2009 Regional Coordination Workshop Seattle, WA August 25, NERACOOS

Part 1: Project Status Report Development of the Northeastern Regional Coastal Ocean Observing System PI: John Trowbridge Co-PIs: Philip Bogden, Al Hanson, Jon Hare, Jim O’Donnell, Neal Pettigrew, Evan Richert, Brian Rothschild, Doug Vandemark, Peter Smith Project Duration: 3 years; start date 1 Oct 07; currently year 2 (just)

3 Project Status Report (complete, future) Project Schedule & Milestones (existing system): Maintain buoys + shipboard + wave model in Gulf of Maine Maintain buoys in Long Island Sound Dissemination of Gulf of Maine & Long Island Sound data Project Schedule & Milestones (nutrients): Evaluate, acquire, calibrate, & field test nutrient sensors Deploy nutrient sensors on LIS and Great Bay buoys Interpret nutrient data and deliver to end users Project Schedule & Milestones (NECOFS model): Integrate NECOFS elements (FVCOM, WRF, SWAVE) Develop inundation demonstration products (Scituate & Saco) demo NECOFS hindcasts & forecasts at selected sites

4 Project Status Report (continued) Significant Accomplishments: Success of data integration demonstrated on new Web Presence, showing seamless integration of data from NOAA and regional subsystems including: UMaine, MVCO, UNH CDIP, UNH Great Bay, LISICOS, 4 NERRS… Continued use of IOOS-funded Gulf of Maine buoy data in non-IOOS funded HAB modeling and monitoring. Use of IOOS information to develop water quality criteria in NH Use of Long Island Sound buoy data to interpret long-term measurements of temperature in assessment of precipitous decline in lobster catches Operational delivery of forecast information to NWS as well as novel product development and validation Field deployment of nutrient sensors with successful strategy for mitigation of biofouling

5 Keys to Success and Potential Challenges What worked well? Close alignment with Regional Ocean Governance Council Northeast Regional Ocean Council (NROC) Adopted same priority areas Continued support and leverage of NERACOOS efforts by regional entities e.g., Ocean Data Partnership (EPA / USGS Exchange Network, WHOI HAB work, … Establishment of Independent Office for the Regional Association Unconflicted Challenges Already crowded seascape with many interested parties Resolving challenges Communication and cooperation Recognizing strengths activities of other organizations Working to integrate, leverage, and not duplicate efforts

Current Status: Product Examples Maritime Safety and Maritime Operations –Marine transportation Real-time maritime operation decision support (real-time buoy conditions) –Commercial from Pilots to lobstermen NWS decision support –Meteorological forecasts delivered to two regional forecast centers –Oceanographic (circulation, wave) forecasts to NWS offices –Marine Visibility (buoy observations and future model product) –Marine Icing Potential product being validated by NWS –Search and Rescue (CG decision support) Buoy information (wind, wave, water temp, visibility) HF Radar feed being incorporated into SAROPS Exploring oceanographic forecasts SAROPS feed –Ocean Energy Assisting states in MSP (assessing resource potential, climatogical oceanographic conditions from model fields, etc.) Direct observations funded by developer 6

Current Status: Product Examples Coastal Hazards –Splash over / coastal damage decision support tool used by NWS in storm forecasts –Coastal inundation – house / street level under development at two locations –Real-time buoy conditions Ecosystem Health and Climate Trends –Assisting states in MSP (climatogical oceanographic conditions from model fields, etc.) –LIS Hypoxia – improved model for TMDL development –Fisheries – Northern Shrimp stock assessment tool (GoMOOS), LIS lobster habitat assessment –Eelgrass habitat protection through water clarity studies 7

Current Status: Product Examples Water Quality –HABs – Support established efforts in Gulf of Maine Buoy and satellite measurements in support of non-IOOS funded monitoring, modeling and research Early warning system – Environmental Sample Processor (ESP) purchased Monitoring in the Bay of Fundy (Canadian partners) –Nutrient criteria Real-time and high temporal frequency nutrient sesnors (LIS, NB, & GB) Eelgrass habitat protection (GB) 8

Current Status: Products 9 Products Level One Minimal processing Level Two Value-added RT Data Model Outputs Satellite RT Data Decision SupportMaps Time Series Ecosystem/Climate Trends X X X X X X Water Quality X X X Marine Operations X X X X X X Coastal Hazards X X X X X

Current Status: Observations 10 Platforms Variables/ Platforms Fixed- in water, multi- purpose Fixed- in water single purpose Fixed – on landTransects Remote Sensing Physical 9,18 4 (6) 1,2 1,2 2 Meteorological 9,6 9,6 4 1 Chemical 3,0 3,0 1,2 1,2 Biological 6,1 6,1 1,2 1,2 2 Geological Color code: X# if funded exclusively by NOAA IOOS funds; X if combination of NOAA IOOS funds and other; X is non-NOAA IOOS funds

Current Status: Modeling and DMAC subsystems 11 Modeling*Region-wide**Sub-regionNot at all Atmospheric F-O Circulation F-O Inundation In development Wave F-O H Hydrological X Sediment transport H Water Quality/Ecosystem F-O H Fisheries X DMACCompleteIn-progressNot at all RA Website that serves data X DIF - working to ensure interoperability XXXX Regional Data Portal X * See guidelines for definitions **Regionwide = entire RA

Map 1a: Existing Observing Assets 12

Map 1b: Leveraged Assets 13

Part 2: Looking Forward: Future Plans Assuming $5 million of funding per year, please indicate what your future plans are for your RA. The $5 million should cover activities currently funded by the RA Planning Grants and the RCOOS. 14

15 Products Level OneLevel Two RT Data Model Outputs Satellite RT Data Decision SupportMaps Time Series Ecosystem/Climate Trends X X X X X X X Water Quality X X X X X X X Marine Operations X X X X X X Coastal Hazards X X X X X X Future Plans: Major Products Check “x” all that apply. In your verbal description, you should point out the major differences between this and the current system

16 Variables/ Platforms Fixed- in water, multi- purpose Fixed- in water single purpose Fixed – on landTransects Remote Sensing Physical Meteorological Chemical 25 2 Biological Geological 1 Future Plans: Observations Indicate the # of observations needed for your system

Future Plan: Modeling and DMAC 17 Modeling*Region-wideSub-regionNot at all Atmospheric X X Circulation X X Inundation X X Wave X X Hydrologic X X Sediment transport X X Water quality/ecosystem XX Fisheries DMACYesIn-progressNo RA Website that serves dataXXX DIF - working to ensure interoperabilityXXX Regional Data PortalXXX * See Guidelines for definitions ** Region-wide means entire RA

Future Plans: Map 18

Funding Scenario 19 Briefly describe the major CUTS to the subsystem under the reduced funding scenarios Funding Scenarios$3 million$1 million Modeling Water quality modeling suspended, others reduced Bare bones oceanographic and meteorological only Observing 5 buoys, 9 HF Radars, 7 Gliders, 1 transect funded8 buoys funded DMAC and Product Development New products decreased. Current products sustained. No new products. Maintaining current products difficult RA Management and Outreach Outreach funded at 40%No outreach funded