Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020

Floor Speech

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Ms. BONAMICI. Mr. Speaker, as Co-Chair of the House Oceans Caucus, I rise in support of S. 914, a bill to reauthorize and increase funding for the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System.

The ocean covers more than 70 percent of the planet, but despite our intrinsic connection to our ocean we know very little about what is beneath its surface. The eleven Integrated Ocean Observing System regional networks use satellites, buoys, underwater gliders, and tide gauges to deliver accurate and continuous data on our ocean and coasts. I was pleased to work with my House Oceans Caucus Co-Chair, Congressman Don Young, on the House companion to reauthorize these important ocean observation efforts.

Coastal communities, like those I represent in Northwest Oregon, rely on accurate ocean data and monitoring for information about ocean acidification, harmful algal blooms and hypoxia, sea level rise, flooding, navigation, and port security. In the Pacific Northwest, we are fortunate to have the Northwest Association of Networked Ocean Observing Systems leading the way. Tribes, commercial fisheries, emergency responders, and public health officials rely on the free and open access data collected by NANOOS to learn about threats to the health of our ocean. I am excited about the partnership between NANOOS and the Columbia River Inter-Tribal Fish Commission that focuses on the Center for Coastal Margin Observation and Prediction and will help to further our understanding of ocean-estuary interactions. I appreciate the continued innovation from NANOOS to meet the needs of our communities along the Pacific Coast and the Columbia River.

I am also pleased that this bill directs NOAA to conduct a vulnerability assessment to identify communities that are dependent on coastal and ocean resources and that may be affected by ocean acidification. I am grateful for the bipartisan support for strengthening our understanding of the socioeconomic effects of ocean acidification on a range of geographically diverse coastal communities, and I look forward to continuing to work with my colleagues on this issue.

To protect and preserve one of our planet's greatest natural resources, we must rapidly accelerate the collection, management, and dissemination of ocean data collection and monitoring. I recently joined my colleagues on the House Select Committee on the Climate Crisis in releasing a bold, science-based comprehensive Climate Action Plan to set our nation on a path to net-zero emissions no later than midcentury and net-negative thereafter. I'm thrilled that our plan for solving the climate crisis recognizes the power of our ocean as part of the solution. Our Climate Action Plan specifically includes the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act to strengthen ocean observations.

Thank you to NANOOS for their efforts to accurately predict, model, and manage ocean observation data that support the needs of our region. I urge all of my colleagues to support this bill.

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