GLERL 2006 Milestone Reports

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GOAL 1: Ecosystem

Scientist: David Raikow (GLERL)
Note: David Raikow departed NOAA in August 2006; David Reid (GLERL) wrote this milestone and has assumed responsibility for the project.

NOAA Program: Ecosystem Research

OAR Performance Measure: Research to improve our understanding of the factors affecting ecosystems and the success of ecosystem approaches to management.

NOAA Performance Objective: Increase portion of population that is knowledgeable about coastal and marine ecosystem issues.

Ecosystem Research Program Performance Measure: PM7: Number of state and local agencies, community leaders and industries who access and use NOAA Ecosystem Research Program products and services

Milestone: Complete development of Great Lakes aquatic nonindigenous species data information system.

Purpose: To establish a one-stop source for current information about aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes.

Efforts and Results (to date): GLERL created a web-accessible list of Great Lakes ANS in 2004, but it is not in a searchable form and has very limited information content. External funding to update the existing list and create an expanded on-line searchable database in conjunction with the USGS Gainesville Lab NAS Database was applied for in February 2005 and committed in August 2005. Acceptance of the funds by NOAA was not completed until February 2006 after extensive legal review. Establishment of grants and contracts to perform the work of preparing database records began in February 2006, but was not completed until August 2006. Due to the time it took to complete these administrative processes, the establishment of the database for public use is approximately nine months delayed relative to original expectations.

Customer(s): Great Lakes educators, legislators, interested public, news media, school children, scientists – all of these communities have accessed and/or requested the type of information to be included in the final product.

Cause Factors (if milestone not met): Lengthy administrative processes to accept funds and establish a grant for the work delayed this project by about nine months.

Revised Completion Date (if milestone not met): FY07, 4Q.

Last updated: 2006-09-19 mbl