THE COMMITTEE HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO TAKE ACTION AND DIRECT NOAA TO CLOSE NERO IMMEDIATELEY
Posted 13:03:54 DEPARTMENT’s of COMMERCE and JUSTICE and SCIENCE and RELATED AGENCIES APPROPRIATIONS BILL, 2014
p. 30 “Northeast Regional Fisheries Office. However, given NOAA’s lack of cooperation and reversal of commitment, the Committee has no choice but to take action and direct NOAA to close NERO immediately and to dissolve all necessary operations into existing facilities located throughout the region. Specifically, NOAA is directed to improve outreach and services to the fishing industry by configuring fishery science centers and fishery statistic offices as newly configured and less stove-piped portals to the local fishing communities. With minimal overhead investment, including technology investment and updated staffing plans, these offices could be much better utilized to serve a larger NMFS purpose. Instead of relying on, or having to travel to, the NERO office for direct industry support, fishermen would have better and more immediate access to NMFS support services at existing NMFS offices in their home states, if not their homeports. The Committee directs NOAA to ensure that core NMFS support services be retained and accessible in all regions currently served by NERO, including New England, Mid-Atlantic, and South-Atlantic regions, at these local centers and offices. NOAA, in consultation with the Committee, shall work with the General Services Administration immediately to develop a plan to resolve NERO’s current leased space, and create a plan to redirect an adequate portion of NERO’s larger operational costs to outfit the local regional offices.” THE REPORT
What about the empty NOAA building at Quonset point in RI. 2.5 million?? I believe n has never been staffed. I think it’s been there for 3 years now if not more. Still has the lights on still plowing and maintaining grounds. More tax $$ down the tube from an agencies that has no business in the fisheries industry