1 External Review of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program A Presentation to the NOAA Science Advisory Board Dr. Barbara Moore NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Director, National Undersea Research Program July 26, 2006

2 Outline Purpose Issue Background on NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program Key Questions Current Status Desired Outcome

3 Purpose Get SAB input on Design and content of external program review. Conducting the review. Possible SAB role in review.

4 Issue 1.How best to design and implement an external review of the NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program (CRCP).

5 Mission: To support effective management and sound science to preserve, sustain and restore valuable coral reef ecosystems. Roles: 1.Lead the cross-NOAA matrix Program: Implement the Coral Reef Conservation Act Address other drivers (National Action Strategy) Plan and Coordinate program components (National Program, Grants Program, Coral Reef Fund). Manage annual appropriations. Work with many partners to fulfill mission. 2.Lead and support the U.S. Coral Reef Task Force. What is the CRCP?

6 Who is the CRCP? NOAA partners –4 Line Offices (NOS, NMFS, OAR, NESDIS) –30 NOAA offices –Broad NOAA participation External partners - State, Territory Governments - Local Resource Managers - Resource Users - Private Sector - Federal Agencies - International Partners - Academia - Local Communities - NGOs

7 NOSNMFSOARNESDIS NOAA Leadership Coordinated Activities Joint Spending Plans, Outyear Plans, Performance Tracking Program Manager (David Kennedy) +++= Senior Council David Kennedy Pat Montanio Al Powell Barbara Moore CRCP “Matrix” Program Staff Team

8 Operating Principles Scope: International in scope, Regional/Local in implementation Foster Partnerships: state and territory governments, federal agencies, industry, NGOs, academia Build Capacity: state and territories, reef managers Implement Solutions: institutionalize experience, promote “ecosystem approaches” for effective management solutions.

9 CRCP Goals and Tools Goals Assess and Characterize U.S. Coral Reefs Increase Effectiveness and Use of MPAs Reduce Adverse Impacts of Fishing Reduce Impacts of Coastal Uses Reduce Impacts of Pollution and Coral Disease Reduce Threats to International Coral Reefs Reduce Impacts of Climate Change Address Emerging Issues Tools Research and Modeling Mapping, Monitoring, Assessment Outreach and Education Management and Stewardship

10 Main Program Components 1.National Program – Provides funding, tools, services through NOAA offices to address Program goals. 2.Grants Program – Matching grants in six categories: 1.State/territory Coral Reef Management 2.State/territory Coral Reef Monitoring 3.Coral Reef Ecosystem Research 4.Improve Coral Reef Fishery Management Plans 5.General Coral Reef Conservation 6.International Coral Reef Conservation 3.Coral Reef Conservation Fund – Matching grants to build public-private partnerships for coral reef conservation (National Fish and Wildlife Foundation)

11 Funding Categories and Leverage Program Component FY06 Funding% of Total FY06 Funding Estimated External Leverage (Based on FY05) National Program $18,130,77765%$10,000,000 Grants Program$6,523, %$2,780,182 Coral Fund$493,1001.8%$2,200,000 Coral Reef Institutes $2,751,7799.9%$9,540,000 Totals$27,898,893100%$24,520,182

12 Why conduct a Program Review? –Assess past and current performance over program life ( ); –Identify ways to improve how program functions (formal NOAA matrix program); –Identify ways to improve progress towards program goals/objectives; –Identify key focal areas for future attention.

13 How design a review to meet these needs? –Get external input from panel of experts? –Get input from partners, stakeholders, clients etc to inform review? –What kind of information is needed to conduct review? –Who/how to implement the review to ensure superior and respected outcome.

14 Current Status Planning for External review is underway. Input from the SAB will be used to design External Review.

15 Desired Outcome Get SAB input on Design and content of external program review. Conducting the review. Possible SAB role in review.

16 Backup Slides

17 FY06 CRCP Investments by Goals and Tools GOAL Research (incl. socio) & Modeling MappingMonitoring and Assessment Outreach and Education Management and Stewardship OtherTotals Assess and Characterize (CREIOS) 6.7%21.5%0.1%0.2%28.9% Reduce Impacts of Coastal Uses 0.4%0.1%0.61.5%2.6%5.2% Reduce Adverse Impacts of Fishing 4.7%0.2%1.5%1.1%5.4%12.9% Reduce Impacts of Pollution & Disease 2.5%0.90.5%2.6%6.6% Improve Effectiveness of MPAs (Inc. 12.4% for NWHI Reserve) 1.9%0.2%1.1%0.3%14.5%17.9% Reduce Global Threats to Reefs 0.5%0.1%2.9%3.5% Reduce Impacts of Climate Change 0.1%0.2%0.1% 0.6% Address Deep Sea Coral Communities Address Emerging Issues 0.5%0.3%0.8% Coral Reef Institutes 9.9%4.0%9.9% National and Regional Program Implementation 0.6%2.7%0.3%2.2%8.1%13.8% TOTALS 20.5%7.3%29.2%4.0%30.9%8.1%100%