Coastal Ocean Monitoring and Research: A Local Agency’s View George Robertson, Senior Scientist Orange County Sanitation District George Robertson, Senior Scientist Orange County Sanitation District
Why Am I Here Today? Environmental managers need good science Relevant Timely Complete
Ocean.US Objectives Detecting and forecasting oceanic components of climate variability Facilitating safe and efficient marine operations Ensuring national security Managing resources for sustainable use Preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems Mitigating natural hazards Ensuring public health
Ocean.US Objectives Detecting and forecasting oceanic components of climate variability Facilitating safe and efficient marine operations Ensuring national security Managing resources for sustainable use Preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems Mitigating natural hazards Ensuring public health
Ocean Observations Systems Fill data gaps Integrate data Provide new data products Provide additional expertise
No Lone Rangers Need Apply Experience has taught... Multiple public and private groups needed to tackle the “big” problems Integrate and leverage Huntington Beach Shoreline Contamination USGS, NPS, SIO, UCI, USC, Sea Grant, RWQCB, OCHCA, SAIC and others
Southern California Example Central Bight Water Quality Program
Salinity: OCSD OCSD (Routine) August 2001
Salinity: OCSD OCSD (Extended) August 2001
Salinity: LACSD LACSD August 2001
LA City August 2001 Salinity: LA City
Salinity: Oxnard Oxnard August 2001
Salinity: Central Bight WQ Group August 2001
What Next? Incorporate new technology Link on-shore with off-shore processes Improve both spatial and temporal monitoring Better data integration Provide dynamic, near real-time coastal modeling Improve dissemination of data and information products
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