Building the Regional Network: Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Coordination Workshop

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Building the Regional Network Integrated Ocean
Observing System Regional Coordination Workshop

• Richard W. Spinrad
• November 7, 2006

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Federal / Regional funding model?
From Draft Part I of IDP addendum
Figure 3. The funding model for the coastal
component of the IOOS includes (1) federal
support for the National Backbone (observing
subsystem infrastructure) that encompasses all
IOOS regions (2) RA administration (oversight,
governance, and management activities) (3)
implementing, operating and improving RCOOSs as
an integral part of the IOOS (regional observing
subsystem infrastructure, DMAC and modeling) and
(4) non-federal funding for RCOOSs (regional
observing subsystem infrastructure, DMAC and
modeling). Currently, eleven regional groups (n
11) have been funded to establish RAs to oversee
the development of eleven RCOOSs.
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Committee on Ocean Policy Structure
Ocean.US
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Committee on Ocean Policy Structure

• Interagency Program Office
• (Ocean.US)
• Certification and Accreditation
• Legal Structure
• Business Plan
• RA User Requirements
• Etc.

Contract Feds/RAs
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• Questions?

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Back UP Slides
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NOAA IOOS Oversight Structure
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Early version of IDP II
Figure 2. Conceptual model of relative funding
levels for coastal IOOS development within IOOS
regions (1) Solid bar The base, management
cost of RA operations (office space, staff,
operating funds, etc) is federally funded and
stable with little variability among regions.
Based on the management costs of subregional
observing systems such as GoMOOS and SEACOOS,
Ocean.US has estimated the annual cost to be
about 500K for each certified RA. (2) Horizontal
stripes Federally funded operation and
maintenance of National Backbone infrastructure
broken down into three categories observations,
DMAC and modeling. This will vary among regions
depending on the number and cost of federal
assets in each region (e.g., tide gauges, stream
gauges, NDBC buoys, stock assessments). Guided by
the IOOS Development Plan, funding priorities for
the Backbone are determined by the sponsoring
federal agencies in collaboration with the NFRA.
(3) Vertical stripes Federally funded operation
and maintenance of RCOOS infrastructure broken
down into three categories observations, DMAC
and modeling. Priorities for implementation (from
research to operational activities and education)
are determined by consensus between RAs and the
funding agencies. Actual levels of funding will
be determined by the funding agencies and will
vary among regions based on the priorities of
stakeholders in each region and on observing
system requirements for providing data and
information in forms and at rates specified by
the stakeholders. Following an agreed upon
process, funding may be allocated to RAs to
support RCOOS infrastructure, research and
education in their region or may be allocated
directly to organizations that contribute to
RCOOS operations or some combination of both.
(4) Open bar Non-federal funding for regional
priorities (research, education, operational
capabilities) Levels of funding for RA
activities and RCOOS operations from non-federal
sources will vary substantially among regions
depending on regional priorities and the ability
of RAs to attract state funding and funding from
private sectors and foundations. Unlike the other
funds these do not have to address federal
mission areas.