NERACOOS

2009 Regional Coordination Workshop Seattle, WA August 25, 2009 1

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)

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 3

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 4

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 5

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

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

Variables/

Platforms

Current Status: Observations

Fixed in water, multi purpose Fixed in water single purpose Fixed – on land Transects Remote Sensing Physical 9

,

18 Meteorological 9 , 6 4 4 (6) 1 , 2 2 1 Chemical Biological 3 , 0 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 10

Current Status: Modeling and DMAC subsystems

Modeling*

Atmospheric Circulation Inundation Wave Hydrological Sediment transport Water Quality/Ecosystem Fisheries Region-wide** Sub-region F-O F-O F-O F-O X F-O In development H Not at all F-O H H X

DMAC

RA Website that serves data DIF - working to ensure interoperability Regional Data Portal Complete XXXX X In-progress Not at all X * See guidelines for definitions **Regionwide = entire RA 11

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

Future Plans: Major Products

Products Ecosystem/Climate Trends Level One RT Data Model Outputs Satellite RT Data Level Two Decision Support Maps X X X X X X Water Quality X X X X X X Marine Operations X X X X X Time Series X X X Coastal Hazards X X X X X X

Check “x” all that apply. In your verbal description, you should point out the major differences between this and the current system

15

• Variables/ Platforms

Future Plans: Observations

Fixed in water, multi purpose Fixed in water single purpose Fixed – on land Transects Remote Sensing Physical 25+ Meteorological 25 Chemical 25 Biological Geological 25 9 4 2 2 2 2 1 1 1 1

Indicate the # of observations needed for your system

16

Future Plan: Modeling and DMAC

Modeling*

Atmospheric Circulation Inundation Wave Hydrologic Sediment transport Water quality/ecosystem Fisheries

DMAC

RA Website that serves data DIF - working to ensure interoperability Regional Data Portal Region-wide X X X X X X X Yes XXX XXX XXX Sub-region X X X X X X X Not at all In-progress No * See Guidelines for definitions ** Region-wide means entire RA 17

Future Plans: Map

18

Funding Scenario

Briefly describe the major CUTS to the subsystem under the reduced funding scenarios

Funding Scenarios Modeling Observing DMAC and Product Development $3 million $1 million Water quality modeling suspended, others reduced Bare bones oceanographic and meteorological only 5 buoys, 9 HF Radars, 7 Gliders, 1 transect funded New products decreased. Current products sustained.

8 buoys funded No new products. Maintaining current products difficult RA Management and Outreach Outreach funded at 40% No outreach funded 19