[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 8 (Thursday, January 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2025-2026]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-169]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Hydrographic Services Review Panel Membership Solicitation

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce.

ACTION: Notice of membership 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 (the 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 March 1, 2006.

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 x134, 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;
    (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 Co-Director of the Joint 
Hydrographic Center and two other employees of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration serve as nonvoting members of the Panel. The 
Director, Office of Coast Survey, serves as the Designated Federal 
Official (DFO). This solicitation is to obtain candidates to replace 
five of the voting members whose original three-year appointments 
expire in late 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, currents, 
geodetic and geospatial 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 
selects 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 but will not automatically become the Chair if 
the Chair resigns.
    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

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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 23, 2005.
Captain Roger L. Parsons,
Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-169 Filed 1-11-06; 8:45 am]
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