[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 8 (Friday, January 11, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Page 2060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 08-70]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Establishment of National Geospatial Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Establishment of National Geospatial Advisory 
Committee.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior, after consultation with the 
General Services Administration, has established the National 
Geospatial Advisory Committee under the authority of the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (FACA). The Committee will provide advice and 
recommendations to the Federal Geographic Data Committee (FGDC), 
through the FGDC Chair (the Secretary of the Interior or designee), 
related to management of Federal geospatial programs, the development 
of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure (NSDI), and the 
implementation of Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Circular A-16 
and Executive Order 12906. The Committee will review and comment upon 
geospatial policy and management issues and will provide a forum to 
convey views representative of non-Federal partners in the geospatial 
community.

DATES: Comments regarding the establishment of this Committee may be 
submitted by January 28, 2008,

ADDRESSES: Send comments to John Mahoney, U.S. Geological Survey, U.S. 
Department of the Interior, 909 First Avenue, Suite 422, Seattle, 
Washington 98104, e-mail address [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Mahoney, USGS (206-220-4621),

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are publishing this notice in accordance 
with the requirements of the FACA (5 U.S.C. App.). The Secretary of the 
Interior certifies that he has determined that the formation of the 
Committee is necessary and is in the public interest.
    The Committee will conduct its operations in accordance with the 
provisions of the FACA. It will report to the Secretary of the Interior 
through the Chair of the FGDC Steering Committee and will function 
solely as an advisory body. The Committee will provide recommendations 
and advice to the Department and the FGDC on policy and management 
issues related to the effective operation of Federal geospatial 
programs.
    The Secretary of the Interior will appoint Committee members and 
their alternates to the Committee to serve 2-year terms. The Committee 
will be composed of approximately 25 representatives, who will be 
selected to generally achieve a balanced representation of the 
viewpoints of the various stakeholders involved in national geospatial 
activities and the development of the NSDI.
    The Committee is expected to meet approximately 3-4 times per year. 
Committee members will serve without compensation. Travel and per diem 
costs will be provided for Committee members by the U.S. Geological 
Survey (USGS). The USGS will provide necessary support services to the 
Committee. Committee meetings will be open to the public. Notice of 
committee meetings will be published in the Federal Register at least 
15 days before the date of the meeting. The public will have an 
opportunity to provide input at these meetings.
    In accordance with the FACA, we will file a copy of the Committee's 
charter with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services 
Administration; Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United 
States Senate; Committee on Natural Resources, United States House of 
Representatives; and the Library of Congress.
    The Certification for establishment is published below.

Certification

    I hereby certify that the National Geospatial Advisory Committee is 
necessary and is in the public interest in connection with the 
performance of duties imposed on the Department of the Interior by OMB 
Circular A-16 (Revised), ``Coordination of Geographic Information and 
Related Spatial Data Activities.'' The Committee will assist the 
Department of the Interior by providing advice and recommendations 
related to the management of Federal geospatial programs and the 
development of the National Spatial Data Infrastructure.

    Dated: December 20, 2007.
Dirk Kempthorne,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 08-70 Filed 1-10-08; 8:45 am]
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