Lawmakers fight to stop the Trump administration's dismantling of a $386 million ocean observatory project

Key Points:

• The National Science Foundation (NSF) plans to remove most instruments from the Ocean Observatories Initiative in waters off Oregon, Washington, Alaska, North Carolina, and Greenland by 2027 without prior scientific review, describing the move as a "descoping" aligned with shifting scientific priorities.
• Several senators, led by Jeff Merkley and Lisa Murkowski, criticized the decision as unauthorized and harmful, urging the NSF to halt dismantling and conduct a thorough review with the marine science community, citing risks to coastal safety and environmental monitoring.
• House Democrats from the Science, Space and Technology and Natural Resources Committees condemned the action as illegal and destructive, demanding the NSF cease the decommissioning immediately; legislation is being proposed to prohibit further dismantling until proper review is completed.
• The cuts are part of a broader reduction in environmental and climate-related science funding under the Trump administration, which has also reduced staffing and eased regulations at agencies like NOAA and the EPA.
• Scientists are beginning to remove buoys off the Oregon coast despite concerns about the approaching El Niño event, which makes continued ocean monitoring crucial for predicting weather disruptions and protecting coastal communities.