[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 246 (Friday, December 22, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 76988-76989]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E6-21945]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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.

[[Page 76989]]


DATES: Resumes should be sent to the address, e-mail, or fax specified 
and must be received by March 15, 2007.

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 Steven Barnum, 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 for five voting members 
whose appointments expire in late 2007 and candidates for voting 
members who might resign at any time during 2007. Voting members 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.
    Meetings occur at least twice a year, 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 
performing duties for the Panel, and members are reimbursed for actual 
and reasonable expenses incurred in performing such duties.

    Dated: December 13, 2006.
Captain Steven Barnum,
NOAA Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E6-21945 Filed 12-21-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE-P