Will the war on terrorism affect the coastal management community? While the action in Afghanistan seems far away, the impacts of the September 11 terrorist attacks will likely reverberate through our country for years to come.
Homeland security will continue to be a priority. Afghanistan will be the focus of significant American resources. The economy may change directions wildly on its road to recovery. The ripple effect from these changes is bound to touch coastal resource managers.
In the March/April 2002 edition of Coastal Services, we will look at the impacts that have already occurred, and the challenges that might be. We hope the issue will spur debate, provide direction, and inspire ideas. Topics that articles will investigate include:
Actions the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has taken to protect homeland security. Is there information on your Web site that might be considered sensitive? Would the data or technology skills you have be helpful in an emergency?
Security threats that may impact coastal states. What should the role of coastal managers be if a bridge, nuclear power plant, or dam were destroyed by terrorists? How has tightened port security impacted coastal managers?
Tracking the federal budget and national economy. If there are budget cuts, how deep will they go? Will the change in Americans' spending habits alter coastal management priorities?
Please contact Hanna Goss at (843) 740-1332 or Hanna.Goss@noaa.gov to share your experiences, thoughts, and perspectives.
