identifies expenditures for these activities, and details how Federal agencies are implementing the Strategic Plan in a coordinated and complimentary manner.
Enhancing coordination of ocean and coastal mapping
“The Progress Made in Implementing the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act: 2014-2016” report released today responds to a Congressional request for biennial updates on implementation activities under the Ocean and Coastal Mapping Integration Act (OCMIA). This report describes activities and accomplishments over the past two years, including significantly enhanced agency coordination of ocean and coastal mapping activities, that are providing stakeholders and the public with geospatial information that supports shoreline mapping, nautical charting, storm and flood vulnerability analyses, fisheries management, and numerous other interests.
For additional information on Federally funded ocean-acidification research and monitoring please see here. For the 2010 and 2012 reports to Congress on ocean and coastal mapping see here and here.
Tamara Dickinson is the Principal Assistant Director for Environment and Energy for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.
