Assistant AdministratorNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

National Ocean Service

September 18, 2008

John H. Dunnigan

Toward National HeightModernization

Keynote

Outline

• Definition of Height Modernization• History of Height Modernization• Where We Are Today• How Height Modernization fits into NOAA’s

Goals• The Future of Height Modernization: GRAV-D• Conclusion

Height Modernization is …

…the establishment of accurate, reliable heights using GPS technology in conjunction with traditional leveling, gravity, and modern remote sensing information.

NOAA’s Geospatial Foundation

Geodetic Control

Aerial Imagery

Flood Plain Mapping

Boundaries

Surface Waters

Transportation

Land Ownership

Height Modernization provides heights to ALL NOAA programs and observation systems requiring accurate heights. The positional framework NGS provides is integral to supporting the agency’s and the nation’s data collection and validation efforts.

The History of Height ModernizationIn 1994 - First meeting held in

Sacramento, CA

In 1998, $1.0 M was added to NGS budget to perform Height Modernization Study

From 2002-2006, Height Modernization driven mostly by state-specific earmarks

In 2007, competitive Height Modernization grants process begins

Fiscal Year States

FY 2001 CA, NC

FY 2002 CA, NC, LA, WI

FY 2003 CA, NC, LA, WI, MS

FY 2004CA, NC, LA, WI, MS, AL, WA,

SC

FY 2005CA, NC, LA, WI, MS, AL,

WA, TX, KY

FY 2006CA, NC, WI, MS,

AL, SC, TX, KY, AZ

FY2007CA, NC, WI, MS,

AL, WA, SC, TX, KY, AZ

FY2008CA, NC, WI, MS, AL, WA, SC,

TX, KY, AZ, CO, IL, MI, MN, MT, NM

Growing Number of External Partners

In FY 2007, Moved to a Competitive, National Process

Height Modernization: Where we are today

Previously Funded States

States that Have Shown an Interest

Inactive States

NOAA has provided over $3.6M in Height Modernization grants to 17 states in FY 2008.

The FY 2009 House and Senate marks allot no discretionary Height Mod Partner funds (only $2.5M National Height Mod Program and $3.376M in earmarks to LA, WI and IL)

What Height Modernization Brings to NOAA’s Climate Goal

1) NSRS Supports GEOSS

2) GPS-Met Water vapor studies

3) Monitoring land movement and effects of ground water extraction

4) Accurate flood plain elevations

What Height Modernization Brings to NOAA’s Ecosystem Goal:

1) Ecosystem Restoration - Surface Elevation Tables

2) Emergency response - Forest fires - Flooding- Earthquakes

3) Precision agriculture

What Height Modernization Brings to NOAA’s Weather and Water Goal

More accurate geospatial

information for:

More accurate flood prediction

Better Local forecasts and warnings

Improved Heights on levees and dams

Flood damage mitigation and reservoir management

What Height Modernization Brings to NOAA’s Commerce & Transportation Goal

Common consistent geospatial data for:

1) Accurate GIS Mapping2) Emergency response

information 3) Under keel and overhead

clearance for ships4) Accurate vertical datum for ship

channel maintenance and dredging

5) Airport obstruction surveys6) Hurricane Evacuation Routes

Height Modernization Activities with Other NOAA Program Offices

• National Hurricane Center

• National Weather Service

• Marine Fisheries

• Ocean and Atmospheric Research

• National Ocean Service

Some NOAA PPBES Programs the benefit from Height Mod:

Coastal & Marine Resources (CMR)Coral Reef Conservation (COR)Ecosystem Observations (EOP)Ecosystem Research (ERP) Habitat (HAB)Climate Observations & Monitoring (COM)Climate Research & Modeling (CRM)Climate Service Development (CSD)Coasts, Estuaries, & Oceans (CEO)Environmental Modeling (MOD) Hydrology (HYD)Local Forecasts & Warnings (LFW)Space Weather (SWX) Tsunami (TSU)Aviation Weather (AWX )Marine Transportation System (MTS) Marine Weather (MWX)NOAA Emergency Response (EMR)Surface Weather (SFC)Regional Decision Support (RDS)

GRAV-D: Gravity for the Redefinition of the American Vertical Datum

Will redefine and improve the vertical component of the National Spatial Reference System (NSRS).

Will improve GPS elevation accuracy to within 2cm compared to as much as 2m today

Enabling at-risk communities to:• plan evacuation routes• model storm surge• monitor sea-level rise• monitor levee subsidence• improve flood plain maps

The Future of Height Modernization : GRAV-D

Take Home Message - Conclusion

• NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey / Geodesy Program is leading the National Height Modernization Program effort

• Height Modernization provides the fundamental infrastructure for all NOAA activities requiring accurate heights

• Height Modernization is critical to NOAA planning and decision making