MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT
ON COOPERATION IN FORECASTING AIR QUALITY
Between the
U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
and the
NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
Whereas, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) recognize the serious health, welfare, and economic impacts of environmental pollution, and, in particular, the urgent problems relating to ground-level ozone, regional haze, fine particles, acid deposition, nitrogen eutrophication, toxic air contaminants, and global climate;
Whereas, the missions of both agencies include stewardship of our natural resources and protection of the health of our citizens and the fragile ecosystems in the country, which are threatened by environmental pollution;
Whereas, they are convinced of the need for enhancing the scientific and technical underpinning for environmental policies;
Whereas, both agencies can enhance research, application, and interpretation efforts by utilizing the unique meteorological and air quality modeling expertise of each other in assessing the adverse effects of emissions on air quality, ecosystems, and public health, and in evaluating the efficacy of emission control strategies.
Whereas, the Administrators of EPA and NOAA believe that a formal memorandum will provide the structure and basis for implementing/expanding the existing joint research, development, and application activities in the environmental field;
Whereas, they agree that this common problem continues to require natural collaboration; therefore, to facilitate the above goals, EPA and NOAA agree to the following:
I. PARTIES
This document constitutes an agreement between the U.S. Environmental Protections Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce, to facilitate the routine preparation and dissemination of air quality forecasts.
II. AUTHORITIES
NOAA, through the National Weather Service, provides weather, hydrologic, and climate forecasts and warnings for the United States, its territories, adjacent waters, and ocean areas for the protection of life and property and the enhancement of the national economy as described in 15 USC 313. NOAA data and products can be used by other governmental agencies, the private sector, the public, and the global community. NOAA, through the Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, provides scientific expertise in the areas of numerical and physical modeling of the atmospheric dispersion, transformation, deposition, and fate of atmospheric pollutants, for the development, application, and interpretation of air quality models. NOAA/OAR derives its authority from 33 USC 883(d), which authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to undertake investigations and research into the geophysical sciences, and 15 USC 1525, the Department of Commerce's joint Project Authority, which authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to enter into projects with nonprofit, research or public organizations if the project is of mutual interest to the parties and the costs of the project are apportioned equitably.
EPA, through the Office of Air Quality Planning and Standards (OAQPS), Office of Air and Radiation, utilizes NOAA research to conduct air quality research, perform pollution prevention and modeling studies, develop pollution reduction strategies, and conduct other activities needed to implement the requirements of the Clean Air Act (CAA) and other environmental legislation. CAA sections relevant to a cooperative effort with NOAA include National Ambient Air Quality Standards (Section 109), State Implementation Plans (Section 110), international and border area air pollution issues (Sections 115 and 179B), interstate ozone transport (Section 184), air quality monitoring (Section 319), and standardized air quality modeling (Section 320).
III. Purpose
EPA and NOAA have cooperated for more than forty-five years in conducting research programs related to the coupling of air chemistry and meteorology to develop and utilize scientifically-credible air quality models. These models are employed by EPA, State and local agencies, and the general air pollution community in developing and implementing environmental policy and regulations, and in disseminating information on air quality and the related health effects to the public.
In light of the above, it is the purpose of this Memorandum of Agreement to formalize and reaffirm the ongoing collaboration between EPA and NOAA with regard to the forecasting of air quality and related health effects.
IV. PARTNERSHIPS IN AIR QUALITY FORECASTING
The partnership between EPA and NOAA is diagramed below. The diagram illustrates that neither agency alone has the capability to provide the Nation with air quality forecasts without replicating capabilities already resident i the other agency. In this regard, the parties agree to joint activity reflected in the partnership as illustrated in the diagram.
V. RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PARTIES
A. NOAA agrees to conduct scientific research, development and application activities as agreed by the parties to this Memorandum of Agreement, including, but not limited to: developing air quality forecast models and tools for integrating meteorology and air chemistry; evaluating and improving the suite of air quality forecast products and services as client needs or the state-of-the-science change or advance; and providing expert guidance to EPA on matters relating to air quality modeling, and atmospheric sciences.
B. NOAA agrees to use numerical weather prediction techniques, numerical air quality prediction techniques, and photochemical modeling techniques, as appropriate, to forecast air quality. These models will assimilate real-time meteorological and atmospheric chemistry observations, EPA-provided ambient air quality observations and pollution emission data. NOAA will generate, on a routine basis, operational air quality forecasts, on a national scale, for various air quality parameters as determined by NOAA and EPA; and to provide those forecasts to end users, private sector interests, EPA and other clients determined by EPA and NOAA.
C. EPA agrees to maintain national air quality monitoring databases and a current national emissions inventory; to provide timely ambient air quality data and emissions data, collected from state contributors and other data sources, to NOAA to support air quality forecasts; to interpret and incorporate the air quality forecasts provided by NOAA to facilitate the preparation and dissemination of regionally and locally specific forecasts of public health effects, public-information indexes (e.g., AQI), and statements of air quality; and to provide assistance to state and local agency clients who will generate air quality forecasts for their respective constituents.
D. Other responsibilities shall be determined, as needs arise, by negotiation between the parties. Such additional responsibilities shall be documented and formalized though addenda to this Memorandum of Agreement.
VI. DELIVERABLES
NOAA:
- Air quality models for integrating meteorology and air chemistry.
- Improvements and modifications to air quality forecast models.
- Verification and validation of model output.
- Requirements for national air quality forecasts.
- Research, development, and operational model forecasts of meteorological and air quality parameters as determined by EPA and NOAA, on a real-time, routine basis, and on a national scale.
EPA:
- Emissions data and tools for the adjustment of annual emissions to be simulated daily emissions forecast applicable to the air quality simulation.
- Real-time ambient air quality monitored data.
- Evaluation of regional and/or local forecasts of air quality based upon ambient air quality data.
- Dissemination of regional and/or local air quality forecasts; interpretation of air quality forecast products (AQI and links to public health warnings) based upon output from NOAA numerical forecast models.
- Consultation and assistance to state and local agencies to prepare forecasts.
- Criteria for health effect advisories.
VII. PERIOD OF AGREEMENT AND MODIFICATION/TERMINATION
This agreement will be effective when signed by all parties. This agreement may be amended at any time by mutual consent of the parties. The parties will review this agreement at least once every five years to determine whether it should be revised, renewed, or canceled. Any party may terminate this agreement by providing 90 days written notice to the other party. In the event this agreement is terminated, each party shall be solely responsible for the payment of any expenses incurred. Funding for nay activity between the parties will be implemented through interagency agreements.
The Memorandum of Agreement constitutes the entire agreement between the parties for its sated purpose, and no modification or addition will be valid unless signed by the parties and appended to this agreement.
Any terms of this agreement found to be inconsistent with current NOAA or EPA directives or policies will be invalid, but the remaining terms will remain in effect.
Notices and other official communications between the parties will be delivered if hand delivered or if posted as registered U.S. mail.
Signed on behalf of
