13^th NOAA SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD MEETING
BOULDER, COLORADO
July 9-11, 2002

MINUTES APPROVED BY THE SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD

Tuesday, July 9, 2002 - Millennium Harvest House Hotel

Official Call to Order and Review of Meeting Format

Michael Uhart, Executive Director, NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) opened the meeting. As the Science Advisory Board is a Federal Advisory Committee, Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) rules and procedures for public input were presented. The following SAB members were present: Al Beeton, Vera Alexander, Otis Brown, Susan Hanna, Art Maxwell, Len Pietrafesa, Jake Rice, Denise Stephenson-Hawk, Soroosh Sorooshian, and Warren Washington. NOAA line office representatives in attendance included Louisa Koch (NOAA Research), Michael Sissenwine (National Marine Fisheries Service), Jamie Hawkins (National Ocean Service) and Stan Wilson (National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service).

Introduction of the NOAA SAB Board Members and Opening Statement of the Chair

Al Beeton, Chair of the NOAA Science Advisory Board, welcomed the members and NOAA officials to the thirteenth NOAA SAB meeting. The members of the SAB introduced themselves.

Welcoming Remarks and Opening Statement by the Under Secretary

Vice Admiral Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. (Ret.), Under Secretary for Oceans and Atmosphere, welcomed everybody to the meeting and to the Boulder area, center of NOAA atmospheric science and research. The Board is important to NOAA for the connection it provides to the science community and the Nation. NOAA has completed an internal program review and he has asked each of the SAB members to help him with carrying out the recommendations of the report. The report will serve to build a strong NOAA corporate structure, which is important for the future of NOAA. There are plans to establish a NOAA Research Committee with centralized science policy coordination and integration.

Report of the SAB Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory (CMDL) Review Panel and SAB Discussion

Robert Harriss, Director of the National Center for Atmospheric Research Environmental & Societal Impacts Group, briefed the SAB on the review of CMDL and its outcomes, findings and recommendations. The review was conducted under the auspices of the SAB, and SAB members Art Maxwell and Len Pietrafesa participated in the review as members of the Review Panel. SAB Chair Al Beeton and SAB Executive Director Michael Uhart also attended the review to evaluate the role of the SAB in the laboratory reviews and the application of the SAB laboratory and science review guidelines. NOAA senior management at the review were Louisa Koch, Deputy Assistant Administrator for NOAA Research, David Hofmann, Director of CMDL, and Russell Callender, Director of the NOAA Research Office of Scientific Support.

In his briefing, Dr. Harriss provided background on the significance of the programs and projects at CMDL. CMDL has a world-wide reputation for quality and relevance, with a blending of observational techniques and monitoring with good science. CMDL products contribute to the development of National policy. One example is stratospheric ozone monitoring, the results of which contributed to the decisions coming out of the Montreal Protocol.

The Review Panel made recommendations to the SAB and to NOAA Research thath are intended to maintain CMDL as a core national asset. The recommendations address replacement of equipment and maintenance of a monitoring baseline, development of an aggressive effort to enhance its human resources, development of new cross-cutting research initiatives to follow on the successes of the carbon cycle initiative, and the provision of adequate resources to meet the CMDL mission. SAB members and the NOAA senior management representatives at the meeting discussed CMDL operations and resources and the Review Panel report and recommendations.

***MOTION: Dr. Pietrafesa motioned that the SAB forward the Review Panel report to NOAA Research with the following recommendation. Dr. Otis Brown seconded the motion. After further discussion, the SAB passed the motion unanimously.

The SAB endorses the Review Panel recommendations regarding the scientific programs of the NOAA Climate Monitoring and Diagnostics Laboratory. Further, the SAB requests that NOAA Research report back to the SAB within one year regarding the status of the recommendations. Public Statement - Jim Souby, Executive Director, Western Governors Association

Mr. Jim Souby, Executive Director of the Western Governors' Association (WGA), introduced himself and provided a written statement. He described the membership of the WGA and mentioned their work with NOAA over the last decade on coastal and aquatic issues. He described the four priorities of the WGA following their annual meeting.

1. Forest health. WGA has been working with the Bush Administration and partnered with the United States Department of Agriculture, the Department of the Interior and other land management agencies to establish a 10 year management strategy. A strategy of this length is a difficult political problem because it is not an annual budget issue. NOAA assistance could be provided in determining the probability of lightning strikes and other relevant advice.

2. Energy. There is a convergence of contributing factors such as drought in the west, hot weather in the southwest, and Canadian hydropower reductions. Electricity issues of 14 states in the region are interconnected.

3. Drought. Congress has introduced legislation that stresses advanced preparedness and planning at the local and watershed level. NOAA has a major role through the drought mitigation center and other research activities, but WGA would like to see NOAA even more involved.

4. Improvement of environmental management systems. Improvements are possible in management of air quality, water quality, habitat, invasive and endangered species, etc. The highest priority of the Western Regional Air Partnership is regional haze. This issue will be included in the Administration's clear skies initiative and a proposed market-based system of management. WGA also manages the development of the Mexican emission inventory system, training local communities to inventory emission sources.

Mr. Souby also described Enlibra, WGA principles for environmental management in the west. The 10-year forest health strategy and the Western Regional Air Partnership are good examples of the Enlibra principles. Mr. Souby also discussed the potential for more cooperation between WGA and NOAA and the SAB. WGA has working groups of their own that bring information to the governors. He described a collaborative project with NASA and indicated that WGA has advocated increased funding for agencies where they see a mutual interest. The SAB agreed to distribute copies of Mr. Souby's written statement to the appropriate NOAA management.

Presentation on the NOAA Space Environment Center and SAB Discussion Dr. Ernest Hildner, Director of the NOAA Space Environment Center (SEC), described the position of the SEC in the organization of NOAA, indicating that it is not only a NOAA Research laboratory but is also part of the National Weather Service National Centers for Environmental Prediction. He described the SEC mission, including monitoring and prediction of the Earth's space environment. The SEC is the Nation's official source of space weather alerts, warnings and forecasts and is a multi-agency effort. Dr. Hildner described some benefits to society of space weather monitoring and forecasts, to satellites, navigation, airlines, astronauts, communication, and the distribution of electric power. Space weather refers to conditions in space that can influence the performance and reliability of space-borne and ground-based technological systems and can endanger human life or health. He described the space weather scales for three kinds of storms; geomagnetic storms, solar radiation storms and radio blackouts. The scales have been published in French German, Spanish and Chinese. Research and development at the SEC focuses on understanding the physics of storm-time changes and obtaining observations to drive and validate models, alerts, and forecasts. There is a new Solar X-ray Imaging instrument on the GOES 12 geostationary satellite that will be activated within a year and will provide dramatic images of the sun. The SEC holds Space Weather Week each year that provides valuable vendor contacts and user feedback. Dr. Hildner discussed SEC human resource needs, with a staff that is 50% smaller than several years ago and an increased demand for products.


Wednesday, July 10, 2002 - Millennium Harvest House Hotel

Official Call to Order and Review of Meeting Format Michael Uhart, Executive Director, NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) called the meeting to order. The following SAB members were present: Al Beeton, Vera Alexander, Otis Brown, Susan Hanna, Art Maxwell, Len Pietrafesa, Jake Rice, Denise Stephenson-Hawk, Soroosh Sorooshian, and Warren Washington.

NOAA-Academia Partnership Building Conference - Final Report Dr. Len Pietrafesa, SAB member and a member of the Conference Steering Committee, presented the final workshop report of the NOAA-Academia Partnership Building Conference held November 14 and 15, 2002 in Washington, DC. From the conference and subsequent feedback, the Steering Committee identified a general recommendation on the NOAA Strategic Plan and five priority issues. The general recommendation was as follows:

As the NOAA strategic plan is updated and revised, we urge that two general principles be incorporated across the body of the plan:

A. Research and Education should be recognized as part of the core mission of NOAA.
B. The partnership with the academic community should be recognized as one of the principle means toward fulfilling NOAA's mission.

The five priority issues were identified as follows:

Although many topics and themes were identified during the course of the conference, five areas have been identified as crosscutting priorities that emerged from the workshop groups:

1. Improve observation and prediction capabilities and data dissemination.
2. Formalize education and outreach as a core NOAA mission area.
3. Streamline and modernize data management and dissemination.
4. Utilize a broader approach to ecosystems and living marine resources.
5. Explore new opportunities and evaluate current partnership efforts: centers of excellence.

Dr. Pietrafesa described the conference proceedings and provided more details of the activities and outcomes of each of the thematic sessions. He noted that the report of the NOAA Program Review Team conveyed many of the same ideas that were expressed at the conference. Dr. Beeton reported that he had spoken with Kerry Bolognese from NASULGC, who was having 1000 glossy copies of the conference proceedings prepared, and will also send the report summary via internet to attendees.

The SAB discussed alternatives for forwarding the Steering Committee recommendations and conference proceedings to NOAA for implementation. It was noted that many of the recommendations in the conference proceedings Integrated Action Plan, while well intentioned, were not practical or within the scope of the NOAA mission, and reflected every recommendation that was expressed, without critical analysis of merit.. However, many of the good ideas could be utilized in implementing the Program Review Team recommendations.

***MOTION: Dr. Maxwell motioned that the report of the conference be forwarded to NOAA senior management for consideration in the implementation of the recommendations of the Program Review Team. Dr. Rice seconded the motion. After further discussion, it was suggested that the cover letter should express the importance to NOAA of partnerships with constituents, and the value of the advice from outside NOAA that is contained in the conference reporter. The motion was passed by a unanimous vote.

The SAB also decided to review those items identified as SAB responsibility in the Integrated Action Plan, and determine what actions are appropriate, at the next SAB meeting scheduled in November 2002.

Report of the SAB Geodesy Program Review Panel and SAB Discussion

Dr. Len Pietrafesa, SAB member and Chair of the Review Panel, presented the final report of the SAB-sponsored Panel on Assessing Geodesy Research in the National Ocean Service. Dr. Pietrafesa described the mission and technology goals of the Geodesy program and the many uses of its products and services. The National Geodetic Survey (NGS) is also responsible for the Continuously Operating Reference System (CORS) that provides Global Positioning System users with a link to the National Spatial Reference System for positional determination. Expansion of the CORS network would improve accuracy and resolution of positioning. The NGS is working with partners to increase coverage from the current 200 sites to 500 nationally. To keep pace with increasing demands for accurate and precise positioning information that influences everyday lives, commercial activities, public works, environmental protection and national security, the review panel makes the following recommendations for NGS:

1. NGS must not only retain, but also enhance its research enterprise.
2. Develop and implement a management of science planning process.
3. Develop interaction with GIS community both at the national and international levels.
4. Facilitate a nationally integrated, seamless CORS network, consolidate CORS activities and advance the next generation of CORS.
5. Distinguish among research, development and operational activities.
6. Emphasize hydrographic surveys.
7. Represent geodetic user community to GPS management.
8. Transfer the absolute gravimetry program responsibility and facility.

SAB discussion of the report focused on the need for NGS to develop partnership opportunities to address research workforce reductions; possibilities for cost sharing or reimbursement for product delivery as a means of funding research; increased collaboration with other geodetic activties outside of NOAA; better identification of core customer needs and priority services as the demand for NGS products increases dramatically; the need to evaluate the tasks and responsibilities that NGS has historically assumed and is presently conducting, but that may be more efficiently and/or cost effectively available from other federal agencies or organizations; and the possibility that NOAA might want to undertake an assessment project regarding the mission requirements of NGS. The assessment project would include a review of the organizational structure and approach to serving customers, given that technology has changed greatly in the last 20 years.

***MOTION: Dr. Washington motioned that the SAB accept the report of the panel, that Dr. Pietrafesa take the SAB comments and concerns back to the review panel for consideration, and that the SAB continue to review the NGS issues. The motion was seconded and was passed unanimously.

SAB discussion of the SAB Eight Themes for Science Reviews

The SAB discussed the application of the SAB eight themes for science reviews in the Geodesy Program Review Panel Report and the other science reviews which the SAB has sponsored. Given that NOAA is increasing the use of matrix management to improve coordination among line offices, there will be more blends of research and operations. The SAB lab/science review criteria were primarily developed to ascertain if laboratories and science programs are using the best science to support the NOAA mission, and not necessarily for review of operational components. The SAB might want to review research in the context of the mission responsibilities of the unit that is being reviewed Dr. Beeton asked the SAB members to examine the SAB lab/science review guidelines again and sent comments to Dr. Uhart.

Briefings and Discussions on Activities of SAB Subcommittees and Working Groups

Subcommittee on Education: Dr. Stephenson-Hawk, Chair of the Subcommittee on Education, provided the SAB with a written comparison of the PRT recommendations regarding education at NOAA with the recommendations which were previously suggested by the SAB Subcommittee on Education. The recommendations in the PRT met or exceeded the recommendations of the Education Subcommittee. Education was defined in the NOAA Education White Paper as "a proactive communication imparting the value of NOAA science, products and services to K-12, college, graduate and postgraduate students and to educators and people of the nation and the world; promoting environmental stewardship and public safety; and fostering a sustainable economy."

PRT recommendation 55 proposes the renaming of the NOAA Office of Sustainable Development and Intergovernmental Affairs as the Office of Education and Sustainable Development. The Office Director has been tasked to work with the Education Committee to develop an Office plan. Dr. Stephenson-Hawk attended an Education Committee meeting in mid June where a percentage funding level for Education was discussed but not resolved. She presented the SAB with two questions for consideration: will the Office of Education and Sustainable Development coordinate/administer all NOAA education, research and outreach contracts awarded to educational institutions; and, will the SAB eight science themes be incorporated into NOAA Education strategic and operational plans.

Climate and Global Change Working Group: Dr. Otis Brown reported on the winter meeting of the Climate and Global Change Working Group. The main objective of the meeting was the integration of the request for end-to-end budget initiatives. Representatives of each of the line offices attended the meeting. The working group reviewed the parts of NOAA which are taking responsibility for certain pieces of the end-to-end processes and considered what would make reasonable initiatives, consistent with the mission and within certain budget envelopes. Gaps in some of the initiatives were also discussed, as was the sometimes lengthy transition from research to operations, the so-called "valley of death." It was clear that the National Weather Service identified itself as home for many of the functions, especially climate forecasting. In NOAA Research, advanced research initiatives were providing products that could be placed into operation, but it was unclear who would be responsible for the transition. The results of the deliberations were to be used in developing the 2004 budget initiatives. The Assistant Administrators of the NWS, NOAA Research and the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service would like the Working Group to look at the breadth of NOAA climate activities. They also propose to reduce the number of climate advisory bodies through appropriate mergers. The SAB Council on Long Term Climate Monitoring could be one of the affected advisory groups.

Dr. Nancy Foster Scholarship Program: A written annual summary of the scholarship program was provided to SAB member, describing the status of the scholarship program, the status of applications for the 2002-2003 scholarships, and the five scholarships that were awarded for 2001-2002. The summary was prepared by Ruth Moore, NOAA National Ocean Service.

SAB Motion Regarding the Report of the NOAA Program Review Team After SAB discussion about the options for officially transmitting comments on the report of the Program Review team, Dr. Len Pietrafesa offered the following recommendation.

***MOTION: Dr. Rice moved to accept the following recommendation, Dr. Alexander seconded, and the motion was passed unanimously.

The SAB considers the report of the Program Review Team an important step toward positioning NOAA to better respond to the demands of the present and transforming the agency to meet the challenges of the future. The Board applauds the NOAA Administrator for having moved expeditiously with implementation of those recommendations he has accepted from the report. The Board looks forward to seeing the new NOAA strategic plan that will be based on these recommendations. Further, the Board recommends that the NOAA Administrator communicate to the Department of Commerce and the Office of Management and Budget the Board's support for his actions in this planning effort.


Thursday, July 11, 2002 - Millennium Harvest House Hotel

Official Call to Order and Review of Meeting Format

Michael Uhart, Executive Director, NOAA Science Advisory Board (SAB) opened the meeting. As the Science Advisory Board is a Federal Advisory Committee, Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) rules and procedures for public input were presented. The following SAB members were present: Al Beeton, Vera Alexander, Susan Hanna, Art Maxwell, Len Pietrafesa, Jake Rice, Denise Stephenson-Hawk, and Soroosh Sorooshian.

Council on Long Term Climate Monitoring Terms of Reference and Nominees for Subcommittee Membership

Dr. Beeton reminded the SAB that the Council on Long Term Climate Monitoring (CLTCM) Chair, Tom Karl, asked the SAB to accept the CLTCM as a working group. This was accepted at the June 2001 meeting, but without approval of Terms of Reference. Dr. Karl has provided a Terms of Reference and a list of nominees for CLTCM membership, for review and approval by the SAB. The SAB reviewed the Terms of Reference and made changes to terms of service language to make it consistent with the terms of service for SAB members as specified in the SAB charter. Other procedural and editorial changes were also recommended.

***MOTION: Dr. Alexander motioned that the SAB approve the CLTCM Terms of Reference as revised by the SAB. Dr. Rice seconded the motion, and it was approved unanimously by the Board.

Dr. Maxwell suggested that Rick Rosen (Vice President and Chief Scientist at Atmospheric & Environmental Research, Inc.) and Ferris Webster (Professor at the University of Delaware College of Marine Sciences) be added to the list of primary nominees to the CLTCM. Dr. Beeton, as SAB chair and in accordance with the approved Terms of Reference, approved the list with the addition of the two individuals proposed, and will consult with the James Mahoney, Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and NOAA Deputy Administrator, for final determination of the CLTCM membership.

Agenda Items for Future Meetings

The SAB discussed potential agenda items for future meetings, including:

1. Geodesy review panel responses to SAB comments.
2. Review of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences
3. Report of the Social Science Review Panel
4. Possible meeting with the NOAA Research Council
5. Status of the NWS-NOAA Research Joint Planning Teams
6. Update on the NOAA Climate Change Research Initiative
7. A briefing of the SAB on advocacy limitations and financial disclosure requirements.
8. Revisiting the SAB lab/science review guidelines.
9. SAB advice and constructive input on setting performance measures at NOAA
10. SAB responsibilities identified in the NOAA-Academia Partnership Conference report.

Board members were asked to email other suggestions to Dr. Uhart.

Public Statement - Mark McCaffrey, President, Boulder Creek Water Initiative

Mr. Mark McCaffrey, President of the Boulder Creek Water Initiative, introduced himself and provided an oral statement. He also serves as Vice-Chair of the Education and Outreach Committee of the Consortium for the Advancement of Hydrologic Sciences, Inc., and works as a Science Communications Specialist for the NOAA Paleoclimatology Program at the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences. The main foci of his statement were education and outreach at NOAA, concerns about scientific illiteracy in the United States and the lack of understanding about scientific concepts, especially climate and hydrologic variability. He is concerned that NOAA has not done more, possibly because there is no funding mandate, but he is pleased that the NOAA Program Review addressed this issue. He strongly believes that NOAA resources should be correlated with science, math and technology education standards to help support science literacy efforts in this nation. He also advocates funding allocations to both outreach and "in-reach", education of NOAA staff. It is still unclear how NOAA will decide what percentage of funds will be devoted to education. He has concerns about the NASA model for allocating a percentage of program budgets to education, outreach and in-reach, but believes that if NOAA developed guidelines and support systems to ensure an integrated approach to education and outreach, the monies could be efficiently and effectively be used.