[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 245 (Wednesday, December 22, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 76690]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-27949]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
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, (the Act) and such other 
appropriate matters as the Under Secretary refers to the Panel for 
review and advice.

DATES: Resumes should be sent to the address, e-mail, or fax specified 
and must be received by February 1, 2005.

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: Captain Roger Parsons, Director, 
Office of Coast Survey, NOS/NOAA, 301-713-2770 x 134, fax 301-713-4019, 
e-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Under 33 U.S.C. 883a, et seq., NOAA's 
National Ocean Service (NOS) is responsible for providing nautical 
charts and related information for safe navigation. NOS collects and 
compiles hydrographic, tidal and current, geodetic, and a variety of 
other data in order to fulfill this responsibility. The Hydrographic 
Services Review Panel provides advice on topics such as NOAA's 
Hydrographic Survey Priorities, 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 comprises fifteen voting members appointed by the Under 
Secretary in accordance with Section 105 of the Act. Members are 
selected on a standardized basis, in accordance with applicable 
Department of Commerce guidance. The Directors of the Joint 
Hydrographic Center and no more than two employees of the National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration serve as nonvoting members of 
the panel. This solicitation is to obtain candidates to replace five of 
the original voting members whose original two-year appointments expire 
in late 2005 or early 2006.
    The voting members of the Panel are individuals who, by reason of 
knowledge, experience, or training, are especially qualified in one or 
more disciplines relating to hydrographic surveying, tides, current, 
geodetic and geo-spatial measurements, marine transportation, port 
administration, vessel pilotage, and coastal and fishery management. 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 Under Secretary) any assistance under the Act 
shall disclose to the Panel that relationship, and may not vote on any 
matter pertaining to that assistance.
    Voting members of the Panel serve for a term of four years. Members 
serve at the discretion of the Under Secretary and are subject to 
government ethics standards. Any individual appointed to a partial or 
full term may be reappointed for one additional full term. A voting 
member may serve until his or her successor has taken office. The Panel 
selected one voting member to serve as the Chair and another to serve 
as the Vice Chair. The Vice Chair acts as Chair in the absence or 
incapacity of the Chair.
    At a minimum, meetings occur biannually, and at the call of the 
Chair or upon the request of a majority of the voting members or of the 
Under Secretary. Voting members receive compensation at a rate 
established by the Under Secretary, 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: December 13, 2004.
Captain Roger L. Parsons, NOAA,
Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 04-27949 Filed 12-21-04; 8:45 am]
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