COASTAL OCEAN WASTE DISPOSAL

Within the framework of the Environmental Stewardship/Coastal Ecosystem Health portfolio of the NOAA 2005 Strategic Plan the Remote Sensing Division, in cooperation with other AOML divisions, other NOAA components, other federal agencies, state governments, municipal governments and academia, has been carrying out an extensive program on effluent plume transport, dilution and fate. A particularly powerful aspect of RSD's effluent studies include the use of acoustics for visualizing the sub-ocean-surface distribution of plume material. Once this visualization is available highly targeted sampling of plumes can occur.

The Remote Sensing Division works cooperatively with other NOAA components, other federal agencies, state authorities, municipal authorities, private industry and academia to obtain reliable scientific data for economic and environmental management decision making. The Remote Sensing Division is recognized as:

Having substantial coastal science program experience

Providing results within a defined time frame

Having a unique research capability

Being neutral on both regulatory issues and scientific results

Being scientifically credible