Modeling Lab Action Team

Scope and Purpose

The Modeling Lab Action Team is committed to proceeding forward with more in-depth evaluation of the recommendation for establishing a Chesapeake Bay Modeling Laboratory and other alternatives to achieve the recommendations of the NRC committee. The action team will report back to the Management Board on its findings, options, and recommendations. In turn, the Management Board would then decide on what specific recommendations to put forward for deliberation and final decisions by the Principals’ Staff Committee.

Responsibilties

• Evaluation of other existing modeling laboratories and adaptive management programs that encompass modeling, addressing how they function and how applicable their structure, and mandate is to the Chesapeake Bay Program Partnership.
• Consideration of the range of options for what would constitute a Chesapeake Bay modeling laboratory, a virtual laboratory, or responsive program reorganization that is capable of carrying out the functions outlined by the NRC committee and addressing the series of existing STAC and the jurisdictions’ recommendations on modeling.
• Development of options and recommendations for actual institutional sponsorship and how the laboratory would function for carrying out mandates.
• Assessment of the possible range of financial investments and funding mechanisms required.

Why a Modeling Lab?

• Evaluating uncertainty in model simulations and assessing monitoring data needs
• Improve the predictive skill of the models
• Improve model credibility
• Incorporating multiple modeling approaches
• Emphasize open-source models exercised cooperatively with the scientific community