U.S. Antarctic Program User Groups Recommendations Brian Stone, Research Support Manager Al Sutherland, Ocean Project Manager Polar Research Support Section Office of Polar Programs

9-10 May 2005 OPP Office Advisory Committee Meeting USAP User Groups Antarctic Research Vessel Oversight Committee (ARVOC) South Pole Area Users Committee (SPAUC) McMurdo Area Users Committee (MAUC) Palmer Area Users Committee (PAUC) Report to RPSC but NSF listens VERY carefully Typically meet once a year. More often if required. Minutes at:

9-10 May 2005 OPP Office Advisory Committee Meeting Antarctic Research Vessel Oversight Committee (ARVOC) Major Recommendations –Final design of the PALMER. Incorporation of Baltic Room and Heated Deck. Laboratory outfitting. –Technical requirements for GOULD. Refinement of proposed layout. –Technical requirements for PALMER re-bid –Ship-Station interactions. –Development of scientific requirements for PALMER replacement (curently on-hold)

9-10 May 2005 OPP Office Advisory Committee Meeting Palmer Area Users’ Committee (PAUC) Major recommendations –Establishment of guidelines for managing in-hold berthing on the LMG. –Bathymetric survey of Palmer Station NSF chose to complete via research proposal –Deployment related concerns Meet & greet activities by AGUNSA Foreign participants

9-10 May 2005 OPP Office Advisory Committee Meeting McMurdo Area Users’ Committee (MAUC) Major Recommendations –Issue of Iridium phones to all field parties for safety purposes. –Laboratory code of conduct –Implementation of alternative/renewable energy –Internet bandwidth upgrades

9-10 May 2005 OPP Office Advisory Committee Meeting South Pole Users’ Committee (SPUC) Major Recommendations & Involvement –Aircraft flight paths & exclusion zones –Cryogenics management Created cryogenics working group – ongoing discussions –Active involvement in IT security concerns for USAP –General purpose equipment inventories

9-10 May 2005 OPP Office Advisory Committee Meeting Issues Identified to the COV USAP-wide issues cut across program –Information Technology security –Deployment issues Difficulty coordinating activities between committees Inconsistent charters Discipline representation