Mid-Atlantic Coastal Observing Regional Association: A Federation of Subregional Systems W. C. Boicourt University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science

Where do we stand? I.What are Regional Associations? II.MACOORA: an Abbreviated History III.Assets IV.Expectations V.Pathways Ahead

IOOS Coastal Component Operated by Federal Agencies EEZ & Great Lakes Core variables  required by regions Networks  sentinel stations  reference stations Standards/Protocols  QAQC, DMAC  Products Regional Associations  Design  Operate Involve private sectors, NGOs, State Agencies  Design, Operate  Use  Evaluate Incorporate  Subregional systems  Elements thereof Enhance the Backbone based on User Needs Regional COOS’s National Backbone

People Existing Observing Assets

Proto NEOS – 1999 Solomons, MD Workshop Classic NEOS – NEOS Revival – 2003 Maryland & New Hampshire Workshops Response to Ocean.US & NOAA requests MARA – MACOORA 2004 MACOORA Pre-History: The North East Observing System (NEOS)

Operational Observation Networks for Ports, A Large Estuary and an Open Shelf – PORTS – Physical Oceanographic Real Time System CBOS – Chesapeake Bay Observing System LEO – Longterm Ecosystem Observatory Challenges and Promise of Designing and Implementing an Ocean Observing System for U.S. Coastal Waters Solomons, Maryland Glenn et al., 2000

Proto NEOS – 1999 Solomons, MD Workshop Classic NEOS – NEOS Revival – 2003 Maryland & New Hampshire Workshops Response to Ocean.US & NOAA requests MARA – MACOORA 2004 MACOORA Pre-History: The North East Observing System (NEOS)

User-Driven USERS OS

Early OS’s from the Outside World Science-crazed, jargon-talking, condescending, sneering, sniveling, and ultimately unreliable Academics USERS

Regional Assumptions Regional Assumptions MACOORA will oversee Evolution and Operation of Regional Observing System— MARCOOS Operational; 24/7 Federal and Regional Support will be handled through RA User Engagement Essential for Sustainability Diversity Necessary at both User and Provider ends of Spectrum Transition from Research-Driven Systems

Regional Associations: CRITERIA (formulated from the community via Ocean.US leadership) Formalized partnerships have been established within a region. Provision of an acceptable business plan Expected economic impacts Capable of routine, sustained, 24-hour-a- day operations Data and information management Free and open access to the data collected; and Adhere to standards and protocols

MACOORA Subregional Components

Additional Challenges for MACOORA 9 States How to integrate Subregionals while preserving their autonomy? Region not Replete with Earmarked Systems (Subregional or Regional)

MACOORA Assets Regional Association Designation People→Users 9 Coastal States –Water Quality –Emergency Management—Storm Surges, Waves,.. –Coastal Zone Management Major Estuaries, Ports, and Harbors, most with developing PORTS systems—part of Federal Backbone Industries— –Navigation –Fisheries –Energy Production –Marine Recreation –….

Assets, cont’d Subregional Systems in place, most not earmarked NOPP Experience Education—Outreach—Sea Grants, COSEE, NERRs NEOS Heritage—Structure, Cooperation HF Radar Network

Next Steps Set Out on Road to Certification Organization/Governance Structure—set up Working Group Business Plan, Economic Impact, Working Group? Federation of Subregionals—Coordinate Subregional Meetings Initiate Data Management and Collection Operations Develop Priorities and Communicate to Implementation Plan Development

Next Steps, cont’d Coordinate with other RA’s through NFRA Acquire an Executive Officer Pilot Project Users—Community Support PLENARY MACOORA MEETING MAY 2005

Organization/Governance

MACOORA and Subregionals: the new Federalism? Articles of Confederation 5 Subregionals 9 States Hierarchy of User Scales Mutually Beneficial Structure: Both face similar challenges in attempt to develop user base and through this, a sustainable, operational observing system

Organization/Governance

Community Model Hydrodynamics— ROMS/TOMS Li and Zhong

The Wired Watershed USGS NEON CLEANER CUASI LTER SERC

CBOS Assets Wallops Coastal Ocean Observation Lab WA-COOL USACE FRF

CBOS Assets People→Users Coastal States, Watershed States, D.C. –Water Quality –Emergency Management—Storm Surges, Waves,.. –Coastal Zone Management Major Estuarine System, Ports, and Harbors Industries— –Navigation –Fisheries –Marine Recreation –Energy Production –….

CBOS Next Steps RA Mandate—Governance and Structure User Involvement of Paramount Importance MARA Meeting Spring 2005 IOOS in 2005 Budget Pilot Project—Waves, Winds, and O 2 –Data Management and Interoperability –Product Development Watershed

CBOS Buoy Mark III

CBOS Goals at the Outset  Research  Forecasts and Warnings  Long-Term Ecosystem Change  Change Detection Models  Indices of Ecosystem Health  Education

REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAMS Drawn from GAIN Partners Program Management Data Management Satellite Data HF Radar Data Coastal Meteorology Nowcasting & Forecasting Product Generation & DistributionSUB-REGIONALOBSERVATORIES GAIN Partners Observing Systems GoMOOS MVOC Narragansett PORTS NJSOS NYHOS NY-PORTS Delaware PORTS DBOS CBOS CB-PORTS WA-COOL FRF-Duck NC-SEACOOSCROSS-CUTTING WORKING GROUPS GAIN Partners Science Groups Technology Groups Products Applications Data Management Modeling Education Outreach Marketing Economic Impact Legal NEOS (ne' os) n. [fr. Greek neos: new]: 1. In a new, different, or modified way. 2. A GAIN Partnership-driven Coastal Collaboratory for the Northeast U.S. NEOS : The North East Observing System Operational Groups Operational Groups

PARTNERSADVISORYBOARD REGIONALFUNDINGSOURCES REGIONAL SUPPORT TEAMS SUB-REGIONALOBSERVATORIES CROSS CUTTING WORKING GROUPS LOCALFUNDINGSOURCES NEOSOPERATIONALBOARD SCIENCEADVISORYBOARD RESEARCHFUNDINGAGENCIES GENERALPUBLIC Roles and Responsibilities: BLUE = Innovation & Implementation RED = Advice & Accountability GREEN = Feedback & Funding NEOS (ne' os) n. [fr. Greek neos: new]: 1. In a new, different, or modified way. 2. A GAIN Partnership-driven Coastal Collaboratory for the Northeast U.S. NEOS : The North East Observing System Rooted in Science, Conducted in Partnership, Delivered through Innovation GAIN Partners: Government Academic Industry Non-Profit Advantages:

Assumptions, cont’d Assumptions, cont’d Transition from Research-Driven Systems New Partnerships