Senate appropriators expressed concern yesterday about funding priorities for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as well as President Obama's proposal to move the agency from the Commerce Department to the Interior Department.

Commerce Secretary John Bryson defended the president's fiscal 2013 budget before the Senate Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Appropriations Subcommittee, saying it was "fiscally responsible while promoting entrepreneurship, innovation fueled by investments, global competitiveness, and research and development."

But Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska), Barbara Mikulski (D-Md.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) and Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) -- all of whom represent states with coastlines -- were dismayed about various parts of the NOAA budget.

The $5.1 billion budget request for NOAA makes up about 60 percent of the Commerce Department's total spending each year. This year's request is a 3.1 percent increase, or $153.9 million, over last year's enacted levels.

A large chunk of that budget is dedicated to satellites that collect data used for weather forecasting, fisheries management and coastal stewardship. This year's request includes $916 million for the Joint Polar Satellite System. The money would be used to build two new satellites to keep alive the program, which collects the bulk of data used to make weather forecasts and issue hurricane and tornado warnings.

"We're concerned that satellites make up 37 percent of the overall budget," said Murkowski, echoing sentiments expressed during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing earlier this week (Greenwire, March 21). "We're concerned that satellite costs are starting to erode other programs."

Murkowski told Bryson that she wanted more attention -- and funds -- devoted to fisheries. She found it disappointing that of Bryson's 12-page written testimony, only a single paragraph highlighted the National Marine Fisheries Service. She emphasized the importance of developing and implementing new catch share programs, as well as the "critical" need for fish stock assessments.

"We need to know that science is guiding management decisions for us," she said.

Hutchison echoed Murkowski, noting that NOAA's website says there are 121 up-to-date stock assessments of fish species, out of the 528 stocks under NOAA's management.

Bryson said the department was focused on fisheries and on continuing excellent fishery management, but cuts were made as necessary.

"These are tough times, and we're seeking to protect taxpayer dollars," he said.

Cochran mentioned that he did not think there was enough money dedicated to Gulf of Mexico resources, saying that funding for the region had taken a back seat to other administration priorities. When Bryson replied that the department and administration cared deeply about the Gulf, Cochran shot back, "We want to see if you put your money where your mouth is."

Hutchison also brought up the administration's previous proposal to move NOAA from Commerce to the Interior Department (Greenwire, Jan. 13).

If a restructuring were to occur, it would save taxpayer dollars and would allow the Commerce Department to become more efficient and bring together economics, business and data collection, Bryson said. While there has been no further work done on the proposal, the first step would be to see if Congress was ready to make such a transfer happen, he said.

Mikulski said many of the senators who sat on the Commerce subcommittee chose that panel because it would allow them to work on NOAA issues and so had concerns about the proposed transfer.