[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 210 (Thursday, October 29, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 68593-68594]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-23991]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

United States Geological Survey

[GX21GG009950000]


Request for Nominations for Members To Serve on the Scientific 
Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC), and the National 
Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (NEPEC)

AGENCY: United States Geological Survey, Department of the Interior.

ACTION: Request for Nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior is seeking nominations to serve

[[Page 68594]]

on the Scientific Earthquake Studies Advisory Committee (SESAC), and 
the National Earthquake Prediction Evaluation Council (NEPEC). The 
SESAC advises the Director of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) on 
matters relating to the USGS's participation in the National Earthquake 
Hazards Reduction Program. The NEPEC provides advice and 
recommendations to the Director of the USGS on earthquake predictions 
and related scientific research.

DATES: Nominations for the SESAC and NEPEC must be received by November 
30, 2020.

ADDRESSES: SESAC nominations can be sent to Dr. Gavin Hayes at 
[email protected]. Additional information about SESAC may be found at 
https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/scientific-earthquake-studies-advisory-committee-sesac. NEPEC nominations can be 
sent to Dr. Michael Blanpied at [email protected]. Additional 
information about the NEPEC may be found at https://www.usgs.gov/natural-hazards/earthquake-hazards/national-earthquake-prediction-evaluation-council-nepec.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Inquiries regarding SESAC can be 
directed to Dr. Gavin Hayes, Senior Science Advisor for Earthquake and 
Geologic Hazards and Designated Federal Officer, [email protected], 303-
273-8421. Inquiries regarding NEPEC can be directed to Dr. Michael 
Blanpied, Associate Coordinator, Earthquake Hazards Program and 
Designated Federal Officer, [email protected], 703-648-6696.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

SESAC

    The SESAC was established in accordance with the Earthquake Hazards 
Reduction Authorization Act of 1977. The SESAC advises the Director of 
the USGS on matters relating to the USGS's participation in the 
National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP), including its 
roles, goals and objectives within that program, its capabilities and 
research needs, guidance on achieving major objectives, and 
establishing and measuring performance goals. Membership is composed of 
non-Federal experts who are qualified in the seismic sciences and other 
appropriate fields. The USGS Director will give due consideration to 
recommendations from organizations and societies that may include: 
National Academy of Sciences; Geological Society of America; 
Seismological Society of America; American Society of Civil Engineers; 
American Geophysical Union; Earthquake Engineering Research Institute. 
Nominees should have established records of distinguished service, be 
familiar with relevant areas of seismic science and related fields and 
have at least a general familiarity with USGS programmatic activities 
relating to its participation in NEHRP.

NEPEC

    The NEPEC was established under the Earthquake Hazards Reduction 
Authorization Act of 1977 and provides advice and recommendations to 
the Director of the USGS on earthquake predictions, forecasts, 
advisories, and related scientific research. The Director of the USGS 
appoints members who are experts in the scientific disciplines that 
bear on earthquake prediction or other relevant disciplines involved in 
forecasting natural hazards or public response to such forecasts. 
Nominations are sought from the private and public sectors and nominees 
should have established records of distinguished service, be familiar 
with relevant areas of seismic science and related fields and have at 
least a general familiarity with USGS programmatic activities relating 
to its participation in NEHRP.
    SESAC and NEPEC nominations should include a resume providing 
adequate description of the nominee's qualifications, including 
information that would enable the Department of the Interior to make an 
informed decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the 
SESAC and NEPEC, and permit the Department of the Interior to contact a 
potential member. Nominations are to be sent to the email address 
listed under ADDRESSES.
    Non-Federal members of the SESAC and NEPEC serve without 
compensation. However, while away from their homes or regular places of 
business, non-Federal SESAC and NEPEC members engaged in SESAC and 
NEPEC business, approved by the Designed Federal Officer, may be 
allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in 
the same manner as persons employed intermittently in Government 
service under 5 U.S.C. 5703.
    As appropriate, certain SESAC and NEPEC members may be appointed as 
special Government employees (SGEs). Please be aware that applicants 
selected to serve as SGEs will be required, prior to appointment, to 
file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report in order to avoid 
involvement in real or apparent conflicts of interest. You may find a 
copy of the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report at the following 
website: https://www.doi.gov/ethics/special-government-employees/financial-disclosure.
    Additionally, after appointment, members appointed as SGEs will be 
required to meet applicable financial disclosure and ethics training 
requirements. Please contact 202-208-7960 or [email protected] 
with any questions about the ethics requirements for members appointed 
as SGEs.

    Authority: 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.

Linda Huey,
Program Specialist, USGS Natural Hazards Mission Area.
[FR Doc. 2020-23991 Filed 10-28-20; 8:45 am]
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