[SCCOOS] SCCOOS News and Events

Fri May 5 14:17:43 PDT 2006

SCCOOS News and Events
May 2006 

In This Issue

News:

    * Presentation on HB06 to the Orange County Coastal Coalition 
    * Southern California Marine Monitoring Conference IV explores
      marine monitoring data and integration 
    * 2006 Sacramento forum, The Coast and California's Watersheds:
      Investing in our Natural Infrastructure 
    * California Ocean Protection Council considers state coordination
      role in ocean observing 
    * California boards and agencies consider coastal power plants once
      through cooling process 
    * NASA signs agreement to launch Jason-2, the Ocean Surface
      Topography Mission 
    * New study addresses trash flow into Los Angeles waterways 
    * San Diego Water Authority releases draft EIR on Carlsbad
      desalination plant 
    * Coastal Data Information Program dedicates a web display 
    * Ocean Observation System Coalition legislative update 
    * State health officer advises consumers 
    * Oceanographic instrumentation theft 
    * Public comment period still open for ocean research priorities
      plan 

Events:

    * Training on Stormwater Treatment Best Managements Practices 
    * 1st International Conference on the Application of Physical
      Modeling to Port and Coastal Protection (Coastlab06) 
    * River of Life Conference & Awards Banquet 
    * SCOAR Airborne Ocean Science Conference 
    * Coastal Environment 2006 
    * Capital Hill Oceans Week 2006 
    * Time Series of the Northeast Pacific 
    * 30th International Conference on Coastal Engineering (ICCE 2006)
    * California and the World Ocean '06 
    * Oceans 2006 - Revolutionizing Marine Science and Technology 
    * 53rd Annual Eastern Pacific Ocean Conference (EPOC) 
    * Ocean Optics Conference 

------------------------------------------------------------------------
News
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Presentation on HB06 to the Orange County Coastal Coalition
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Dr. Robert Guza gave a presentation on the Huntington Beach 06
demonstration to the Orange County Coastal Coalition on 27 April 2006.
The presentation provided an overview of the project, observing system
methodologies that will be employed, and application of the project
results. Stephanie Peck of SCCOOS will be engaging regularly with
Coalition members and also attended the meeting. 

Dr. Guza's presentation (pdf):
http://sccoos.ucsd.edu/docs/Guza_OC_coalit.pdf

More information about the Huntington Beach project (pdf):
http://www.sccoos.org/docs/SCCOOS-SanPedro.pdf

Southern California Marine Monitoring Conference IV explores marine
monitoring data and integration
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SCCOOS, the Aquarium of the Pacific, USC Wrigley Institute, and
Catalina Conservancy Divers sponsored a conference on marine monitoring
efforts in the Southern California Bight on 24-25 April 2006 at the
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. The conference was attended by 65
representatives of federal, state and local agencies, coastal
organizations and NGOs.  Stated goals of the conference were:

    * Learn about different marine monitoring efforts in the Southern
      California Bight region.
    * Set the stage for ongoing collaboration among those involved in
      these marine monitoring efforts.
    * Discuss how to integrate data together to answer questions related
      to the marine environment.
    * Explore opportunities to make data available to a broader user
      community through SCCOOS.

SCCOOS played a key role in the conference with presentations by Dr.
John Orcutt, Dr. Eric Terrill, Dr. Burt Jones, Dr. Tony Michaels, and
Dr. Rick Pieper, and participation of SCCOOS and SIO staff Jerry
Wanetick, Karen Baker, Stephanie Peck, Julie Thomas, Lisa Hazard, Jen
Bowen, and Paul Reuter.

Information about the conference, including breakout session notes,
final attendance roster, and speaker presentations, will be available at
the SCCOOS web site at http://www.sccoos.org/sccoos-meetings24Apr06.html
in the next week. 

Download the conference program (pdf):
http://sccoos.ucsd.edu/docs/MMC-Program.pdf

2006 Sacramento forum, The Coast and California's Watersheds: Investing
in our Natural Infrastructure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
On 19-20 April 2006, CalCoast, the Southern California Wetlands Recovery
Project, and the California Watershed sponsored the 2006 Sacramento
Forum focusing on the ocean and watersheds as natural infrastructure and
on current legislative and initiative efforts to monitor, protect and
restore California's coastline. SCCOOS  was a co-sponsor of the event.

CalCoast website: http://www.coastalconference.org/

California Ocean Protection Council considers state coordination role
in ocean observing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The California Ocean Protection Council discussed a proposal at its
meeting 20 April 2006 to create a program under the State Coastal
Conservancy to coordinate ocean observing activities statewide. The
proposal will be scheduled for Council consideration at its June meeting
in Monterey. A copy of the staff report and proposal can be accessed
online.

Note: Comments are being solicited.

Staff report and proposal:
http://resources.ca.gov/copc/4-20-06_meeting/0604_OPC_Book/

California boards and agencies consider coastal power plants once
through cooling process
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The California State Lands Commission on 17 April 2006 passed an
advisory resolution indicating the commission's intent to not approve or
renew leases for power plants that include once-through cooling
technology unless the facility is in full compliance with Clean Water
Act and state requirements. The resolution also urges the Energy
Commission and State Water Resources Board to implement policies to
eliminate the environmental impacts of once through cooling technologies
from new and existing power plants in the state.

The California Ocean Protection Council in the same week adopted a
resolution that urges the State Water Resources Control Board to
implement stricter requirements and controls for power plants,
encourages the formation of a technical review group and interagency
coordination committee, and funds a study to examine conversation to
alternative cooling or best available technologies.

Though the resolutions passed by the State Lands Commission and OPC are
not binding and do not carry regulatory authority, environmental and
industry representatives monitoring the issue are watching state action
as a possible precursor to an eventual ban on the once-through cooling
process in California power plants. 

State Lands Commission resolution (pdf):
http://archives.slc.ca.gov/Meeting_Summaries/2006_Documents/04-17-06/04-17-06_Voting_Record.pdf
(see Agenda Item V on Consent Calendar) 

California Ocean Protection resolution (pdf):
http://resources.ca.gov/copc/docs/060418_OTC_resolution_LH2_adopted_2006-4-20.pdf

"Seawater intake spurs outcry", San Diego Union Tribune:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20060414/news_1n14intake.html

NASA signs agreement to launch Jason-2, the Ocean Surface Topography
Mission
------------------------------------------------------------------------
NASA announced 11 April 2006 it will be cooperating with NOAA, France`s
Center for National Space Studies, and the European Organization for the
Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites to launch the Ocean Surface
Topography Mission in 2008. The satellite, named Jason-2, will increase 
scientists` understanding of ocean circulation during its 
three-to-five-year mission, as well as improve climate forecasts and 
measurements of global sea-level change. NASA will provide scientific 
instrumentation and launch services. NOAA will provide a satellite 
control center, command station, and data services.

Monsters and Critics article:
http://science.monstersandcritics.com/news/article_1154616.php/NASA_joins_ocean_surface_mapping_mission

More information:
http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/news.cfm?release=2006-052

New study addresses trash flow into Los Angeles waterways
------------------------------------------------------------------------
A study released by the Coalition for Environmental Protection,
Restoration and Development (CEPRD) examines ways to comply with a 1999
federal court order mandating that cities in Los Angeles County
eliminate by 2012 all trash flowing through storm drains into local
rivers and waterways.

The trash problem is especially apparent in coastal cities like Long
Beach, which sits at the mouths of the Los Angeles and San Gabriel
rivers. Each year, tons of garbage from storm drains upriver flow
downstream into the ocean, littering local beaches and harbors. Trash is
especially heavy after rainstorms.

Several cities have challenged the court order, claiming the policy of
zero trash tolerance is unrealistic and too expensive. CERPD and other
interested parties met at the end of March at the Aquarium of the
Pacific to review the study and discuss the approaches outlined,
including ways in which trash could be significantly, if not completely,
reduced without bankrupting local municipalities.

The study suggests a market-based model similar to "pollution credits"
used in other industries. The goal is to make pollution reductions in
the areas it would be simplest and most efficient, but then have a
business that can reduce trash beyond their goals be able to sell its
"credits" to businesses that cannot meet that standard.

The 18-month study cost $175,000, and was funded through federal, state
and private grants. 

Read the article online at: 
http://www.gazettes.com/riverclean03302006.html

San Diego Water Authority releases draft EIR on Carlsbad desalination 
plant
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The San Diego County Water Authority released on 31 March 2006 draft
environmental impact report which found that an ocean water discharged
by the proposed Regional Seawater Desalination Project in Carlsbad would
not harm sea life by discharging concentrated saltwater offshore, would
not kill large numbers of fish larvae or other organisms, or raise ocean
temperatures to unsafe levels for marine life. A study conducted last
year by the project proponent, Poseidon Resources Inc., reached similar
findings.

The County Water Authority conducted its own study and the environmental
impact report is independent of Poseidon's. The Water Authority studied
the project as if the authority was the developer.

The water authority proposes to blend the desalinated seawater with
water imported into the county from other sources by infusing it into an
aqueduct at San Marcos. Environmentalists have raised concerns about the
harmful effects of desalination process on marine life. 

San Diego Union Tribute:
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/northcounty/20060401-9999-7m1desal.html

Draft EIR:
http://www.sdcwa.org/manage/desalination-EIR.phtml

Coastal Data Information Program dedicates a web display
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Coastal Data Information Program  (CDIP) dedicated a web display
program to the Ocean Institute in Dana Point on 25 March 2006. This
exhibit (which includes an actual wave buoy) accesses data from the CDIP
buoy deployed approximately 4 miles west of Dana Point. The exhibit will
be used as an educational tool for all generations to further
understanding of the principals of physical oceanography.  

CDIP Web Display:
http://cdip.ucsd.edu/custom_pages/dana

Ocean Observation System Coalition legislative update
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ocean Observation System Coalition April Legislative Update is
available online. The Update includes information on recent Senate and
legislative IOOS activity in support of IOOS.

Download the legislative update (pdf):
http://www.sccoos.org/docs/IOOS-LegisApril06.pdf

State health officer advises consumers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The state health officer issued an advisory on 24 March 2006 to
consumers about avoiding consumption of some shellfish and viscera of
sardines, anchovies, and crab from the Southern California coast. 

Official release (pdf):
http://www.sccoos.org/docs/06-21.pdf

Oceanographic instrumentation theft
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Marine Technology Society (MTS) is interested in hearing from
anyone who has had experiences with theft and vandalism of ocean
instruments. MTS students have been working at the Southern California
Marine Institute in procuring, testing and deploying the Center for
Integrative Coastal Observation, Research and Education (CI-CORE) near
terrestrial and ocean deployed systems. A waterproof instrumentation box
was locked and instruments were secured with locks and chains, but a
current meter was stolen and vandalism included opening an
instrumentation box and leaving it exposed to flooding by seawater. The
problems raise the issue as to the scale of ocean theft and vandalism.
Contact Sam Kelly at skellycp at aol.com if you have experiences to share.

Public comment period still open for ocean research priorities plan
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Although the JSOST Workshop for the Ocean Research Priorities Plan has
now been held, the comment period for the Ocean Research Priorities Plan
remains open until 15 May 2006. Input is being solicited to ensure that
the themes and cross-cutting elements in the planning document reflect
community input and consensus, and key research priorities.

Comments should focus on large-scale challenges and expected results
within the research, technology and infrastructure needs and the Plan's
themes to address those challenges. The Ocean Research Priorities Plan
is not intended to be a delineation of detailed research efforts, but
will be a broader Plan to address broad and far-reaching research
initiatives and societal goals. 

For information on submitting comments:
http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/sup_jsost_public_comment.html

------------------------------------------------------------------------
Events
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Training on Stormwater Treatment Best Managements Practices
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2-3 May 2006 - San Clemente, CA

For more information, visit: 
http://www.stormwaterbook.com/short_course.html

1st International Conference on the Application of Physical Modeling to
Port and Coastal Protection (Coastlab06)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8-10 May 2006 - University of Porto, Portugal

The conference is of interest to all those involved with coastal
modeling and strongly encourages the participation of researchers from
the coastal sciences, engineers and those working at laboratory
equipment suppliers.

For more information, visit: 
http://paginas.fe.up.pt/~lpneves/coastlab06/

River of Life Conference & Awards Banquet
------------------------------------------------------------------------
19 May 2006 - Orange, CA

Sponsored by the Santa Ana River Watershed Alliance.

For more information, visit:
http://www.santaanariverwatershed.org/registration.html

SCOAR Airborne Ocean Science Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
24-25 May 2006 - Moss Landing Marine Laboratories

Sponsored by the UNOLS Scientific Committee for Oceanographic Aircraft
Research (SCOAR).

For more information, visit:
http://www.sccoos.org/news-UNOLS-24May06.html

Coastal Environment 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5 - 7 June 2006 - Rhodes, Greece

Sixth International Conference on Environmental Problems in Coastal
Regions Including Oil and Chemical Spill Studies

For more information, visit
http://www.wessex.ac.uk/conferences/2006/coast06

Capital Hill Oceans Week 2006
------------------------------------------------------------------------
13-14 June 2006 - Washington, D.C.

For more information, visit:
http://www.nmsfocean.org/chow2006/

Time Series of the Northeast Pacific
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5-8 July 2006 - Victoria Conference Centre, Victoria, BC, Canada

A symposium to mark the 50th anniversary of Line-P

For more information, visit:
http://www.pices.int/meetings/international_symposia/2006_symposia/Line-P/Background.aspx

30th International Conference on Coastal Engineering (ICCE 2006)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3-8 September 2006 - San Diego, CA

Sponsored by the Local Organizing Committee (LOC) of ICCE 2006 and the
Coasts, Oceans, Ports, and Rivers Institute (COPRI) of the American
Society of Civil Engineers.

For more information, visit:
http://www.ICCE2006.com

California and the World Ocean '06
------------------------------------------------------------------------
17-20 September 2006 - Long Beach, CA

For more information, visit:
http://resources.ca.gov/ocean/cwo06/

Oceans 2006 - Revolutionizing Marine Science and Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------
18-22 September 2006 - Boston, MA

Sponsored by IEEE Oceanic Engineering Society and The Marine Technology
Society

For more information, visit:
http://www.oceans2006.org

53rd Annual Eastern Pacific Ocean Conference (EPOC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
27-30 September 2006 - Timberline Lodge, OR

For more information, visit:
http://damp.coas.oregonstate.edu/epoc2006

Ocean Optics Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9-13 October 2006 - Montreal, Canada

Conference topics include: Radiative transfer theory and simulation;
Interdisciplinary topics addressing the ocean surface and interior;
Interaction of light with shallow ocean benthos and substrates;
Development and application of quantitative ocean color remote sensing;
Coastal ocean monitoring and data management strategies; and Instrument
design and validation

For more information, visit:
http://oceanopticsconference.org/home

------------------------------------------------------------------------
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