Ocean.US

The Integrated Working Group on Ocean Observations (IWGOO) Integrated Ocean Observing System Strategic Plan has been released for a 30-day comment period on the Federal Registrar. Please click here for more information: IWGOO IOOS Strategic Plan Public Comments Page

Consistent with the President's Ocean Action Plan, interagency collaboration is essential for all ocean science and technology priorities, and in particular, for planning and coordination of an ocean observation system. The Interagency Working Group on Ocean Observations (IWGOO) was established by the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST) of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Environment and Natural Resources (CENR) and Committee on Science (CS).

Functions
The IWGOO is responsible for personnel, budgets, programs and funding of Ocean.US. Using the resources available at Ocean.US, as needed, the IWGOO will:

1. Manage the interagency coordination of the Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)
2. Develop and periodically update a strategic plan and an implementation plan for an interagency-sustained U.S. IOOS
3. Integrate U.S. ocean observing efforts, including IOOS, into the Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS), the Global Earth Observation System of Systems (GEOSS) and other international programs
4. Coordinate JSOST ocean observing activities with the Subcommittee on Intergrated Managment of Ocean Resources (SIMOR) and with other federal ocean-related and observing-related activities
5. Report on its plans and activities to the JSOST and to the Interagency Committee on Ocean Science and Resource Management Integration (ICOSRMI)