Invitation to Comment on Draft Prospectus for Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7

Washington, DC
1 April 2005

Prospectus for Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7:
Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure – Gulf Coast Study

Public Comment Period:
1 April - 5 May 2005

Dear Colleague -

You are invited to provide comments on the prospectus for CCSP Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.7, Impacts of Climate Variability and Change on Transportation Systems and Infrastructure -- Gulf Coast Study. This report is one of 21 synthesis and assessment products that will be prepared by the program.

The Climate Change Science Program coordinates and directs U.S. research efforts in the areas of climate and global change. The Program completed and released a Strategic Plan in July 2003 to guide its activities. More information can be found in the Strategic Plan for the U.S. Climate Change Science Program. The Strategic Plan commits the program to prepare synthesis and assessment products to support informed discussion and decisionmaking regarding climate variability and change.

The program has also released guidelines for the synthesis and assessment products. These guidelines establish a broadly standardized methodology for product development that will facilitate involvement of the research community and the public in ensuring that the products are focused in a useful fashion and meet the highest standards of scientific excellence. The guidelines also encourage transparency by ensuring that public information about the status of the products will be provided through the Federal Register, on the CCSP website, and through other means.

The prospectus has a special purpose within the process established in the guidelines -- namely to describe the proposed focus and schedule that will be used to prepare respective products. Expert and public comments are requested as part of the open approach that has been a hallmark of the CCSP process. I invite you to participate in this comment process for S&A Product 4.7. Your input will help to ensure that the plan for preparing the document is open and fair and will produce a report that is relevant and sound.

Comments are due by 5 May 2005. All comments submitted by that time will be thoroughly evaluated and, if appropriate, incorporated in the final prospectus, which will be posted on the CCSP website when finalized. The comments submitted will be collated and posted on the CCSP website as well. The final prospectus will include an agreed timetable, which will highlight opportunities for further public engagement.

To ensure that your comments are routed correctly, please submit them in the prescribed format to . Detailed instructions can be accessed online.

Your active participation and constructive comments are appreciated.

Sincerely,

James R. Mahoney, Ph.D.

Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, and
Director, Climate Change Science Program