California State University Monterey Bay. (Monterey Herald file)
A new National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) office will be built on the campus of California State University, Monterey Bay.
The office will be located within the university’s science center and create a permanent home for NOAA adjacent to research laboratories, teaching spaces and faculty offices. NOAA plans to collaborate with the university in its applied programs including seafloor mapping, kelp forest restoration, agriculture businesses and sustainable tourism. The office is expected to enhance collaboration between NOAA and CSU Monterey Bay on conservation and research efforts for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. It is also expected to create hands-on learning opportunities for students.
Rep. Jimmy Panetta, D-Carmel Valley, secured $7 million for the construction of the office. The federal funding is a significant amount of the historic $50 million investment for the construction of new NOAA Marine Sanctuary facilities across the U.S. that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act.
“The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and CSU Monterey Bay have developed a close working relationship over the past few years, creating breakthroughs in our understanding of this vital marine ecosystem,” said Panetta in a press release. “Through this federal funding of this office, we will accelerate the partnership needed to protect the wellbeing of the sanctuary and train the next generation of scientists to become future stewards of this national treasure. I’m proud to have fought for this critical federal investment which will further CSUMB’s partnership with NOAA and its efforts as one of the world’s leading institutions for marine science research and conservation.”
CSU Monterey Bay President Vanya Quiñones said in a press release the school was very excited about the opportunity.
“CSU Monterey Bay has a top-ranking marine science program, and we appreciate Congressman Panetta’s ongoing support of our students and university,” Quiñones said. “This move will enhance the opportunity for our students and faculty to engage with marine science professionals through internships and research and will allow us in turn to support NOAA’s endeavors.”
The announcement of the project was included as part of the U.S. Department of Commerce’s unveiling of a $2.6 billion framework to invest in coastal climate resilience. The investments will support coastal communities’ resilience to climate change through funding and technical assistance for projects that will help protect communities from storms and flooding, as well as create climate-related jobs and improve the delivery of climate services to communities and businesses.
“All across the West Coast, NOAA has benefitted from having its important offices co-located on a university campus,” said William J. Douros, regional director of the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. “We are thrilled at the opportunity to expand on that successful model with CSU Monterey Bay. From the supportive leadership at the university, to the diversity of the programs, faculty and students connecting with Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, to the campus’s central location at the heart of the sanctuary, this promises to be an ideal fit.”
Originally published at Molly Gibbs