[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 28 (Tuesday, February 11, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 7733-7734]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-02627]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

[RTID-0648-XV176]


Efficient Permitting of Ocean Research, Mapping, and 
Characterizing Activities

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

ACTION: Notice; Request for information.

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SUMMARY: On behalf of the Ocean Policy Committee, Ocean Resource 
Management Subcommittee and the Office of Science and Technology Policy 
(OSTP) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) as Co-Chairs of 
the Ocean Policy Committee, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration (NOAA) requests input from all interested parties on the 
permitting process for ocean research, mapping, and characterization 
activities. The public input provided in response to this Request for 
Information (RFI) will inform the Ocean Policy Committee as it works 
with Federal agencies and other stakeholders to increase the efficiency 
of the permitting and authorization processes for ocean research, 
mapping, and characterization activities across agencies.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
March 12, 2020.

ADDRESSES: Responses should be submitted via email to 
[email protected]. Include ``RFI Response: Efficient 
Permitting of Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing Activities'' in 
the subject line of the message.
    Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Respondents need 
not reply to all questions listed. For all submissions, clearly 
indicate which questions are being answered. Email attachments will be 
accepted in plain text, Microsoft Word, or Adobe PDF formats only. Each 
individual or institution is requested to submit only one response. 
OSTP may post responses to this RFI, without change, on a Federal 
website. NOAA, therefore, requests that no business proprietary 
information, copyrighted information, or personally identifiable 
information be submitted in response to this RFI. Please note that the 
U.S. Government will not pay for response preparation, or for the use 
of any information contained in the response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Brock Eckel, OSTP, 202 456-4336.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Government, in coordination with 
non-U.S. Government entities, conducts hundreds of ocean exploration, 
mapping, and research activities every year across the United States 
Exclusive Economic Zone (U.S. EEZ). These activities improve our 
understanding of our oceans, including by identifying potential new 
sources of critical minerals, biopharmaceuticals, energy,

[[Page 7734]]

and other resources. These activities frequently require multiple 
environmental reviews, consultations, permits, and other authorizations 
under Federal laws and regulations that protect resources such as 
maritime heritage sites and sensitive or protected marine natural 
resources.
    Presidential Memorandum, Ocean Mapping of the United States 
Exclusive Economic Zone and the Shoreline and Nearshore of Alaska, 84 
FR 64699 (Nov. 11, 2019), directs the Ocean Policy Committee, through 
its Ocean Resource Management Subcommittee, to identify opportunities 
and recommend actions to the Director of the OSTP and the Chairman of 
the CEQ that will increase the efficiency of the permitting and 
authorization processes for ocean research, mapping, and 
characterization activities across agencies. The Ocean Policy Committee 
is soliciting public input through this RFI to obtain information from 
a wide range of stakeholders, including academia, private industry, and 
other relevant organizations and institutions, in order to inform the 
Ocean Policy Committee as it prepares to identify these opportunities 
and develop recommended actions.

Questions To Inform Development of the Recommendations

    Through this RFI, the Ocean Policy Committee seeks responses to the 
following questions to identify opportunities and inform development of 
recommendations that will increase the efficiency of the permitting and 
authorization processes for ocean research, mapping, and 
characterization activities that take place in the U.S. EEZ.
    1. Please describe any challenges related to identifying and 
obtaining the necessary information, permits, and authorizations 
required to conduct ocean research, mapping, and characterization 
activities in the U.S. EEZ, particularly with respect to applicable 
regulations and agency policies.
    2. Please describe opportunities to increase the efficiency of 
permitting and authorization processes for ocean research, mapping, and 
characterization activities in the U.S. EEZ.
    3. What innovative tools, platforms, and technologies could 
increase the efficiency of permitting, reporting, and authorization 
processes for ocean research, mapping, and characterization activities 
in the U.S. EEZ? To the extent innovative capabilities already exist, 
but are not being effectively used, what are the barriers to adopting 
them?
    4. After authorization is obtained, are there any reporting or 
paperwork requirements that are unduly burdensome or lack utility? If 
yes, please describe such requirements and provide suggestions for 
addressing them.
    5. Is there any additional information related to permitting and 
authorization processes for ocean research, mapping, and 
characterization activities in the U.S. EEZ, not requested above, that 
you believe the Ocean Policy Committee should consider?

    Dated: February 3, 2020.
Timothy C. Gallaudet,
Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere, Deputy NOAA 
Administrator, Department of Commerce.
[FR Doc. 2020-02627 Filed 2-10-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3270-F8-P