[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 28 (Monday, February 12, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 6576-6577]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-2297]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service


Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Policy Committee; Notice and Agenda 
for Meeting

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The OCS Policy Committee will meet at the Loews Annapolis 
Hotel in Annapolis, Maryland.

DATES: Wednesday, February 21, 2007, 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Thursday, 
February 22, 2007, from 8 a.m. to 1:15 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Loews Annapolis Hotel, 126 West Street, Annapolis, 
Maryland 21401, telephone (410) 263-7777.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeryne Bryant at Minerals 
Management Service, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4001, Herndon, Virginia 
20170-4187. She can be reached by telephone at (703) 787-1211 or by 
electronic mail at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OCS Policy Committee represents the 
collective viewpoint of coastal states, local government, environmental 
community, industry and other parties involved with the OCS Program. It 
provides policy advice to the Secretary of the Interior through the 
Director of the MMS on all aspects of leasing, exploration, 
development, and protection of OCS resources.
    The agenda for Wednesday, February 21 will cover the following 
principal subjects:
    OCS Alternative Energy and Alternative Use (AEAU) Program. This 
presentation will provide an update on the MMS's OCS AEAU Program that 
is being developed to manage access and balance competing uses of the 
OCS while ensuring appropriate environmental safeguards. This 
management authority was granted to the Secretary of the Interior under 
the Energy Policy Act of 2005. The OCS Policy Committee's Alternative 
Energy/Use Subcommittee will also report on its activities and future 
plans.
    Update on the ``Proposed Program, Outer Continental Shelf Oil and 
Gas Leasing Program, 2007-2012.'' This presentation will provide an 
update on the leasing program and the next phase in the 5-year process. 
The OCS Policy Committee's 5-Year OCS Oil and Gas Leasing Program 
Subcommittee will also report on its activities and future plans.
    State Members' Round Table Discussion of Offshore Energy Issues. 
State representatives to the OCS Policy Committee will discuss offshore 
energy development (conventional and alternative) issues from the 
perspective of their respective states. This session will provide 
Committee members, MMS representatives, and other participants with a 
better and more comprehensive understanding of the various issues as 
perceived by the states.
    MMS Regional Issues. The Regional Directors will highlight 
activities off the California and Alaska coasts.
    The agenda for Thursday, February 22 will cover the following 
principal subjects:
    OCS Scientific Committee Update. This presentation will address the 
current activities of the OCS Scientific Committee and its 
subcommittees.
    Gulf of Mexico (GOM) Oil and Gas Situation. This presentation will 
provide a summary and overview of the GOM oil and gas situation, 
including the new GOM Energy Security Act. It will also address 
industry recovery from hurricanes and new requirements; and the 
petroleum system of the lower tertiary.
    Coastal Impact Assistance Program (CIAP). This presentation will 
provide an update on the MMS's CIAP which was authorized under the 
Energy Policy Act of 2005. The CIAP will distribute $1 billion to 
coastal states and localities for approved projects related to the 
conservation, restoration, or protection of coastal areas, wildlife, 
and natural

[[Page 6577]]

resources. The Committee will also hear from a recipient state, 
Louisiana, on the development of its state plan.
    OCS Natural Gas Production Issues. This presentation will address 
the decline in OCS gas production and prospects for production in the 
future; gas supply issues from the industrial consumer perspective; and 
reductions in the rig count, access, and related issues.
    Marine Minerals Program. This presentation will address coastal 
environments and the increasing need for sand and gravel; environmental 
studies; post-GOM hurricane sand resource identification projects; 
Florida and Louisiana Sand Management Working Groups; and non-sand and 
gravel projects. The OCS Policy Committee's Hard Minerals Subcommittee 
will also report on its activities and future plans.
    Committee Business. The Committee will review current operating 
procedures and elect officers.
    The meeting is open to the public. Approximately 100 visitors can 
be accommodated on a first-come-first-served basis.
    Upon request, interested parties may make oral or written 
presentations to the OCS Policy Committee. Such requests should be made 
no later than February 15, 2007, to Jeryne Bryant. Requests to make 
oral statements should be accompanied by a summary of the statement to 
be made. Please see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for address 
and telephone number.
    Minutes of the OCS Policy Committee meeting will be available for 
public inspection and copying at the MMS in Herndon, Virginia.

    Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act, Pub. L. 92-463, 5 
U.S.C. Appendix 1, and the Office of Management and Budget's 
Circular No. A-63, Revised.

    Dated: January 26, 2007.
L. Keith Good,
Acting Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
 [FR Doc. E7-2297 Filed 2-9-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P