[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 215 (Wednesday, November 6, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 67645]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-28148]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Policy Committee of the Minerals 
Management Advisory Board; Notice and Agenda for Meeting

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The OCS Policy Committee of the Minerals Management Advisory 
Board will meet at the Astor Crown Plaza New Orleans Hotel in New 
Orleans, Louisiana.

DATES: Wednesday, November 20, 2002, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST and 
Thursday, November 21, 2002, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m CST.

ADDRESSES: The Astor Crown Plaza New Orleans Hotel, 739 Canal @ 
Bourbon, New Orleans, Louisiana 20170, telephone (504) 962-0500.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeryne Bryant at Minerals 
Management Service, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4001, Herndon, Virginia 
20170-4187. She can be reached by telephone at (703) 787-1211 or by 
electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OCS Policy Committee represents the 
collective viewpoint of coastal States, environmental interests, 
industry and other parties involved with the OCS Program. It provides 
policy advice to the Secretary of the Interior through the Director of 
MMS on all aspects of leasing, exploration, development, and protection 
of OCS resources.
    The agenda for November 20 will cover the following principal 
subjects:
    Congressional/Legislative Update. This presentation will provide an 
update on current congressional issues related to the OCS Program.
    Global Energy. This presentation will address the varying positions 
on future supply and demand scenarios.
    Future of Energy. This presentation will provide a futuristic 
perspective on energy.
    OCS Scientific Committee Update. This presentation will provide an 
update on the activities of the Scientific Committee. It will highlight 
activities that are related to mercury, energy issues/concerns, ocean 
issues, hard mineral activities, and any other topics that are relevant 
to both Committees.
    Alternative Use Legislation. This presentation will provide an 
update on legislation concerning offshore liquefied natural gas 
terminals and other energy-related uses of the OCS.
    Methane Hydrate--Status of Technology. This presentation will 
address future energy supply from offshore methane hydrates.
    Oil in the Seas III: Inputs, Fates and Effects. This presentation 
will provide an overview of the findings from the Oil in the Sea Report 
that was funded by MMS, Department of Energy, U.S. Geological Survey, 
Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, American 
Petroleum Institute, and National Ocean Industries Association. The 
presentation will also compare the recent findings with the 1985 
report.
    National Marine Sanctuaries. This presentation will address 
national marine sanctuaries, their location and characteristics, and 
their relevance to oil and gas development.

    The agenda for November 21 will cover the following principal 
subjects:
    Hard Minerals Subcommittee Update. This presentation will provide 
an update on subcommittee activities and other pertinent hard minerals 
information.
    Coastal Erosion/Restoration--Louisiana's Perspective. This 
presentation will address the State of Louisiana's coastal situation, 
with emphasis on adverse impacts caused by offshore operations and on 
restoration efforts. It will also address the socioeconomic effects in 
coastal communities (i.e., Port Fourchon, Morgan City, and Abbeville).
    Mercury Update. This panel discussion will provide an update on 
relevant MMS activities since the May 2002 Policy Committee meeting. It 
will include an overview of the activities of the Interagency Working 
Group on Methylmercury; a brief description of findings from a recent 
offshore Gulf of Mexico platform sampling activity; and a report from 
the Scientific Subcommittee on Mercury.
    Benthic Communities Studies. This presentation will address the 
results of MMS's $5.33 million deepwater benthos study.
    Ocean Commission. This presentation will provide a brief update on 
the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy's activities since May 2002.
    Archeological Finds in the Gulf. This presentation will address 
recent discoveries in the Gulf of Mexico that have generated 
international acclaim. The MMS, through its responsibilities under the 
National Historic Preservation Act, requires operators to conduct 
remote sensing surveys to avoid potential targets which may be 
historically significant.
    Education and Outreach. This presentation will provide the 
Committee with an update on the Education and Outreach Subcommittee's 
activities since May 2002. It will also address Eric Smith's work with 
risk perception, factors that shape public opinion regarding energy 
extraction, and any other pertinent information that could assist the 
Subcommittee in working towards a report for the full Committee's 
review.
    MMS Regional Updates. The Regional Directors will highlight 
activities off the California and Alaska coasts and the Gulf of Mexico.
    The meeting is open to the public. Approximately 100 visitors can 
be accommodated on a first-come-first-served basis.
    Upon request, interested parties may make oral or written 
presentations to the OCS Policy Committee. Such requests should be made 
no later than November 13, 2002, to Jeryne Bryant. Requests to make 
oral statements should be accompanied by a summary of the statement to 
be made. Please see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for address 
and telephone number.
    Minutes of the OCS Policy Committee meeting will be available for 
public inspection and copying at the MMS in Herndon, Virginia.

    Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, 5 
U.S.C. Appendix 1, and the Office of Management and Budget's 
Circular No. A-63, Revised.

    Dated: October 28, 2002.
Thomas A. Readinger,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 02-28148 Filed 11-5-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P