noaa’s alaska region collaboration team (arctic)

NOAA’s Alaska Region Collaboration Team

(ARCTic)

Laura FurgioneAlaska Regional Team Lead

January 25, 2007

SES Summit 2007: Alaska Regional Collaboration Team (ARCTic) 2

Alaska RegionUnique Alaska Statistics

54% U.S. coast66% U.S. continental shelf47,300 miles tidal shorelinePopulation: 664,000

CommerceMore than 3,000 ships a year utilize Unimak Pass (Aleutian Islands) Alaska waters provide half of all U.S. seafoodAlaska has the leading air cargo hub and commercial fishery port


ARCTic: Key PartnersNOAA Supported Partnerships (IOOS & RISA)

Alaska Ocean Observing System, Alaska Center for Climate Assessment & Policy, Cooperative Institute for Arctic Research, International Arctic Research Center,

Academic/Extramural ResearchUniversity of Alaska, North Pacific Research Board, U.S. Arctic Research Commission, Pacific Region Integrated Data Enterprise

StateAlaska State Departments (i.e., Governor’s Office, Fish and Game, Military and Veterans Affairs, Public Safety, Alaska Marine Highway)

TribesAlaska Eskimo Whaling Commission, Various Alaska Native Corporations

InteragencyNSF, International Polar Year, MMS, USCG, FAA, EPA, ACOE, USGS, and DOE

Non-profitAlaska SeaLife Center, Imaginarium Science Discovery Center

IndustryFairweather Inc., Oil and Gas Exploration Entities, Fishing Associations via the North Pacific Fishery Management Council

InternationalEnvironment Canada, Japan Meteorological Agency, Intl. Pacific Halibut Commission, U.S.-Canada Salmon Commission, North Pacific Marine Science Commission, Tokyo and Montreal Volcanic Ash Advisory Centers

Special Regional EffortsAlaska Marine Ecosystem Forum


NOAA’s Alaska Challenges

Limited Hydrographic SurveysCompile complete inventory of existing data and prioritize assessment

No Consistent Geodetic DatumNOS National Geodetic Survey support needed for Geoid model

Limited Observations for Management/Safety

River Observations – only 100 sites (6,000 sq. miles each on average)Coastal Marine Observations - only 9 sites for entire coastEcosystem Observations - no forage fish surveys

Backlog of Electronic Navigation Charts

Need complete set of vector data charts in large scale

Limited Atmospheric Emission Monitoring

CO2 & Methane—only one monitoring site at Barrow (methane released from permafrost melt)

Consequences of Climate ChangeSea Ice Loss—erosion, fisheries management, marine mammals, shipping increaseWarming—permafrost loss, land transportation, floodingEcosystem change—resource management, invasive species, human health impacts


NOAA’s Alaska Opportunities

Leverage Existing ResourcesImprove data availability (issue of national vs. regional access)Connect research and operational groupsSeek data sharing partnerships (federal, state, local, industry)

Enhance and Digitize Sea Ice Historical DatabaseArctic Observing Network (AON)

NAS Study: “Build from existing and planned efforts”Pan-Arctic Observational Infrastructure

Satellites, terrestrial observations, ocean buoys/moorings, weather stations, hydrologic monitoring stations, ecological sampling networks

NOAA Fleet Outreach and Data ShareNOS and NWS Service Enhancement SurveyExpand Cooperative Programs for Real Time Data Collection

NMAO - Miller Freeman, Oscar Dyson, Rainier, Fairweather, John CobbChartered fishing vessels, Alaska Marine Highway System

Backup Material


Alaska Region


ARCTic MembershipName Line Position/Title

Laura Furgione NWS Team Lead and Director, Alaska RegionEddie Bernard OAR Director, Pacific Marine Environmental Lab

Steven K. Davis NMFS Regional NEPA Coordinator

Dave Hofmann OAR Director, Global Monitoring Division, Earth System Research Laboratory

Kris Holderied NOS Acting Director, Kasitsna Bay Laboratory

John Jensen NESDIS Strategic Planning Officer, National Climatic Data Center

Peter Jones NMFS Alaska Regional Planner

Lance Seman NESDIS

Station Manager, Fairbanks Command and Data Acquisition Station

Mike Sigler NMFS Habitat and Ecological Processes Research Program Leader, Alaska Fisheries Science Center

Chris Strager NWS Deputy Director, Alaska RegionJohn Whitney NOS Scientific Support Coordinator for AlaskaDave Zezula NOS Alaska Region Navigation Manager, Office of Coast Survey


ARCTic Operational Model—

1Assess, define, and prioritize on-going collaborative activities in support of:

Enhancing customer serviceNurturing internal and national external partnershipsExercising global leadershipPromoting organizational excellenceStriving for leadership excellence and accountability


ARCTic Operational Model—

2Engage and collaborate with the other regional team members to ensure consistency & efficiency.Improve 2-Way Internal Communication Flow

Consistency of information flowMechanisms, development, and utilization

Regional Web-based Portal


ARCTic: Key PartnersNOAA Supported Partnerships (RISA & IOOS)

Alaska Ocean Observation SystemAlaska Center for Climate Assessment and Policy (ACCAP)Arctic Observing Network (AON)Cooperative Institute For Arctic Research (CIFAR) and International Arctic Research Center (IARC) - UAF


NOAA’s Alaska Challenges—

1Limited Observations

River Observations 100 sites representing 6,000 square miles (size of Connecticut)

Needed to assist in water resource servicesCoastal Marine Observations

9 sites primarily in Cook Inlet or Prince William SoundNeeded to assist in climate monitoring, improving hazard resilient coastal communities, and improve maritime safety

Ecosystem ObservationsNo forage fish surveys

Need habitat, oceanographic, and lower trophic level information to support ecosystem-based management of fish, marine mammals and the coastal zone

Limited Atmospheric Emission MonitoringCarbon Dioxide and Methane

Only one site at Barrow and potentially Toolik Lake (NSF)Methane is released by melting permafrost


NOAA’sAlaska Challenges—

2Consequences of Climate Change

Changes in Sea Ice (extent and duration)Coastal ErosionFisheries ManagementCo-Management of Marine MammalsIncreased Shipping

Navigation HazardsNautical charting requirementsPotential increase in HAZMAT incidents

Changes in Atmospheric Temperature (warming)Permafrost degradationOverland transportationGlacial melt - flooding

Changing EcosystemsResource ManagementInvasive SpeciesHuman Health Threats


NOAA’s Alaska Opportunities—1

Leverage Established ResourcesStructure Data Management

National versus regional versus local availabilityEngage Researchers and Operational Groups

NSF, NPRB, IPY, U.S. Arctic Research Commission, etc.Seek Data Share Partnerships

National Snow & Ice Data CenterUSGS, ACOE, MMS, EPA, BLMState and Local Entities

Seabulk Nevada taking ground truth sea ice photos in Cook Inlet.


NOAA Alaska Opportunities—2

Enhancement of Hydrographic SurveysCompile complete inventory of existing data and developed digitized database

NOS, NESDIS, NMFS, ACOE, USGS, MMS, etc.Coastal Inundation TeamData archived at NGDC

Prioritize inventory assessment Update and expand current geodetic datum

NGS support needed for Geoid modelWorking international aspects

Enhance Sea Ice Historical DatabaseAssemble complete inventory of existing data and develop digitized database

NOAA/NESDIS/NSIDCAOOS Sea Ice Working Group



Arctic Observing Network (AON)Pan-Arctic Observational Infrastructure

Satellites (and ground truth validation)e.g., Alaska Climate Reference Network

Terrestrial ObservationsOcean Buoys and MooringsWeather StationsHydrologic Monitoring StationsEcological Sampling NetworksArctic Residents and Other Data Sources

NAS Study recommendation: “Build from existing and planned efforts.”



NOAA Fleet Outreach and Data ShareNOS and NWS Service Enhancement SurveyExpand Cooperative Programs for Real Time DataCollection

NMAO: Miller Freeman, voluntary ship obs leader (1,519)Oscar Dyson, fisheries and oceanography vessel Rainier and Fairweather, primary hydrographic vesselsJohn Cobb

Chartered fishing vessels and Alaska ferry system

noaa’s alaska region collaboration team (arctic)

Documents

alaska center

arctic research commission

aleutian islands alaska

pacific halibut commission

data sharenos

north pacific research

marine mammals

terrestrial observations