National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is a scientific agency of the United States. It is housed administratively in the Department of Commerce and is supervised by the undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere. Dr. Jane Lubchenco became head of NOAA on March 19, 2009, after appointment by President Barack Obama and confirmation by the U.S. Senate.

The mission of NOAA is to scientifically study the atmosphere and the oceans in order to provide excellent weather forecasts that will warn of dangerous weather. NOAA constantly monitors weather conditions. It also is responsible for charting the seas and the skies to aid in protecting the ocean and coastal resources, and to improve the stewardship of the environment.

The strategic vision of NOAA is organize itself as an informed society that uses a comprehensive understanding of the role of the oceans, coasts, and atmosphere in the global ecosystem to make the best social and economic decisions. It has developed a mission statement that defines its central goals as seeking understanding of the Earth's environment in order to predict changes and to conserve and manage coastal and marine resources to meet the nation's economic, social, and environmental needs.

Four goals have been adopted to guide NOAA operations seeking to fulfill its mission. The four goals correspond to the global climate, ecosystems, weather, and water, and to commerce and transportation. The first goal seeks to gain understanding of the climate of Earth, the manner in which the climate changes, and the El [Page 440]Niño events that regularly reoccur, so that Americans can be plan, prepare, and properly respond to dramatic weather events.

The second goal is to provide data for preparing weather forecasts of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, blizzards, and long-term water cycle event forecasts of droughts and wet periods. The third goal is to provide weather forecasts that inform farmers, travelers, sailors, fishermen, commercial transports, and others of weather events in order to protect life and property. In addition, the data on weather and weather events also provides information on the climate and ecosystems that will enhance the safety and environmental soundness of commercial and individual travel.

The fourth goal is to promote the sustainability of the resources of coastal and marine ecosystems. This is a goal that seeks to protect coastal and marine ecosystems by balancing the human use of these resources.

NOAA has both line and staff offices that perform functions to fulfill its goals. Line offices are: National Environmental Satellite, Data, and Information Service; National Marine Fisheries Service; National Ocean Service; National Weather Service; the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research; and the Office of Program Planning and Integration. Its staff offices support the line personnel and NOAA's programs, such as its operation of NOAA's Central Library in Silver Springs, Maryland; as well the 30-plus libraries it operates across the United States. Among NOAA's library holdings are its own research publications.