Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 124.djvu/2856

 124 STAT. 2830 PUBLIC LAW 111–267—OCT. 11, 2010 international posture of the United States. Additionally, recog- nizing the number of relevant participants and activities involved with Earth observations within the United States Government and internationally, Congress supports the strengthening of collaboration across these areas; (2) NASA plays a critical role through its ability to provide data on solar output, sea level rise, atmospheric and ocean temperature, ozone depletion, air pollution, and observation of human and environment relationships; (3) programs should utilize open standards consistent with international data-sharing principles and obtain and convert data from other government agencies, including data from the United States Geological Survey, and data derived from sat- ellites operated by NOAA as well as from international sat- ellites are important to the study of climate science and such cooperative relationships and programs should be maintained; (4) Earth-observing satellites and sustained monitoring pro- grams will continue to play a vital role in climate science, environmental understanding, mitigation of destructive environmental impacts, and contributing to the general national welfare; and (5) land remote sensing observation plays a critical role in Earth science, and the national space policy supports this role by requiring operational land remote sensing capabilities. SEC. 702. INTERAGENCY COLLABORATION IMPLEMENTATION APPROACH. The Director of OSTP shall establish a mechanism to ensure greater coordination of the research, operations, and activities relating to civilian Earth observation of those Agencies, including NASA, that have active programs that either contribute directly or indirectly to these areas. This mechanism should include the development of a strategic implementation plan that is updated at least every 3 years, and includes a process for external inde- pendent advisory input. This plan should include a description of the responsibilities of the various Agency roles in Earth observa- tions, recommended cost-sharing and procurement arrangements between Agencies and other entities, including international arrangements, and a plan for ensuring the provision of sustained, long term space-based climate observations. The Director shall pro- vide a report to Congress within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act on the implementation plan for this mechanism. SEC. 703. TRANSITIONING EXPERIMENTAL RESEARCH TO OPER- ATIONS. The Administrator shall coordinate with the Administrator of NOAA and the Director of the United States Geological Survey to establish a formal mechanism that plans, coordinates, and sup- ports the transitioning of NASA research findings, assets, and capabilities to NOAA operations and United States Geological Survey operations. In defining this mechanism, NASA should con- sider the establishment of a formal or informal Interagency Transi- tion Office. The Administrator of NASA shall provide an implementation plan for this mechanism to Congress within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act. Implementation plan. Deadline. 42 USC 18372. Reports. Deadline. Deadline. 42 USC 18371.