[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 219 (Tuesday, November 15, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 69351-69352]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-22631]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service (MMS)


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS), Scientific Committee (SC)

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of vacancies and request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The MMS is seeking interested and qualified individuals to 
serve on its OCS SC during the period of March 31, 2006, through March 
30, 2008. The initial 2-year term may be renewable for up to an 
additional 4 years. The OCS SC is chartered under the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act to advise the Director of the MMS on the appropriateness, 
feasibility, and scientific value of the OCS Environmental Studies 
Program (ESP) and environmental aspects of the offshore energy and 
marine minerals programs. The ESP, which was authorized by the OCS 
Lands Act as amended (Section 20), is administered by the MMS and 
covers a wide range of field and laboratory studies in biology, 
chemistry, and physical oceanography, as well as studies of the social 
and economic impacts of OCS energy and

[[Page 69352]]

marine minerals development. Currently, the work is conducted through 
award of competitive contracts and interagency and cooperative 
agreements. The OCS SC reviews the relevance of the information being 
produced by the ESP and may recommend changes in its scope, direction, 
and emphasis.
    The OCS SC comprises distinguished scientists in appropriate 
disciplines of the biological, physical, chemical, and socioeconomic 
sciences. Vacancies which need to be filled exist in the social and 
biological science disciplines. The selection is based on maintaining 
disciplinary expertise in all areas of research, as well as geographic 
balance. Demonstrated knowledge of the scientific issues related to OCS 
oil and gas development is essential. Selection is made by the 
Department of the Interior on the basis of these factors; appointments 
to the Committee are made by the Secretary of the Interior.

Ethics Responsibilities of Members

    No Council or subcommittee member shall participate in any matter 
specifically concerning a lease, license, permit, contract, claim, 
agreement or related litigation in which the member has a direct 
interest.
    Under applicable ethic laws, appointments carry with it the status 
of ``special government employee.'' This means that Committee members 
will be subject to many of the same standards of conduct that apply to 
Federal employees in general, including the avoidance of conflict of 
interest and the filing of confidential financial disclosure forms.
    Interested individuals should send a letter of interest and resume 
within 30 days to: Ms. Phyllis Clark, Offshore Minerals Management, 
Minerals Management Service, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4041, Herndon, 
Virginia 20170. She may be reached by telephone at (703) 787-1716.

    Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, 5 
U.S.C., Appendix I, and the Office of Management and Budget's 
Circular A-63, Revised.

    Dated: October 17, 2005.
Thomas A. Readinger,
Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 05-22631 Filed 11-14-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P