[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 24 (Friday, February 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 6511]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-02005]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Public Meeting of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a 
meeting of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB). OEAB members 
will discuss and provide advice on Federal ocean exploration programs, 
with a particular emphasis on the topics identified in the section on 
Matters to Be Considered.

DATES: The announced meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 17, 
2022 from 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. (EST) and Friday February 18, 2022 from 
9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. (EST).

ADDRESSES: This will be an in-person meeting. The meeting will be held 
at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution at 86 Water St., Falmouth, 
MA 02543. Information about how to participate, including Covid-19 
related protocols, will be posted to the OEAB website at https://oeab.noaa.gov/.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. David Turner, Designated Federal 
Officer, Ocean Exploration Advisory Board, National Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Administration, [email protected] or (859) 327-9661.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA established the OEAB under the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and legislation that gives the agency 
statutory authority to operate an ocean exploration program and to 
coordinate a national program of ocean exploration. The OEAB advises 
NOAA leadership on strategic planning, exploration priorities, 
competitive ocean exploration grant programs, and other matters as the 
NOAA Administrator requests.
    OEAB members represent government agencies, the private sector, 
academic institutions, and not-for-profit institutions involved in all 
facets of ocean exploration--from advanced technology to citizen 
exploration.
    In addition to advising NOAA leadership, NOAA expects the OEAB to 
help to define and develop a national program of ocean exploration--a 
network of stakeholders and partnerships advancing national priorities 
for ocean exploration.
    Matters To Be Considered: The OEAB will hear updates from NOAA 
Ocean Exploration about (1) the status of recommendations for improving 
Grant Program; (2) the status of NOAA's buildout of a new dedicated 
ocean exploration vessel; (3) the status of NOAA Ocean Exploration's 
FY22-27 Strategic Plan; and (4) the status of planning coordinated 
exploration activities in the Pacific Ocean. The Board will also hear 
presentations from several subject matter experts about data, 
technology, and operational requirements that may influence the future 
of Ocean Exploration. Portions of the meeting may be partially closed 
to the public based upon provisions of the Government in the Sunshine 
Act of 1976 (Pub. L. 94-409). The agenda and other meeting materials 
will be made available on the OEAB website at https://oeab.noaa.gov/.
    Status: The meeting will be open to the public with a 15-minute 
public comment period on Friday, February 18, 2022, from 12:30 p.m.-
12:45 p.m. (EST). (Please check the final agenda on the OEAB website to 
confirm the time). The public may listen to the meeting and provide 
comments during the public comment period via teleconference. 
Participation information will be on the meeting agenda on the OEAB 
website.
    The OEAB expects that public statements at its meetings will not be 
repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In 
general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be 
limited to three minutes. The Designated Federal Officer must receive 
written comments by February 10, 2022, to provide sufficient time for 
OEAB review. Written comments received after February 10, 2022, will be 
distributed to the OEAB but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting 
date. Comments should be submitted to Designated Federal Officer 
[email protected].
    Special Accomodations: Requests for sign language interpretation or 
other auxiliary aids should be directed to the Designated Federal 
Officer by February 10, 2022.

Eric Locklear,
Acting Chief Financial Officer/Administrative Officer, Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-02005 Filed 2-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-P