1. Ocean Observatories Initiative
Julie Morris Division of Ocean Sciences National Science Foundation
Public Policy Forum on Ocean Science Infrastructure
Washington, DC
February 28, 2008

2. Ocean Observatories Initiative
Global
Coastal
Regional
Cyberinfrastructure
Coastal ecosystem response to environmental change
Ocean-atmosphere exchange, turbulent mixing, and biophysical interactions
Chemistry and biology of fluids and life in the crust
The ocean’s role in climate change and impacts on ocean processes
Expanded power and bandwidth to the seafloor
Interactive capabilities
Integrated components
Reconfigurable network components
New way to provide access to the ocean for education/public awareness
Dynamics of oceanic lithosphere and Earth’s interior

3. OOI Development Activities 2007
Award of Implementing Organizations
Regional Scale Nodes - March
Cyberinfrastructure - May
Coastal/Global Regional Scale Nodes - August
Adaptation of Preliminary Network Design in response to community comments - August-October
“Blue Ribbon” Science Review - October
Worthy investment that when fully implemented will advance the understanding of ocean and Earth processes
Several recommendations focusing on oversight, sensors, data access, education and public outreach
Preliminary Design Review - December
OOI will fundamentally change the way science is done in the ocean
OOI Project team commended for amount of work and level of detail required to bring the OOI to PDR
Successful at PDR level, but project not at FDR level
Recommendations focused on education planning, project and design reviews, CI management and implementation, and risk mitigation

4. OOI Status Budget Rollout Next steps
Legacy projects (NEON, ARRV and OOI) will now go through MREFC process for new projects, which requires successful Final Design Review (FDR) before asking NSB for approval, or Congress for additional construction funds
OCE will fund OOI planning in FY ’08, ’09, in anticipation of starting construction in FY ‘10
Next steps
Preparation for FDR October/November 2008