[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 231 (Friday, December 2, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Pages 72297-72298]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E5-6764]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Distribution of NOAA Digital Navigation and Associated Data

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

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: NOAA's National Ocean Service (NOS) is announcing the 
distribution of Raster Navigational Charts (RNCs) to the public via the 
Internet. These RNCs have primary application in navigation and 
geographic information systems. Providing mariners with more timely and 
accurate information via the Internet is expected to improve their 
decision-making capability in an often rapidly changing marine 
environment, thus improving marine safety and reducing the risk of 
accidents, including injury to people, property, the environment, and 
local economies. Paper versions of the nautical charts will continue to 
be available from existing sources.
    In addition, NOS is announcing the availability of a public service 
by which fully updated versions of NOAA nautical charts are posted on 
the Internet in a manner that they may be readily examined on-line. The 
intent of this service is to make the updated charts easily accessible 
anywhere for use as a planning and reference tool. Access to the on-
line, nautical chart viewer can be had from http://www.NauticalCharts.gov/viewer.

DATES: Comments on this action should be submitted on or before 5 p.m., 
EST, January 3, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Comments in writing should be submitted to Director, Office 
of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, NOAA (N/CS), 1315 East West 
Highway, Silver Spring, MD, 20910. Written comments may be faxed to 
(301) 713-4019. Comments by e-mail should be submitted to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Captain James Gardner, Chief, Marine 
Chart Division, Office of Coast Survey, NOS/NOAA, 301-713-2724 x101, 
fax 301-713-4516, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOS is responsible for providing nautical 
charts and related information for safe navigation and other purposes 
under 33 U.S.C. 883a et seq. NOS developed Raster Navigational Charts 
under a cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) with 
Maptech, Inc. as one means of fulfilling this responsibility. During 
the period the CRADA was in effect, the resulting RNCs were produced by 
Maptech, and were sold through commercial channels. At the conclusion 
of the CRADA, NOS determined that RNCs had proven to be a beneficial 
product that contributed to the safety of navigation, and were desired 
by the public. NOS therefore decided to continue the production of RNCs 
and to distribute them via the Internet.
    NOS had previously announced its intention to begin using the 
Internet to distribute more of NOS' products when it was reasonable and 
feasible (see Federal Register, May 21, 2003, Volume 68, Number 98, 
page 27784-27785). NOAA consulted with the U.S. Coast Guard about this 
proposal. The Coast Guard concurred that such action would promote 
marine safety. The action is also designed to be consistent with

[[Page 72298]]

section 2 of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 44 U.S.C. 3506(d) and Office 
of Management and Budget Circular A-130 regarding information 
management and dissemination, and is expected to maximize the 
usefulness of government data.
    One of the primary reasons for making digital navigational and 
related data available to the public on the Internet is to promote safe 
navigation. Today's digital technologies and widespread access to the 
Internet provide the means to make this information available to the 
mariner much sooner, sometimes in near real-time. In addition, more 
accurate or complete information can be distributed in digital format 
than could be provided in a printed document. Releasing NOS digital 
navigation data and information via the Internet is expected to 
encourage commercial mariners, recreational boaters, and others to use 
the most accurate and complete digital information available.
    A secondary benefit of releasing these data on the Internet is to 
promote the open and efficient exchange of public, scientific, and 
technical information. The public generally, not just mariners, have an 
interest in these data. Internet access to NOS navigation and other 
data should improve its dissemination to ocean engineers, marine 
scientists, emergency response personnel, managers and policy makers 
(including those in State and local governments), academia and other 
institutions, as well as the private sector. Such action may promote 
scientific advances, sound marine and coastal management, and the 
commercial development of new and better navigational or other 
products.
    NOS is concerned about the use of these data in situations that may 
compromise marine safety. Consequently, NOS plans to work with 
mariners, product developers, and others to establish standards for 
those who wish to incorporate RNCs into navigation products, and to 
certify compliance with those standards for makers of derived 
navigational products.
    NOS is publishing this notice to comply with section 8a(6)(j) of 
the Office of Management and Budget Circular A-130 which directs 
agencies to provide adequate notice when initiating, substantially 
modifying, or terminating significant information dissemination 
products.

    Dated: November 22, 2005.
Captain Roger L. Parsons,
NOAA, Director, Office of Coast Survey, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone 
Management, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
 [FR Doc. E5-6764 Filed 12-1-05; 8:45 am]
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