Progress Report

CICEET Progress Report for the period 2/15/03 through 12/08/03

Project Title: Development and Implementation of a Wide Area Real-Time Environmental Data Collection Network for the National Estuarine Research Reserve System
Principal Investigator(s): Daniel R. Hanes, John Taggart

Accomplishments
Scheduled Tasks:

  1. Hardware installation at Sapelo Island NERR (SAP).
  2. Hardware installation at ACE Basin NERR (ACE).
  3. Testing of cellular connections for Rookery Bay NERR (RKB).
  4. Installation of controller at RKB.
  5. Final software upgrades

Progress on Tasks
The telemetry network is installed and operational at all of the designated SE reserves (NOC, NIW, ACE, SAP, RKB) with the exceptions that the YSI connection at SAP is currently not connected (temporary as of 2003-12-08), and the YSI cellular connection for RKB is tested but pending final deployment (January 2004).

Three major software upgrades have been deployed in the field, and the current version meets the design goals set out for this project; further upgrades are anticipated, however, as a consequence of the merger of this regional project with the ERD funded nationwide system.

Difficulties Encountered
The primary developmental technical challenges were resolved by the end of 2002. Throughout 2003 numerous logistical issues, primarily relating to the availability of reserve personnel and local physical infrastructure, delayed project progress. Additionally, one of the principal investigators, Stephen W. Ross, became unavailable to participate in the project.

Anticipated Success in Meeting Project Objectives in Scheduled Project Period
We believe that all project objectives have been met.

Preliminary Data
All project sites are now streaming data to the web (www.nerrenvirons.org) and the data are being evaluated by an increasing number of users.

Tasks and activities for the next reporting period

Tasks for the next reporting period
Completion of final report

Work plan to accomplish tasks
The disassociation of one of the PIs (Steve Ross) from the project has seriously impacted the preparation of the final report. The technical - engineering section of the report is in preparation (by Marisys), and a best effort at producing the balance of the supporting sections of the report will be made by Marisys. Delivery of the final report is planned for the end of January, 2004.

Concerns or difficulties
No difficulties other than those expressed in (1-C and III) are anticipated.

Expenditures
All substantive expenditures on this project were completed and submitted in the spring of 2003, and the project accounts were closed out. Ongoing maintenance and incidental expenditures are being borne by Marisys, Inc.