The Fiscal Year 2027 President’s Budget for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) again proposes eliminating IOOS Regional Observations, the backbone of the coastal observing system, which would have devastating consequences for GLOS, as a Regional Association of the IOOS regional network.
This would harm those who depend on GLOS data resources and tools for decision making. Eliminating IOOS Regional Observations would pose significant costs and risks to public safety, economic resilience, and NOAA’s ability to fulfill its mission, undercutting the very capabilities that the President’s Budget prioritizes.
WHY THIS MATTERS TO THE GREAT LAKES
The Great Lakes Observing System (GLOS) provides critical data that impact local, regional, and national economies, including shipping, fishing, coastal resilience, coastal industry and tourism, and more. Of particular concern are:
- Maritime Economy and Services: By providing real-time information on lake conditions, GLOS supports safe navigation and operations for ships. Real-time current data, such as through the high frequency radar (HFR) in the Straits of Mackinac, help the U.S. Coast Guard respond quickly and effectively to emergencies and carry out search and rescue missions. The IOOS HFR network is the only one in the nation.
- Water Quality Management: GLOS data provide the insights for water treatment plant managers to track lakes’ waters health history and pinpoint watershed stressors – changing water levels and algal bloom caused hypoxia. Through GLOS, Great Lakes municipalities (serving more than 40 million people) have access to real-time alerts that inform their treatment decisions for the best possible outcome.
- Forecasting and Public Safety: From monitoring coastal flooding to detecting harmful algal blooms that threaten public health and local economies, GLOS delivers real-time lake conditions data and forecasts essential for emergency preparedness. Subsurface data from underwater gliders, current readings by HFR, and in-situ observations from buoys combine to help the region stay ahead of coastal hazards. GLOS and IOOS help keep people informed and better equipped to respond to natural disasters.
HOW YOU CAN HELP
Congress pushed back – on a bipartisan basis – on defunding IOOS last year, but we need your help to ensure they do so again. Please refer to instructions from the IOOS Association on how to show your support for sustained ocean observing – maritime safety, coastal preparedness, healthy freshwater, national security, and economic stability.