Review of the WATERS Network Science Plan (2010) / Chapter Skim
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1 Introduction
1 Introduction
Pages 6-11
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From page 6... ...
The WATERS Network is one of several national observatory networks being planned under NSF sponsorship2 that are designed to collect and integrate the necessary data over the appropriate spatial and temporal scales to help scientists, engineers, and managers better understand, model, and forecast environmental processes. The WATERS Network is the result of a 2005 merger of two environmental observatory initiatives: the Collaborative Large-scale Engineering Analysis Network for Environmental Research (CLEANER)
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From page 7... ...
NSF originally proposed that the WATERS Network be built using funds from the Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construction (MREFC) appropriation which is available to NSF "for necessary expenses for the acquisition, construction, commissioning and upgrading of major research equipment, facilities and other such capital assets" (NSF, 2007)
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From page 8... ...
The current NRC committee, composed of experts in the fields of hydrologic and environmental engineering and science, coastal and marine science, biology, computer science, and social sciences, was originally charged to review a draft WATERS Network conceptual design plan, titled the Draft Science, Education, and Design Strategy for the WATERS Network (WNPO, 2008, also called SEDS)
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From page 9... ...
, to assess whether the Sci ence Plan makes a compelling case for establishing the WATERS Network with Major Research Equipment and Facilities Construc tion funding. The Science Plan should articulate grand challenges that will attract widespread support; provide a foundation for formu lation of second-level science questions; and set forth a vision of what could be accomplished with an observing network to trans form water science and engineering research and education.
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From page 10... ...
This approach, which is not constrained by MREFC timelines for design and construction phases, could take better advantage of advances in technology over time, such as for sensors and components of the cyberinfrastructure." NSF also noted that an incremental strategy for implementation would have a potentially less disruptive impact on the directorates' budgets than the sudden increase in operations and maintenance costs in an MREFC approach. However, the assistant directors stated that they "remain strongly committed to addressing the important scientific questions outlined in the WATERS Network Science Plan." The committee structured its evaluation around several key points that are seen as critical for the WATERS Network as it moves forward in any form, including via more incremental steps outside of the MREFC process.
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From page 11... ...
. Much of Chapter 4 summarizes and expands upon the advice provided in the committee's 2009 letter report (NRC, 2009)
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