Coastal Services Center

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Pacific Northwest Pilot

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Outreach and Extension

The Human Component

While better information and technology are increasingly important to the understanding of severe coastal storms, the human component remains vital as well. To be truly useful, the products and services of the Coastal Storms Program need to be used by people throughout the region. Active outreach to local stakeholders and other potential users generates an awareness of the tools. It also allows for early input into the design of the tools to be responsive to local needs. Education then teaches how to use a particular tool to those who are interested. Developing the human understanding along with the technology ensures that the local benefits of the Coastal Storms Program continue long after the pilot program ends.

Outreach and Extension is an important component of the program and will be spearheaded by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Coastal Services Center. To ensure the ultimate success of the program, the Center has developed local partnerships with the Sea Grant Extension programs in Oregon and Washington. Sea Grant faculty will engage and educate local stakeholders throughout the life of the program, while the Center will provide training and assistance that is necessary to help the various local partners take full advantage of the tools and information being developed.

How the Project Works

A regional outreach coordinator has been provided through the Coastal Storms Program and the Sea Grant Extension programs of Oregon and Washington. Pat Corcoran is based in Astoria, Oregon, and is conducting stakeholder meetings, developing an outreach and extension network, and identifying training and technical assistance needs. Pat also serves the project leads by engaging the stakeholders and potential users in conversations to provide feedback on project design and implementation. Taken together, these activities are helping to broaden the project leads’ understanding of the local issues while expanding local partnerships and facilitating implementation of other program projects.

For Additional Information

Douglas Harper
NOAA National Ocean Service
Coastal Services Center
Telephone: (301) 713-3155, ext. 238
E-mail: Douglas.Harper@noaa.gov

Patrick Corcoran
Oregon Sea Grant Extension
Telephone: (503) 325-8573
E-mail: Patrick.Corcoran@oregonstate.edu
Web page: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/clatsop/staff/patrickcorcorancoastalstorms.php