[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 19 (Thursday, January 29, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 4293]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-1903]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Announcement of U.S. Coral Reef Task Force Meeting

AGENCY: Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of public meeting and opportunity for public comment.

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    Time and Date: Session I--Outreach Workshop and Science Panels: 9 
a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, February 24, 2004, EST; Session II--U.S. Coral 
Reef Task Force Business Meeting: 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday, 
February 25, 2004, EST.
    Place: Main Auditorium, Department of Commerce, 14th Street and 
Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

SUMMARY: The Department of Commerce announces a public meeting of the 
U.S. Coral Reef Task Force (CRTF) February 24-25, 2004, in Washington, 
DC. Through the coordinated efforts of its members, including 
representatives of twelve federal agencies, the Governors of seven 
states and territories, and the leaders of the Freely Associated 
States, the Task Force has helped lead U.S. efforts to address the 
coral reef crisis and sustainably manage the nation's valuable coral 
reef ecosystems.
    Matters To Be Considered: During the public meeting, the CRTF will 
report on the implementation of 3-year Local Action Strategies, discuss 
the status of Task Force resolutions, update action items from the 10th 
CRTF meeting in the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands and 
Guam, and accept public comments. Once finalized, the agenda will be 
available from the contact below and will also be published on the Web 
at http://coralreef.gov/.
    Individuals and organizations can register to attend the meeting at 
http://coralreef.gov. There is also an opportunity to register for both 
exhibit space and to provide public comments through the contacts 
below. Wherever possible, those with similar viewpoints or messages are 
encouraged to make joint statements. Public comments will be received 
on the afternoon of February 25, 2004. Written public statements may 
also be submitted to the Task Force prior to, during, or after the 
meeting. The deadline for submission of written public statements is 
March 10, 2004. Only written public comments will receive a response 
from the CRTF.
    Travel information and meeting updates are posted on the Web at 
http://coralreef.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Organizations and individuals wishing 
to register for public comments, submit written statements or to obtain 
additional information should contact the CRTF meeting office:
    Shane Guan, Coral Reef Conservation Program, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Response and Restoration, 
N/ORR, 1305 East West Hwy, Silver Spring, MD 20910, Phone (301) 713-
2989 x118, Fax (301) 713-4389, E-mail: [email protected].
    Exhibit space reservations can be made by contacting Miguel Lugo at 
the above address or at [email protected], (301) 713-2989 x102.

    Dated: January 23, 2004.
Jamison S. Hawkins,
Deputy Assistant Administrator, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-1903 Filed 1-28-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE-P