[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 203 (Tuesday, October 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60120-60121]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-26472]


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MARINE MAMMAL COMMISSION


Advisory Committee on Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammals; 
Notice of Intent, Request for Comments and Nominations

AGENCY: Marine Mammal Commission.

ACTION: Notice of intent to charter the Advisory Committee on 
Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammals and request for comments and 
nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Omnibus Appropriations Act of 2003 (Pub. L. 108-7) directs 
the Marine Mammal Commission to organize a series of national and 
international meetings concerning the impacts of sound on marine 
mammals and how these impacts may be addressed. To help meet this 
directive, the Commission is considering the establishment of the 
Advisory Committee on Anthropogenic Sound and Marine Mammals under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA; Pub. L. 92-463). Committee 
members would participate in a policy dialogue to review available 
information, identify research needs, and recommend management actions 
and strategies.
    The Commission is seeking comments regarding:
    (1) The need for and desirability of establishing an advisory 
committee pursuant to FACA;
    (2) The issues any such Committee should consider; and
    (3) The affected individuals, interest groups, or stakeholders who 
should be represented.
    The Commission is also seeking recommendations for possible 
Committee members who meet the qualifications specified below.

DATES: Comments on this notice of intent and recommendations for 
Committee members must be submitted in writing before November 5, 2003. 
The Commission intends to appoint Committee members in December 2003 so 
that the first Committee meeting can be convened in late January or 
early February 2004.

ADDRESSES: Written comments and recommendations should be submitted to 
Erin Vos, Project Manager for Sound-Related Meetings and Actions, 
Marine Mammal Commission, 4340 East-West Hwy., Rm. 905, Bethesda, MD 
20814, e-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Erin Vos at the above address or e-
mail, tel.: (301) 504-0087, or fax: (301) 504-0099; or visit the 
Commission Web site at http://www.mmc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is considering the

[[Page 60121]]

establishment of the Advisory Committee on Anthropogenic Sound and 
Marine Mammals, which would undertake a policy dialogue to review 
available information, identify research needs, and recommend 
management actions and strategies. The Commission has contracted with a 
team of third-party neutral facilitators who will assess the 
feasibility of establishing the Committee and will examine options for 
the format of the dialogue. The Commission will make its final 
determination on the need for establishing a federal advisory committee 
after the facilitators submit their feasibility report in November 
2003. If the Commission determines that it is necessary and desirable 
to proceed under the Federal Advisory Committee Act, the Commission, in 
consultation with the contracted facilitators, will select and appoint 
Committee members to represent the following stakeholder and interest 
groups:
    [sbull] Entities whose activities introduce anthropogenic sounds 
into the marine environment, including the academic research community, 
industry (shipping, oil and gas exploration, etc.), and government 
agencies;
    [sbull] Non-governmental organizations, including environmental 
groups;
    [sbull] Scientists with pertinent expertise; and
    [sbull] Government agencies that manage or otherwise affect marine 
mammals.
    The Commission will seek a balanced representation among interested 
parties. Committee members will be expected to have a high level of 
interest or expertise concerning the impacts of sound on marine mammals 
and other components of the marine environment. Additional criteria 
considered when selecting Committee members may include:
    [sbull] Ability to attend Committee meetings;
    [sbull] Decision-making authority;
    [sbull] Ability to represent a constituency and communicate 
effectively with constituents whose interests they represent;
    [sbull] Experience in collaborative policy dialogue or negotiation; 
and
    [sbull] Likelihood of being affected by the outcome.

    Dated: October 15, 2003.
David Cottingham,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 03-26472 Filed 10-20-03; 8:45 am]
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