Subject:  Status of PacNW Initiative

To:  Investigators interested in the Pacific Northwest Initiative

Thank you for your previous interest in the Pacific Northwest Initiative of the West Coast & Polar Regions Undersea Research Center (NURP).  This message is to update you on the status of this Initiative.

In 2005, the West Coast & Polar Regions Undersea Research Center invited proposals for research under the Pacific Northwest Initiative, focusing on ecology of the large estuarine system centered on the Strait of Juan de Fuca.  The region includes the Olympic Coast, Strait of Juan de Fuca, northern Puget Sound, Haro Strait and San Juan Archipelago, and the Strait of Georgia south of the Fraser River delta.  The request for proposals was an outgrowth of the Olympic Coast/Puget Sound Undersea Research Workshop in November, 2004 (http://www.westnurc.uaf.edu/dwnlds/OC-PS_Workshop_Report.pdf).
 
The Center intended to begin funding research under this Initiative in 2006, and to invite a second round of proposals for field work in 2007 or 2008.  However, our 2006 budget was reduced to 45% of the 2005 level (and 34% of the average in 2000-2005).  This severely restricted our ability to start new projects this year.  Several new projects that had been approved for field work in 2006 were postponed to 2007.  Proposals that were highly ranked by the Fall, 2005 panel are still pending, for possible funding in 2007.  PIs are welcome to contact Jennifer Reynolds (907-474-5871) to discuss reviews of proposals submitted in Fall, 2005.

Because of this large number of pending proposals, the Center will not run a proposal competition this year.  All projects funded in 2007 will be selected from those that have already undergone review.  However, the Center is looking for an opportunity to continue the PacNW Initiative with a new round of proposals.  This may be possible in Fall 2007, depending on the Center’s budget prospects and prior commitments.

The Center is also planning a joint expedition in 2008, together with other NOAA offices, that may provide an opportunity for research in the deeper waters of this region.  The expedition would send the two deep-diving manned submersibles PISCES IV and V in a circuit around the Northeast Pacific, including the U.S. West Coast.  These submersibles and their support ship are run by NURP’s Hawaii Undersea Research Laboratory.  Other partners are NOAA’s Office of Ocean Exploration and the National Marine Sanctuary Program.  Details will be available by September, 2006. 

Contacts

WCPR Center Office:  907-474-5870, westnurc@guru.uaf.edu
Dave Christie, Director:  907-474-7836, dchristie@guru.uaf.edu
Jennifer Reynolds, Science Director:  907-474-5871, jreynolds@guru.uaf.edu