State of the Gulf Of Mexico Summit

1. State of the Gulf Of Mexico Summit Integrating Observations to Sustain Healthy and Resilient Coasts in the Gulf of Mexico Region VADM Conrad C. Lautenbacher, Jr. Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere NOAA Administrator State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit March 28, 2006

2. Presentation Outline • The Gulf of Mexico’s Importance to the Nation • Ocean Action Plan Charge • Integrated Ocean Observing Systems • Using Ocean Observations to Address Coastal Hazards and Other Public Health Issues • Working Together: The Gulf of Mexico Alliance State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

3. Importance of the Gulf of Mexico to the Nation • Economic importance • 25% of domestic commercial fishing revenue • $20 billion in tourism • 7 of the 10 largest U.S. ports • 30% of nation’s oil • Cultural importance • Unique cultural centers, such as New Orleans, threatened during and after Hurricane Katrina • Loss of coastal wetlands in Louisiana threatens traditional way of life along the bayou • Environmental importance • Nearly 50% of U.S. coastal wetlands • Highlighted by the 2005 hurricane season State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

4. U.S. Ocean Action Plan Charge • Support a Regional Partnership in the Gulf of Mexico • Explore partnership opportunities for key priorities in the Gulf of Mexico with regional representatives in spring of 2005 • Based on Gulf of Mexico Alliance’skey priorities in the region, with particular emphasis on: • Public health: Water quality for shellfish beds and beaches in Gulf of Mexico • Use of a regional ocean observing system to provide a real-time alert system for beach and shellfish bed closings State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

5. Observe Globally Model Regionally Act Locally Act Globally Model Regionally Observe Locally 5

6. Benefits of Integrated Earth Observation Systems State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

7. Regional Observations in the Gulf of Mexico • Gulf Coastal Ocean Observing System (GCOOS) is the Gulf’s regional association • Existing observation systems (federal, state, academic and private) are the initial building blocks, such as: • National Water Level Observation Network (NWLON) • Texas Coastal Ocean Observing Network (TCOON) • Physical Oceanographic Real Time System (PORTS) State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

8. Role of Ocean Observations in Hurricane Preparation and Response • Hurricane forecasts • Damage assessment and aerial photography • Navigation Response Teams • Oil spill/hazardous material response • Water quality sampling • Debris surveying and removal Levee break August 31, 2005 provided by NOAA State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

9. Gulf of Mexico Public Health and Safety • Improve storm surge forecasting • Improve harmful algal bloom detection and prediction • Address mercury contamination State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

10. Looking to the Future • NOAA is committed to: • Expand the observation network in the Gulf of Mexico • Partner with the Gulf of Mexico Alliance and support implementation of actions in the Governors’ Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

11. Background Materials

12. The Gulf of Mexico Alliance State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

13. Sustained Observing System for the Gulf of Mexico • Observations and products for: • Detecting and forecasting oceanic components of climate variability • Facilitating safe and efficient marine operations • Ensuring national security • Managing resources for sustainable use • Preserving and restoring healthy marine ecosystems • Mitigating natural hazards • Ensuring public health State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit

14. Responding to State Leadership in the Gulf of Mexico • Gulf of Mexico Alliance • State-led • Five state partnership between Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas • State leadership recognized in U.S. Ocean Action Plan • Partnership supported by 13 Federal agencies joined together to support states • Gulf of Mexico Alliance Governors’ Action Plan for Healthy and Resilient Coasts • State and local level—ground zero for Governors’ Action Plan implementation State of the Gulf of Mexico Summit