NOAA Releases Revised Research Plan

The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) has released a revised version of its Five-Year Research Plan (.pdf), reflecting changes in focus based on events such as Hurricane Katrina.

"We took a broader look at the research questions that affect all of NOAA, such as hazard resiliency, economic competitiveness and providing accurate assessments to policy makers," said Richard W. Spinrad, NOAA assistant administrator for oceanic and atmospheric research in a press release. "With this revised plan, we hope to ensure that all of our research is linked to meeting essential societal needs."

NOAA's Five- and 20-Year Plans, emphasize the agency’s four primary research goals focusing on ecosystems, climate, weather and water, commerce and transportation, and technology and mission support.

Based on these research plans, NOAA hopes to achieve significant advances in:

• Severe storm and event warnings
  
• Air quality forecasting
  
• Long-range climate predictions
  
• Enhanced methods for the management of coastal and ocean resources
  
• Making all of its environmental inform available in real time

NOAA is seeking your comments on its future research plans. Comments and questions should be directed to:

Derek Parks
Executive Secretariat
NOAA Research Council
(301) 734-1186
derek.parks@noaa.gov

Also See:
2006 Third Hottest Year on Record, NOAA Finds
Better Severe Weather Forecasts Coming