Dr' Suzette Kimball

1
USGS Commitment to Deepwater Fisheries Research
in the Great Lakes

• Dr. Suzette Kimball
• Acting Director
• U.S. Geological Survey
• Dr. Jacqueline F. Savino
• Deputy Center Director
• USGS Great Lakes Science Center
• Council of Lake Committees Meeting
• April 15, 2009

2
Presentation Summary

• Suzette Kimball
• Overall Budget Outlook
• Research Vessels/Safety
• Progress Since 2004 and USGS Commitment
• Jacqueline Savino
• GLSC/Deepwater Budget/Working Capital Fund
• Research Vessels/Cruises/Safety
• Staffing
• Progress

3
Budget Outlook

• FY09 Interior appropriations bill
• USGS - 1.043 b
• New program funding for Great Lakes
• 0.8 m - geol. mapping in Great Lakes
• 1.0 m general biol. Research in Great Lakes
• FY10 no specifics, but positive

4
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act

• DOI - 3.0 b
• Salazar commitment to Best Science
• USGS - 140 m
• USGS to play a key role in energy, climate
• Deferred Maintenance of Facilities - 29.4M

• Replacement of 2 USGS vessels

5
Replacement Vessels

• R/V Musky II - Lake Erie Biological Station
• R/V Kaho Lake Ontario Biological Station
• New vessel specs
• 60-65 ft state of the art equipment
• Built to current safety and fuel efficiency
  standards
• Standardization, duplication between them
  preferred

6
Large Vessel Safety Management System (SMS)

• Safety a top priority for USGS
• USGS developing a agency-wide SMS based on GLSC
  SMS
• Large Vessel Safety Program Manager
• Capt. Tim Cherry - Developed GLSC SMS
• Received DOI Safety Award of Merit

7
Progress Since 2004CLC/USGS MOU signed on May
4, 2004

• Improved communication with CLC and Lake
  Committees
• Vessel maintenance and safety
• Full staffing (biologists, vessel crew)

2004 MOU Signing
8
USGS Continuing Commitment

• We will continue to provide the science
  information and support you need.
• We look forward to our continued partnership as
  we sign the new 5 year MOU.
• We thank you for all your support.