[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 170 (Tuesday, September 5, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41940-41941]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-18695]


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DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

Office of the Secretary


Charter Renewal of Department of Defense Federal Advisory 
Committees

AGENCY: Department of Defense.

ACTION: Renewal of Federal Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Defense (DoD) is publishing this notice to 
announce that it is renewing the charter for the Strategic 
Environmental Research and Development Program Scientific Advisory 
Board (``the Board'').

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jim Freeman, Advisory Committee 
Management Officer for the Department of Defense, 703-692-5952.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This committee's charter is being renewed 
pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2904 and in accordance with the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended) and 41 
CFR 102-3.50(d). The charter and contact information for the Board's 
Designated Federal Officer (DFO) can be obtained at http://www.facadatabase.gov/.
    Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2904(e), the Strategic Environmental Research 
and Development Program Council (``the Council'') shall refer to the 
Board, and the Board shall review, each proposed research project 
including its estimated cost, for research in and development of 
technologies related to environmental activities in excess of 
$1,000,000. The Council, pursuant to its responsibilities under 10 
U.S.C. 2902(d)(1) and in an effort to enhance the Board's review 
process, has lowered the dollar threshold for referral by the Council 
to the Board to any proposed research project in excess of $900,000. 
The Board shall make any recommendations to the Council that the Board 
considers appropriate regarding such project or proposal. Pursuant to 
10 U.S.C. 2904(a), the Secretary of Defense and the Secretary of 
Energy, in consultation with the Administrator of the Environmental 
Protection Agency, shall jointly appoint not less than six and not more 
than 14 members. Pursuant to 10 U.S.C. 2904(b), the Board membership 
shall be composed of the following: (a) Permanent members of the Board 
are the Science Advisor to the President and the Administrator of the 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration or their respective 
designees; and (b) Non-permanent members of the Board shall be 
appointed from among persons eminent in the fields of basic sciences, 
engineering, ocean and environmental sciences, education, research 
management, international and security affairs, health physics, health 
sciences, or social sciences, with due regard given to the equitable 
representation of scientists and engineers who are women or who 
represent minority groups. One such member of the Board shall be a 
representative of environmental public interest groups, and one such 
member shall be a representative of the interests of State governments. 
Board members who are not full-time or permanent part-time Federal 
officers or employees are appointed as experts or consultants pursuant 
to 5 U.S.C. 3109 to serve as special government employee members. Board 
members who are full-time or permanent part-time Federal officers or 
employees are appointed pursuant to 41 CFR 102-3.130(a) to serve as 
regular government employee members. Each member is appointed to 
provide advice on behalf of the Government on the basis of their best 
judgment without representing any particular point of view and in a 
manner that is free from conflict of interest. Except for reimbursement 
of official Board-related travel and per diem, members serve without 
compensation. The DoD, as necessary and consistent with the Board's 
mission and DoD policies and procedures, may establish subcommittees, 
task forces, or working groups to support the Board, and all 
subcommittees must operate under the provisions of FACA and the 
Government in the Sunshine Act. Subcommittees will not work 
independently of the Board and must report all recommendations and 
advice solely to the Board for full deliberation and discussion. 
Subcommittees, task forces, or working groups have no authority to make 
decisions and recommendations, verbally or in writing, on behalf of the 
Board. No subcommittee or any of its members can update or report, 
verbally or in writing, directly to the DoD or any Federal officers or 
employees. The Board's DFO, pursuant to DoD policy, must be a full-time 
or permanent part-time DoD employee, and must be in attendance for the 
duration of each and every Board/subcommittee meeting. The public or 
interested organizations may submit written statements to the Board 
membership about the Board's mission

[[Page 41941]]

and functions. Such statements may be submitted at any time or in 
response to the stated agenda of planned Board meetings. All written 
statements must be submitted to the Board's DFO who will ensure the 
written statements are provided to the membership for their 
consideration.

    Dated: August 30, 2017.
Aaron Siegel,
Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.
[FR Doc. 2017-18695 Filed 9-1-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 5001-06-P