Ocean.US

At the 2003 Ocean.US Regional Ocean Observing Systems Summit, it was proposed that a National Federation of Regional Associations (NFRA) be established to:

• Coordinate the development of RAs to insure interoperability;
• Represent the RAs at the federal level; and
• Provide a forum for coordinating inter-regional activities.

Subsequent to a Regional Organizational Workshop in March, 2004, members of the NFRA Organizing Committee met to flesh out the purpose of the NFRA and the timeline for establishing it. In June, 2004, they produced the following:

NFRA Functions

Represent RAs at the Federal Level
• Enable effective communications among NOPP agencies and RAs
• Promote development of and funding for Regional Associations and their respective Regional Coastal Ocean Observing Systems
• Facilitate data and information transfer among RAs and NOPP agencies
• Work closely with Ocean.US to ensure evolution of a national backbone that meets regional needs
• Work closely with Ocean.US to develop and implement common standards and protocols for measurements, data management, and data communications
• Work with Ocean.US prepare planning documents for the NORLC and Congress
• Periodically re-certify RAs

Coordinate RA Activities
• Provide "one-voice" with a coherent message to federal agencies and Congress
• Coordinate development of RAs and RCOOSs that conform to IOOS Design Principles and to standards and protocols establish through RA-Ocean.US-Federal collaboration
• Facilitate data and information transfer among RAs
• Facilitate education and outreach activities to increase public awareness and understanding
• Provide a forum for coordinating inter-regional and international activities and addressing RA issues, e.g., work with RAs to establish geographic boundaries as needed, shared equipment, interoperability

Capacity Building
• Promote education and training of technical personnel to plan and operate the IOOS
• Promote research and pilot projects to improve the IOOS
• Facilitate technology and information transfer
• Promote funding to fill regional gaps in the IOOS

NFRA Composition

• At least 1 individual from each regional organization (voting)
• At least 1 individual from each participating NOPP agency (voting)
• Ocean.US Director (ex officio, non-voting)
• Chair, USGSC (ex officio, non-voting)

NFRA Development

Form an Organizing Committee charged with
• drafting terms of reference, a charter and by-laws,
• working with NOPP agencies and Ocean.US to formulated plans for FY 2007 enhancements to the initial IOOS,
• implementing procedures for the establishment of the NFRA, and

NFRA Terms of Reference

On February 17, 2005 the NFRA Organizing Committee met in Washington, D.C. and adopted in concept the Terms of Reference for the NFRA.

The goal of NFRA is to make major contributions to the attainment of a robust and sustained national presence for Regional Associations (RAs) from around the country, as a key component of the IOOS. As a means of attaining this goal the NFRA will work to accomplish the following objectives:

• Initiate key actions to enable effective coordination, integration, and implementation of regional coastal ocean observing systems in close collaboration with Ocean.US, applicable federal agencies, and other bodies as appropriate;
• Establish, when requested, collective agreements between and among RAs to promote more effective inter-regional collaboration;
• Develop and advocate coordinated views of coastal ocean observation, prediction, and science to the Congress, the federal government, program sponsors, international bodies, and others;
• Facilitate linkages between Regional Associations and national organizations representing industry, education, and scientific enterprises in relation to their goals, plans, and programs;
• Serve as a venue for the exchange of policy and technical information between and among Regional Associations;
• Facilitate the education and outreach programs of Regional Associations;
• Encourage and foster Regional Association responsiveness to user communities;
• Promote capacity building;
• Promote sharing of facilities, infrastructure and other resources; and

The Organizing Committee functioned as the interim NFRA until the NFRA was officially established in 2005. The NFRA Governing Committee is comprised of two members from each of the regional groups and is guided by four officers. Contact information for the Governing Committee can be found on the NFRA website