Release Date: 2007-07-22
Original Link: http://presszoom.com/story_137465.html
Source: CST
WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today passed the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act (S. 1582), which is sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). This bill would allow the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to circulate new standards for hydrographic data, develop nautical charts, and contract and operate ships to acquire hydrographic data.
(PressZoom.com) - WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation today passed the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act (S. 1582), which is sponsored by Commerce Committee Chairman Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) and Vice Chairman Ted Stevens (R-Alaska). This bill would allow the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to circulate new standards for hydrographic data, develop nautical charts, and contract and operate ships to acquire hydrographic data.
“Currently, Alaska has the highest survey backlog in the U.S., with some nautical charts even relying on soundings from Captain James Cook’s exploration of Alaska in 1778,” said Senator Stevens. “This bill would authorize NOAA to address this as well as backlogs in other areas of our nation’s waterways in order to promote safe and efficient marine navigation.”
This measure would also provide NOAA with a greater role in providing data in response to natural or man-made disasters such as severe storms. This information is vital when reopening shipping lanes or ports.