[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 95 (Wednesday, May 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 27070-27072]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10571]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Solicitation of Nominations for the Marine Debris Foundation 
Board of Directors

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

ACTION: Notice of solicitation of nominations.

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SUMMARY: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is seeking 
nominations of qualified candidates to be considered for appointment as 
a member of the Marine Debris Foundation Board of Directors (Board). 
The Board shall consist of 13 Directors, including the Under Secretary 
of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere.

DATES: Nominations to the Board of Directors for the Marine Debris 
Foundation must be received in entirety no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on 
June 30, 2021. Nomination packages received after this time will not be 
considered.

ADDRESSES: All nominations should be emailed (recommended) to 
[email protected] with the subject line ``Marine Debris 
Foundation Nomination'', or mailed to Caitlin Wessel, Marine Debris 
Foundation Nomination, c/o NOAA Disaster Response Center, 7344 Ziegler 
Blvd., Mobile, AL 36608.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Caitlin Wessel, Ph.D., Phone 251-222-
0276; Email [email protected] or visit the NOAA Marine Debris 
Program website at https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/who-we-are/marine-debris-foundation.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On December 18, 2020 the passage of the Save 
Our Seas (SOS) 2.0 Act established the Marine Debris Foundation 
(Foundation) as a charitable and nonprofit organization. The purposes 
of the Foundation include encouraging, accepting, and administering 
private gifts of property for the benefit of, or in connection with, 
the activities of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
(NOAA) under the

[[Page 27071]]

Marine Debris Act, 33 U.S.C. 1952, and other relevant agencies; 
conducting activities that will augment NOAA's efforts to address 
marine debris; participating with and assisting other governments, 
entities, and individuals in addressing marine debris; and supporting 
other activities related to marine debris.
    NOAA is searching for twelve people to serve as Directors on the 
new Foundation's governing Board of Directors (Board). The Board shall 
represent diverse points of view relating to the assessment, 
prevention, reduction, and removal of marine debris. Expertise is being 
sought in the following categories: (1) The assessment, prevention, 
reduction, or removal of marine debris, which may include an individual 
with expertise in post-consumer materials management or a circular 
economy; (2) the assessment, prevention, reduction, or removal of 
marine debris outside the United States; (3) ocean and coastal resource 
conservation science or policy; (4) international perspectives on 
marine debris, including expertise in trade agreements, treaties, or 
foreign policy; and (5) fundraising and nonprofit management.
    Responsibilities of the Board: The major responsibilities of the 
Board of Directors will include, but are not necessarily limited to, 
the following:
    1. Appoint officers and employees consistent with the provisions of 
the SOS 2.0 Act; adopt a constitution and bylaws consistent with the 
purposes of the Foundation and the provisions of the SOS 2.0 Act; elect 
a Chair for a two-year term; and undertake such other acts as may be 
necessary to complete the organization of the Foundation.
    2. Prepare for, attend, and participate in Board meetings at least 
once a year.
    3. Ensure effective organizational planning, including a business 
plan and other governing documents, to ensure effective governance of 
the Foundation.
    4. Facilitate the Foundation's encouragement, acceptance, and 
administration of private gifts of property to ensure adequate 
resources to conduct the business of the Foundation.
    5. Actively participate in fundraising, identify prospective 
donors, and support the fundraising program.
    6. Manage resources effectively to support the purposes of the 
Foundation.
    7. Maintain the annual budget.
    8. Fulfill all responsibilities of the Board as provided in the SOS 
2.0 Act.
    9. Hire and evaluate annually a chief operating officer who shall 
be knowledgeable and experienced in matters relating to the assessment, 
prevention, reduction, and removal of marine debris.
    10. Sign an annual conflict of interest disclosure.
    11. Provide a report at the end of each fiscal year to Congress as 
required under the SOS 2.0 Act.
    Required Selection Criteria: The Under Secretary of Commerce for 
Oceans and Atmosphere, with the approval of the Secretary of Commerce, 
shall appoint twelve Directors who meet the criteria established by the 
SOS 2.0 Act, of whom: At least four shall be educated or experienced in 
the assessment, prevention, reduction, or removal of marine debris, 
which may include an individual with expertise in post-consumer 
materials management or a circular economy; at least two shall be 
educated or experienced in the assessment, prevention, reduction, or 
removal of marine debris outside the United States; at least two shall 
be educated or experienced in ocean and coastal resource conservation 
science or policy; and at least two shall be educated or experienced in 
international trade or foreign policy. The Directors shall be appointed 
from among individuals who are United States citizens. The SOS 2.0 Act 
directs the Under Secretary to appoint these twelve Directors after 
consulting with the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency, the Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the 
Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Oceans and International 
Environmental and Scientific Affairs, and the Administrator of the U.S. 
Agency for International Development.
    Additional Selection Criteria: NOAA seeks nominees with one or more 
of the following areas of expertise: Fundraising, finance, accounting, 
nonprofit or foundation law, human resources, management, research, and 
politics. Nominees should demonstrate one or more of the following 
competencies: Strategic leadership; vision and mission development; 
networking; governance; communications; public relations; marketing; 
justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion; and understanding community 
needs. NOAA seeks nominees representing diverse experiences, including 
gender, culture, education, career stage, geography, sector, and other 
considerations, in alignment with Department of Commerce equal 
opportunity policies (Department Administrative Order 215-3). 
Candidates should be willing to contribute to a diverse, equitable, and 
inclusive Board. All nominations will be fully considered, and 
qualified candidates need to be aware of the specific representation 
sought as outlined in the required selection criteria.
    Term Length and Additional Restrictions: The initial Board of 
Directors will be appointed with staggered term lengths. Four Directors 
will be appointed for a term of six years; four Directors will be 
appointed for a term of four years; and four Directors will be 
appointed for a term of two years. Directors shall serve without pay, 
but may be reimbursed for the actual and necessary traveling and 
subsistence expenses incurred by them in the performance of the duties 
to the Foundation. Appointment as a Director of the Foundation shall 
not constitute employment by, or the holding of an office of, the 
United States for the purpose of any Federal law.
    Candidates Should Submit the Following Items: The following items 
are required parts of the nomination package:
    1. Completed Nomination Form (PDF, can be downloaded at https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/who-we-are/marine-debris-foundation).
    2. Current resume, including: Complete contact information 
(telephone numbers, email address, mailing address); career sector 
(e.g., federal, state, industry, nonprofit, etc.); education history; 
work history and related experience; honors and awards; activities and 
hobbies; and skills. No more than two pages in length, saved as a .doc 
or .docx file.
    3. Statement of Interest, including: A description of the 
candidate's qualifications; diversity statement (should include how the 
candidate will contribute to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive 
Board); fundraising statement (should include candidate's past 
experiences with fundraising and how they will contribute to a robust 
fundraising program for the Foundation); list of required selection 
criteria met and a short summary of how the candidate meets the 
specified criteria; list of additional selection criteria met and a 
short summary of how the candidate meets the specified criteria; and 
why the candidate would be a good fit for the Board. No more than four 
pages in length, saved as a .doc or .docx file.
    4. At least one letter of recommendation, but no more than three, 
saved as a .pdf file. Letters should be no longer than two pages in 
length and demonstrate the candidate's qualifications.

Nominations may be submitted by the candidate themselves, or by the 
person/organization recommending the

[[Page 27072]]

candidate. If submitted by someone other than the candidate, the 
nomination package should include a signed statement from the candidate 
agreeing to be nominated. Incomplete applications will not be 
considered.
    Additional information about the solicitation of nominations for 
the Marine Debris Foundation Board of Directors can be found at https://marinedebris.noaa.gov/who-we-are/marine-debris-foundation.

(Authority: Pub. L. 116-224, 112, Dec. 18, 2020, 134 Stat. 1072)

Scott Lundgren,
Director, Office of Response and Restoration, National Ocean Service.
[FR Doc. 2021-10571 Filed 5-18-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NK-P