[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 59 (Tuesday, March 28, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 18297-18299]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-06343]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Hydrographic Services Review Panel

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

ACTION: Solicitation of nominations for NOAA's Hydrographic Services 
Review Panel Federal Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: NOAA is seeking nominations for members to serve on the 
Hydrographic Services Review Panel (HSRP) Federal Advisory Committee. 
Such nominations are due by April 28, 2023.

DATES: Nominations for members to serve on the HSRP Federal Advisory 
Committee must be submitted by April 28, 2023, and will be kept on file 
to be used for future HSRP vacancies. NOAA anticipates there will be 
five vacancies starting on January 1, 2024, each with a four-year term. 
Current members who may be eligible for a second term in 2024 must 
reapply. HSRP maintains an active pool of candidates and advertises 
once a year in accordance with the Hydrographic Services Improvement 
Act (HSIA) requirement regarding membership solicitation.

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ADDRESSES: Nominations will be accepted by email and should be sent to 
three, separate email addresses: [email protected], 
[email protected], and [email protected]. You will 
receive a confirmation response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lynne Mersfelder-Lewis, NOAA HSRP 
program manager, email [email protected] or phone: 240-691-
6106.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the HSIA, as amended (33 
U.S.C. 892 et seq.), the NOAA Administrator is required to solicit 
nominations for membership once each year for the HSRP (33 U.S.C. 
892c). The HSRP, a Federal Advisory Committee, advises the NOAA 
Administrator on matters related to the responsibilities and 
authorities set forth in section 303 of the HSIA (33 U.S.C. 892a), and 
such other appropriate matters as the NOAA Administrator refers to the 
HSRP for review and advice. Those responsibilities and authorities 
include, but are not limited to: acquiring and disseminating 
hydrographic data and providing hydrographic services, as those terms 
are defined in the HSIA; promulgating standards for hydrographic data 
and services; ensuring comprehensive geographic coverage of 
hydrographic services; and testing, developing, and operating vessels, 
equipment, and technologies necessary to ensure safe navigation and 
maintain operational expertise in hydrographic data acquisition and 
hydrographic services. The HSRP advises the NOAA Administrator 
regarding ``charts and related information for the safe navigation of 
marine and air commerce, and to provide basic data for engineering and 
scientific purposes and for other commercial and industrial needs,'' as 
is set forth in the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act of 1947, as amended 
(33 U.S.C. 883a).
    As the HSIA states, ``the voting members of the [HSRP] shall be 
individuals who, by reason of knowledge, experience, or training, are 
especially qualified in 1 or more of the disciplines and fields 
relating to hydrographic data and hydrographic services, marine 
transportation, port administration, vessel pilotage, coastal and 
fishery management, and other disciplines as determined appropriate by 
the Administrator.'' (33 U.S.C. 892c.). The NOAA Administrator seeks 
individuals with expertise in hydrographic and marine navigation and 
technology, port administration, marine shipping or other intermodal 
transportation industries, cartography and geographic information 
systems, geodesy, physical oceanography, coastal resource management, 
including coastal preparedness and emergency response, and other 
related fields.
    In accordance with applicable DOC guidance, NOAA seeks a balanced 
membership and members are selected on a standardized basis. Subject 
matter expertise, with subjects as specified in the HSIA, is the 
primary criteria considered in the evaluation process. Professional 
sector representation (academia, industry, research, scientific 
institution, state and local government, tribal interests, consultant, 
non-governmental organization, etc.), geographic expertise, experience 
working productively with committees and working groups, and leadership 
with navigation, observations, and positioning are other criteria that 
will be considered. The diverse membership of the HSRP ensures 
expertise reflecting the full breadth of the HSRP's responsibilities. 
Where possible, NOAA will also consider the ethnic, racial, and gender 
diversity of the United States. NOAA is an equal opportunity employer.
    Nominees are required to submit four items, including a cover 
letter that responds to the five short response questions listed below. 
The entire nomination package should include all components, be 
submitted in Microsoft Word and PDF, and be no longer than eight pages. 
The four required items are--
    1. A cover letter that responds to the Five Short Response 
Questions listed below and serves as a statement of interest to serve 
on the HSRP. Please be sure to highlight the nominee's specific area(s) 
of expertise relevant to the purpose of the HSRP from the list in this 
Federal Register document.
    2. A short biography of 300-400 words and a photo.
    3. A resume of no more than 2-3 pages.
    4. The nominee's full work and home contact information including: 
full name, work title, institutional affiliation, work and home mailing 
addresses, email address(es), phone number(s), and fax number. Please 
note preferred email, phone number and mailing address.
    Five Short Response Questions for the Cover Letter:
    (1) List your area(s) of expertise, from the following list: 
Hydrographic surveying, tides, currents, geodetic and geospatial 
measurements, marine transportation, port administration, vessel 
pilotage, coastal or fishery management, and other oceanographic or 
marine science areas.
    (2) List the geographic region(s) of the country with which you 
primarily associate your expertise from the following list: Northeast, 
Mid-Atlantic, Southeast, Gulf of Mexico, Pacific Northwest, California, 
Hawaii, Pacific Islands, Alaska, Arctic, Great Lakes, Caribbean, 
National, and/or International.
    (3) Describe your leadership or professional experiences that you 
believe will contribute to the HSRP.
    (4) Describe your familiarity and experience with NOAA navigation, 
observations and positioning data, products, and services.
    (5) Generally, describe the breadth and scope of your knowledge of 
stakeholders, users, or other groups who interact with NOAA and whose 
views and input you believe you can share with the HSRP.

Information on NOAA and HSRP Member Responsibilities

    Pursuant to the Coast and Geodetic Survey Act, as amended (33 
U.S.C. 883a et seq.), NOAA is responsible for providing nautical charts 
and related information for safe navigation. NOAA collects and compiles 
hydrographic, tidal and current, geodetic, and a variety of other data 
in order to fulfill this responsibility. The HSRP provides advice on 
current and emerging oceanographic and marine science technologies 
relating to operations, research and development, and dissemination of 
data pertaining to:
    (a) Hydrographic surveying;
    (b) Shoreline surveying;
    (c) Nautical charting;
    (d) Water level measurements;
    (e) Current measurements;
    (f) Geodetic measurements;
    (g) Geospatial measurements;
    (h) Geomagnetic measurements; and
    (i) Other oceanographic/marine related sciences.
    The HSRP has fifteen voting members appointed by the NOAA 
Administrator in accordance with the HSIA (33 U.S.C. 892c). Two NOAA 
employees, the Directors of the National Geodetic Survey and the Center 
for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services, and the Co-
Directors of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping/Joint 
Hydrographic Center, serve as non-voting members. The Director, NOAA 
Office of Coast Survey, serves as the Designated Federal Officer (DFO) 
along with two Alternate DFOs.
    Voting members are individuals who, by reason of knowledge, 
experience, or training, are especially qualified in one or more 
disciplines relating to

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hydrographic surveying, tides, currents, geodetic and geospatial 
measurements, marine transportation, port administration, vessel 
pilotage, coastal or fishery management, and other oceanographic or 
marine science areas as deemed appropriate by the Administrator. Full-
time officers or employees of the United States may not be appointed as 
a voting member. Any voting member of the HSRP who is an applicant for, 
or beneficiary of (as determined by the NOAA Administrator) any 
assistance under 33 U.S.C. 892c shall disclose to the HSRP that 
relationship, and may not vote on any other matter pertaining to that 
assistance.
    Voting members of the HSRP serve a four-year term, except that 
vacancy appointments are for the remainder of the unexpired term of the 
vacancy. Members serve at the discretion of the NOAA Administrator and 
are subject to Government ethics standards. Any individual appointed to 
a partial or full term may be reappointed for one additional full term. 
A voting member may serve until his or her successor has taken office. 
The HSRP selects one voting member to serve as the Chair and another to 
serve as the Vice Chair. The Vice Chair acts as Chair in the absence or 
incapacity of the Chair but will not automatically become the Chair if 
the Chair resigns. Public meetings occur at least twice a year, and at 
the call of the Chair or upon the request of a majority of the voting 
members or of the NOAA Administrator. Voting members receive 
compensation at a rate established by the NOAA Administrator, not to 
exceed the maximum daily rate payable under section 5376 of title 5, 
United States Code, when engaged in performing duties for the HSRP 
during the public meeting. Members are reimbursed for actual and 
reasonable travel expenses incurred in performing such duties according 
to the Federal Travel Regulation.
    Additional HSRP information and past HSRP public meeting summary 
reports, agendas, presentations, transcripts, webinars, and other 
information is available online at:
    Membership: https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/panel.html.
    Recommendations: https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/recommendations.html.
    Public meeting materials: https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/meetings.html.

Individuals Selected for HSRP Membership

    Upon selection and agreement to serve on the HSRP, members become 
Special Government Employees (SGEs) of the United States Government. An 
SGE, as defined in 18 U.S.C. 202(a), is an officer or employee of an 
agency who is retained, designated, appointed, or employed to perform 
temporary duties, with or without compensation, not to exceed 130 days 
during any period of 365 consecutive days, either on a full time or 
intermittent basis. After the selection process is complete, applicants 
selected to serve on the HSRP must complete the following actions 
before they can be appointed as an HSRP member:
    (a) Security Clearance (online Background Security Check process 
and fingerprinting conducted through NOAA's Office of Security and 
Office of Human Capital Services); and
    (b) Confidential Financial Disclosure Report--SGEs are required to 
file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report to avoid involvement in 
a real or apparent conflict of interest. You may find information on 
the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report: https://www.oge.gov/Web/oge.nsf/Resources/OGE+Form+450.
    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 892 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.

Benjamin K. Evans,
Rear Admiral (lower half), Director, Office of Coast Survey, National 
Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2023-06343 Filed 3-27-23; 8:45 am]
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