A Review of the NOAA National Sea Grant College Program (1994)

November 29, 1993

Dear Mary Hope:

I request the Ocean Studies Board conduct a review and evaluation of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) National Sea Grant College Program. The program is scheduled for Reauthorization so the National Research Council study would serve two purposes: 1) provide the basis for any needed changes in the program, and 2) provide the basis for NOAA working with the Congress on Sea Grant 's Reauthorization. In order for the study to be used for Reauthorization, a final report should be delivered to me by June 1, 1994.

As the current Act states, the objective of the program “. . . is to increase the understanding, assessment, development, utilization and conservation of the Nation's ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources . . .” Therefore, in organizing and carrying out the review, I believe it important for the review to clearly recognize Sea Grant is not just a basic science oceanography research program, rather it is a broad marine program designed to address issues and solve problems by combining sciences, social sciences, and the transfer of knowledge and technology.

Your team assembled for this review should have the breadth to consider not only the traditional science disciplines in the context of marine program, but also such fields as aquaculture, marine biotecnnology, economics, education, marine engineering, and marine policy. Because of severe budget limitations, and the limited time for the study, we will be looking for a proposal whose funding does not exceed $100,000.00.

I and my staff, particularly Ned A. Ostenso and David B. Duane, will be pleased to work out details for the study with you.