[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 55 (Tuesday, April 8, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E531-E532]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




     NATIONAL INTEGRATED COASTAL AND OCEAN OBSERVATION ACT OF 2008

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                             HON. SAM FARR

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, March 31, 2008

  Mr. FARR. Madam Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 2342, the National 
Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observing Systems Act authored by my 
friend and fellow co-chair of the House Oceans Caucus, Representative 
Allen.
  The Integrated Ocean Observing System has the following goals: To 
improve the safety and efficiency of marine operations; to more 
effectively mitigate the effects of natural hazards; to improve 
predictions of climate change and its effects on coastal populations: 
to improve national security; to reduce public health risks; to more 
effectively protect and restore healthy coastal marine ecosystems: and 
to enable the sustained use of marine resources. This bill will 
coordinate and manage the existing regional Ocean Observing Systems.
  In my district, the Central and Northern California Ocean Observing 
System has proven invaluable in understanding and managing the ocean. 
The esoteric task of observing surface currents was indispensable in 
reacting and responding to the Cosco Busan oil spill in the

[[Page E532]]

San Francisco bay. The Central and Northern California Ocean Observing 
System assisted in the spill tracking as well as using HF Radar systems 
to provide real-time information on ocean currents to the response 
teams. They also provided information to and continue to collaborate 
with the NOAA Office of Response and Restoration, NOAA HAZMAT, NOAA 
Sanctuaries, and the Oil Spill Prevention and Response program.
  These systems are at the forefront of the science of understanding 
harmful algal blooms, which affect human health and can cause fish 
kills. Ocean observing systems aid in the study of waterborne diseases 
and can provide vital information for navigation of ships and small 
boats. They also have national security implications. This set of 
Coordinated Regional Ocean Observing Systems will improve coastal 
monitoring and assist the Coast Guard in their mission to secure our 
waters and to provide search and rescue for those endangered at sea.
  These Ocean Observing Systems are the foundation we need to apply 
ecosystem-based management of our oceans. This type of management and 
even this very system of National Integrated Ocean and Coastal 
Observing Systems is recommended by the U.S. Commission on Ocean 
Policy, which we in Congress created. The Joint Ocean Commission 
Initiative, created to continue to advise Congress on the Ocean 
Commission's suggestions, lists this as one of their chief priorities.
  I cannot emphasize enough the need to show our ocean stewardship now, 
so we can turn the tide on the dire consequences facing our oceans and 
Great Lakes. The oceans and the Great Lakes belong to all the people of 
the United States and it is our duty to ensure that we provide the 
coordination and the funding necessary to protect these precious 
resources. This is why I support H.R. 2342 which will re-align and 
coordinate the existing Ocean Observing Systems.
  Madam Speaker, the effects of climate change on the ocean are just 
beginning to be understood, while the ocean's impact on the growing 
coastal population increases daily. We need the Ocean Observing Systems 
in order to understand and respond to the challenges we are facing. I 
strongly support H.R. 2342 and urge my colleagues to pass this bill.

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