meets periodically throughout the year to review performance and quality 

 of products, set priorities, apportion funds, and plan future work. In 

 formulation of a backbone network with shared resources, priority in 

 allocation of resources is decided by the Steering Committee members to 

 minimize imbalances in benefits. 



The backbone network is a collection of stations and capabilities that 

 meets the common needs of all member agencies of the TCOON Steering 

 Committee. Table 6, located at the end of this chapter, gives guidance on 

 those water-level stations recommended for support of CESWG 

 requirements as part of the backbone network. Existing and recommended 

 future stations are listed in the table. Table 6 integrates much of the work 

 conducted in this study. 



Real-Time Voice Reporting 



Up to 1996, the TCOON had existed primarily to provide information 

 for three purposes. These are: (a) dealing with boundary issues between 

 the state and private-property owners, (b) operating the state's numerical 

 simulation models of water circulation and water quality, and (c) operating 

 the state's soil-spill fate numerical simulation model (presently obtaining 

 wind data in near-real time via the internet). Reporting of water level is of 

 highest priority, followed by provision of wind speed and direction 

 reporting at selected stations. 



Past state-related functions of the TCOON have rarely required real- 

 time data voice reporting. However, real-time voice reporting is 

 considered an essential part of a backbone network designed to meet 

 operational needs of CESWG. Real-time reporting will benefit agencies 

 involved with oil-spill prevention and response, as well as Federal, state, 

 and local agencies faced with decisions on hurricane-response evacuation. 

 Other beneficiaries of real-time voice reporting would be the U.S. Coast 

 Guard, waterways transportation industries of various kinds (such as ports 

 and barge operators), environmental interests, and academic research and 

 education programs. A portion of the backbone network funding should, 

 therefore, be identified for staged introduction of real-time reporting 

 according to priorities set by the TCOON Steering Committee. 



46 Chapter 6 Conclusions and Recommendations 



