[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 152 (Thursday, August 6, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 47750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-16895]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Public Comment for a Draft NOAA Science and Technology Strategy: 
Citizen Science

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

ACTION: Notice of public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice announces the availability for public comment of 
the NOAA Citizen Science draft strategy. This strategy is intended to 
dramatically expand our application of this emerging science and 
technology focus area by improving the efficiency, effectiveness and 
coordination of its development and usage across the agency.

DATES: Comments must be received by September 8, 2020.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the draft strategy may be downloaded or viewed on 
the internet at: https://nrc.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas. You may submit public comments via email to 
[email protected]. Please include ``Public Comment on Draft NOAA 
Citizen Science Strategy'' in the subject line of the message. All 
personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), 
confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information 
submitted voluntarily by the sender is publicly accessible. NOAA will 
accept anonymous comments.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John McLaughlin, NOAA Office of 
Education (Phone: 202-253-1977, Email: [email protected]), or 
Laura Oremland, NOAA Fisheries Office of Science and Technology (Phone: 
301-427-8162, Email: [email protected]).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Volunteer observations have played a role in 
informing our Nation's prediction and management of weather, oceans and 
coasts for over a century. New and emerging technologies are expanding 
ways that these volunteers can participate. NOAA is well positioned to 
leverage and contribute to this growth. Citizen science was recently 
named a Science and Technology Focus Area for the agency to ensure 
robust agency-wide coordination and strong institutional support from 
NOAA senior leadership to guide efforts in this area.
    This draft strategy is designed to provide a path for NOAA to fully 
leverage the power of public participation in support of agency mission 
areas. It was created to complement NOAA's other Science and Technology 
Focus Areas (also available at: https://nrc.noaa.gov/NOAA-Science-Technology-Focus-Areas)--Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, 
Data, `Omics, and Unmanned Systems--and help the U.S. continue to lead 
in developing innovative, cost-effective and collaborative solutions to 
global environmental and technology issues.
    After completion of this strategy, NOAA will develop a 
corresponding Strategic Implementation Plan (or ``Roadmap'') that 
defines detailed action items, deadlines, and responsibilities. In the 
meantime, citizen science is already working with the other NOAA 
Science and Technology focus areas to help improve performance in our 
economically impactful missions and setting the course to strengthen 
our renowned environmental science and technology leadership for the 
coming decades.

    Dated: July 28, 2020.
David Holst,
Director Chief Financial Officer/CAO, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-16895 Filed 8-5-20; 8:45 am]
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