National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) An agency of the U.S. Department of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration was formed in 1970, but its origins may actually be traced as far back as 1807 when President Thomas Jefferson ordered a survey of the new nation’s coastline. Today, NOAA has translated the United States’ geographic, atmospheric, oceanic, and meteorological informational needs into an organization concentrating in the following principal areas: 1 Research and Analysis – NOAA researchers and scientists in the areas of oceanography, meteorology, biology, and physics explore the sea and air for new clues aimed at understanding or reversing environmental damage such as ozone depletion, the greenhouse effect, and possible global warming, 2 Satellite Imaging and Mapping – NOAA’s satellites provide essential information for accurate weather forecasts, monitor winter snowpack conditions across the country, and gauge the health of coastal estuaries, 3 Data Compilation and Dissemination – The results of NOAA’s data collection, satellite mapping, and research and analysis affords vast stores of information in NOAA’s global data centers available for climate, oceanographic and geophysical reports vital to the public and industry, 4 Forecasting and Weather Warning – Through the National Weather Service (NWS), NOAA provides extensive information and warnings when severe weather threatens life and property. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration consists of a number of separate agencies to effect these research, analysis, monitoring, informational, and forecasting requirements. 1 National Weather Service (NWS) – The National Weather Service operates a vast network of automated weather stations around the nation equipped with sophisticated doppler radar systems on the ground as well as sophisticated satellites providing detailed imaging which provide meteorologists and citizens early warnings of severe weather conditions. In cooperation with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the NWS is proceeding with establishing some 1,000 fully automated weather data collection sites, termed Automated Surface Observing Systems (ASOS). 2 National Ocean Service (NOS) – The National Ocean Service charts and surveys America’s coastal waterways, providing safe passage for commerce and recreation interests. The NOS also plays a major role in managing America’s coastlines and NOAA’s Coastal Zone Management Program strives to protect wetlands, water quality, beaches, wildlife, and other important resources and uses of our coasts. As part of the NOS, NOAA’s National Marine Sanctuaries, the nation’s underwater national parks, provide unique undersea preserves to protect important coastal resources. The NOS monitors the health of the coast and probes how our use of the nation’s nearshore waters affects the environment. 3 National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS) – The NESDIS operates the world’s largest environmental data storage and distribution facility providing extensive and highly detailed data on weather, the oceans and geophysics. The NESDIS is also responsible for NOAA’s polar orbiting and geostationary satellites which provide important information on the oceans and atmosphere. Other NESDIS satellites collect images of cloud and storm patterns which are then relayed to NOAA’s National Weather Service and are extensively used by the nation’s meteorologists for local weather reporting and forecasting. 4 National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) – The NMFS serves as steward for America’s living marine resources, conducting research necessary to manage these valuable resources and enforces fishery regulations, maintains the wholesomeness of U.S. seafood products, and protects coastal fishery habitats and nurseries. The NMFS manages the 32 federal fishery resource plans, covering more than 230 species, and plays a key role in protecting coastal habitats, marine mammals and endangered and threatened species per the Endangered Species Act (ESA). 5 Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research – NOAA’s scientists conduct leading edge research on weather, climate, air quality, the oceans and the Great Lakes through a network of environmental laboratories and monitoring stations as well as through university researchers supported by NOAA through the National Sea Grant College Program and the National Undersea Research Program. 6 NOAA Corps – NOAA also operates the nation’s smallest uniformed service consisting of some 400 officers commanding NOAA’s fleet of hurricane hunter aircraft and environmental research ships providing in a variety of scientific and research operations.