44 



warning system against incoming bombers. Now that the threat has 

 been reduced, so has the justification for continuing to operate 

 the system. Language in the FY 1994 Defense Appropriations Bill 

 tasks the Air Force to continue to operate the east coast radar 

 for 40 hours per week during FY 1994, and to cooperate with NOAA 

 in our efforts to develop the use of the OTH-B for weather 

 monitoring. The prognosis for the OTH-B radar is better than for 

 the lUSS because the system is less complex and is cheaper to 

 operate. 



If the OTH-B radar is shut down, a potential capability to gather 

 operational wind-field data over vast areas of data-sparse ocean 

 will be lost. The wind data obtained from the OTH-B radar could 

 be valuable because it could be obtained at synoptic weather 

 observation times to supplement satellite and surface observation 

 data used in weather predictions. Satellite data is not always 

 available because of satellite location and cloud cover, and 

 surface observations decrease just when they are needed most 

 because ships avoid storms. The OTH-B radar could almost 

 certainly improve weather forecasting on the west coast, where 

 weather systems generally approach the coast from the data sparse 

 Pacific Ocean. 



Question 6: Is NOAA trying to change their budget structure to 

 arrange it along the structure of the strategic Plan? 



Answer: Yes, NOAA is developing a new budget structure that 

 reflects the Strategic Plan elements. We have presented this 

 proposed budget structure to the Department of Commerce and the 

 Office of Management and Budget. 



Question 7: When does NOAA plan to present the new structure to 

 Congress? 



Answer: NOAA would like to begin presenting the new budget 

 structure to congressional staff as soon as possible. We are 

 working with staff to schedule briefings. 



Question 8: I understand that NOAA has established a new Office 

 of Sustainable Development. What responsibilities will this 

 office have? 



Answer: This office will provide advice and counsel to the Under 

 Secretary on matters dealing with sustainable development, in 

 particular where matters entail Federal/state/ local government 

 relationships, and with inter-governmental affairs. This office 

 will also develop new partnerships among government, private 

 industry, academic institutions, trade and professional 

 associations, specialized users and environmental groups to 



