 2. Drivers
and Trends for SOCD Research
Key drivers for SOCD research are found at many levels and consist of
legal, policy guidance, mission/user requirements, and operational
responsibilities. At the highest level, Congress and the President have
provided some explicit guidance within legal mandates, as well as through
established plans and policies and the annual budgeting process.
2.1 Mandates
The following legal mandates provide the most direct guidance. Numerous
additional mandates and interagency agreements exist to guide SOCD
efforts. All facets of SOCD's efforts directly align with these
mandates.
- United States Code Title 33, Chapter 17, Section 883j, "Ocean
Satellite Data": The Administrator of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration … shall take such actions,
including the sponsorship of applied research, as may be necessary to
assure the future availability and usefulness of ocean satellite data to
the maritime community.
- United State Code Title 42, Chapter 68: Federal
Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Federal Response Plan (FRP), April
1999 that implements the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and
Emergency Assistance Act, as amended (Public Law 106-390) The
FRP tasks the Department of Commerce (DOC) with acquiring and
disseminating weather data, forecasts, and emergency information,
providing information on natural resources, predicting pollution
movement, and providing information on meteorological, hydrological,
ice, and oceanographic conditions.
- United State Code Title 15, Chapter 9 Section 313:
The Secretary of Commerce shall have charge of the forecasting
of weather, the issue of storm warnings, … for the
benefit of agriculture, commerce, and navigation, … and the
collection and transmission of marine intelligence for the benefit of
commerce and navigation, … the distribution of meteorological
information in the interests of agriculture and commerce, and
the taking of such meteorological observations as may be necessary to
establish and record the climatic conditions of the United States, or as
are essential for the proper execution of the foregoing
duties
- United State Code Title 16, Chapter 38, Subchapter 1,
Section 1801 "Fishery Conservation and Management":
The Congress finds and declares the following:
- The collection of reliable data is essential to the
effective conservation, management, and scientific understanding of
the fishery resources of the United States.
- Habitat considerations should receive increased
attention for the conservation and management of fishery resources
of the United States.
It is further declared to be the policy of the Congress …to assure
that the national fishery conservation and management program utilizes, and is
based upon, the best scientific information available; involves, and is
responsive to the needs of, interested and affected States and citizens;
considers efficiency; draws upon Federal, State, and academic
capabilities in carrying out research, administration, management, and
enforcement ….
Additionally, the following legislative mandates are the impetus for
satellite ocean remote sensing research, applications, and products in
support of NOAA outcomes, the Ecosystems and Climate Mission Goals, and
the National Marine Fisheries and National Ocean Service line offices. The
areas currently supported by satellite ocean remote sensing under each
mandate are identified.
- Endangered Species Act of 1973 U.S.C. 1653-1543.
Protected Species Investigations.
- Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1973 U.S.C. 1361-
1407. Protected Species Investigations.
- Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act 16
USC 1801-1 1882. Protection and Restoration of Critical
Habitat.
- National Marine Sactuaries Act (PL 106-513).
Sustainable Seas Experiment.
- National Environmental Policy Act of 1971 42 USC 4321 et
seq. Protected Species Investigations.
- Marine Protection, Research and Sanctuaries Act PL 104-283.
National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS) / Center for Coastal
Monitoring and Assessment (CCMA) efforts.
- Harmful Algal Bloom and Hypoxia Research and Control Act
of 1988. 33 U.S.C. 1121 et seq.Monitoring and event response.
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Dept. of Commerce • NOAA • NESDIS • STAR • Last revised: June 15, 2010