[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 155 (Friday, August 10, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 42204-42205]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-20067]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[I.D. 010723185-1185-01]


Nominations for Federal Advisory Committee on Marine Protected 
Areas

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce is establishing a Federal Advisory 
Committee on Marine Protected Areas (MPA) pursuant to Executive Order 
13158 and is seeking nominations for membership on this Committee.

DATES: Nominations must be postmarked on or before September 15, 2001.

ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Office of Ocean and Coastal 
Resource Management, NOAA, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 
20910 ATTN: Federal Advisory Committee on Marine Protected Areas.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Roger Griffis, NOAA, (301) 713-3155 
Extension 104. E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On June 4, 2001, Secretary of Commerce 
Donald L. Evans released a statement announcing the Administrations's 
retention of Executive Order 13158. The Secretary also announced his 
intention to appoint a Marine Protection Area Advisory Committee. To 
complete this task the Secretary has decided to seek nominations in 
addition to those previously solicited (see 65 FR 50503, August 18, 
2000) and initiate a review of all nominees.
    Executive Order 13158 directs the Department of Commerce and the 
Department of the Interior to seek the expert advice and 
recommendations of non-Federal scientists, resource managers, and other 
interested persons and organizations through a Marine Protected Areas 
Federal Advisory Committee. The Advisory Committee will provide advice 
and recommendations to the Secretary of Commerce and the Secretary of 
the Interior to focus Federal Government efforts to develop information 
about existing MPAs, to help identify areas where research may support 
management of marine resources through MPAs, and to undertake other 
appropriate MPA activities. The terms of Executive Order 13158 make 
clear that it is not intended to supplant existing statutory 
authorities or to create new legal authority to regulate marine 
resources. Activities conducted under Executive Order 13158 will be 
consistent with current law. The MPA Advisory Committee will be 
established through a public process that will ensure the 
Administration will benefit from a broad, balanced range of expertise 
and views as it undertakes MPA-related activities. Initial committee 
members will be selected for two or three year terms of service. The 
Committee will meet at least once annually; however, members of 
subcommittees, task forces, and/or working groups established by the 
Committee may meet on a more frequent basis. Members of the Committee 
will not be compensated, but may be allowed travel and per diem 
expenses.
    The Department of Commerce is seeking a diverse group of 
approximately 25 highly qualified individuals to serve on the Marine 
Protected Areas Federal Advisory Committee. Nominations are sought for 
non-Federal scientists, resource managers, and persons representing 
other interests or organizations. Individuals seeking membership on the 
Advisory Committee should possess demonstrable expertise in a field 
related to MPAs and/or an interest affected by MPAs. Nominees will also 
be considered based on their ability to contribute to a balance of 
interests and points of view.
    Nominations are encouraged from all interested parties, such as 
scientific societies; academic and research institutions; groups or 
governments representing Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native 
Hawaiians, Caribbean Islanders and Pacific islanders; states, 
territories and localities; interest groups such as the fishing 
(recreational and commercial), boating, diving, recreational, maritime, 
historical and philanthropic communities; conservation organizations; 
mineral and

[[Page 42205]]

oil production interests; and Federal agencies.

    Note: No Federal agency employees may be appointed to serve on 
the Committee, but nominations for non-federal employees will be 
accepted from Federal agencies.

    All nominations received during the prior nomination period 
(August-October, 2000) will be considered along with any new 
nominations received during the second nomination period, unless a 
nominee withdraws his or her application. No additional submission is 
required for those nominees from the prior nomination period. Any 
nominee from the prior nomination period however, may submit new 
information to update his or her file. All nominations will be treated 
equally during the review and selection process.
    Each submission should include the following material to be 
considered for review: The submitting person or organization's name and 
affiliation; a cover letter describing the nominee's qualifications and 
interest in serving on the Committee; a Curriculum Vitae or resume of 
nominee; and the nominee's name, address, phone number, fax number, and 
e-mail address. Self-nominations are acceptable. Letters of support 
describing the nominee's qualifications are optional and no more than 
three supporting letter(s) will be accepted.
    Nominations should be sent to (see ADDRESSES) and nominations must 
be postmarked on or before September 15, 2001. The full text of the 
executive order can be found at the following website address: 
www.mpa.gov.

    Dated: August 6, 2001.
Alan Neuschatz,
Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer, Ocean Services 
and Coastal Zone Management.
[FR Doc. 01-20067 Filed 8-9-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-08-M