Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) UPDATE
15 July 2004

The GLOS Business Plan, slated to be released in fall 2004, will outline current user needs, available information resources, the operational characteristics of an integrated regional system, funding mechanisms to sustain data collection, and the governance structure of a regional association to lead the program into the future.

The GLOS Steering Committee, which convenes monthly, has been guiding development of the Business Plan, with input from the Regional Interest Group and the broader Great Lakes community. The following timeline has been established by the Steering Committee and GLOS secretariat:

*Timeline*
July 30: First draft of business plan for internal review August 6: Second draft for internal review August 13: Third draft for review to GLOS-SC August 24-25, 2004: In-person meeting of GLOS Steering Committee @ GLC to review document Sept 7: Release of Business Plan for wider comment Sept 30: Target completion of business plan

It is anticipated that the GLOS Regional Association will be chartered in 2005 along with adoption of partnership agreements between agencies, organizations and institutions. Continued development of GLOS in 2004-05 has been secured by the Great Lakes Commission through a subsequent grant from the NOAA Coastal Services Center. Funding beyond 2005 will come from IOOS federal appropriations or earmarks.

Significant action has been underway in Washington to push authorization language through the House of Representative during this Session. The Senate Bill (S.1400), the Integrated Oceans Observing Systems bill, passed in July 2003. The House companion bill has been substantially rewritten by staff for members of the House Resource Committee with input from Ocean.US and other regional associations. Hearings on this bill have been conducted this week (7/14) with its introduction expected immediately thereafter. The House version is expected to reflect current thinking about how to sustain regional associations, achievable funding levels and preliminary recommendations of the Commission on Ocean Policy.

Meanwhile, the House Science Committee has initiated review of H.R. 4546, introduced by Representative Vernon Ehlers with hearings this week as well (7/16). This bill is entitled the "National Oceanic and Atmospheric Act" (or the NOAA 'organic' act) and was developed to provide formal authorization from Congress for NOAA, which was established by Executive Order in 1970. Title V of this act includes authorization for IOOS as well, with verbiage similar to S.1400.

It is anticipated that neither House bill will be addressed by the full House prior to late July recess, but will move forward in early September. The Great Lakes Commission is planning to conduct a briefing in early September for the Great Lakes Congressional Delegation on the implications of IOOS authorization to Great Lakes interests.

• A GLOS informational brochure has been completed. A screen-resolution PDF is available for download at www.glos.us/pdf/glosinsert-web.pdf. 3,000 copies are being printed and quantities will be made available, upon request, to GLOS Steering Committee members to distribute at related events and among colleagues.
  
  
• A 4-page "About GLOS" primer is available at www.glos.us/pdf/glosinsert-web.pdf. This was included as an insert in the Great Lakes Commission's May/June Advisor newsletter, read by 2,500+ Great Lakes stakeholders and policymakers. 500 additional copies are available for distribution at upcoming events.