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NOAA's Hydrographic Services Review Panel

2004-2008 HSRP Recommendations Chart

KEY :
H = HSRP Task
N = NOAA Task
P = Public Task

Item Number HSRP Recommendation Status Action Result
CY 2004 Taskings and Recommendations
N1-04 TASK:
To provide recommendations on NOAA-Hydrographic Survey Priorities (NHSP)
N1-04/R1 Clarify under what circumstances lower survey priorities can be elevated Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Accepted and Incorporated into the NOAA Hydrographic Survey Priorities for 2004
N1-04/R2 Add page numbers to the document Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Accepted and Incorporated
N1-04/R3 Confirm the statistics quoted in the document Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Completed
N1-04/R4 Add an additional column for "emerging critical areas" Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Accepted and Incorporated
N1-04/R5 Provide a tabulation describing navigationally significant areas and critical areas completed Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Accepted and Incorporated
N1-04/R6 Address the survey concerns of the recreational boating community Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Accepted and Incorporated
N1-04/R7 Clarify that the data resulting from NOAA hydrographic surveys are being used by non-navigation (e.g., coastal management, marine sanctuaries, emergency responders, scientific, etc). in addition to the traditional navigation community. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div Accepted and Incorporated
N1-04/R8 Describe how the priority one parameters were established. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div Accepted and Incorporated
N2-04 TASK:
To provide recommendations on Quality Assurance and Certification Program for NOAA Hydrographic Products.
N2-04/R1 The HSRP recommends that NOAA continue to maintain the single, official nautical chart or publication where federal regulations mandate carriage. Submitted NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Incorporated into Final Rule
N2-04/R2 The HSRP recommends that the use of NOAA's emblem be authorized for only those NOAA certified hydrographic products (including ENCs or SENCs) that meet federal carriage requirements. Submitted NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Incorporated
N3-04 TASK:
To provide recommendations on Certification Requirements for Distributors of NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts/NOAA Hydrographic Products
N3-04/R1 Change the title to: "PART 995—Certification Requirements for Distributors of NOAA Electronic Navigational Charts." Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Not Accepted in Final Rule
N3-04/R2 Move the definition of “Distributor” to Part 996 and clarify why a “Distributor” must redistribute a NOAA hydrographic product in its original format, yet a certified NOAA ENC Value Added Distributor (presumably a sub-category of “Distributor”) can redistribute a reformatted NOAA ENC (SENC). Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Not Accepted
N3-04/R3 The proposed rule needs to clarify and distinguish between the (1) certification of distributors, (2) certification of processes, and (3) certification of products (i.e., official status –whether the product meets federal chart carriage requirements or not). The ultimate user must be able to readily determine whether or not a hydrographic product is suitable for navigation and meets federal chart carriage requirements. Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Clarified
N3-04/R4 The proposed rule should treat the downloading and own use of official ENC the same for individuals and entities. The proposed rule mandates different outcomes for the same procedure simply because of who performed it. Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Accommodated
N3-04/R5 The proposed rule should require any commercially redistributed official ENC or derived product from an uncertified entity to notify the user that the product does not meet federal chart carriage requirements. Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Accommodated
N3-04/R6 NOAA should charge fees for all costs incurred in the certification process, based on the time and effort involved. There should be no exception for resubmissions of revised requests that were initially unacceptable and are sent in within 90 days. Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Clarified
N3-04/R7 Strike redundant sentence, “NOAA reserves the right to audit certified distributors.” Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Incorporated
N3-04/R8 NOAA should reserve the right, to the extent practicable, to require the recall of all redistributed ENCs and derived products that were produced during the period of non-compliance as determined by the NOAA audit. Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Accommodated
N3-04/R9 NOAA can and should properly require training and education materials to be provided. However, it cannot regulate that CEDs or CEVADs ensure that the user has a sufficient level of knowledge. This would require some form of testing on criteria that has not been established. Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Accommodated
N3-04/R10 Strike all of section 995.24 (a)(4) Additional data Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Not Accepted
N3-04/R11 Provide an up-to-date listing on the OCS website of certified ENC distributors and their certified products. Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Agreed To Do
N3-04/R12 A certification statement must accompany the NOAA logo when used on hydrographic products. Submitted- NOAAs Office of Coast Survey Technical Advisor through the Federal Register Channels Accepted and Clarified
N4-04 TASK:
To provide recommendations on the First Annual Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Development Plan
N4-04/R1 The HSRP supports the development of an integrated ocean and coastal observing system. Submitted Ocean U.S. Letter of Acknowledgement
N4-04/R2 The HSRP places the highest priority on those components of IOOS that support safe and efficient maritime operations. Submitted Ocean U.S. Letter of Acknowledgement
N4-04/R3 Given that authorizing language already exists in the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 2002, which requires NOAA to fund, develop, and maintain real-time observation systems for maritime use, and that NOAA already has a program for quality control and observation integration, the HSRP recommends for such observations that: A. NOAA be designated the lead agency for integration of real-time observations carried out by the federal and nonfederal partners. B. To the extent practicable, data collected by federal and nonfederal partners with maritime applicability should be quality controlled and distributed by NOAA for maritime operational use. C. To the extent practicable, observation systems funded by NOAA research channels be required to be quality controlled and available for maritime use. D. PORTS and NWLON be identified as key components of the “federal backbone,” and be given priority in the IOOS implementation plan. Submitted Ocean U.S. Letter of Acknowledgement
N4-04/R4 The HSRP recommends that the charting and mapping component be incorporated into the IOOS plan to better address the 7 societal goals, in particular, safe and efficient navigation, and funding be increased to eliminate the 13-year survey backlog for critical areas. Submitted Ocean U.S. Letter of Acknowledgement
N4-04/R5 The HSRP recommends that the IOOS plan emphasize the importance of near-shore observations to support safe and efficient maritime operations. Submitted Ocean U.S. Letter of Acknowledgement

CY 2005 Taskings and Recommendations
N1-05 TASK:
To provide recommendations on the Hydrographic Survey Cost Analysis (Link to task .pdf) (Link to Associated HSRP Findings).
N1-05/R1 NOAA should conduct a more exhaustive Hydrographic Survey Cost Comparison in an attempt to provide a more “normalized” cost comparison than the KPMG study. The study should be modeled after the approach as presented to the HSRP in a memorandum entitled Hydrographic Survey Cost Comparison--Methods and Procedures dated May 11, 2005. To the extent practicable, actual costs should be utilized as opposed to estimates.
 Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Insufficient NOAA funds/staffing to conduct as proposed--new proposal to conduct abbreviated cost analysis
N1-05/R2 In addition to government costs detailed in the May 11th memorandum, the compilation of government costs should include all project costs associated with the production of the final smooth sheet including but not limited to:
--From a vessel perspective, costs should include an appropriate portion of the following: transit time, days in the project area, days in port, mechanical and weather delays, maintenance, refit and any other costs associated with vessel operation.
--From a personnel perspective, costs should include benefits, recruitment and training.
--From an equipment perspective, costs should include amortized cost, maintenance, repair, R & D and technical support.
--All requirements necessary to produce the final smooth sheet, which may include but are not limited to the hydrography, shoreline verification, tides, geodetic control, cartography, quality review and reporting.
--A full-on A-76 study is not recommended and A-76 cost factors need not be strictly adhered to. However, A-76 guidelines should be reasonably followed to get to the bottom of true NOAA costs		 Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Insufficient NOAA funds/staffing to conduct as proposed--new proposal to conduct abbreviated cost analysis
N1-05/R3 NOAA should compare surveys of a similar nature. In addition to those detailed in the May 11th memorandum, the categories to consider should include:
--100% multibeam coverage
--200% side scan sonar coverage (with and without multibeam)
--LIDAR
--AUV and other emergent technology when a sufficient number of projects warrant
--Year of survey (should normalize technology advancements)
--Region and accessibility
--Bottom characteristics (depth, bottom type and irregularity)
 Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Insufficient NOAA funds/staffing to conduct as proposed--new proposal to conduct abbreviated cost analysis
N1-05/R4 Sufficient projects of each type shall be selected to enable the meaning out of anomalous conditions as opposed to using a representative sample as suggested in the memorandum. Projects should not be eliminated from the study because they had excessively anomalous conditions. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div Insufficient NOAA funds/staffing to conduct as proposed--new proposal to conduct abbreviated cost analysis
N1-05/R5 NOAA should not limit the measure of progress to square nautical miles. A wider variety of metrics will provide insight into anomalous results. Other indicators that should be evaluated should include, but not be limited to:
--Linear nautical miles
--Days at sea
--The ratio of linear nautical miles to square nautical miles.
--The ratio of linear nautical miles per day at sea.
--The number of contact investigations, AWOIS and developments.
 Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Insufficient NOAA funds/staffing to conduct as proposed--new proposal to conduct abbreviated cost analysis
N1-05/R6 NOAA should include a caveat in the final report that states the difficulty in obtaining a normalized comparison and that no tables or figures are intended for stand-alone use. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Insufficient NOAA funds/staffing to conduct as proposed--new proposal to conduct abbreviated cost analysis.
N1-05/R7 NOAA should develop more precise project cost accounting programs and methods to assist in on-going and future studies. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div Insufficient NOAA funds/staffing to conduct as proposed--new proposal to conduct abbreviated cost analysis.
N1-05/R8 NOAA should pursue the modernization of the aging NOAA surveying and mapping fleet to provide more efficient platforms and meet the needs for current and future technology. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Insufficient NOAA funds/staffing to conduct as proposed--new proposal to conduct abbreviated cost analysis.
N2-05 TASK:
To provide recommendations on Mapping & Charting Contracting Policy/Expansion Strategy (Link to task .pdf)(Link to Associated HSRP Findings)
N2-05/R1 NOAA should continue to utilize a mix of in-house resources and contracting to accomplish its hydrographic services mission. Submitted NOAA Coast Survey Staff Accepted and Incorporated
N2-05/R2 NOAA maintain its necessary operational core capability then contract for the remainder of its hydrographic services to the extent of available funding. Costs and productivity should be closely monitored within each category (i.e., public and private) of hydrographic survey resources. Submitted NOAA Coast Survey Staff Accepted and Incorporated
N2-05/R3 NOAA should use its operational expertise to define and defend resources needed for its necessary core capability – defined in terms of the maintenance and renewal of capital resources and equipment, continuity of qualified personnel, research and development, and sufficient contract management capacity – required to guarantee the governments’ interest in and responsibility for the delivery of hydrographic services to the public. Submitted NOAA Coast Survey Staff Pending
N2-05/R4 The core hydrographic services capability should include, but is not limited to:
--technical staff with the highest level of expertise to perform and advise NOAA’s in-house hydrographic services and to review, collaborate with, direct, and advise contractors for hydrographic services;
--a national system of geodetic control, water level and current monitoring stations, and systems that provide real-time physical and oceanographic information;
--a national integrated ocean observing system;
--a coordinated research and development program for hydrographic services; and
--legal and contracting staff experienced in contracting for hydrographic services.
 Submitted NOAA Coast Survey Staff Agency Concurrence
N2-05/R5 NOAA should complete its "NOAA Fleet Analysis of Alternatives" and consult with the HSRP regarding the recommended number of hydrographic survey vessels needed to support NOAA’s governmental interest in executing its missions.
 Submitted NOAA Coast Survey Staff Pending
N2-05/R6 NOAA should seek additional funding for contractual services to reduce the backlog of critical and high priority hydrographic surveying needs.
 Submitted NOAA Coast Survey Staff Agency Concurrence and Commitment
N2-05/R7 NOAA should continue to work collaboratively with the private sector to improve the overall quality and efficacy of hydrographic surveys and products. Submitted NOAA Coast Survey Staff Accepted and Incorporated
N2-05/R8 NOAA should determine the optimal resource allocation between in-house and contracting resources based on the strength of the governmental interest, and the particular operational capabilities of either government or private industry resources that may make one more suitable. Submitted NOAA Coast Survey Staff Pending
N3-05 TASK:
To provide recommendations on NOAA Hydrographic Services Requirements (Link to task .pdf)
HSRP Workgroup Action Pending
N4-05 TASK:
To provide recommendations on NOAA Hydrographic Services Role in the IOOS (Link to task .pdf)(Link to Associated HSRP Findings)
N4-05/R1 The HSRP recommends further development and expansion of NOAA’s observing programs as critical components of a national IOOS system that will respond to as many national, regional, and local needs as possible, including, but not limited to, navigation and other uses by mariners; wave prediction; shoreline erosion and bathymetric change prediction; water salinity; and weather forecasting. The HSRP also recognizes numerous other uses that IOOS could and should provide, and encourages those uses to broaden public support for and expansion of the IOOS system. Submitted NOAA Agency Concurrence and Comitment
N4-05/R2 The HSRP recommends sufficient funding for IOOS to support navigational services, including, but not limited to, near-shore and offshore current measurements and water levels, wind speed and direction, vertical clearances (bridge air gap), salinity, wave height and visibility. Submitted NOAA Agency Concurrence and Commitment
N4-05/R3 The HSRP supports NOAA as the lead coordinating agency for the development of a national IOOS development plan, including a timeframe for implementation and line item funding recommendations from which the existing NOAA system of observations will be developed and enhanced.
Submitted NOAA Agency will continue coordination efforts toward IOOS integration
N5-05 TASK:
To provide recommendations on Hydrographic Services Improvement Act Reauthorization Language (Link to task .pdf)
N5-05/R1 (FY-2006) As the HSIA expires at the end of Fiscal Year 2007, the HSRP recommends that a five year authorization from FY 2008 through FY 2012 be supported at funding levels commensurate with the continued need to address real time hydrographic observations and continuation of HSRP, among other critical hydrographic needs and interests. Letter to VADM Submitted (LINK)
NOAA
Pending
N5-05/R2 The HSRP recommends that NOAA begin immediate and serious deliberations to provide Congress with Agency views or other appropriate communication to facilitate reauthorization in a timely manner. Letter to VADM Submitted (LINK)
NOAA
Pending
CY 2006 Taskings and Recommendations
N1-06 TASK:
NOAA Navigation Services Issues for CMTS Consideration (Link to task .pdf)
N1-06/R1

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to establish consistent federal datums and NOAA should pursue a leadership role in coordinating these efforts. Programs such as V-datum and Height Modernization must be fully funded.

 Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R2 The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to ensure a full bottom coverage hydrographic survey is conducted of all federally maintained channels. This surveying should be conducted on a risk management priority basis - e.g. - starting with those waterways with significant hazardous materials, least under-keel clearance, nearest population, strategic ports/national defense significance, or other appropriate criteria.
Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R3

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to require full bottom coverage surveys following regular channel maintenance, and upon the completion of all navigation projects in federally maintained channels, anchorages and approaches to piers and berths.
Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R4

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to require the regular monitoring and publishing of water depths in approaches and alongside piers, either by the federal government, public port authority, or private terminal operator. This information should be provided to NOAA for possible inclusion on charts, coast pilots or other navigation tools, as well as published in notice to mariners. This requirement should be enforced by the local USCG Captain of the Port.
Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R5

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to require hydrographic surveys upon completion of artificial fish havens and other dumping permits in navigable waters. If permits allow dumping over time, then hydrographic surveys should be required at periodic intervals to ensure compliance with the permit terms for safety of navigation. Placement of fish havens and dumping sites should not interfere with navigation safety.
Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R6

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to encourage involved Federal Agencies to complete an inventory of federal products and services that support the MTS. NOAA has already undertaken this inventory of its Navigation Services for the HSRP and also has completed an inventory of its programs that are included in the 'backbone' of the proposed Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS). Agencies should then look for areas of overlapping services and coordinate to improve efficiency thereby increasing the return on public investments.
Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R7

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to broaden funding for navigation projects to provide for re-evaluation of aids to navigation, hydrographic surveying, and updating the waterway's hydrographic model for accurate water level and current information.
Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R8

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to encourage the federal government to continue to accelerate the completion of the backlog of hydrographic surveys. NOAA needs more resources to increase in-house and contracting for hydrographic services.
Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R9

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to balance its resources including partnership efforts with other federal agencies, to produce its hydrographic products. For example, to produce a navigational chart, NOAA needs to balance its efforts between surveying, charting, shoreline and other production elements. Funding for the Marine Charting Division must be coordinated up with funding for hydrographic surveys, otherwise a backlog of survey data will simply back up"in the can" because NOAA does not have the resources to compile the chart. Not only is this inefficient, it gives rise to potential liability from accidents where it can be shown that NOAA had knowledge of hazards to navigation but did not disseminate this information to mariners. NOAA's ability to balance its resources is crippled by earmarks.
Pending
NOAA
Pending
N1-06/R10

The HSRP recommends that NOAA work within the CMTS to accelerate the production of its ENC database to complete work in sufficient time to meet ENC carriage requirement implementation.

Pending
NOAA
Pending
N2-06 TASK:
NOAA Navigation Services Emergency Response Capabilities (Link to task .pdf)
N2-06/R1

The HSRP recommends that NOAA review the ESF Table and its Homeland Security Capabilities Matrix for completeness regarding NOAA's All-Hazards Response and Recovery capabilities. NOAA must add all hydrographic services such as fully equipped, self-contained Navigation Response Teams (NRT) to the ESF Table (#5 Emergency Management) or these critical capabilities may not be available for future emergencies.
Submitted
 NOAA Homeland Security Progam Office Acknowledged (Catastrophic Incident Supplement of the National Response Plan lists NRTs)
N2-06/R2

The HSRP recommends that NOAA assess the readiness of its response and recovery capabilities for all of its mandated emergency support functions. This Assessment should include a review of NOAA's capabilities to execute each of the five Incident Command System (ICS) functional areas: Command/Management, Planning/Intelligence, Operations, Logistics, and Finance/Administration.

Submitted
 NOAA Homeland Security Progam Office Agency Concurrence and Compliance
N2-06/R3

The HSRP recommends that NOAA fully train its Incident Command Center and response and recovery personnel in all aspects of the Incident Command System and that NOAA fully participate with its other federal agency partners to ensure NOAA's unique emergency response and recovery role and capabilities are fully utilized in any federal response.
Submitted
 NOAA Homeland Security Progam Office Agency Concurrence and Compliance
N2-06/R4

The HSRP recommends that NOAA undertake additional work to expand and clarify its guidance on the agency's interaction with maritime industry and other local coastal resources stakeholders. This guidance should include, at a minimum: 1) Prior to an emergency, identify and contact the local maritime industry and coastal zone stakeholders that are users of or otherwise concerned with NOAA's primary Mission Essential Functions (PMEF) 2) The development of procedures and guidance for these stakeholders and the appropriate NOAA representatives to coordinate emergency response and recovery efforts.
Submitted
 NOAA Homeland Security Progam Office Agency Concurrence and Compliance
N2-06/R5

The HSRP recommends that NOAA identify and, whenever possible, recover significant unbudgeted expense incurred by NOAA's navigation services programs in responding to natural and man-made disasters. The HSRP notes that NOAA must recoup significant unbudgeted expenses incurred in the provision of emergency response and recovery operations or the agency will not be able to sufficiently execute its primary mission essential functions for navigation services.
Submitted
 NOAA Homeland Security Progam Office Agency Concurrence and Compliance
N3-06 TASK:
To provide recommendations on NOAA-Hydrographic Survey Priorities (NHSP) 2006 Edition
N3-06/R1 The HSRP recommends that the NHSP should contain a discussion on NOAA's priority areas, current funding levels and realistic rate of accomplishment. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Concurrence and Partial compliance (funding information is outside the scope of this document)
N3-06/R2 The HSRP recommends that NOAA check the extent of the polygons for accuracy throughout the NHSP. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Agency Concurrence and Compliance
N3-06/R3 The HSRP recommends that the NHSP be more widely distributed to all coastal geodetic advisors and navigation managers. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Agency Concurrence but funding issues allow web-posting only
N3-06/R4 The HSRP recommends that NOAA post GIS files of the graphics and maps, georeferenced for useful data merges. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div. Agency Concurrence (but requests will be handled on an individual basis)
N3-06/R5 The HSRP recommends that they should review the document on a yearly basis in late spring. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div.
Accepted
N3-06/R6 The HSRP recommends using different shading techniques to show the date of last survey . Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div.
Not Accepted (scale and scope of document prevent this)
N3-06/R7 The HSRP recommends Inlcuding the number of new obstructions and significant changes found by using new surveying technologies. Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div.
Pending
N3-06/R8 The HSRP recommends inluding a web link from the planning document to actual execution (to represent both NOAA efforts and contractor efforts). Submitted NOAAs Coast Survey Hydrographic Surveys Div.
Not Accepted - (security concerns)
H1-06 TASK:
To provide recommendations on Coastal Management Vision (Link to Formal Statement)
H1-06/R1 The HSRP strongly encourages that NOAA recognize the marine transportation and the recreational boating community values that are inherent in any visioning for coastal management, long-term uses of the coastal zone and encourages NOAA to keep the HSRP, the marine transportation community and the recreational boating community involved, as well, as NOAA goes about the process.
Pending
Accepted
H2-06 TASK:
The HSRP is concerned that current appropriations for Electronic Navigational Charts (ENCs) are insufficient to support NOAAs responsibility to provide and maintain a complete portfolio of "Official" ENCs.
H2-06/R1 The HSRP recommends that NOAA assess its capability to complete and maintain the ENC portfolio in time to meet anticipated mandatory ENC carriage requirements.
Pending
 NOAAs Coast Survey Accepted, capability accessed, major port areas completed, unable to meet requirement 100%
H2-06/R2 The HSRP recommends that NOAA, based on this assessment, prepare a strategic plan to ensure timely completion of the official ENC portolio.
Pending
 NOAAs Coast Survey Accepted, Strategic Plan prepared, major port areas completed, unable to meet requirement 100%
H2-06/R3 The HSRP recommends that this assessment and strategy should include the impacts of projected or potential shortfalls in appropriations and resources and the timely inclusion as a mission-critical priority in NOAAs internal and external budget process.
Pending
 NOAAs Coast Survey Accepted, full funding in FY08 is anticipated
CY 2007 Taskings and Recommendations
N1-07 TASK:
NOAA Fleet Recapitalization Study
N1-07/R1

The HSRP supports NOAA's proposed approach for the NOAA Fleet Recapitalization Study including in house and outsourced capability.

 Submitted NOAA Marine and Aviatin Operations Division Agency Concurrence and Compliance
N1-07/R2 The HSRP recommends that the study's mission needs assessment be consistent with NOAA's Hydrography Major Project. Submitted NOAA Marine and Aviatin Operations Division/Office of Coast Survey Agency Concurrence and Compliance
N1-07/R3 The HSRP recommends that the recapitalization study consider, and where appropriate, incorporate requirements indentified by the FOFC (Federal Ocean Facilities Committee) process. Submitted NOAA Marine and Aviatin Operations Division Agency Concurrence and Compliance
H1-07 NOAA Small-Waterplane-Area-Twin-Hull (SWATH)
H1-07/R1 The HSRP recommends that NOAA pursue funding to cover the cost of management reserves, vessel capability improvements, spare parts and outfitting and operations and maintenance for the SWATH vessel Submitted NOAA Marine and Aviatin Operations Division Agency Concurrence and Compliance
H2-07 NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Structure
H2-07/R1 The HSRP recommends that NOAA acknowledge the expanding marine transportation system as a societal challenge that should be addressed as a component of IOOS. Decision tools addressing this challenge should include dynamic marine and navigation charts and other integrated products. Submitted NOAA Marine and Aviatin Operations Division Agency Concurrence and Compliance
H3-07 HSRP Most Wanted Hydrographic Services Improvements
H3-07/R1 The HSRP recommends that NOAA aggressively map the nation's shorelines and navigationally significant waters. Submitted NOAA Letter of Acknowledgement Action Pending
H3-07/R2 The HSRP recommends that NOAA integrate coastal mapping efforts and ensure federally maintained channels, approaches, and anchorages are surveyed to the highest standard Submitted NOAA Letter of Acknowledgement Action Pending
H3-07/R3 The HSRP recommends that NOAA modernize heights and implement real-time water level and current observing systems in all major commercial ports. Submitted NOAA Letter of Acknowledgement Action Pending
H3-07/R4 The HSRP recommends that NOAA strengthen NOAA's navigation services emergency response and recovery capabilities Submitted NOAA Letter of Acknowledgement Action Pending
H3-07/R5 The HSRP recommends that NOAA disseminate NOAA's hydrographic services data and products to achieve greatest public benefit Submitted NOAA Letter of Acknowledgement Action Pending
N2-07 NOAA Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Regional Association Guidance
N2-07/R1 The Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) supports NOAA's vision that the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) be developed and maintained as an operational system driven by user needs. Therefore, the HSRP recommends the greater inclusion of mariners and other navigational data users in the planning and decision-making processes of IOOS Regional Associations (RAs). The current level of such user engagement varies from region to region. The HSRP recommends that NOAA formalize a process to ensure that RAs consistently involve mariners and other navigational data users in the design and development of regional ocean observing systems by requiring each RA to significantly include such users on the RA's governing and advisory boards. The HSRP further recommends NOAA implement a review process for RAs that includes an evaluation of the level of user participation. As the national program office and source of public funds for IOOS, NOAA is the appropriate federal agency to establish consistent governing regulations for the regional observing systems that are part of IOOS. Submitted NOAA/RAs Pending Letter from the National Federation of Regional Associations supporting the HSRP recommendation and future RA implementation plans
CY 2008 Taskings and Recommendations
N1-08
TASK: Improve coordination among Federal agencies and with states for seafloor mapping activities.
N1-08/R1
HSRP recommends that NOAA and other Federal agencies-in partnership with the Interagency Working Group on Ocean and Coastal Mapping—continue their efforts to improve seafloor mapping coordination and efficiencies, and to involve interested state and local governments early in this process as possible.
     
N2-08
TASK: Improve safe navigation and protect natural coral reef protection in Port of Miami-NOAA surveys are needed for new anchorage area for Miami for ships to avoid hitting corals, proper holding ground, and better placement of approach buoys in the ship channel.
N2-08/R1
HSRP recommends that NOAA provide the necessary assistance to the Port of Miami to evaluate alternative anchorage areas and buoy placement to improve navigation and protect natural resources in this area.
     
N3-08
TASK: Improvement in Height Modernization for Accurate Positioning and Elevations nationwide.
N3-08/R1
HSRP recommends that NOAA expand Height Modernization and pursue the GRAV-D program, which includes the airborne gravity data collection in a comprehensive fashion.
     
N4-08
TASK: 100% Requirement Gap Analysis tool for assessing NOAA's progress for hydrographic service improvements.
N4-08/R1
HSRP recommends that NOAA develop and deliver a 100% gap analysis of key hydrographic programs to properly assess NOAA's progress in hydrographic services.
     
N5-08
TASK: Coast Guard Automatic Identification System (AIS-B) to improve identification and communication between smaller vessels and larger vessels.
N5-08/R1
HSRP recommends that NOAA request that the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) approve the use of AIS-B contingent upon the development of a filter to enable AIS-A users to block AIS-B information when conditions warrant.
     
N6-08
TASK: Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) Operational Wave Observation Plan
N6-08/R1
HSRP recommends that the NOAA IOOS Wave Plan-would benefit from a thorough discussion of its integration with other IOOS requirements.
     
N6-08/R2
HSRP recommends further development of a strategy to ensure sufficient operation and maintenance funding for an operational 24/7 system; a more refined analysis of ship costs; and the identification of potential research and development funding sources, in addition to the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program.
     
N6-08/R3
HSRP recommends that the NOAA IOOS Wave Plan-addresses and incorporates wave forecasting modeling.
     
N6-08/R4
HSRP is concerned that the corporation that develops the testing and evaluation critiera-should be responsible for validating operational capability.
     
N6-08/R5
HSRP recommends that geo-referenced data collected and published should be consistent with NOAA's National Spatial Reference System (NSRS), which provides the foundation for all positioning and navigation activities in the U.S. Further, all products should state positional accuracy so that end users have confidence that the data and products derived from them are located at the stated coordinates.
     
N6-08/R6
HSRP recommends a closer tie between observation and modeling. The observation plan should include some short-term, temporary buoy placements in the Inner-Shelf and Coastal Subnets to develop a relationship between Offshore Subnet station, Outer-Shelf Subnet stations and land-based meteorological stations.
     
N6-08/R7
HSRP recommends that temporary stations and the initial use of other wave monitoring stations be identified in the plan to improve the density of the network.
     
N6-08/R8
HSRP recommends that the NOAA IOOS Wave Plan-identify a cost-effective strategy to work more closely with industry, specifically, in the Gulf of Mexico, where there are existing platforms that can be used for observations.
     
Electronic Navigational Charts (ENC)