NSF reverses course on dismantling ocean buoy network

Driving the news: The NSF, which runs the initiative, announced the reversal last week after swift bipartisan pushback to the plan, the Oregonian reported.

Catch up quick: The initiative launched in 2015 to collect long-term data from roughly 900 sensors across the Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean and waters off Greenland.

• The Coastal Endurance Array in the Pacific Northwest consists of research buoys off Newport and Grays Harbor, Washington, as well as underwater gliders and cables that collect real-time ocean data on temperature, current, ecosystems and extreme weather events.
• The worldwide network was designed to operate for at least 25 years. But last month, the initiative said the project was being "descoped" because of NSF cuts and all equipment would be removed by next year.

What they're saying: "Dismantling the OOI was supreme stupidity, and we'll keep fighting to ensure scientists, fishermen, and coastal communities can continue to utilize the critical data the OOI provides," Oregon Sen. Jeff Merkley said in a statement, per the Oregonian.

What's next: NSF has halted plans to dismantle the network and intends to redeploy any equipment that was already taken out of service.