News Release

NOAA announces funding to support ocean observing in the Pacific Northwest

Grant and Award Announcement

NOAA Headquarters

The NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is awarding $1.9 million in 2009 competitive grant funding to support ocean observing efforts in the Pacific Northwest.

The NOAA grant award will go to the Applied Physics Laboratory of the University of Washington, where it will be used by several academic, government, and industry partners to support the continued development of the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems and associated management efforts. David Martin, Ph.D., associate director of the Applied Physics Laboratory, will serve as the project's lead investigator.

The consortium is one recipient in a series of nationwide peer-reviewed IOOS grant projects, totaling $21 million this year. The goal of each regional observing system is to maintain and enhance ocean and coastal observations in the area, making data easier to access and giving planners and policymakers the information needed to improve safety, enhance the economy, and protect the environment. Data from each region will also be available to researchers throughout the country via the national IOOS.

"This award represents NOAA's commitment to implementing the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation Act of 2009 which recognizes the IOOS regional systems as key components of the national effort," said Zdenka Willis, NOAA IOOS program director. "These projects are crafted to meet local customer needs while also contributing to the success of the national effort."

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NOAA understands and predicts changes in the Earth's environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and conserves and manages our coastal and marine resources. Visit http://www.noaa.gov.

On the Web:

NOAA IOOS: http://www.ioos.gov

Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems: http://www.nanoos.org


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