Geoscience Policy Monthly Review
january 2015

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National Research Council reports on priorities in ocean research for next decade

January 23, 2015

The National Research Council (NRC) issued a report on January 23 detailing eight priorities for the next decade for ocean research and laying out the difficult financial decisions the marine science community faces. Marine researchers face increasing costs of infrastructure—such as research vessels, drilling platforms, and observatories—that outpace static federal funding for marine science. The NRC report recommends that, given these circumstances, the Division of Ocean Sciences within the National Science Foundation limit infrastructure costs to 50 percent of its annual budget. To make these cuts, NRC suggested decreasing scientific ocean drilling, building fewer new research vessels, and reducing spending on the Ocean Observatories Initiative.

The eight priorities laid out by the report for ocean science research in the next ten years include a focus on sea level change; geohazards such as undersea volcanism, mega-earthquakes, tsunamis, and undersea landslides; change in marine food webs; the role of marine biodiversity in ecosystem resilience; and climate change impact on marine ecosystems, among others.

Sources: E & E News, National Academies, Science Insider

Updated 2/11/15

Executive order creates new flood requirements for federal projects

January 30, 2015

President Obama signed an executive order on January 30 requiring that federal projects be built two feet higher than the previous standard to protect against floods that may worsen as a result of climate change. According to the White House, expanding coastal development and “rising sea levels, intensified storms, and heavy downpours… [contribute] to an increased risk of flooding," and require greater protection of federal property and taxpayer dollars.

Federal projects have three options to comply with the order: build two feet above the 100-year flood standard, build at the 500-year flood standard, or build to a height determined by “actionable climate science.” The rule applies to new projects, such as roads, bridges, or federal buildings, or infrastructure undergoing significant repair.

Supporters praised the executive order, pointing out that some states, such as Florida and Delaware, already build to the new standard and that the measure is likely to add very little cost to construction while paying off substantially in the future. Opponents feel the order is unnecessary, arguing that the increased construction and design costs outweigh the climate risks perceived by the Administration.

Each federal agency will design a standard to comply with the order following a period of public comment.

Sources: E&E News, the White House