Welcome to the website for the National Academies' Committee on an Ocean Infrastructure Strategy for U.S. Ocean Research in 2030. This study is funded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation, the Minerals Management Service, the U.S. Department of Energy, the National Aeronautics and Space Adminstration, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Food and Drug Administration, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the U.S. Geological Survey, the Marine Mammal Commission, and the U.S. Arctic Research Commission. The committee's statement of task is as follows:
The National Research Council will assemble an expert committee to provide advice and a perspective from the worldwide ocean community on the types of U.S. ocean infrastructure that will facilitate research in 2030, including advice as to what criteria may be most appropriate for setting priorities.
The committee will identify major research questions anticipated to be at the forefront of ocean science in 2030 based on national and international assessments, input from the worldwide scientific community, and ongoing research planning activities. Next, the committee will define categories of infrastructure that should be included in planning for the nation's ocean research infrastructure of 2030 and that will be required to answer the major research questions of the future, taking into consideration:
- New scientific and technological developments - including adoption of capabilities and discoveries outside of the ocean sciences,
- Interdependence of various infrastructure assets and multi-purpose or multi-user assets,
- How anticipated changes in the oceans, its interactions with the atmosphere, land, sea ice, marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and humans, and commercial enterprises might affect demand for various assets and operational characteristics,
- Potential use of infrastructure assets supported by federal, state, and local governments and by industry to collect data for multiple goals,
- Potential for emerging technology to increase the substitutability of various infrastructure components, thus providing greater flexibility or surge capacity,
- Potential opportunities to phase out programs or facilities in order to develop capabilities in new research areas, and
- Institutional or policy barriers, if any, that may hinder the optimal use of facilities and infrastructure. This would include restrictions on the use of facilities and infrastructure by non-traditional users, including private industry, and possible ways to optimize the use of research facilities.
The report will provide advice on the criteria and processes that could be used to set priorities for the development of new ocean infrastructure or replacement of existing facilities. It will not recommend specific new infrastructure or facility fabrication/construction investments. In undertaking this task, the committee will consider a variety of issues, such as partnerships with other nations and industry, constraints on acquisition and operation of research platforms, and suitability of facilities for addressing a diversity of scientific endeavors. In the same context as "Charting the Course of Ocean Science in the Unites States for the Next Decade: An Ocean Research Priorities Plan and Implementation Strategy", this study will address societal issues. In addition, the committee will recommend ways in which the federal agencies can maximize the value of investments in ocean infrastructure. This may include practices that would facilitate the transition of facilities and infrastructure for research into operational use.
We hope this website proves to be useful. Additional study information can be found on our Current Projects website. Feel free to contact Heather Chiarello, Senior Program Assistant, if you have any questions or concerns.
