NOAA GC Sections

Fisheries and Protected Resources Section

[Source: www.nmfs.noaa.gov] The Fisheries and Protected Resources Section provides legal counsel to the National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), the federal agency responsible for managing and sustaining most living marine resources and their habitat in U.S. waters. Section lawyers work on substantive and procedural laws relating to living marine resources, including the Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Section lawyers work on specific management and conservation actions originating at NMFS headquarters, as well as on actions that are national in scope. The Section also plays an important role coordinating the legal advice provided by the regional sections to ensure consistency. There are three divisions: Protected Resources and Habitat, Sustainable Fisheries, and Finance and Management. Within these divisions there are sixteen attorneys, one paralegal and two support staff. Adam Issenberg is the Section Chief. He is supported by three Deputy Section Chiefs: Caroline Park (Sustainable Fisheries), Rod Viera (Protected Resources and Habitat), and Leila Afzal (Finance and Management). Location: 1315 East­West Highway, SSMC­3, Room 15115, Silver Spring, MD

Enforcement Section The Enforcement Section coordinates and implements the NOAA General Counsel’s delegated authority as NOAA’s civil prosecutor. The Section prosecutes civil penalty cases, permit sanctions, and administrative forfeitures; provides support to the U.S. Department of Justice in prosecution of law enforcement cases in Federal courts and formulates NOAA’s position in such cases; establishes national law enforcement policy in conjunction with the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and NOAA program offices; provides legal support to the NOAA Office of Law Enforcement and other NOAA offices, including the Office of Sustainable Fisheries, the Office of Protected Resources, and the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries; and advises NOAA officials on specific enforcement cases and general enforcement trends and issues. The Section has thirteen attorneys, one paralegal specialist, and one support staff. James Landon is the Section Chief and he is supported by two Deputy Section Chiefs ­ Charles Green and Alexa Cole. Location: 1315 East West Highway, SSMC3, Rm. 15405, Silver Spring, MD

Oceans and Coasts Section

[Cliff by ocean. www.coast.noaa.gov] The Oceans and Coasts Section provides legal counsel to the National Ocean Service, including the National Marine Sanctuary Program, the Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management, and the Office of Coast Survey. The Section also provides legal counsel to the NOAA Marine and Aviation Operations, including the NOAA Corps. In these roles, the Section helps implement the National Marine Sanctuaries Act, the Coastal Zone Management Act (CZMA), the Coast Survey Act, and other statutes. The Section has nine attorneys, one paralegal, and one support staff. The Section Chief is Joel La Bissonniere, and the Deputy Section Chief is Jeffrey Dillen. Location: 1305 East­West Highway, SSMC­4, Room 6111, Silver Spring, MD

International Section

[Source: http://www.legislative.noaa.gov/newsarchive/newsarchiveJul­Sep2010.html] The International Section provides legal advice and assistance to NOAA and other U.S. Government agencies on the development, negotiation, interpretation, and application of customary and conventional international law, as well as domestic law relating to: · Oceans, including the law of the sea, shipping, fisheries, maritime zones and boundaries (including baselines), marine pollution, aquatic invasive species, marine mammals, deep seabed mining, and marine scientific research; · Protection, conservation, and sustainable use of the marine environment, including biological diversity, trade and environment, geo­engineering, fisheries, marine mammals, protected marine species, marine pollution, marine protected areas, natural and cultural heritage, seabirds, and Polar affairs, including matters related to the Arctic Council and the Antarctic Treaty System; · Scientific and technical issues, including hydrographic surveys, nautical charting, transfer of funds, capacity building, and education and outreach; and · Seaward limit of U.S. laws The Section’s legal services help assure that NOAA’s policy development and programmatic activities with respect to the marine environment are consistent with, and take into account, the Law of the Sea Convention and other applicable rules of international law. The International Section further helps NOAA pursue and protect the agency’s

interests in the context of interagency and international processes. Finally, the Section is often called upon to review and help develop or amend domestic legislation. The International Section has three staff attorney positions held by Ole Varmer, Derek Campbell, and Stephanie Altman, and a Senior Counselor position held by Richard Mannix. Section Chief is Peter Oppenheimer. Location: Herbert C. Hoover Building, Room 48026, 14th Street and Constitution Avenue N.W., Washington D.C.

Weather, Satellites and Research Section

[Eye wall of hurricane. sources: NOAA National Weather Service Jetstream and NOAAWatch www.education.noaa.gov/Weather­and­Atmosphere] The Weather, Satellites and Research Section provides legal advice on a wide range of issues to the National Weather Service (NWS), the National Environmental Satellite, Data and Information Service (NESDIS), and the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR). This includes NOAA’s private remote sensing licensing and regulatory program. The Section also provides support to NOAA’s environmental compliance and safety programs. The Section has four attorneys, one paralegal, and one support staff. The Section Chief is Glenn E. Tallia. Location: 1315 East­West Highway, SSMC3­Room 15137, Silver Spring, MD

Natural Resources Section

The Natural Resources Section provides legal advice to the National Marine Fisheries Service and the National Ocean Service, and seeks monetary restitution from responsible parties for injuries caused to our Nation’s natural resources by releases of hazardous substances from thousands of waste sites, numerous oil spills, and physical impacts (e.g., vessel groundings) to unique resources located in National Marine Sanctuaries. The Section has fourteen attorneys, a program coordinator, one paralegal, and three support staff. The Section Chief and Special Counsel is Craig O’Connor, who is located in the Northwest Office. Mr. O’Connor is supported by two Deputy Section Chiefs and a Senior Counselor:

Chauncey Kelly, Deputy Section Chief (Silver Spring Office) Laurie Lee, Deputy Section Chief (Southwest Office) Robert Taylor, Senior Counselor for Restoration (Northwest Office) Locations: Silver Spring Office, 1315 East­West Highway, SSMC3­15107, Silver Spring, MD Northeast Office, 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, Massachusetts Northwest Office, 7600 Sand Point Way N.E., Seattle, WA Southwest Office, Glen Anderson Federal Building, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4470, Long Beach, CA Southeast Office, 263­13th Ave. South, Suite 177, St. Petersburg, FL

Northeast Section

[Source: www.nmfs.noaa.gov] The Northeast Section is co­located with the Northeast Region of the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in Gloucester, Massachusetts. The Section provides legal advice and assistance on issues related to the administration of NOAA programs in the eastern coastal states of Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina; and the inland western states of Vermont, Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Ohio, and West Virginia. Section lawyers work on substantive and procedural laws relating to living marine resources, including the Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Endangered Species Act, and the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the Atlantic Coastal Fisheries Cooperative Management Act, and the Federal Power Act. The Section also provides legal advice to the U.S. delegations to two international fishery management organizations­­the North Atlantic Salmon Conservation Organization and the Northwest Atlantic Fisheries Organization. The Section has seven attorneys, one paralegal, and one support staff. The Section Chief is Gene Martin, and the Deputy Section Chief is Kevin Collins. Location: 55 Great Republic Drive, Gloucester, Massachusetts

Southeast Section

The Southeast Section is co­located with the Southeast Region of the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in St. Petersburg, Florida. The Section provides legal advice and assistance on issues related to the administration of NOAA programs in the eight coastal states of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Texas, the inland states of Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Tennessee, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Attorneys work primarily on providing legal advice and support to the National Marine Fisheries Service, and three fishery management councils (Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean) under the Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and to the National Marine Fisheries Service under the Endangered Species Act, the Marine Mammal Protection Act, and the Federal Power Act. The Southeast

Section has seven attorneys, one paralegal, and two administrative assistants. The Section Chief is B. Michael McLemore, and the Deputy Section Chief is Monica Smit­Brunello. Location: 263­13th Ave. S., Suite 177, St. Petersburg, FL

Southwest Section

[Pilot whales on left (photo: Paula Olson) and juvenile loggerhead turtle basking in warm waters on right (photo: Mridula Srivivasan)] The Southwest Section is co­located with the Long Beach, California, field office of the West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The office gives legal support to the West Coast Region and the Pacific Fishery Management Council. The substantive legal work of the Southwest Section mostly relates to the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act ("Magnuson Act"), Marine Mammal Protection Act, Tuna Conventions Act, Dolphin Protection Consumer Information Act, the High Seas Fishing Compliance Act, and the Federal Power Act. The Southwest Section has five attorneys, one paralegal, and one part­time administrative support staff. The Section Chief is Judson Feder, and the Deputy Section Chief is Deanna Harwood. Location: Glenn Anderson Federal Building, 501 W. Ocean Blvd., Suite 4470, Long Beach, CA Northwest Section

[Source: www.westcoastfisheries.noaa.gov] The Northwest Section is co­located with the Seattle, Washington, headquarters office of the West Coast Region, National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS). The office gives legal support to the West Coast Region and the Pacific Fishery Management Council, principally on matters arising in the Pacific Northwest, including Washington, Oregon, and Idaho. The substantive legal work of the Northwest Section relates to the Endangered Species Act, Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, Pacific Whiting Act, Pacific Salmon Treaty Act, U.S. treaties with the Northwest Treaty Tribes, and the Federal Power Act. The Northwest Section has eleven attorneys, one paralegal, and one support staff. The Section Chief is Christopher McNulty, and the Deputy Section Chief is Sally Brick. Location: 7600 Sand Point Way, N.E., Seattle, WA

Alaska Section

[Photo by Joe McCabe, GC Alaska Section]

Situated in the heart of the largest intact temperate rainforest on earth, the Alaska Section is co­located with the Alaska Region of the NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) in Juneau, Alaska. The Section provides legal advice to NMFS Alaska Region, the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, and the International Pacific Halibut Commission on issues arising under the Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Environmental Policy Act, the Federal Power Act, and other laws relating to the national and international management of the ocean’s natural resources. The Alaska Section also provides legal support for development and implementation of NOAA's Arctic policies. The Alaska Section currently has seven attorneys, one paralegal, one legal assistant, and one secretary. The Section Chief is Lisa Lindeman, and the Deputy Section Chief is Jonathan Pollard. Location: 709 West 9th Street, Room 909A, Juneau, Alaska

Pacific Islands Section The Pacific Islands Section is located in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Pacific Islands Section provides legal advice and assistance to the NMFS Pacific Islands Region, Pacific Islands Fisheries Science Center, and the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council on legal issues related to the administration of NOAA programs in the Hawaiian Islands and U.S. Pacific Island territories, including Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Programs issues involve a wide range of NOAA authorities, including among others, the Magnuson­Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Environmental Policy Act, Western and Central Pacific Fisheries Convention Implementation Act, and South Pacific Tuna Act. The Pacific Islands Section has three attorneys and an administrative assistant. The Section Chief is Frederick Tucher, and the Deputy Section Chief is Elena Onaga. Location: Inouye Regional Center, 1845 Wasp Blvd, Honolulu, HI

National Marine Fisheries Service Stewardship of living marine resources.

For more information, please visit: www.noaa.gov and www.nmfs.noaa.gov

The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) serves the Nation through stewardship of living marine resources. This stewardship is accomplished with a science-based approach to conservation and management and the promotion of healthy coastal and marine ecosystems. NMFS is responsible for the management and conservation of fisheries within the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone, as well as marine mammals and endangered and threatened species within NMFS’ jurisdiction. NMFS currently manages 478 federally-managed fish stocks along with invertebrates, sea turtles, marine mammals, and other marine and coastal species and their habitats for commercial, recreational, and subsistence purposes. NMFS also supports international scientific research and policy development. In 2013, for the first time in 19 years, and only the second time ever, a de-listing by NOAA was cause for celebration. The eastern population of Steller sea lions, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act (ESA) almost a quarter century ago, has recovered sufficiently to be removed from the list. The only other time NOAA took such an action was in 1994, with the now-thriving eastern population of North Pacific gray whales. The recoveries of these species show the value and effectiveness of the ESA’s strong protections. NOAA, in coordination with the regional fishery management councils, and with the cooperation of commercial and recreational fishermen, rebuilt the Southern tanner crab in the Bering Sea, Pink shrimp in the south Atlantic, the Sacramento River fall Chinook salmon, and the South Atlantic black sea bass. With cooperation

from fishermen from North Carolina to Florida, South Atlantic black sea bass was rebuilt in just eight years, two years ahead of schedule, following implementation of conservation measures by NOAA in 2006. As a result, black sea bass catch levels more than doubled in 2013, increasing annual consumer surplus for recreational anglers, annual ex-vessel revenues for commercial fishermen, and annual profits for for-hire vessels. Overall, U.S. commercial and recreational landings, and the value of those landings, were the second-highest on record, with 9.6 billion pounds valued at $5.1 billion. These figures represent small decreases in pounds (2.3 percent) and value (3.2 percent) from 2011, which had the highest landings volume since 1997 and the highest value ever recorded. However, poundage and value continue to remain higher than the average of the preceding decade despite conservation measures to eliminate overfishing and rebuild stocks. In New England, these measures resulted in significant cuts in catch limits for some stocks. Recognizing the economic impact of these reductions, NOAA proactively implemented actions to provide flexibility and additional fishing opportunities for the fishing industry, including re-opening some groundfish closed areas; creating exempted fisheries for spiny dogfish and skates; enabling a directed fishery for redfish; removing some trip limits for monkfish; and re-opening Georges Bank to clam fishing. In FY 2015, NMFS will continue to develop advanced technologies, increase the sustainability and economic value of our fisheries, improve the economic conditions for our fishing communities, protect and recover threatened and endangered species, and maintain and restore healthy coastal habitats for living marine resources. NMFS will also rebuild our Nation’s fisheries through targeted investments in fisheries science to inform management.

National Ocean Service

For more information, please visit: www.noaa.gov and www.oceanservice.noaa.gov

Positioning America for the Future. Coastal watershed counties were home to 163.8 million people in 2010, approximately 52 percent of the United States population. This number is expected to increase by more than 15 million by 2020. Through the National Ocean Service (NOS), NOAA is the lead Federal agency responsible for promoting the sustainable, safe, and efficient use of our Nation’s coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes resources. NOS’s science-based products and services are positioning America’s coastal communities, economies and ecosystems for the future of economic growth and environmental change. NOS has identified three priorities that reflect our statutory mandates and missions:

Place-based Conservation NOS works to conserve marine areas and preserve economic benefits of special places through its coastal management and place-based conservation programs. NOS provides leadership for state and local coastal management efforts across the nation and is the primary conduit for data and services at NOAA to support informed coastal decision making. NOAA’s national marine sanctuaries are America’s primary instrument for place-based conservation of special marine places in offshore areas.

Coastal Preparedness, Response, Recovery, and Resiliency In light of increasing threats to our coasts, NOAA’s preparedness, response, recovery, and resiliency activities have become a national priority. From oil spills and vessel groundings to hurricanes and marine debris, NOS provides world-class science and services in support of healthy coastal communities, economies, and ecosystems.

Coastal Intelligence Whether it is the Nation’s nautical charts, environmental monitoring or socioeconomic tools, NOS and its partners integrate science and services to provide actionable intelligence. Informed decision makers, both public and private, are able to make informed choices on their use and stewardship of coastal resources.

NOAA National Geodetic Survey employees take survey observations to a radio telescope operated by the National Radio Astronomy Observatory using a high precision tacheometer. Credit: NOAA

NOAA archaeologist photographs a wreck site in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary.

Credit: NOAA NOAA scientists and their partners deploy an Environmental Sample Processor to detect harmful

algae and their toxins. Credit: NOAA

National Weather Service

NOAA’s National Weather Service (NWS) is the Nation’s first line of defense against severe weather. The NWS provides weather, water, and climate data, forecasts, and warnings for the protection of life and property and enhancement of the national economy. With approximately 4,600 employees in 122 Weather Forecast Offices, 13 River Forecast Centers, 9 national centers, and other support offices around the country, NWS provides the critical national infrastructure to gather and process data worldwide from the land, sea, and air. This infrastructure enables data collection using technologies including dual-polarization Doppler radars, satellites, data buoys, weather balloons, aircraft, and surface observing systems. These data feed sophisticated environmental prediction models running on increasingly more powerful supercomputers. A highly dedicated and skilled workforce uses powerful workstations to issue life-saving forecasts and warnings. The NWS telecommunications gateway allows for the exchange of current data and products between NOAA, its public and private partners, and the international community. The communication network is used to rapidly distribute forecasts and warnings via a diverse dissemination infrastructure, including NOAA All-Hazards weather radio and mobile devices via the Wireless Emergency Alerts system. NWS uses advances in research from the Office of Ocean and Atmospheric Research (OAR), and others, to continuously improve forecast and warning services and implement more sophisticated forecast models. The National Ocean Service (NOS), in conjunction with the National Hurricane Center, is spearheading the effort to improve the NWS hurricane storm surge forecasts and the satellite systems operated by the National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS), provide critical information for NWS forecast models to accurately predict the weather patterns across the globe. These collaborations routinely demonstrate how NOAA science and service both work with and rely upon each other to save lives and provide stewardship of coastal and marine ecosystems and resources.

Building a Weather-Ready Nation. Again in 2013, weather wreaked havoc across the U.S. with destructive tornadoes, devastating floods and fires, and powerful winter storms disrupting air traffic and ground transportation. While our society is getting better at taking action to help mitigate the consequences of weather events, more needs to be done on the path to becoming a weather-ready nation. Building a “Weather-Ready Nation” (WRN) is a NOAA strategic goal to increase the resilience of the American people in the face of growing exposure to dangerous weather and water events, involving other parts of NOAA, other government agencies, researchers, and the private sector. Leading the way toward a WRN is accomplished not only through continual improvements to our observations, forecasts, and warnings, but also through the use of other innovative approaches, including the use of social science to better communicate risk and inform decisions made by the public and local authorities. This is achieved by providing information to users when and how they need it, strengthening partnerships to enhance community preparedness, and working with the emergency management community to enhance safety. At the Federal level, virtually every federal agency mission is affected by weather – building a Weather-Ready Nation is a societal effort that NOAA is partnering to achieve. NWS is demonstrating better ways to communicate our weather forecasts and warnings by embedding our meteorologists in Federal, State, and local emergency operations centers. NWS also leverages social media and reaching the public on mobile devices through innovative partnerships with other government agencies, universities, and the private sector. The devastating impacts of extreme weather and water events can be reduced through improved readiness and improvements in demand-driven decision support services, using innovative technology, and through specialized training of our workforce to ensure a fully integrated field structure. These innovations will help pave a path forward for the stronger, more agile NWS capable of changing to meet societies’ growing needs. The President’s FY 2015 budget proposal for the NWS moves us further down this path to the future.

For more information, please visit: www.noaa.gov and www.nws.noaa.gov

National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service

For more information, please visit: www.noaa.gov and www.nesdis.noaa.gov

NOAA’s National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service (NESDIS) collects observations of the atmosphere, oceans, and the sun to support NOAA's four mission goals of weather ready nation, climate adaptation, resilient coastal communities, and healthy oceans. NESDIS satellite observations are a key input to NOAA's National Weather Service, enabling timely and accurate weather forecasts, as well as watches and warnings used by Federal, State, and local officials, and the general public, to make decisions to safeguard lives, property and critical infrastructure in advance of severe weather. NESDIS develops and operates Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellites (GOES) for short-range warning and forecasting, and Polar-orbiting Operational Environmental Satellites (POES) for longer term forecasting. NESDIS also leverages data from satellites flown by the National Aeronautics Space Administration (NASA), Department of Defense (DoD), and international space agencies. NESDIS analyzes the most cost-effective means of obtaining satellite data, including purchasing data from commercial sources. NESDIS acquires its satellites through NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, a long-standing and successful interagency partnership. NESDIS has managed operational POES satellites since 1966. Additionally, NESDIS has managed operational GOES satellites since 1974. A new generation of satellites is being developed to succeed POES and GOES. NESDIS operates three environmental data centers that house the world’s largest archive of climatic, oceanographic, and geophysical data from both satellite and in situ sources, ensuring these data remain fully available to Federal, state, and local governments, the private sector, academia, and the public. Data from this archive are used to develop numerous assessments that support NOAA's mission goals. Foundational Data That Support NOAA’s Mission NESDIS provides foundational data that are used by NOAA’s Line Offices and their programs. Select examples include:

• National Ocean Service utilizes data from satellites and the National Data Centers to monitor ocean and coastal phenomena, such as coral reefs and harmful algal blooms, that affect commercial and recreational activities in America’s ocean and coastal areas.

• Oceanic and Atmospheric Research uses data from NESDIS satellites and monitoring stations to conduct research and modeling relating to environmental trends as diverse as drought, stratospheric ozone, air quality from wildland fires, and seasonal climate events.

The Nation’s operational weather satellite and information service. • National Weather Service uses satellite data in its numerical

weather prediction models to develop medium and long term forecasts, 3 days and beyond. In addition, NESDIS obtains data from NASA earth science satellites and European weather satellites for use in NWS models. Data from the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP) satellite are providing significant enhancements to numerical weather prediction models. NESDIS also provides data to support operational space weather warning sand forecasts. GOES satellites provide instantaneous images of weather that are routinely used by NWS, commercial weather entities, and the media.

• National Marine Fisheries Service uses data from NESDIS satellites and Data Centers to monitor movement of endangered and threatened marine life. Sea surface temperature data from NOAA’s satellites are used to monitor the distribution of fishery stocks that are sensitive to water temperature.

• Office of Marine and Aviation Operations use data from NOAA satellites to safely operate their ships and aircraft. Data are used by Hurricane Hunter aircraft to determine where specific measurements should be taken in order to provide critical data that the National Hurricane Center needs for its forecast products.

NOAA Satellites Serve the Nation • NESDIS satellite observations are a key input to NOAA's NWS,

enabling timely and accurate weather forecasts, as well as watches and warnings used by Federal, State, and local officials, and the general public, to make decisions to safeguard lives, property, and critical infrastructure in advance of severe weather.

• Data from NOAA satellites and National Data Centers are used by all Department of Defense services to support their global mission and operational readiness.

• Telecommunications, public utilities and satellite operators use outlooks and warnings from NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center, to protect electric grids and communications assets from solar flares and geomagnetic storms. NESDIS satellite instruments are the primary input into these outlooks and warnings.

• Since 1982, over 7,000 boaters and aviators in the U.S. (and over 35,000 persons worldwide) have been rescued with the aide of the satellite-assisted search and rescue (SARSAT) program. The U.S. Coast Guard and local rescue coordinators utilize the location capabilities that SARSAT provides to quickly locate and rescue persons in life threatening situations.

• Commercial air traffic is routed using data from NOAA satellites to avoid airspace that may contain volcanic ash.

Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research A world leader in observing, understanding, and predicting the Earth system.

The Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) is NOAA’s central research line office that integrates research across the agency. OAR, along with our partners, strengthens the science that underpins NOAA’s operational products and services. OAR supports laboratories and programs across the United States and collaborates with both internal and external partners, such as NOAA-funded Cooperative Institutes and thirty-two Sea Grant Institutions. OAR research contributes to accurate weather forecasts, enables communities to plan for and respond to climate events such as drought, and enhances the protection and management of the Nation’s coastal and ocean resources.

Weather and Air Chemistry Research NOAA not only works to improve current weather forecasting, but also works to anticipate and address the needs of the future. For example, OAR is developing innovative techniques for earlier detection of tornadoes and other severe weather to provide more advanced forecasts to the public.

For more information, please visit: www.noaa.gov and www.research.noaa.gov

Climate Research Individuals, businesses, and communities are turning to NOAA as a trusted source for science and information to help them understand how and why climate conditions are changing and how they can prepare for those changes. NOAA’s regional climate information tools are supported by our strong foundation in science, including global climate observation and monitoring networks, world-renowned scientists, and state-of-the-art climate models.

Ocean, Coastal, and Great Lakes Research NOAA, in collaboration with its research partners, explores and investigates ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes habitats and resources. We provide scientific results to help manage and understand fisheries, conserve and protect our coasts, and build a stronger economy.

Chief Scientist Molly Baringer and Survey Tech Darcy Balcarce recover CTD aboard NOAA ship Ronald H. Brown. Credit: Bruce Cowden

Front of NOAA WP-3D Orion During Southeast Nexus (SENEX) Air Quality-Climate Research Study, Smyrna, TN, June, 2013. Credit: Steven Fine

Sampling shoreline muck in Lake St. Clair for

detection of harmful bacteria, June 18, 2012.

Credit: NOAA

National Severe Storms Laboratory Mobile Mesonets

Laurie Lee - Laurie Lee is a Deputy Section Chief for NOAA’s General Counsel for Natural Resources where she has worked for the last seven years. She has been an attorney for over 25 years, with over a decade of which has been committed to the practice of environmental law at the Unites States Environmental Protection Agency, the U. S. Attorney’s Office, private practice and now at NOAA. Most recently she has provided legal advice to the Office of Response and Restoration working on all aspects relating to the determination of damages to natural resources to the completion of restoration to compensate the public for such losses. She has done work under the Oil Pollution Act, CERCLA, the Clean Water Act, RCRA amongst other environmental statutes. She received her law degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology’s Kent College of Law in Chicago, IL, with an emphasis in environmental studies, in 1989. Demian Schane - Demian Schane is an Attorney-Advisor for the Alaska Section, NOAA Office of General Counsel, and has been with the General Counsel’s Office since 2007. Mr. Schane is responsible for providing legal advice to the National Marine Fisheries Service on the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, Endangered Species Act, Marine Mammal Protection Act, National Environmental Policy Act, and other substantive and procedural statutes applicable to federal agencies. Prior to joining NOAA, Mr. Schane completed a Fulbright grant in Iceland, worked for Earthjustice in Juneau, AK, and worked for Terris, Pravlik & Millian, LLP in Washington, D.C. Mr. Schane received his B.A. in history from the Dartmouth College, J.D. from the College of William & Mary, and LL.M from Georgetown University. He is an active member of the Alaska Bar.