NOAA Announces FY 2006 Budget Request
VAdm. Conrad C. Lautenbacher Jr., under secretary of commerce for oceans & atmosphere and NOAA administrator unveiled the proposed FY 2006 budget for the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration. The request totals US$ 3.6 billion, and increase of 6% of US$ 205 million over the FY 2005 request.
The budget includes increases for global earth observations, Ocean Commission-related initiatives, climate services and research, weather warnings and forecasts, ecosystem stewardship, and satellite programs. The FY 2006 request includes significant resources for NOAA's ocean and coastal programs and fisheries and protected species activities in support of the president's U.S. Ocean Action Plan. More than US$1 billion is requested for these ongoing programs, including US$61.2 million to address regional ecosystem research priorities at NOAA's Sea Grants, US$22.7 million in support of NOAA's Ocean Exploration program, US$32.5 million for building a fourth new fisheries research vessel, and US$25.4 million for fisheries stock assessment. The request also includes increases of US$1.5 million for the NOAA Coral Program and US$1.5 million for the Coastal Global Ocean Observing System.
In the wake of last year’s tsunami, US$9.5 million will go to expand the U.S. Tsunami Warning Network. This US$24 million commitment over two years will expand the current six-buoy tsunami detection network by an additional 32 buoys in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, Caribbean basin, and Gulf of Mexico; procure three redundant buoys off the coast of Alaska as backups; 38 new sea-level monitoring/tide gauge sensors; provide 24/7 operations at NOAA's Tsunami Warning Centers; upgrade 20 seismometers used to improve tsunami detection; and expand the Tsunami Ready program to improve community preparedness.
In the perennial ‘Promote Safe Navigation’ arena, another US$1.9 million will continue NOAA's efforts to provide electronic navigational charts (ENCs) covering all U.S. waters by 2008. This funding will allow NOAA to increase the number of ENCs available to mariners by more than 25%. Another US$1.5 million for the National Current Program will ensure that NOAA's Annual Tidal Current Table predictions are accurate.
