Progress report for
Consensus International Data Quality and Peer Review Standards
Achievement at a glance
A recent publication, Underwater Noise: A State of Knowledge Report published by the Arctic Council concludes that Globally, commercial vessel traffic is the most constant and pervasive source of anthropogenic noise in the ocean (Hildebrand 2009). \\r\\n\\r\\nThis publication, frequently referred to as the PAME report (Protection of the Arctic Marine Environment), gives the Center for Regulatory Effectiveness (CRE) added impetus to move forward on its Sustainable Development Goal (SDG): Consensus International Data Quality and Peer Review Standards at an increased pace.\\r\\n\\r\\nThe CRE SDG was developed to provide a scientific basis for addressing underwater noise and has two dimensions. It focuses on (1) oceans, and (2) on the data which describes anthropogenic disturbances therein. To assist in achieving this goal, CRE developed a comprehensive Interactive Public Docket (IPD) to serve as its repository of vital information and provide a mechanism for public participation in its execution.\\r\\n\\r\\nThe publication of the PAME report not only reinforces the importance of the CRE SDG, bu it also provides a forum for assessing the contribution its underlying methodologies might contribute to the development of international data quality standards (IDQS). Methodological components of the PAME study which are of particular interest include: ground-truthing, peer review, and reproducibility. The results of the aforementioned review will be incorporated into the forthcoming IDQS.Challenges faced in implementation
Modifying the initial strategy from developing IDQS based solely upon published research, to basing the standards on an ongoing research program focused on a particular geographical region, presents a new and formidable challenge. This challenge occurs because we will now have real world data to assess and analyze the significance of emphasizing the three proposed foundations for IDQS: ground-truthing, peer review, and reproducibility.\\r\\n\\r\\nConsequently, based upon the output of the PAME program, CRE is preparing a revised IDQS emphasizing ground truthing, peer review, and reproducibility in their development. Subsequently, the preparation of the draft standards will be sent out for comment by the Arctic Council, the United Nations, United States regulatory agencies, and additional stakeholders. The comment mechanism will be on an interactive public docket titled: Consensus International Data Quality and Peer Review Standards.\\r\\n\\r\\nThe controlling standard will be the ground truthing standard. The ground truthing standard derives from the Arctic Councils report Underwater Noise in the Arctic. The report criticizes existing literature on how noise affects Arctic marine life because it claims that the studies have not been ground-truthed i.e., the study results have not been compared to observed effects in the real world. The CRE draft IDQ standard will recommend that study results routinely be compared to observed data for models used to develop regulations.\\r\\n\\r\\nUnder U.S. federal law, the Arctic Council report must meet the U.S. Information Quality Act standards if it is going to be used by US agencies because the working group that produced the report includes the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, a federal agency subject to said standards.\\r\\n\\r\\nAnother challenge is convincing stakeholders to spend the time and resources required to review and comment on CREs draft recommendations, notwithstanding their complexity and regulatory significance.\\\\r\\\\n\\\\r\\\\nBeneficiaries
There are three primary beneficiaries of the CRE initiatives: Marine Species. \\r\\n\\r\\nRegulators \\r\\n\\r\\nConsumers\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\n\\r\\nMarine Species \\r\\n\\r\\nThe ultimate beneficiaries of the CRE initiative are the marine species themselves. A science-based program to address ocean noise will not be subjected to periodic modifications based upon the political considerations of the day. A constant program will encourage voluntary compliance by the affected stakeholders, a proven component for sustainability.\\r\\n\\r\\nRegulators \\r\\n\\r\\nIn that the Arctic is a unique natural asset, there is considerable interest in preserving this internationally recognized natural resource. The Arctic Council is composed of eight member states and 38 observers ranging from non-Arctic countries such as China, to intergovernmental organizations such as the United Nations Development Program, to non-governmental organizations such as Oceana. \\r\\n\\r\\nClearly, regulation of ocean noise by the Arctic Council is going to be conducted on the world stage and will establish a precedent for regulation in a number of countries. Regulators throughout the world will benefit from ocean noise standards developed through a transparent process by recognized experts in their field.\\r\\n\\r\\nConsumers\\r\\n\\r\\nConsumers will benefit from the CRE initiative in several ways. First, they will benefit from the fact that they will be paying the optimal amount for preserving marine life. Second, they can rest assured that they are doing their best to protect marine species.