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FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS FOR DIANA H. JOSEFHSON 



BEFORE THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON OCEANOGRAPHY, 



GULF OF MEXICO, AND THE OUTER CONTINENTAL SHELF 



COMMITTEE ON MERCHANT MARINE AND FISHERIES 



U.S. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 



NOVEMBER 3, 1993 



NOAA^s Strategic Plan 



Question 1: The plan is very ambitious and far reaching, but 

 with the five-year spending cap, how does NOAA plan to fund the 

 progreuns? 



Answer: NOAA believes that the initiatives outlined in the 

 strategic plan represent high priorities both within the 

 Administration and Congress. NOAA estimates that the small 

 investment required to accomplish our objectives can generate 

 major economic benefits for the Nation of over $11 billion per 

 year. 



For example, our Build Sustainable Fisheries initiative can 

 generate an estimated $2.9 billion annually in net revenues to 

 the fishing industry. These revenues and the creation of a 

 healthy, restructured fishing industry in turn will increase 

 income and capital gains tax revenues. We are working with 

 Congress to develop appropriate fishing fees that would help 

 support the development of sustainable fisheries. 



Also, NOAA is assessing the convergence of our Polar-Orbiting 

 Environmental Satellite Program with that of the Department of 

 Defense's Defense Meteorological Satellite Program and the NASA 

 Earth Observing System Program. The three agencies have formed a 

 tri-agency study committee to oversee the process and to approve 

 final study products and recommendations. The converged 

 operational program will cost the Nation less than the sum of the 

 current independent programs. 



Question 2: What happens if NOAA can't get a budget increase? 



Answer: NOAA will make the most efficient use of existing 

 resources, including refocusing resources as required. However, 

 given the current level of funding and the requirements necessary 

 to maintain a minimal level of essential services to the public 

 (e.g., fisheries management and current weather forecasting 

 services) , NOAA would have little flexibility to implement the 

 major objectives of the plan in the absence of sufficient 

 resources. 



Question 3 : What process is NOAA going through to determine 

 priorities within the plan? 



