Please accept the attached (linked) letters to and also from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Administrator Dr. Richard Spinrad.

The first letter attached is directed to Administrator Spinard and was previously shared with the BRC membership, that letter was issued by NOAA’s Federal Advisory Committee the Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) after the Fall meeting.

The second attached letter issued on November 5, 2021 is Dr. Spinrad’s response to the HSRP’s letter.

The third attachment was also previously shared but is included again for ease of tracking Dr. Spinrad’s comments.

The following paragraph is reproduced from Dr. Spinrad’s response letter.

“Thank you for your letter and recommendations on behalf of the Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP).  Additionally, I appreciate the testimony letter from Sean Duffy, Sr., HSRP Vice Chair, on his use of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) weather forecasts and warnings to plan for and mitigate the impacts of Hurricane Ida, as well as the recognition for the swift and efficient execution of post-storm aerial photogrammetry and hydrographic surveys in order to re-open the Mississippi River ports.  These actions are vital to our blue economy.”