1. Assistant Administrator National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Ocean Service September 18, 2008 John H. Dunnigan Toward National Height Modernization Keynote

2. Outline Definition of Height Modernization History of Height Modernization Where We Are Today How Height Modernization fits into NOAA’s Goals The Future of Height Modernization: GRAV-D Conclusion

3. Height Modernization is … …the establishment of accurate, reliable heights using GPS technology in conjunction with traditional leveling, gravity, and modern remote sensing information.

4. NOAA’s Geospatial Foundation Geodetic Control Aerial Imagery Flood Plain Mapping Boundaries Surface Waters Transportation Land Ownership Height Modernization provides heights to ALL NOAA programs and observation systems requiring accurate heights. The positional framework NGS provides is integral to supporting the agency’s and the nation’s data collection and validation efforts.

5. The History of Height Modernization In 1994 - First meeting held in Sacramento, CA In 1998, $1.0 M was added to NGS budget to perform Height Modernization Study From 2002-2006, Height Modernization driven mostly by state-specific earmarks In 2007, competitive Height Modernization grants process begins

6. Fiscal YearStates FY 2001CA, NC FY 2002 CA, NC, LA, WI FY 2003CA, NC, LA, WI, MS FY 2004 CA, NC, LA, WI, MS, AL, WA, SC FY 2005 CA, NC, LA, WI, MS, AL, WA, TX, KY FY 2006 CA, NC, WI, MS, AL, SC, TX, KY, AZ FY2007 CA, NC, WI, MS, AL, WA, SC, TX, KY, AZ FY2008 CA, NC, WI, MS, AL, WA, SC, TX, KY, AZ, CO, IL, MI, MN, MT, NM Growing Number of External Partners

7. In FY 2007, Moved to a Competitive, National Process

8. Height Modernization: Where we are today Previously Funded States States that Have Shown an Interest Inactive States NOAA has provided over $3.6M in Height Modernization grants to 17 states in FY 2008. The FY 2009 House and Senate marks allot no discretionary Height Mod Partner funds (only $2.5M National Height Mod Program and $3.376M in earmarks to LA, WI and IL)

9. What Height Modernization Brings to NOAA’s Climate Goal 1)NSRS Supports GEOSS 2)GPS-Met Water vapor studies 3)Monitoring land movement and effects of ground water extraction 4)Accurate flood plain elevations

10. What Height Modernization Brings to NOAA’s Ecosystem Goal: 1)Ecosystem Restoration - Surface Elevation Tables 2)Emergency response - Forest fires - Flooding - Earthquakes 3)Precision agriculture

11. What Height Modernization Brings to NOAA’s Weather and Water Goal More accurate geospatial information for: More accurate flood prediction Better Local forecasts and warnings Improved Heights on levees and dams Flood damage mitigation and reservoir management

12. What Height Modernization Brings to NOAA’s Commerce & Transportation Goal Common consistent geospatial data for: 1)Accurate GIS Mapping 2)Emergency response information 3)Under keel and overhead clearance for ships 4)Accurate vertical datum for ship channel maintenance and dredging 5)Airport obstruction surveys 6)Hurricane Evacuation Routes

13. Height Modernization Activities with Other NOAA Program Offices National Hurricane Center National Weather Service Marine Fisheries Ocean and Atmospheric Research National Ocean Service Some NOAA PPBES Programs the benefit from Height Mod: Coastal & Marine Resources (CMR) Coral Reef Conservation (COR) Ecosystem Observations (EOP) Ecosystem Research (ERP) Habitat (HAB) Climate Observations & Monitoring (COM) Climate Research & Modeling (CRM) Climate Service Development (CSD) Coasts, Estuaries, & Oceans (CEO) Environmental Modeling (MOD) Hydrology (HYD) Local Forecasts & Warnings (LFW) Space Weather (SWX) Tsunami (TSU) Aviation Weather (AWX ) Marine Transportation System (MTS) Marine Weather (MWX) NOAA Emergency Response (EMR) Surface Weather (SFC) Regional Decision Support (RDS)

14.  GRAV-D: Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum  Will redefine and improve the vertical component of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).  Will improve GPS elevation accuracy to within 2cm compared to as much as 2m today Enabling at-risk communities to: plan evacuation routes model storm surge monitor sea-level rise monitor levee subsidence improve flood plain maps The Future of Height Modernization : GRAV-D

15. Take Home Message - Conclusion NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey / Geodesy Program is leading the National Height Modernization Program effort Height Modernization provides the fundamental infrastructure for all NOAA activities requiring accurate heights Height Modernization is critical to NOAA planning and decision making