[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 141 (Wednesday, July 23, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 43494-43495]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-18252]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Office of Coast Survey; Notice of Solicitation for Hydrographic 
Services Review Panel

AGENCY: National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for Hydrographic Services Review Panel.

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SUMMARY: This notice responds to the Hydrographic Services Improvement 
Act Amendments of 2002, Public Law 107-372, which requires the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to solicit nominations 
for membership on the Hydrographic Services Review Panel. This advisory 
committee will advise the Under Secretary on matters related to the 
responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 303 of the 
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998 and its amendments, and 
such other appropriate matters the Under Secretary refers to the Panel 
for review and advise.

DATES: Resumes should be sent to the address, e-mail or FAX specified 
and must be received by September 29, 2003.

ADDRESSES: Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, 
NOAA (N/CS), 1315 East West Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 20910, FAX: 
301-713-4019, e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gretchen Imahori, Office of Coast 
Survey, NOS/NOAA, 301-713-2770, Extension 140, FAX: 301-713-4019, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 33 U.S.C. 883a et seq. NOS is 
responsible for providing nautical charts and related information for 
safe navigation and other purposes. In fulfilling this responsibility, 
NOS collects and compiles hydrographic, tidal and current, geodetic and 
a variety of other data and information. The Hydrographic Services 
Panel shall advise on topics such as the Office of Coast Survey (OCS) 
National Survey Plan, technologies relating to operations, research and 
development, and dissemination of data pertaining to:
    (a) Hydrographic surveying and data;
    (b) Nautical charting;
    (c) Water level measurements;
    (d) Current measurements;
    (e) Geodetic measurements; and
    (f) Geospatial measurements.
    The Panel shall consist of 15 voting members appointed by the Under 
Secretary in accordance with the provisions and prohibitions of Section 
105 of the Act. Members will be selected on a clear, standardized 
basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance. 
The Director of the Joint Hydrographic Institute and no more than two 
employees of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shall 
serve as nonvoting members of the Panel.
    The voting members of the Panel shall be individuals who, by reason 
of knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in one 
or more of the disciplines and fields relating to hydrographic 
surveying, tides, currents, geodetic and geospatial measurements, 
marine transportation, port administration, vessel pilotage, and 
coastal and fishery management. The membership shall be fairly balanced 
in terms of points of view represented and the functions to be 
performed by the Panel. An individual may not be appointed as a voting 
member of the Panel if the individual is a full-time officer or 
employee of the United States. Any voting member of the Panel who is an 
applicant for, or beneficiary of (as determined by the Administrator), 
any assistance under the Act shall disclose to the Panel that 
relationship, and may not vote on any matter pertaining to that 
assistance. The term of office of a voting member of the Panel shall be 
4 years, except that of the original appointees, five shall be 
appointed for a term of 2 years, five shall be appointed for a term of 
3 years, and five shall be appointed for a term of 4 years, as 
specified by the Administrator at the time of appointment. The members 
will serve at the discretion of the Administrator and will be subject 
to ethical standards applicable to special government employees. Any 
individual appointed to a partial or full term may be reappointed for 
one additional full term. A voting member may serve after the date of 
the expiration of the term of office for which appointed until his or 
her successor has taken office.
    The Panel shall select one voting member to serve as the Chair and 
another voting member to serve as the Vice Chair. The Vice Chair shall 
act as Chair in the absence or incapacity of the Chair.
    Meetings will occur on a biannual basis and, at any other time, at 
the call of the Chair or upon the request of a majority of the voting 
members or of the Administrator.
    Voting members of the Panel shall receive compensation at a rate

[[Page 43495]]

established by the Administrator, not to exceed the maximum daily rate 
payable under section 5376 of title 5, United States Code, when 
actually engaged in the performance of duties for such Panel and shall 
be reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in the 
performance of such duties.

    Dated: June 30, 2003.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-18252 Filed 7-22-03; 8:45 am]
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