[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 51 (Thursday, March 15, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15358-15359]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-6076]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE


National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Availability of Seats for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary 
Advisory Council

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The ONMS is seeking applications for the following vacant 
seats on the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: 
Archaeological Research, Conservation, Economic Development, 
Recreational Diving, and Youth seats. Applicants are chosen based upon 
their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for 
which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; 
philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; 
and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the 
sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 
two-year terms, pursuant to the council's charter.

DATES: Applications are due by May 1, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained from Shannon Ricles, 100 
Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606. Completed applications should be 
sent to the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Ricles, 100 Museum Drive, 
Newport News, VA 23606; 757-591-7328; [email protected]; http://monitor.noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Established in 1975 as the Nation's first 
marine sanctuary, the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is managed by 
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. It is one of 13 
sanctuaries and protects the wreck of the famed Civil War ironclad, USS 
Monitor, best known for its battle with the Confederate ironclad, CSS 
Virginia in Hampton Roads, VA, on March 9, 1862.
    The advisory council consists of 19 members: 11 non-governmental 
voting members, six governmental voting members, and one non-voting 
Youth Seat. The council seats represent a variety of regional interests 
and stakeholders, including: Citizen-at-Large, Conservation, Economic 
Development, Education, Heritage Tourism, Maritime Archaeological

[[Page 15359]]

Research, Recreational/Commercial Fishing, Recreational Diving, The 
Mariners' Museum, Youth, the U.S. Navy, Virginia Department of Historic 
Resources, North Carolina Department of Cultural Resources, North 
Carolina Department of Environmental and Natural Resources, the 
National Park Service, and the U.S. Coast Guard. It is the combined 
expertise and experience of these individuals that creates an advisory 
council that is a valuable and effective resource for the sanctuary 
manager.
    The council's objectives are to provide the sanctuary manager with 
advice on: (1) Protecting natural and cultural resources and 
identifying and evaluating emergent or critical issues involving 
sanctuary use or resources; (2)identifying and realizing the 
sanctuary's research objectives; (3) identifying and realizing 
educational opportunities to increase public knowledge and stewardship 
of the sanctuary environment; and (4)developing an informed 
constituency to increase awareness and understanding of the purpose and 
value of the sanctuary and the National Marine Sanctuary System.
    The council may serve as a forum for consultation and deliberation 
among its members and as a source of advice to the sanctuary manager 
regarding the management of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. The 
sanctuary advisory council holds open meetings to ensure continued 
public input on management issues and to increase public awareness and 
knowledge of the sanctuary environment. Public participation at these 
meetings is welcomed and encouraged.

    Authority:  16 U.S.C. 1431, et seq.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary 
Program)

    Dated: March 5, 2012.
Daniel J. Basta,
Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2012-6076 Filed 3-14-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-M