[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 210 (Thursday, October 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64572-64573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25797]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program Science Plan

AGENCY: National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce

ACTION: Notice and Request for Public Comment.

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SUMMARY: The National Ocean Service (NOS) of the National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes this notice to announce the 
availability of the Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act Science 
Program for public comment.

DATES: Comments on this draft document must be submitted by December 
15, 2014.

ADDRESSES: The Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act Science 
Program will be available at http://restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov/.
    The public is encouraged to submit comments on the Draft Science 
Plan. Electronic comments on the Draft Science Plan can be submitted 
via email ([email protected]). Written comments can be 
submitted to Becky Allee at NOAA OCM, Gulf of Mexico Division, Bldg. 
1100, Rm 232, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact: 
Becky Allee, ([email protected], 228-688-1701).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA is publishing this notice to announce 
the availability of the Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act 
Science Program for public comment. The draft plan will be posted for 
public comment on October 30, 2014. All interested parties are 
encouraged to provide comments. The Draft Science Plan is being issued 
for comment only and is not intended for interim use. Suggested changes 
will be incorporated, where appropriate, in the final version.
    Section 1604 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability, 
Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States 
Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) establishes the Gulf Coast Ecosystem 
Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology program 
(Science Program) to be administered by NOAA and to carry out research, 
observation, and monitoring to support the long-term sustainability of 
the ecosystem, fish stocks, fish habitat, and the recreational, 
commercial, and charter fishing industry in the Gulf of Mexico.
    The Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program 
lays out the path forward for the program. The plan establishes ten 
Long-Term Research Priorities that will guide how the program will 
invest its funds. Additionally, the plan provides information on how 
the program will be administered and the partners with which the 
program will leverage future opportunities.
    The plan is organized in three sections. Section I provides 
background on legislative requirements; the vision, mission, and 
outcomes of the program; program, geographic, and research scope; 
approach to engagement; and rationale and development of priorities. 
Section II describes the ten long-term research priorities identified 
for the program. Also included in Section II are management needs that 
drive the priority, related outcomes, and anticipated outputs as well 
as a list of example activities. Section III describes the program 
structure and administration; defines program management; consultation 
and coordination; program parameters; eligibility for funding 
opportunities; scientific integrity; and data and information sharing.
    NOAA welcomes all comments on the content of the Draft Science 
Plan. We also request comments on any inconsistencies perceived within 
the document, and possible omissions of important topics or issues. For 
any

[[Page 64573]]

shortcoming noted within the draft documents, please propose specific 
remedies.
    Please adhere to the instructions detailed below for preparing and 
submitting your comments on the Draft Science Plan. Using the format 
guidance described below will facilitate the processing of reviewer 
comments and assure that all comments are appropriately considered. 
Please format your comments into the following three sections: (1) 
Background information about yourself; (2) overview or general 
comments; and (3) specific comments. Section one should include 
background information about yourself including: your name(s), 
organization(s), area(s) of expertise, mailing address, telephone and 
fax numbers, and email address(s). Section two should consist of 
overview or general comments on the document and should be numbered. 
Section three should consist of comments that are specific to 
particular pages, paragraphs, or lines in the document and should 
identify the page and line numbers to which they apply. Please number 
and print identifying information at the top of all pages.
    Technical Program Information: Becky Allee, Science Plan Team Lead, 
228-688-1701, Internet: [email protected].

Other Information

    Administrative Procedure Act: Notice and comment are not required 
under the Administrative Procedure Act, (5 U.S.C. 553), or any other 
law, for notices relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits 
or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)). Because notice and comment is not 
required, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required and has not 
been prepared for this notice, (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
    Paperwork Reduction Act: Notwithstanding any other provision of 
law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be 
subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of 
information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, 
unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. 
This notice involves no collection of information, although the FFO 
that NOAA anticipates issuing in fall 2014 will have such a 
requirement.

    Dated: October 16, 2014.
Mary C. Erickson,
Director, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-25797 Filed 10-29-14; 8:45 am]
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