Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke announced 40M funding from the economic stimulus plan for the survey to survey and chart coastal seafloors.
Locke says contractors will conduct 39 surveys in the Chesapeake Bay and the coastal waters of Alabama, Alaska, California, Florida, Louisiana, Virginia, and Washington. The work will include mapping the sea floor, measure the water depth, search for debris and record coastal sea beds natural features and aquatic life. Data will also be collected to update nautical charts and to aid in maritime planning.