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accuracy. However, NOAA has not had the resources to equip its 

 ships with these shallow-water multibeam systems and high- 

 resolution side-scan systems. Further, the ship time that has 

 been available to obtain new survey data has declined by 60 

 percent over the past 15 years. 



Traditional cartographic techniques are outmoded and incapable of 

 delivering the information needed for modern electronic 

 navigation systems. Automated digital systems are necessary to 

 handle data efficiently. NOAA has developed the Automated 

 Nautical Charting System II (ANCS II) . However, current 

 resources are insufficient to build the database to make the 

 system operational. Until ANCS II is operational, NOAA must rely 

 on manual techniques to produce paper charts. Electronic chart 

 systems may soon be mandated for use. These systems can help to 

 avoid accidents such as the EXXON VALDEZ disaster. NOAA cannot 

 provide the electronic chart data needed to operate these systems 

 without a fully operational automated system. 



Marine forecasting services must be modernized to provide real- 

 time tide and current information. The Next Generation Water 

 Level Measurement System (NGWLMS) includes the use of acoustic 

 measurement techniques, dissemination of data via GOES satellite, 

 and the ability to handle up to 11 ancillary sensors such as 

 wind, pressure, and temperature sensors. One hundred ninety of 

 these systems have been purchased to complete the National Water 

 Level Observation Network (NWLON) , however, NOAA is able to 

 install only 100 because of resource limitations. NOAA has 

 withdrawn its tidal current predictions for two major ports. New 

 York and San Francisco, because they are no longer accurate. The 

 only real-time current measurement system in the nation is 

 installed in Tampa Bay. This system includes not only real-time 

 water level and meteorological data, but also remote sensing of 

 currents over the entire water column using modern acoustic 

 doppler techniques. However, NOAA cannot meet the demand for 

 similar systems in other ports or support the maintenance of 

 Tampa's system. 



Question 2: Please provide a table summarizing the funding 

 history of NCAA's navigation-related programs over at least the 

 past five years. 



Answer: The following are the appropriated amounts for the 

 mapping and charting line item in NOAA for the past five years: 



