Dear All,
The attached is bad news for the ocean drilling community, including
geo-tectonics members of it and the rest of us who benefit from its
findings. Having the JOIDES Resolution tied up
for six months of the year will make it difficult to retain experienced
crew and technical support, which will detract from future scientific
achievement just as the reduced hours at sea will. Both US and non-US
members of this list might consider taking political action as suggested.
Regards,
Sheila Peacock
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [GeoPRISMS] JOIDES Resolution Schedule Change - Call to Action
Date: Fri, 6 May 2011 23:31:16 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
Reply-To: [log in to unmask]
To: [log in to unmask]
Dear GeoPRISMS Community (especially US members) -
Some of you have no doubt seen the message from David Divins, Director of the
Ocean Drilling Programs, attached below, which was distributed through the
Ocean Leadership listserv. For members of the GeoPRISMS community, the
cut back in the JOIDES Resolution schedule is dire news. Most immediately,
it will severely delay the previously scheduled Expedition 341 to the Southern
Alaska Margin, a new GeoPRISMS Primary Site. In the long term, it raises serious
concerns about the viability of continued ocean drilling, which has played a
key role in fulfilling MARGINS scientific objectives, and it is the community's
desire and hope that it will continue in this capacity for GeoPRISMS.
If this is also unacceptable to you, NSF needs to hear from you. To express
your concerns about the JOIDES Resolution schedule reduction and the future
prospects for the Ocean Drilling Program, please contact Rodey Batiza, NSF Program
Manager for the Ocean Drilling Program. The US scientific community does
have a voice in the future of scientific ocean drilling, and it should be heard now.
Thank you,
Juli Morgan
Chair, GeoPRISMS Steering and Oversight Committee
> To: "[log in to unmask]" <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Wed, 4 May 2011 14:22:31 -0400
> From: Scientific Ocean Drilling News <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: [IODP News] JOIDES Resolution Schedule Change
> Reply-To: [log in to unmask],
> [log in to unmask]
> List-Id: Scientific Ocean Drilling News <iodpnews.lists.oceanleadership.org>
>
> Dear Colleagues,
> I have just received our budget guidance for fiscal year 2012 from the National Science
Foundation (NSF) and regret to share with you that the USIO will only be able to conduct
three expeditions next year (the/JOIDES Resolution/ will be in tie up for the remaining
six months of the year). We have been requested to defer implementation of Southern Alaska
Margin Tectonics, Climate, and Sedimentation (Expedition 341) to fiscal year 2013. This is
the second revision to the FY2012 operations schedule, due to the current funding crisis
facing IODP. On behalf of the U.S. Implementing Organization (USIO), I am extremely troubled
by this news and the implications for the future of scientific ocean drilling.
> Two primary factors have forced this situation: the first is the rising cost of fuel.
Although fuel prices have fluctuated widely over the last several years due to environmental
and political reasons, the average price has continued to rise and there is no promise of
this trend reversing in the near future. During FY2011 alone, fuel prices have increased by
over 30%, significantly impacting our already tight budget.
> The second factor contributing to a reduced operations schedule is insufficient resources
from the NSF for a goal of eight months of operations. The USIO has been doing its best to
deliver the most science it can within the resources we have been given; however, we need
increased funding if we are going to continue to deliver operational support at a level
that ensures the realization of your exceptional science.
> In 2009, the USIO underwent a significant reorganization to reduce costs and maximize
efficiency. This reorganization reduced the level of support back to 1990's levels while
attempting to minimize impacts to the services we provide. We also reduced operations to
only eight months per year to work within budgetary constraints. This situation has not
been ideal nor is it sustainable given the current level of funding.
> Tying up the/JOIDES Resolution/ for six months dramatically increases the risk for
potential damage to our basic capabilities and infrastructure, including both the USIO
technical and scientific staff and our drilling partners, who are an integral component
of the USIO. A six month tie-up risks losing highly experienced sea-going staff, many of
whom make your work onboard the/JOIDES Resolution/ an outstanding experience.
> The groundbreaking and innovative science that defines the Integrated Ocean Drilling
Program is at serious risk. This funding crisis not only effects/JOIDES Resolution/
operations, but it also severely impacts the level of support for shipboard scientists,
site survey funding, and other IODP-related research opportunities.
> Scientific ocean drilling has fundamental contributions to make toward the understanding
of how our planet functions. The USIO will continue to safely and efficiently deliver as
much science as it can for as long as it can. Furthermore, with a strong demonstration of
support by the scientific drilling community, additional resources from NSF may be
allocated for US scientific drilling in FY2012 and into the future.
> Sincerely,
> David Divins
> Director, Ocean Drilling Programs
Attached Message Part
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