[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 51 (Wednesday, March 16, 2011)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14375-14376]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-6063]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory 
Committee

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

ACTION: Notice of Establishment of and Membership Solicitation for the 
United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has 
established and is soliciting applications for membership on the United 
States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee (the 
Committee), a Federal advisory committee. The Integrated Coastal and 
Ocean Observation System (ICOOS) Act of 2009 establishes a national 
integrated System of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing systems, 
comprised of

[[Page 14376]]

Federal and non-Federal components including in situ, remote, and other 
coastal and ocean observation, technologies, and data management and 
communication systems. The System is designed to address regional and 
national needs for ocean information; to gather specific data on key 
coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes variables; and to ensure timely and 
sustained dissemination and availability of these data to support a 
variety of societal benefits. These benefits include supporting 
national defense; marine commerce; navigation safety; weather, climate, 
and marine forecasting; energy siting and production; economic 
development; ecosystem-based management of marine and coastal areas; 
conservation of ocean and coastal resources; and public safety. The 
System is also designed to promote research to develop, test, and 
deploy innovations and improvements in coastal and ocean observation 
technologies and modeling systems.
    The ICOOS Act also requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere to establish a System advisory committee to 
provide advice to the Under Secretary and to the Interagency Ocean 
Observation Committee, which is responsible for planning for the 
integrated design, operation, maintenance, enhancement, and expansion 
of the System.
    NOAA will hereby accept applications for membership on the 
Committee through May 16, 2011. The ICOOS Act of 2009 states: ``Members 
shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate 
scientific and technical information related to the design, operation, 
maintenance, or use of the [Integrated Ocean Observing] System, or use 
of data products provided though the System.'' NOAA encourages 
individuals with expertise in oceanographic data, products, and 
services; coastal management; fisheries management; coastal and marine 
spatial planning; geodesy; water levels; and other science-related 
fields to submit applications for Committee membership. To apply for 
membership on the Committee, applicants should submit a resume as 
indicated in the ADDRESSES section. NOAA is an equal-opportunity 
employer.

DATES: Application materials should be sent to the address, e-mail 
address, or fax number specified and must be received by May 16, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Submit an application for Committee membership, in the form 
of a resume, to Jessica Geubtner via mail, fax, or e-mail. Mail: 1100 
Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Fax: 301-427-2073; 
E-mail: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Geubtner, 1100 Wayne Avenue, 
Suite 1225, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Telephone: 301-427-2453, Fax: 301-
427-2073; E-mail: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This notice responds to the ICOOS Act of 
2009 (Pub. L. 111-11, section 12304), which requires the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to solicit nominations 
for Committee membership. The Committee will advise the NOAA 
Administrator or Interagency Ocean Observation Committee on matters 
related to the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 
12302 of the ICOOS Act of 2009 and other appropriate matters as the 
Under Secretary refers to the Committee for review and advice.
    The United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory 
Committee will provide advice on:
    (a) Administration, operation, management, and maintenance of the 
System;
    (b) Expansion and periodic modernization and upgrade of technology 
components of the System;
    (c) Identification of end-user communities, their needs for 
information provided by the System, and the System's effectiveness in 
dissemination information to end-user communities and to the general 
public; and
    (d) Any other purpose identified by the Under Secretary of Commerce 
for Oceans and Atmosphere or the Interagency Ocean Observation 
Committee.
    The Committee's voting members will be appointed by the Under 
Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Members shall be 
qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific 
and technical information related to the design, operation, 
maintenance, or use of the System, or the use of data products provided 
through the System. Members are selected on a standardized basis, in 
accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance. Members 
will be appointed for three-year terms, renewable once. One Committee 
member will be designated by the Under Secretary as chairperson. Full-
time officers or employees of the United States may not be appointed as 
a voting member. Members will be appointed as special Government 
employees (SGEs) for purposes of section 202(a) of title 18, United 
States Code. Members serve at the discretion of the Under Secretary and 
are subject to government ethics standards. Members of the Committee 
will not be compensated for service on the Committee, but they may be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States 
Code.
    The Committee will meet at least once each year, and at other times 
at the call of the Under Secretary, the Interagency Ocean Observation 
Committee, or the Committee Chairperson.

Individuals Selected for Committee Membership

    Upon selection and agreement to serve on the United States 
Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee, one becomes a 
Special Government Employee (SGE) of the United States Government. An 
SGE is an officer or employee of an agency who is retained, designated, 
appointed, or employed to perform temporary duties, with or without 
compensation, for not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 
consecutive days, either on a full-time or intermittent basis. After 
the membership selection process is complete, applicants who are 
selected to serve on the Committee must complete the following actions 
before they can be appointed as a Committee member:
    (a) Security Clearance (on-line Background Security Check process 
and fingerprinting conducted through NOAA Workforce Management); and
    (b) Confidential Financial Disclosure Report: As an SGE, one is 
required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report to avoid 
involvement in a real or apparent conflict of interest. One may find 
the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report at the following Web site: 
http://www.usoge.gov/forms/form_450.aspx.

    Dated: March 8, 2011.
David M. Kennedy,
Assistant Administrator, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management.
[FR Doc. 2011-6063 Filed 3-15-11; 8:45 am]
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