GLIN==> NOAA Works with Industry to Engineer Great Lakes Observing System

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*NOAA Works with Industry to Engineer Great Lakes Observing System *

* *

            In order to restore the Great Lakes and accomplish work set out
in the President’s Great Lakes Restoration Initiative Action Plan, NOAA and
many other partners must create a comprehensive system of observations for
the Great Lakes.   With funds from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative,
NOAA awarded nearly $900,000 to the Ann Arbor based Limnotech, Inc to take
the lead the effort in creating the archetype for the near-term
implementation of the Great Lakes coastal observing system.

            On October 13, Limnotech started the work and services required
to provide a comprehensive near-term design to provide data on the physical,
chemical and biological parameters necessary for effective resource
management in support of remediation, restoration and conservation actions
through the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. The final product, due out
in the Winter of 2011, will include the design, trade studies and price and
schedule for the implementation of near term design architecture and
alternatives for the phased implementation over the first five years.

*            *The Ann Arbor based Limnotech will work closely with the NOAA
Integrated Ocean Observing System, the Great Lakes Observing System and the
NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory and its experienced
project team.  LimnoTech’s project team is comprised of Applied Science
Associates, Clarkson University, Michigan Tech Research Institute, and the
University of Minnesota-Duluth.  “Together this team has the depth and
breadth of expertise and experience to cover all aspects of providing a
comprehensive design – observation technology, observation network design
and implementation, data management and communication, data analysis and
modeling, and data/products and services development and delivery” said Joe
DePinto from Limnotech.

            A crucial partner to the success of the design is the Great
Lakes Observing System Regional Association of the National Integrated Ocean
Observing System, which is a non-profit organization based in Ann Arbor,
Michigan.  “The Great Lakes Observing System is tasked with coordinating
observing infrastructure, technology, and people in order to provide Great
Lakes decision makers with reliable, timely, and sustained observations.
This is a great opportunity for the region to build on GLOS needs assessment
work to enhance existing nearshore observing activities and fill key gaps in
the system,” said Jennifer Read, Executive Director of the Great Lakes
Observing System Regional Association.

Dr. Marie Colton, the Director of the Great Lakes Environmental Research
Laboratory <http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/> noted, “we are especially excited to
include a private sector perspective to the table because their cost
analysis will provide information on the potential for commercial
opportunities and technology-oriented jobs centered on the building,
deploying, and maintaining a robust environmental observing and data
management system in the region.”

President Barack Obama has committed to making Great Lakes restoration a
national priority. The Great Lakes provide drinking water to over 30 million
Americans and support a multi-billion dollar economy.  Since February 2009,
President Obama has proposed significant funding as part of his Great Lakes
Restoration Initiative, the most significant investment in the Great Lakes
in two decades.  For more information on President's initiative and the
action plan, go to www.greatlakesrestoration.us.

NOAA’s mission is to understand and predict changes in the Earth's
environment, from the depths of the ocean to the surface of the sun, and
conserve and manage our coastal and marine resources. Visit us
online<http://www.noaa.gov/>or on
Facebook <http://www.facebook.com/usnoaagov>.



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On the Web:

NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory:
http://www.glerl.noaa.gov
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