[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 169 (Friday, September 1, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60532-60534]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-18935]


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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Maritime Administration


U.S. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee; 
Notice of Public Meeting

AGENCY: Maritime Administration, Department of Transportation.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: The Maritime Administration (MARAD) announces a public meeting 
of the U.S. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee 
(MTSNAC) to develop and discuss advice and recommendations for the U.S. 
Department of Transportation on issues related to the marine 
transportation system.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, from 
9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and Thursday, September 21, 2023, from 9:00 a.m. 
to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT). Requests to attend the 
meeting must be received by 5:00 p.m. EDT on the prior week, Monday, 
September 11, 2023, to facilitate entry. Requests for accommodations 
for a disability must be received by the day before the meeting, 
Tuesday, September 19, 2023. Those requesting to speak during the 
public comment period of the meeting must submit a written copy of 
their remarks to DOT no later than by the prior week, Monday, September 
11, 2023. Requests to submit written materials for review during the 
meeting must also be received by the prior week, Monday, September 11, 
2023.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the DOT Conference Center at 
1200 New Jersey Ave. SE, Washington, DC 20590. Any Committee related 
request should be sent to the person listed in the following section.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Capt. Jeffrey Flumignan, Designated 
Federal Officer, at [email protected] or (347) 491-2349. Maritime 
Transportation System National Advisory Committee, 1200 New Jersey 
Avenue SE W21-307, Washington, DC 20590. Please visit the MTSNAC 
website at https://www.maritime.dot.gov/outreach/maritime-transportation-system-mts/maritime-transportation-system-national-advisory-0.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    The MTSNAC is a Federal advisory committee that advises the U.S. 
Secretary of Transportation through the Maritime Administrator on 
issues related to the maritime transportation system. The MTSNAC was 
established in 1999 and mandated in 2007 by the Energy Independence and 
Security Act of 2007 (Pub. L. 110-140). The MTSNAC is codified at 46 
U.S.C. 50402 and operates in accordance with the provisions of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act.

II. Agenda

    The agenda will include (1) welcome, opening remarks, and 
introductions; (2) administrative items; (3) subcommittee break-out 
sessions; (4) updates to the Committee on the subcommittee work; (5) 
public comments; (6) discussions relevant to formulate recommendations; 
and (7) presentation of recommendations. A final agenda will be posted 
on the MTSNAC internet website at https://www.maritime.dot.gov/outreach/maritime-transportation-system-mts/maritime-transportation-system-national-advisory-0 at least one week in advance of the meeting.

III. Public Participation

    The meeting will be open to the public. Members of the public who 
wish to attend in person must RSVP to the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section with your name and affiliation. 
Seating will be limited and available on a first-come-first-serve 
basis.
    Services for Individuals with Disabilities: The public meeting is 
physically accessible to people with disabilities. The U.S. Department 
of Transportation is committed to providing all participants equal 
access to this meeting. If you need alternative formats or services 
because of a disability, such as sign language, interpretation, or 
other ancillary aids, please contact the person listed in the FOR 
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.
    Public Comments: A public comment period will commence at 
approximately 11:45 a.m. EST on September 20, 2023, and again on 
September 21, 2023, at the same time. To provide time for as many 
people to speak as possible, speaking time for each individual will be 
limited to three minutes. Members of the public who would like to speak 
are asked to contact the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION 
CONTACT section. Commenters will be placed on the

[[Page 60533]]

agenda in the order in which notifications are received. If time 
allows, additional comments will be permitted. Copies of oral comments 
must be submitted in writing at the meeting or preferably emailed to 
the person listed in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section. 
Additional written comments are welcome and must be filed as indicated 
below.
    Written comments: Persons who wish to submit written comments for 
consideration by the Committee must send them to the person listed in 
the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section.

(Authority: 49 CFR part 1.93(a); 5 U.S.C. 552b; 41 CFR parts 102-3; 
5 U.S.C. app. sections 1-16.)

    By Order of the Maritime Administrator.
T. Mitchell Hudson, Jr.,
Secretary, Maritime Administration.

Information Memorandum to the Secretary

    From: Rear Admiral Ann C. Phillips, USN (Ret.), Maritime 
Administrator, X-61719.
    Prepared by: William (Bill) Paape, Associate Administrator for 
Ports & Waterways, X-5005.
    Subject: Notification of a Public Meeting of the U.S. Maritime 
Transportation System, National Advisory Committee on September 20th & 
21st, 2023.

Summary

    DOT Order 1120.3D requires the submission of an information 
memorandum to the Secretary that briefly describes the committee's 
upcoming meeting agenda.
    The agenda will include (1) welcome, opening remarks, and 
introductions; (2) administrative items; (3) subcommittee break-out 
sessions; (4) updates to the Committee on the subcommittee work; (5) 
public comments; (6) discussions relevant to formulate recommendations 
for improving the maritime transportation system and (7) presentation 
of recommendations.

Background

    The MTSNAC is a statutory advisory committee responsible for 
advising the Secretary of Transportation on matters relating to the 
United States maritime transportation system and its seamless 
integration with other segments of the transportation system, including 
the viability of the United States Merchant Marine. The MTSNAC is 
codified at 46 U.S.C. 50402 and operated in accordance with the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act and DOT Order 1120.3D. The National Defense 
Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116-283) amended the 
MTSNAC's statutory authorization, including changes to the size and 
membership composition of the Committee. The purpose of MTSNAC is to 
address matters relating to the U.S. marine transportation system and 
its seamless integration with other segments of the transportation 
system, including the viability of the U.S. merchant marine. The MTSNAC 
shall undertake information-gathering activities, develop technical 
advice, and present recommendations to the Administrator on matters 
including, but not limited to, the following:
    a. How to strengthen U.S. Maritime capabilities essential to 
National security and economic prosperity.
    b. Ways to ensure the availability of a diverse and inclusive U.S. 
maritime workforce that will support the sealift resource needs of the 
National Security Strategy.
    c. Ways to support the enhancement of U.S. port infrastructure and 
performance; and,
    d. Ways to enable maritime industry innovation in information, 
safety, environmental impact, and other areas.
    The Committee's work will align with the Agency's mission and 
primary guiding documents, such as the Goals and Objectives for a 
Stronger Maritime Nation: A Report to Congress.

Attachments

     Meeting Agenda.

For More Information

    Bill Paape, Associate Administrator for Ports & Waterways, 202-748-
4641 (cell).
    Capt. Jeff Flumignan, Designated Federal Officer, 212-668-2064 
(office) or 202-977-8647 (cell).

Agenda

U.S. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee, 
Wednesday, September 20, 2023

09:00 a.m. Call to Order & Roll Call: Jeff Flumignan, Designated 
Federal Officer
    Item 1 Welcome and comments from the MTSNAC Chairman: Robert 
``Bob'' Wellner, Chairman, Maritime Transportation System National 
Advisory Committee
    Item 2 Chair Guidance and Breakout Session--Breakout Rooms: Staff 
Liaisons to facilitate breakout sessions and prioritize Issue Areas and 
Desired Outcomes
    Item 3 Reconvene and Update to Chairman: Bob Wellner, Chairman, 
Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee
    Item 4 Public Comments (if required): Jeff Flumignan, Designated 
Federal Official
    Item 5 Break for Lunch
    Item 6 Sub-Committee Breakout Sessions in Breakout Rooms: Staff 
Liaisons to facilitate breakout sessions and prioritize Issue Areas and 
Desired Outcomes
    Item 7 Reconvene full Committee and Brief Update Report to Chair by 
Sub-Committee Chairs (current): Bob Wellner, Chairman, Maritime 
Transportation System National Advisory Committee
    Item 8 Closing Remarks and Adjournment: Bob Wellner--Chairman, 
Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee

U.S. Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee, 
Thursday, September 21, 2023

09:00 a.m. Call to Order & Roll Call: Jeff Flumignan, Designated 
Federal Official
    Item 9 Welcome & Opening Statements: Bob Wellner--Chairman, 
Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee
    Item 10 Chair Guidance and Breakout Session--Breakout Rooms: Staff 
Liaisons to facilitate breakout sessions and prioritize Issue Areas and 
Desired Outcomes
    Item 11 Reconvene and Update to Chairman: Bob Wellner, Chairman, 
Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee
    Item 12 Public Comments (if required): Jeff Flumignan, Designated 
Federal Official
    Item 13 Break for Lunch
    Item 14 Chair Guidance and Breakout Session--Breakout Rooms: Staff 
Liaisons to facilitate breakout sessions and prioritize Issue Areas and 
Desired Outcomes
    Item 15 Reconvene and Presentation of Recommendations: Bob Wellner, 
Chairman, Maritime Transportation System National Advisory Committee
    Item 16 Remarks by the Maritime Administrator: Rear Admiral Ann C. 
Phillips, USN (Ret.), Maritime Administrator
    Item 17 Closing Remarks and Way Ahead: William ``Bill'' Paape, 
Associate Administrator for Ports and Waterways
    Item 18 Closing Remarks and Adjournment: Bob Wellner, Chairman, 
Maritime Transportation System National Advisory

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Committee

[FR Doc. 2023-18935 Filed 8-31-23; 8:45 am]
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