[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 160 (Friday, August 19, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51061-51062]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-17899]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Solicitation for Members of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board

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

ACTION: Notice of solicitation for members of the NOAA Ocean 
Exploration Advisory Board.

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SUMMARY: NOAA is soliciting nominations for Indigenous, Tribal, Native 
American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian stakeholders from the 
Alaska or Pacific Ocean basin regions to join the Ocean Exploration 
Advisory Board (OEAB). The purpose of the OEAB is to advise the NOAA 
Administrator on matters pertaining to ocean exploration including (1) 
priority areas for survey and discovery; (2) development of a five-year 
strategic plan for the fields of ocean, marine, and Great Lake science, 
(3) exploration and discovery; and, (4) the annual review of the NOAA 
Ocean Exploration Competitive Grants Program process.
    The OEAB functions as an advisory board in accordance with the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 5 U.S.C. App., with 
the exception of section 14. It reports to the NOAA Administrator, as 
directed by 33 U.S.C. 3405 and is provided staffing and other support 
by the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.

[[Page 51062]]


DATES: Nominations should be sent to the email address specified below 
and must be received by October 18, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Applications should be submitted via email to Joanne 
Flanders: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Turner, Ocean Exploration 
Advisory Board, Designated Federal Officer: (859) 327-9661; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: At this time, NOAA is soliciting 
applications to fill up to two vacancies on the OEAB from individuals 
demonstrating expertise and experience in areas that include scientific 
research relevant to ocean exploration, ocean engineering, data 
science, deep ocean biology, geology, oceanography, marine archaeology, 
or ocean-science education and communication. NOAA will give particular 
consideration to applications from Indigenous, Tribal, Native American, 
Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian stakeholders from the Alaska or 
Pacific Ocean basin regions, as such stakeholders' input will be 
valuable in generating advice specific to those regions and 
stakeholders. Individuals with expertise in other NOAA ocean 
exploration areas are also welcome to apply, as well as representatives 
of other federal agencies involved in ocean exploration. The OEAB 
members will serve a three-year term with the possibility of one 
renewal for an additional three-year term. The Board meets two to three 
times a year.
    Composition and Points of View: The OEAB consists of approximately 
10 members, including a chair and co-chair(s), designated by the NOAA 
Administrator in accordance with FACA requirements and the terms of the 
approved OEAB Charter and Balance Plan. OEAB members represent 
government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, not-
for-profit, and other institutions involved in all facets of ocean 
exploration--from advanced technology to citizen exploration. As a 
Federal Advisory Committee, OEAB membership is required to be balanced 
in terms of viewpoints represented and the functions to be performed as 
well as including the interest of geographic regions of the country and 
the diverse sectors of our society.
    The OEAB was established: To advise the NOAA Administrator on 
priority areas for survey and discovery; assist the program in the 
development of a five-year strategic plan for the fields of ocean, 
marine, and Great Lakes science, exploration, and discovery; annually 
review the quality and effectiveness of the proposal review process 
established under section 12003(a)(4); and provide other assistance and 
advice as requested by the Administrator. 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 U.S. stakeholders 
and partnerships advancing national priorities for ocean exploration.
    OEAB members are appointed as Special Government Employees (SGEs) 
and will be subject to the ethical standards applicable to SGEs. 
Members are reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in 
performing such duties, including travel costs, but will not be 
reimbursed for their time. All OEAB members serve at the discretion of 
the NOAA Administrator.
    For more information about the OEAB, visit https://oeab.noaa.gov.
    Although the OEAB reports directly to the NOAA Administrator, it is 
provided staffing and other support from the NOAA Office of Ocean 
Exploration and Research which is part of the Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research (OAR). NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research is the 
only U.S. federal organization dedicated to exploring the deep ocean 
and the program:
     Explores the ocean to make discoveries of scientific, 
economic, and cultural value, with priority given to the U.S. Exclusive 
Economic Zone and Extended Continental Shelf;
     Promotes technological innovation to advance ocean 
exploration;
     Provides public access to data and information;
     Encourages the next generation of ocean explorers, 
scientists, and engineers; and
     Expands the national ocean exploration program through 
partnerships.
    For more information about the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and 
Research, visit https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.
    Nominations: Interested persons may nominate themselves or third 
parties.
    Applications: An application is required to be considered for Board 
membership, regardless of whether a person is nominated by a third 
party or self-nominated. The application package must include: (1) the 
nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact 
information including mailing address, email address, and telephone 
number; (2) a resume (maximum length four [4] pages); and (3) a cover 
letter that includes a description of their qualifications relative to 
the kinds of advice being solicited by NOAA in this Notice.

Privacy Act Statement

    Authority. The collection of information concerning nominations to 
the OEAB is authorized under the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. App. and 
its implementing regulations, 41 CFR part 102-3, and in accordance with 
the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (Privacy Act) 5 U.S.C. 552a.
    Purpose. The collection of names, contact information, resumes, 
professional information, and qualifications is required in order for 
the Under Secretary to appoint members to the OEAB.
    Routine Uses. NOAA will use the nomination information for the 
purpose set forth above. The Privacy Act of 1974 authorizes disclosure 
of the information collected to NOAA staff for work-related purposes 
and for other purposes only as set forth in the Privacy Act and for 
routine uses published in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice 
COMMERCE/DEPT-11, Candidates for Membership, Members, and Former 
Members of Department of Commerce Advisory Committees, available at 
https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.htm, and the 
System of Records Notice COMMERCE/DEPT-18, Employees Personnel Files 
Not Covered by Notices of Other Agencies, available at https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/DEPT-18.htm.
    Disclosure. Furnishing the nomination information is voluntary; 
however, if the information is not provided, the individuals would not 
be considered for appointment as a member of the OEAB.

Paul Johnson,
Acting Chief Financial Officer/Administrative Officer, Office of 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-17899 Filed 8-18-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KA-P