Santa Cruz Standard

Monterey, CA – United States Representative Jimmy Panetta (CA-19) secured $7 million for the construction of a new office for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) on the campus of California State University Monterey Bay (CSUMB).  This office will enhance collaboration between NOAA and CSUMB on the conservation and research efforts for the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary (MBNMS).  The new office will allow NOAA to utilize the considerable resources of the CSUMB campus and strengthen the pipeline of talent for NOAA and the National Marine Sanctuary system through hands-on learning opportunities for students.

This federal funding is a significant amount of the historic $50 million investment for the construction of new NOAA Marine Sanctuary facilities across the United States that was included in the Inflation Reduction Act.  Rep. Panetta worked closely with officials from the White House, NOAA, and CSUMB to fight for that investment in our nation’s marine sanctuaries as well as this local investment in the MBNMS.
“The Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and CSUMB have developed a close working relationship over the past few years, creating breakthroughs in our understanding of this vital marine ecosystem,” said Rep. Panetta.  “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.”
“We are very excited to have the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Sanctuaries Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary offices moving to our campus,” said CSUMB President Vanya Quiñones.  “CSUMB has a top-ranking marine science program, and we appreciate Congressman Panetta's ongoing support of our students and university.  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.”
“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, 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.”
“A permanent home for MBNMS’s offices adjacent to our nationally recognized Marine Science program will support each of the sanctuary’s major program areas of Research, Education and Outreach, and Resource Protection, while strengthening CSUMB’s academic programs by providing significant learning and career opportunities for students and faculty,” said CSUMB College of Science Dean Andrew Lawson.
The project, located within CSUMB’s science center, creates a permanent home for NOAA immediately adjacent to research laboratories, teaching spaces, and faculty offices of the CSUMB Marine Science program.  NOAA plans to collaborate with CSUMB in its applied programs such as seafloor mapping, kelp forest restoration, agriculture businesses, and sustainable tourism. 

This announcement 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 changing climate conditions through funding and technical assistance for capacity building, transformational projects that help protect communities from storms and flooding, the creation of quality climate-related jobs, and improved delivery of climate services to communities and businesses. 

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