Political Quotes

“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.…”