[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 167 (Thursday, August 27, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Page 52956]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-18892]



[[Page 52956]]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Hydrographic Services Review Panel Meeting

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

ACTION: Notice for open public meeting, and request for public 
comments.

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SUMMARY: This serves as notice of a virtual public meeting for the NOAA 
Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) on September 23, 2020, 1-5:30 
p.m. EDT, and September 24, 2020, 1-5 p.m. EDT via webinar. The HSRP 
will be asked for advice and recommendations on the development of the 
implementation plans for the two ocean and coastal mapping strategies 
noted below and other HSRP meeting topics. Individuals or groups who 
also want to comment on these or other NOAA navigation services topics 
are encouraged to submit advance public comments and letters via email 
no later than September 15, 2020.

DATES: Comments are due by September 15, 2020.
    HSRP public meeting:
    1. September 23, 2020, 1-5:30 p.m., EDT.
    2. September 24, 2020, 1-5 p.m. EDT.

ADDRESSES: You may submit public comments identified by ``September 
2020 HSRP meeting public comments'' in the subject line of the message 
by September 15, 2020, by email to: [email protected], 
[email protected], [email protected], and 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Mersfelder-Lewis, HSRP program 
manager, National Ocean Service, Office of Coast Survey, NOAA (N/CS), 
email: [email protected], [email protected], and 
phone 240-533-0064.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Advance registration is required for the 
webinar at: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8315160447400968715. Comments are requested on the development of the 
implementation plans for the ocean and coastal mapping strategies which 
are as follows:
    (1) ``National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing 
the United States Exclusive Economic Zone,'' (NOMEC), including the 
establishment of a Standard Ocean Mapping Protocol: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200611-FINAL-STRATEGY-NOMEC-Sec.-2.pdf; and;
    (2) ``Mapping the Coast of Alaska--A 10-Year Strategy in Support of 
the United States Economy, Security, and Environment,'' or the Alaska 
Coastal Mapping Strategy (ACMS): https://iocm.noaa.gov/about/documents/strategic-plans/alaska-mapping-strategy-june2020.pdf.
    Advance written statements will be shared with the HSRP members and 
will be included in the meeting public record. The HSRP meeting agenda, 
draft meeting documents, presentations, and background materials are 
posted online and updates can be downloaded prior to the meeting at: 
https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/hsrp.html and https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/meetings.html.
    Due to the condensed nature of the meeting, each individual or 
group providing written public comments will be limited to one comment 
per public comment period with no repetition of previous comments. 
Comments can also be submitted in writing during the daily public 
comment period using the chat function in the webinar. Comments will be 
read into the record, transcribed, and become part of the meeting 
record. Due to time meeting constraints, all comments may not be 
addressed during the meeting.
    The Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) is a Federal Advisory 
Committee established to advise the Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere, the NOAA Administrator, on matters related to 
the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 303 of the 
Hydrographic Services Improvement Act of 1998, as amended, and such 
other appropriate matters that the Under Secretary refers to the Panel 
for review and advice. Past HSRP public meeting documents, 
recommendation letters and issue papers are located online at: https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/recommendations.html and https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/meetings.html.

Matters to be Considered

    The panel is convening on issues relevant to NOAA's navigation 
services, including stakeholder use of navigation services data, 
products and services, and a NOAA request to the HSRP to provide 
recommendations for the future development of implementation plans for 
the two ocean and coastal mapping strategies NOMEC and ACMS. The HSRP 
will discuss at least one draft issue paper ``Alaska Coastal Mapping 
Strategy--Gaps and Priorities'', and other topics related to 
hydrographic surveys, nautical charting, delays impacting the ongoing 
National Spatial Reference System (NSRS) modernization, hurricane 
supplemental funds and the status of coastal mapping, PORTS[supreg] 
(Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System) sensor enhancements and 
expansion, the research plan for the NOAA-University of New Hampshire 
Joint Hydrographic Center Cooperative Agreement, ``Mapping U.S. Marine 
and Great Lakes Waters: Office of Coast Survey Contributions to a 
National Ocean Mapping Strategy'', updates on legislative and budget 
priorities, and other topics. Navigation services include the data, 
products, and services provided by the NOAA programs and activities 
that undertake geodetic observations, gravity modeling, coastal and 
shoreline mapping, bathymetric mapping, hydrographic surveying, 
nautical charting, tide and water level observations, current 
observations, flooding, resilience, inundation and sea level rise, 
marine modeling, geospatial and LIDAR data, and related topics. This 
suite of NOAA products and services support safe and efficient 
navigation, resilient coasts and communities, and the nationwide 
positioning information infrastructure to support America's commerce. 
The Panel will hear about the missions and uses of NOAA's navigation 
services, the value these services bring, and what improvements could 
be made. Other matters may be considered. The agenda, speakers and time 
are subject to change, please refer to the website for the most updated 
information.

Special Accommodations

    This meeting is physically accessible to people with disabilities. 
Please direct requests for sign language interpretation or other 
auxiliary aids to [email protected] at least 10 business days 
in advance of the meeting.

Shepard M. Smith,
Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-18892 Filed 8-26-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE-P