��E榁狼綏〆�E奮悒灰鵐宗璽轡▲燹�J-DESC

Dear Members of the Ocean Drilling Community,

 

The US National Science Foundation (NSF) has supported a scientific ocean drilling program in various forms for over 40 years. NSF and Japan’s Ministry of Education,
Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT) co-lead the current Integrated Ocean Drilling Program (IODP) which supports the operations of a riser platform (Japan’s
Chikyu), a non-riser platform (the refitted US JOIDES Resolution or JR), and Mission Specific Platforms (MSP) provided by the European Consortium for Ocean Research
Drilling (ECORD). The IODP partnership has been successful and productive, and each drilling platform has made significant contributions to IODP discoveries. The current
program extends until 30 September, 2013. To prepare for a new program beyond 2013, the international research community recently developed a 10-year science plan for scientific ocean drilling (available at http://www.iodp.org/Science-Plan-for-2013-2023/).

 

The economics of scientific drilling have changed dramatically in the last few years. Rising costs for metal, petroleum products, and other items essential to drill ship operations have forced the JR into a reduced operating schedule. On the revenue side, NSF’s FY2011 budget is 1% lower than FY2010. Substantial budget increases appear unlikely in the near future. This new funding environment has necessitated a reevaluation of program priorities and options for the future of scientific ocean drilling. Reviews of IODP and the future science program are currently underway. A decision to seek the approval of the National Science Board for a renewal of scientific drilling will be made in the near future. While we await the outcome of the review process, however, we recognize that a viable financial operating plan for the potential new program must be urgently developed.

Preserving the JR as a dedicated research vessel is a top priority with respect to NSF’s potential future investment in scientific ocean drilling. Realizing this goal requires a new operating model that streamlines operating costs and generates new external sources of revenue to support the JR. Accordingly, the new model for management of scientific ocean drilling by the JR is as follows:

 

• NSF will operate the JR as an independent drill Platform Provider, not as a Co- Lead Agency (as is the case for the current IODP).
• NSF will independently solicit contributions from international partners for support of JR operations.
• NSF will establish a new Science Advisory Structure specifically to meet needs of the JR.
  
  

The benefits of this new model include economic efficiencies gained by reductions in program administrative costs, control of vessel scheduling, and direct contributions from international partners, ultimately leading to more months at sea for the JR. We anticipate that similar benefits will accrue to MEXT as it seeks to support operating costs for the Chikyu. The new approach does not guarantee that NSF will continue to support scientific ocean drilling in the future, but rather sets the stage for establishing an affordable pathway.

 

NSF has deep respect and gratitude to MEXT as a partner in IODP and we are committed to fulfilling our obligations with respect to the current program, budget appropriations permitting. We expect continuing collaboration with Japan in any post-2013 program, including participation of Japanese scientists on JR expeditions and vice versa for Chikyu.

We are aware that many issues remain to be resolved as our new operating model is developed. NSF will begin immediately to reach out to potential international partners
and will foster a community-driven process to define our new program. To maintain the integrity of the international scientific ocean drilling community, a new framework for
international collaboration and coordination among the platform-providing nations and other relevant countries will also be developed. The NSF IODP program team, led by
Rodey Batiza, will provide further details in the very near future.

 

With Sincere Regards,

Timothy L. Killeen, Assistant Director, Directorate for Geosciences
David O. Conover, Director, Division of Ocean Sciences

 

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その1　8/24（水） 14:30頃

日本地球掘削科学コンソーシアムの皆様

 

まだ暑い夏が続いておりますが，いかがおすごしでしょうか？

突然ではありますが，アメリカ合衆国，NSFより以下の重要レターが，アメリカ合衆国，日本，ヨーロッパのIODP関係者に発信されておりますので，お知らせいたします． 現在，日本の蔵王でSPC（Science Planning Committee）が開催されていますが，文章の最下部にある３項目についても具体的で定量的なプランは示されていないようです． より詳細な情報がわかり次第，J-DESCのメール配信あるいはホームペ−ジでお伝えする予定ですが，内容は今後の海洋掘削にかなりの変更を伴うこともありうるので，皆様に情報をお伝えする次第です．

 

日本地球掘削科学コンソーシアム

IODP部会部会長　川幡穂高

 

---------- Forwarded message ----------

Thomas Janecek様から2011/8/20に発信されたメール

案件: An important announcement to the ocean drilling community from NSF

 

Dear IWG+ members,

 

Attached please find a letter from our NSF management (Tim Killeen ―Assistant Director Geosciences; David Conover - Division Director Ocean Sciences) to the ocean drilling community. Please forward this letter to your respective communities. Undoubtedly this letter will generate many questions. The NSF IODP program team, led by Rodey Batiza, will provide further details in the very near future as we move forward with planning for future scientific ocean drilling.

 

Best regards,

Tom

 

その2　8/24（水） 18:30頃

日本地球掘削科学コンソーシアムの皆様

 

先のメールに関係して，その後の情報をお知らせいたします．

日本地球掘削科学コンソーシアムIODP部会といたしましても，情報を得るように努力してきましたが，かなり悲観的なものまで含めて現時点で幅がありすぎます．その理由は，NSFから，文面以上の具体案あるいは計画案が提示されていないためと思います．ただし，今後本件が急速に進展するおそれもあるため，準備は必要と考えております．

客観的な立場より動向などを皆様にお伝えするのに，日本の蔵王で開催されているSPC（Science Planning Committee）でvice chairをされている笠原先生に伺った所，以下の概要が送られてきておりますので，皆様に情報をお伝えするいたします．先生にもご許可をいただいていおります．

SPCの科学者のレベルでは，国際フレームワークを何らかの形で，残してほしいというメッセージを送るようです．

 

日本地球掘削科学コンソーシアム（J-DESC）

IODP部会部会長　川幡穂高

 

------------------------------------------------------------

本件に関して，SPC Vice Chairの笠原順三先生より，以下の状況が現時点の客観的情報としてレポートされています．

『先週金曜日（２１日），突然NSFからIWG+やPMO（語句註釈下にあります）など関係者に決定が知らされました。
決定文書に書かれているように「2013年以降アメリカはJRの運航を独自に行う、そのためアメリカが独自のSASを作る」とのことです。

SPCに出席したアメリカ担当者は，

・地球深部探査船「ちきゅう」の運航には日本の問題で、それには一切かかわらないとのことです。
・NSFは「国際協力はForumぐらいで、日本とMOUを結ばない」と発言されました．

SPC内で、ヨーロッパ、オーストラリア、ニュージーランドの人々は国際協力が必要との意見が多数のように思いますが、「今までちきゅうが日本の領海外で掘削をしたことがない、ことが最大の原因」との発言がSPCチェアーからでました。これに対し，SPCで文科省柴田さんから、「南海の掘削が終わり次第海外での掘削を計画している」 との発言がありSPC委員内で地球を含め国際協力の下での掘削事業に理解が示されたと考えます。』

 

笠原順三　SPC Vice Chair

------------------------------------------------------------

 

その3　9/1（木） 14:30頃

J-DESC会員機関の皆様

 

拝啓

１）2013年以降の深海掘削に関するアメリカNSFからのアナウンスメントについて，８月３０日臨時J-DESC，IODP執行部会を開催して検討した．

２）2013年以降のIODPのJR運行に関わるNSFの文書で扱われた件は，基本的に科学研究費提供機関同士の協議になるので，PMOであるJ-DESCとしては，以下のような要望を文部科学省に対して行うこととなった．

・なんらかの国際共同研究のフレームの設定

・「掘削提案書の提出」権利を今後とも継続してほしい（JR，MSP含む）

・JR，MSPなどを含む乗船権の継続

・新規掘削に関係したデータ，試料などへのアクセスあるいは使用する権利の継続

・過去に取得されたデータ，試料などへのアクセスあるいは使用する権利の継続

３）臨時総会の開催（１０月下旬）

J-DESCのIODP部会に関係して，新しい状況となっているので，会員への情報提供および意見集約などを目的として，臨時の総会の開催を理事会に提案します．フレームワークなどがある程度みえてこないと，仮定の議論となり混乱いたしますので，IWG+（メンバー：文部科学省やNSFなどの資金提供機関，JRや地球深部探査船「ちきゅう」などを運行する運行組織など）の会議が１０月に予定され，そこで，２０１３年以降のフレームワークが議論されるので，その会議の後にしたいと思います．日程はわかり次第，連絡いたします．

４）今後２年間のIODP

今後２年間については，SIPCOM, PEPなどの委員会活動は継続する模様です．掘削提案も受け付け（今度の締め切りは１０月１日），その後も提案書の育成などは継続される可能性が高いと予想されます．

５）J-DESCの活動

基本的に今後２年間の国際的なIODP活動に伴う部分の活動は継続するが，IODP成果公表助成については，８月３１日以降の募集はとりあえず休止し，再開などについては，臨時総会などで審議する．IODPの国際フレームワークの変更に伴い，J-DESCの改善（REFORM）を検討する．

６）添付書類

Science記事

ANZICのニュースレター

 

敬具

 

日本地球掘削科学コンソーシアム

IODP部会部会長　川幡穂高

 

9/1（木）

Dear IODP Community Members:

This is to inform you of MEXT's position with regard to the recent US proposal from NSF on the future of IODP.

 

Regarding the New US Proposal

We understand that new US model was created from the veiw pointof securing JR operations under a difficult financial situation. We are concerned that this model is predominantly focused on financial planning for JR operation, and apparently provides few details on an other vital aspect, namely: How will international research cooperation within oceandrilling science be maintained in the future. We no doubt agree on the vital importance of continuing future platform operations, but we should not lose the common frame work for maintaining effective scientific exchange and collaboration in this important field of science.

 

Need for a Common International Cooperative Framework

The integrated approach of IODP, where a single science community drives operations on multiple drilling platforms, has produced many valuable scientific results. This efort has unified the international drilling community and has helped drive international recognition and enhance political Support of the community. Without such an international cooperative framework, the competence/momentum of the drilling science community would be significantly undermined, and severely hampered.

Accordingly, we strongly believe that an international collaborative framework, in line with economic realities, should continue into the future so that we may together continue accomplishing the best possible research science which our mutual intellectual and scientific collaborations including sharing platform boarding and acquired cores can provide. MEXT's financial situation parallels that of the NSF, and we are willing to pursue an alternative model which is much simpler, sigmificantly flexible, much less costly, and less contractually restrictive, assuming that the currently agreed-upon model developed at the IWG+ is insufficient. Therefore, we strongly urge that the NSF and other potential partners work together to craft the best possible cooperative mechanism.

 

MEXT Position and Future Chikyu Program

MEXT is determined to make Chikyu available for scientific drilling, and weare determined to continue playing a leading role in any prospective international scientific ocean drilling program.

The Chikyu Program over the next ten years will continue to focus on scientific research on Earth Science themes of global significance and interest, as identified in the New Science Plan "Illuminating Earth's Past, Present,and Future", including: Climate and ocean change, Biosphere frontiers, Earth connection, and Earth in motion. Therefore, according to the needs of science, Chikyu is ready to go any where on the globe; including, but not limited to the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, and a unique Project-based approach, utilizing workshops throughout the project formulation and evaluation processes will be encouraged. We believe this system ill provide excellent opportunities for facilitating financial and intellectual collaboration with our current international partners and other future potential collaborators.

By diversifying funding resources and adopting more flexible approaches in terms of project planning and operational scheduling, we will also spend more time on scientific drilling than the current level has allowed. Details will be further discussed and will be shared with you in due course.

We are excited about the future possibilities and discoveries awaiting a continued and coordinated scientific drilling research program, and look forward to listening to the community's feedback on this matter, since we believe that your voice will play an important ole in our bumpy journey to find the best international mechanism to improve and extend ocean drnling science and of our respective platforms.

 

With Wamest Regards,

 

Kanji Fujiki

Director General, Research and Development Bureau

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology

 

Yuichi Inoue

Director, Ocean and Earth Division

Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Teclmology

 

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8/31（水）

Message to the ECORD science community

The recently released “New Science Plan” has set the stage for the next phase of ocean drilling, post 2013. There is a will from all three funders of the current platforms (the JOIDES Resolution, Mission Specific Platforms and the Chikyu) to continue offering access to these facilities to the international scientific community to implement this exciting plan. However, the message sent out by NSF has generated a lot of questions about the future of scientific ocean drilling.

 

The reality of shrinking science budgets in an unstable global economy makes it difficult to continue with the current architecture and funding model of IODP. This led NSF to decide independently to run the JOIDES Resolution in a different mode. However, NSF also aims to maintain the integrity of the international scientific ocean drilling community as well as international collaboration and coordination among the nations providing platforms. ECORD has already planned a meeting with NSF to initiate discussions about the access to the JOIDES Resolution and MSPs. In parallel, ECORD is also in contact with our Japanese colleagues from MEXT and CDEX to discuss access to the Chikyu.

 

We need to find the best international framework and funding scheme for continued access to all three types of drilling vessels by the global science community, beyond countries providing platforms. Moreover, we need to maintain the international spirit and vision built over years of collaboration. I have discussed this with the members of the ECORD executive and I am confident that all current and potential new partners of the drilling program will make this happen.

August 31st, 2011
Catherine Mevel
ECORD Managing Agency Director
EMA

 

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9/2（金）

Proposal Submissions and Science Planning for the Remaining part of IODP and for the Start of the New Drilling Program post 2013

 

Dear IODP Community Member:

IODP-MI recently invited submission of drilling proposals (EOS August 16; www.iodp.org) for the October 1st 2011 proposal submission deadline. However, following an August 19 letter from the NSF to the entire community, referring to a new program structure, and a Science Advisory Structure (SAS) specifically serving JOIDES Resolution (JR), community members have asked questions about this deadline, and about the role of the new SAS in science planning beyond the current program (new SAS: www.iodp.org/new-program). In this communication we clarify the situation regarding these matters.

 

It is IODP-MI's contractual obligation to maintain science planning seamlessly from the current IODP to the International Ocean Discovery Program expected to replace IODP by October 1, 2013. Despite the ongoing discussions for an optimum program structure triggered by the letter from NSF, the recently completed New Science Plan (www.iodp.org/Science- Plan-for-2013-2023) and the new SAS (www.iodp.org/new-program) are the entities that will direct the planning for the future. This will take place under the management of IODP-MI representing the international community by virtue of its 31 member institutions (www.iodp.org/members-and-representatives), and as per contract with NSF (in consultation with MEXT) running to end of IODP.

 

The important information for you as a community member therefore is that the proposal submission deadline, proposal guideline, and SAS review process will be implemented as planned, and are documented at www.iodp.org/drilling-proposals. To emphasize, there will be no change within the current program, and any new program will need build on science planning conducted during the last phase of the previous program. This was also the case during the ODP to IODP transition. Furthermore, is not anticipated that the new program will make any principal changes to the SAS structure and process as the new SAS to start October 1st 2011 was prepared for the new program.

 

A similarly important, if not even more important, message from IODP-MI to the community is that the letter from NSF and subsequent position letters from MEXT and EMA (all posted at www.iodp.org/weblinks/News-Highlights-HOME-PAGE/Messages-to-IODP-Community/), plus bilateral communication between IODP-MI and these funding agencies suggests that all three platform providing agencies strongly favor a new program that will honor and promote the following unique values of scientific ocean drilling:

1) A coordinated international scientific community addressing the New Science Plan (NSP)

2) A single framework for science evaluation and planning

3) A program framework that offers the three existing platforms to all scientists and projects that effectively will address and advance the New Science Plan

 

The optimal program structure that effectively can embrace these fundamental principles, and at the same time meet the tight fiscal condition that the three platform providers face is yet to be defined.

 

One important aspect of the fiscal constraints is that transit times need be minimized (JR in particular). Current ship scheduling has the JR expected to be in the Western Pacific to Indian Ocean region by end of IODP. Proposals for JR drilling that can be readied for 2014-15 drilling in these areas are therefore likely to have a scheduling advantage. Post 2015 the JR track will be directed by proposal pressure as it exists by 2014.

 

On behalf of the program, IODP-MI therefore looks forward to receive your drilling proposal and your continued support of scientific ocean drilling. Your support is more important than ever. Please refer to the www.iodp.org/active-proposals for proposal statistics that illustrate the distribution of proposals according to ocean basins and geographic distribution.

 

Best regards,

Hans Christian Larsen

Vice President, IODP-MI

 

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9/7（水）

Dear Colleagues,

 

A recent message from NSF has been misinterpreted to mean that the U.S. is planning to pull out of IODP and international cooperation. This is simply not true, and I ask your help in dispelling this myth within the community.

 

NSF’s announcement does not reflect a decrease in commitment to the program, but instead represents a supportive move toward securing a post-2013 program. In a difficult funding environment, the program must become more efficient if it is to continue. The changes announced by NSF will enhance our ability to achieve the goals of the 2013-2023 IODP Science Plan and thereby improve the chances of receiving program approval from the National Science Board.

 

We look forward to continued collaboration with our international partners in science planning, expeditions, and post-cruise research. Messages from the funding agencies in Japan and Europe reinforce their intention to continue international collaborations as well. While certain details of the new program structure remain to be worked out, the IODP science planning process is not stopping.

The 2013-2023 Science Plan identifies the highest priority scientific questions that require ocean drilling?and remains the guiding document for the new program. A strong set of drilling proposals is still important in demonstrating the need for a post-2013 program and for assuring there will not be a break between programs.? The next proposal deadline is October 1st, and the IODP-MI science managers can help you in this process.

 

Best Regards,

 

Liz Screaton

Chair, U.S. Advisory Committee for Scientific Ocean Drilling

 

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Message to the scientific ocean drilling community

 

Next phase of scientific ocean drilling: the “International Ocean Discovery Program”

 

In August 2011, NSF informed the scientific drilling community of its plan to modify the funding and managing model for the JOIDES Resolution, generating a lot of questioning on the future organization of scientific drilling at the international level. Since then, representatives of NSF (USA), MEXT (Japan) and ECORD (European Consortium for Ocean Research Drilling that includes 16 European countries and Canada) have worked on a new framework that takes into account the new NSF position. We are pleased to announce that we have made substantial progress. At a recent meeting held in Granada (Spain) on November 3rd, we have agreed to the following essential points that will shape the new framework: - IODP will remain a truly international programme committed to the delivery of the new science plan (http://www.iodp.org/Science-Plan-for-2013-2023/). At the international level, IODP will have only one face to communicate with other major science initiatives, potential new members, etc…

 

- IODP will continue offering access to the JOIDES Resolution, Mission Specific Platforms and the Chikyu to all members. However, the platforms will be managed independently.

- IODP will continue its policy of open access to all data and cores collected during drilling expeditions

- MEXT, NSF and ECORD have agreed that a common international SAS will evaluate all proposals for all platforms

- Under the new programme, the structure will be streamlined and simplified, resulting in the acceleration of project implementation to the benefit of the science community

- The new programme will be extremely flexible and encourage co-funding on a project or partner basis for all platforms. Co-funding for specific projects is expected to come from member or non member countries, industry, the European Commission, etc.

- We are committed to an increased collaboration with other major science initiatives, for example the International Scientific Continental Drilling Program (ICDP)

 

The “International Working Group Plus” (IWG+) will work out the final details of the new program architecture. As soon as they are available, they will be communicated to the international science community.

 

While a decision on renewed funding by NSF and most funding agencies currently participating in IODP will not be made until sometime in 2012, anticipatory plans for a transition from the current phase, ending September 30th, 2013 to the next phase, starting October 1st, 2013 must be in place should support continue. Therefore, we encourage all scientists worldwide to continue submitting drilling proposals. Proposal submission guidelines can be found at: http://www.iodp.org/drilling-proposals/

 

November 9th, 2011, the co-chairs of IWG+

 

Rodey Batiza, NSF <rbatizaの後に@nsf.gov>

Catherine Mevel, ECORD <mevelの後に@ipgp.fr>

Shingo Shibata, MEXT <shibataの後に@mext.go.jp>

 

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