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The Strategic Plan describes a program to update nautical 

 surveys, develop and distribute digital nautical information, and 

 modernize marine forecasting. NOAA proposes to provide modern 

 coverage of the Nation's most critical ports and harbor 

 approaches. Charts will be digitized to allow for radar overlays 

 to show other ships in the areas and information on real-time 

 tide, current, and weather data. NOAA will complete installation 

 of the National Water Level Observation Network to provide real- 

 time tide and water levels. 



Providing modern aeronautical charts is another important NOAA 

 role. Airspace and airport capacity is projected to increase by 

 20 percent by 1999 and another 20 percent by 2005. The Federal 

 Aviation Administration is investing an estimated $20 billion in 

 a 10-year modernization of the Nation's airspace to ensure safety 

 and efficiency. 



NOAA plans to fully support the FAA's requirements for digital 

 data and products and for new products to support Global 

 Positioning System-based navigation systems. 



The Plan calls for improving accuracy and access to a unified 

 reference coordinate system to serve the needs of modern space- 

 based geodetic technique. NOAA plans to establish a network of 

 1,300 high accuracy, three dimensional stations, and with state. 



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