[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION No. 209

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

210th LEGISLATURE

INTRODUCED NOVEMBER 25, 2002

Sponsored by:

Assemblyman ROBERT J. SMITH

District 4 (Camden and Gloucester)

Assemblyman JEFF VAN DREW

District 1 (Cape May, Atlantic and Cumberland)

Co-Sponsored by:

Assemblymen Eagler, Burzichelli, Fisher, Assemblywoman Greenstein, Assemblymen Guear and Sarlo

SYNOPSIS

    Commends Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab on its research on New Jersey’s coastal waters and encourages use of new technologies.

CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT

    As reported by the Assembly Environment and Solid Waste Committee on January 16, 2003, with amendments.

(Sponsorship Updated As Of: 3/4/2003)

An Assembly Resolution commending ¹the¹ Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab on ¹[their] its¹ research projects to better understand New Jersey’s coastal waters, and encouraging ¹[them] the Rutgers School of Marine and Coastal Sciences¹ to employ new technologies to enhance oceanographic research and maritime safety.

Whereas, ¹The¹ Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab (RUCOOL) has contributed invaluable scientific data and insights into the ecology of New Jersey's coastal waters, studying the physical and biological components of the ocean and how they interact and affect each other over time; and

Whereas, RUCOOL, in collaboration with other research groups, has developed new technologies to help oceanographers understand how the ocean moves ¹[,] and¹ interacts with the shoreline ¹[and] ,¹ atmosphere, ¹[with] and¹ life in and around its waters, including man, and be able to predict and monitor its behavior in the future; and

Whereas, RUCOOL operates an integrated Long-Term Ecosystem Observatory off the coastal waters of New Jersey, developing real-time capability for rapid environmental assessment and physical or biological forecasting in coastal waters by collecting data from satellites, aircraft, ships, fixed and relocatable moorings, and autonomous underwater vehicles, forming the basis of a national observation network; and

Whereas, RUCOOL has made significant contributions to New Jersey’s human and ecological health and safety, working in conjunction with the National Weather Service Forecast Office on predictive processes and operational forecasting of weather conditions for the public, as well as more specialized users in the aviation and marine communities; and

Whereas, RUCOOL has built a special website, where teachers can join scientists in ¹an Internet classroom,¹ the COOL classroom, learning how to predict if it will be a good beach day or if the fish are running, as well as affording students a view of the ocean from 500 miles above the earth and 15 meters below the surface; and

Whereas, RUCOOL has addressed the need for innovative materials to develop scientific literacy in students, developing educational resources that facilitate the learning of scientific concepts and principles, allowing educators to capture students’ fascination with the marine environment and promoting basic skills and critical thinking, and in linking middle and high school classrooms with active research investigations at the COOL classroom; now, therefore,

    Be It Resolved by the General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. This House commends the Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab on ¹[their] its¹ achievements in the study of New Jersey’s coastal waters and ¹[their] its¹ contributions to the human and ecological health and safety of ¹[our] State¹ citizens by developing new oceanographic technologies, improved predictive weather forecasting, and in conducting its environmental assessments of ¹[our] State¹ waters.

    2. This House also commends the Rutgers University Coastal Ocean Observation Lab on its educational outreach programs and its commitment to New Jersey’s youth by providing innovative materials and approaches to marine scientific study and in developing educational resources that facilitate learning and capture students’ imaginations.

    3. This House further encourages ¹the¹ Rutgers School of Marine and Coastal Sciences to investigate and employ new technologies, including global positioning systems to enhance oceanographic research and maritime safety off ¹[New Jersey’s Coast] the coast of New Jersey¹ .

    4. A duly authenticated copy of this resolution, signed by the Speaker of the General Assembly and attested by the ¹[clerk] Clerk¹ thereof, shall be transmitted to the President of Rutgers ¹, the State¹ University, and to the Director of the Coastal Ocean Observation Lab of ¹the School of¹ Marine and Coastal Sciences ¹[,] at¹ Rutgers ¹, the State¹ University.