U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy - Joint Ocean Commission Initiative

that affect watershed, estuarine, and coastal ecosystems. The IOOS will provide the nationwith similar information for the coasts and open-ocean environments. Because these systemswill overlap in coastal areas, they should be closely coordinated to ensure compatibilityof information. At some point, the national monitoring network and the IOOSshould both become components of a true Earth observing system that links land, air, andwater around the globe.Because the land, air, and sea are all interconnected, increased monitoring of atmosphericdeposition will be critical to any monitoring network. Monitoring atmosphericdeposition in coastal areas is particularly important because these areas receive significantinput of toxics and nutrients.Recommendation 15–1The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Geological Survey, and U.S.Environmental Protection Agency, working with states and other appropriate entities, shoulddevelop a national monitoring network that coordinates and expands existing efforts, includingmonitoring of atmospheric deposition. The network should be built on a federally funded backboneof critical stations and measurements to assess long-term trends and conditions, withadditional stations or measurements as needed to address regional characteristics or problems.Recommendation 15–2The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration should ensure that the national monitoringnetwork includes adequate coverage in both coastal areas and the upland areas thataffect them, and that the network is linked to the Integrated Ocean Observing System, to beincorporated eventually into a comprehensive Earth observing system.Not only will themonitoring of oceanwater quality protectthe health of thebeachgoing public,it will provide animportant tool inmeasuring waterquality problems andwill raise awarenessabout this importantissue for coastalecosystem health.—Christopher J. Evans,Executive Director,Surfrider Foundation,testimony to the<strong>Commission</strong>, June 2002Creating an Effective Monitoring NetworkIn addition to coordinating and expanding current efforts, an effective national monitoringnetwork should have specific goals and objectives that reflect user needs and are helpfulin assessing the effectiveness of management approaches. The overall system designshould determine what and where to monitor, including the definition of a set of corevariables. Technical expertise is needed to standardize procedures and establish qualitycontrol, data management, and reporting protocols. It is important for the national monitoringnetwork to be periodically assessed and modified as necessary. Most important, thedata collected through the national monitoring network should be useful to managers andstakeholders in evaluating management measures, determining best management practices,and making continual improvements in reaching ecosystem goals.System Goals and ObjectivesThe national monitoring network should set clear, specific goals and objectives that reflectnational, state, regional, territorial, tribal, and local needs. The goals and objectivesshould be geared toward the assessment of management approaches, including best managementpractices, and be based on pressing management issues. Successful monitoringshould target issues that policy makers, scientists, managers, and the public considerimportant, providing a basis for possible management actions. Thus, in designing a coordinatednational monitoring network, input will be needed from all of these sectors. However,attempts to be everything to everybody will result in an unfocused and ultimately unsuccessfulprogram. Monitoring results should support adaptive management, allowingdecision makers to support approaches that demonstrate measurable success in attainingecosystem goals and revise practices that are falling short of achieving those goals.232 A N O CEAN B LUEPRINT FOR THE 21ST C ENTURY