[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 222 (Monday, November 20, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 80747-80750]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-25573]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

[234D0102DM, DS61200000, DLSN00000.000000, DX61201]


Request for Public Nominations for Authors and Scientific/
Technical Inputs for the First National Nature Assessment

AGENCY: Office of Policy Analysis, Interior.

ACTION: Request for public nominations.

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SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of the Interior, on behalf of the U.S. 
Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), is soliciting nominations for 
authors and scientific/technical inputs for the First National Nature 
Assessment (NNA1). Refer to the NNA1 Draft Prospectus for further 
information on the scope, topics, and overarching themes for the 
report. NNA1 will adhere to the Global Change Research Act, Information 
Quality Act, and Evidence Act requirements for quality, transparency, 
and accessibility as appropriate for a Highly Influential Scientific 
Assessment. NNA1 will also adhere to USGCRP standards and guidelines 
requiring it to be a policy-neutral and policy-relevant product.

DATES: Nominations should be submitted via the web address specified 
below and must be received by the close of this notice January 4, 2024. 
While we request that scientific/technical inputs be submitted by the 
close of this notice, they will be accepted on an ongoing basis 
throughout the development of the report.

ADDRESSES: Nominations for authors must be submitted electronically 
using a web form accessible via https://www.globalchange.gov/notices. A 
short Curriculum Vitae (CV) of no more than four (4) pages must be 
included. Scientific/technical inputs should also be submitted 
electronically using a web form accessible via https://www.globalchange.gov/notices.
    Instructions: Response to this notice is voluntary. Responses to 
this notice may be used by the U.S. Government for program planning on 
a non-attribution basis. The Department of the Interior therefore 
requests that no business

[[Page 80748]]

proprietary information or copyrighted information be submitted in 
response to this notice. Information relating to national defense or 
national security of the United States of America should not be 
submitted in response to the notice. Please note that the U.S. 
Government will not pay for response preparation or for the use of any 
information contained in the response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Avery, (202) 419-3474, 
[email protected], U.S. Global Change Research Program

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Global Change Research Program 
(USGCRP) was created by Congress in 1990 to ``assist the Nation and the 
world to understand, assess, predict, and respond to human-induced and 
natural processes of global change.'' USGCRP comprises 14 Federal 
agencies that work together to carry out its legislative mandate. 
USGCRP is conducting the First National Nature Assessment (NNA1) to 
assess changes in nature as an aspect of global change. The scope of 
NNA1 is to assess the status, observed trends, and future projections 
of America's lands, waters, wildlife, biodiversity, and ecosystems and 
the benefits they provide, including connections to the economy, public 
health, equity, climate mitigation and adaptation, and national 
security.
    NNA1 development will be transparent and inclusive, offering 
opportunities for public participation throughout the process. The 
development of NNA1 is overseen by a Federal Steering Committee (FSC) 
comprising representatives from each of USGCRP's member agencies. The 
production and review processes are designed to result in a report that 
is authoritative, timely, relevant, and policy neutral; valued by 
authors and users; accessible to the widest possible audience; and 
fully compliant with the Global Change Research Act and pertinent 
Federal laws and policies. In August 2023, comments were solicited 
through a 45-day request for information on the draft National Nature 
Assessment Prospectus (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/04/2023-16794/draft-prospectus-for-the-first-national-nature-assessment). Comments received on the draft Prospectus informed the 
list of potential topics included in Section I of the current request.
    Author nominees may be invited to serve as Chapter Lead Authors, 
Authors, or Technical Contributors to NNA1. Chapter Lead Authors will, 
with input and guidance from the Federal Steering Committee (FSC), 
establish author teams comprising Federal and non-Federal experts. A 
Federal Coordinating Lead Author selected by the FSC will serve as a 
liaison between the author team and Federal agencies. For more 
information on author roles, see https://www.globalchange.gov/nna. Note 
that other roles may be developed by the FSC on an as needed basis as 
the report develops.
    In addition, this request presents an opportunity to submit 
relevant scientific/technical inputs to inform the assessment, as well 
as Indigenous Knowledge inputs for similar use. This request also 
outlines planned opportunities for the public to engage in the NNA1 
development process.
    Additional details and instructions for submitting nominations for 
authors and scientific/technical inputs are available at https://www.globalchange.gov/notices. For the responsibilities and expectations 
of the different types of authors and contributors, please see https://www.globalchange.gov/nna.
    All participation in and contributions to NNA1 will be without 
compensation and will be potentially included in the publicly released 
NNA. By voluntarily participating in the NNA1, you acknowledge the 
following:
     Participation in NNA1 means facilitating the development 
of NNA1, contributing new work to NNA1, or contributing pre-existing 
work for NNA1. Any such work will be incorporated into NNA1 at the 
discretion of the Federal Government, including the possibility of 
modification, without any compensation and without redaction under the 
Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) or otherwise.
     All contributions to NNA1 of text and original figures 
(those newly created for NNA1 and not previously published) will be 
released under the Creative Commons 1.0 Universal Public Domain 
Dedication (CC0 1.0). Such contributions will not be protected by 
copyright or other intellectual property rights. Data, algorithms/
models, and software code used to create or support the creation of 
text and original figures will also be publicly released in connection 
with NNA1. In some cases, such data, algorithms/models, and software 
code may be subject to copyright restrictions prohibiting both their 
use for commercial purposes and the creation of derivative works, but 
any such restrictions may not prohibit their use for the purpose of 
reproducing results.
     Participants assume all risks associated with 
participation in NNA1. By participating, participants inherently waive 
all claims against the Federal Government and its related entities, 
except for claims based on willful misconduct, for any injury, death, 
damage, or loss of property, revenue, or profits (whether direct, 
indirect, or consequential) arising from participation in NNA1.
     By participating, participants agree to indemnify the 
Federal Government in the event that it suffers liability or damages as 
a result of its use of the contribution.

Call for Nominations for Authors

    Nominations are sought for authors with pertinent subject matter 
expertise or relevant background, including Indigenous Knowledge 
holders, in at least one of the topics delineated below. Nominees 
should have a demonstrated history of expertise and proficiency in at 
least one of the topics delineated below. Nominations are encouraged 
from all nongovernmental sectors.
    The NNA Federal Steering Committee recognizes the value of 
Indigenous Knowledge that Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples have 
gained and passed down from generation to generation and recognizes 
Indigenous Knowledge as one of many important bodies of knowledge that 
can contribute to NNA1. The FSC understands that multiple lines of 
evidence or ways of knowing can lead to better-formed assessments and 
encourages nominations of Indigenous Knowledge holders as Chapter Lead 
Authors, Authors, or Technical Contributors.
    Submissions must document that nominees have demonstrated 
backgrounds such that they could contribute to the development of a 
robust assessment as subject matter experts in one or more of the 
listed topics. In addition, individuals interested in being considered 
for chapter leadership positions should have experience with leading 
collaborative teams under deadlines. Authors volunteering to assist in 
writing NNA1 are providing an important service to the United States. 
Author roles allow these volunteers to contribute to the first-ever 
national assessment of nature. In addition to providing an opportunity 
to inform policy, participation in NNA1 will allow authors to expand 
their professional networks and visibility, and to explore 
opportunities to create derivative products. The Federal Government 
will not provide financial compensation for these roles. The Federal 
Government is expected to provide travel costs to authors to attend 
meetings if requested for NNA1. Formal acknowledgment will be provided 
to each author's institution.

[[Page 80749]]

    Responses to this request for nominations for authors must be 
submitted within 45 days of the opening of this notice. The nomination 
forms can be accessed via https://www.globalchange.gov/notices. 
Interested persons may nominate themselves or third parties for these 
roles, and individuals may submit multiple nominations.
    Each nomination must include (1) the nominee's full name, title, 
institutional affiliation, and contact information; (2) the nominee's 
area(s) of expertise; (3) the proposed NNA1 topic(s) (see below) for 
which the nominee is qualified; (4) a short description of the 
nominee's qualifications relative to contributing to the report; and 
(5) a current CV [maximum length four (4) pages].
    Nominations with missing information, or for nominees who do not 
meet the eligibility requirements above, may not be considered.
    NNA1 will attempt to address the full breadth of each topic and 
seeks a suitably diverse author pool, including Indigenous Knowledge 
holders, biophysical and social scientists, as well as traditionally 
underrepresented groups. Selection criteria for all author positions 
will consider expertise, disciplinary background, career status, 
diversity, and geographic representation.
    Nominees may be invited to serve as Chapter Lead Authors, Authors, 
or Technical Contributors to NNA1.
    Persons selected as Chapter Lead Authors will be informed after the 
close of the nominations window. Eligible nominees not selected as 
Chapter Lead Authors will be considered for roles as Authors or 
Technical Contributors.
    The NNA1 report use-inspired and knowledge driven and will be 
organized around key thematic interests identified through Federal 
agency, public, and Tribal engagement efforts. These themes are 
detailed in the draft National Nature Assessment Prospectus (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2023/08/04/2023-16794/draft-prospectus-for-the-first-national-nature-assessment). The NNA1 report 
will include, but is not limited to, the following topics (subject to 
change):
     Assessment approach of NNA1
     The Status, Trends and Future Projections of Nature in the 
U.S.
     Status, Trends and Future Projections of Drivers of Change 
of Nature in the U.S.
     Nature and Equity
     Nature and Human Health and Wellbeing
     Nature and Its Relationship to Cultural Heritage
     Nature and Safety and Security
     Nature and the Economy
    NNA1 seeks authors with expertise in the following areas (subject 
to change):
     Ecology, evolutionary biology, genetics, and other 
conservation-relevant biophysical sciences, including those with 
expertise in the status and trends in biodiversity and ecosystems 
(including nutrients), culturally important species, and climate 
adaptation and mitigation.
     Environmental social science including those with 
expertise in anthropology, sociology, geography, political science, 
psychology, and environmental history.
     Changes in nature as they relate to aspects of domestic 
safety and security, including natural hazards, desertification, 
changes in populations of pests and disease, loss of arable land, and 
other changes in nature that affect food and water security, and that 
directly or indirectly influence public safety and patterns of human 
behavior and movements.
     Connections between nature and human health and well-
being, including physical, mental, and public health and well-being.
     Drivers of change in biodiversity and ecosystems.
     Economic activities, infrastructure, and employment that 
are directly or indirectly related to nature, including how changes in 
nature affect economic benefits, risks, and opportunities.
     Environmental justice and equity, including but not 
limited to topics such as access to nature and the benefits of nature, 
disproportionate impacts of environmental hazards, and equitable access 
to nature-based solutions.
     Data visualization and scientific graphics.
     Further, authors are welcome to nominate themselves for 
topics not listed above that are consistent with the scope of NNA1.

Call for Relevant Scientific/Technical Inputs To Inform NNA1:

    Submissions of scientific/technical inputs are sought for NNA1. 
Relevant scientific and/or technical research studies--including 
observed, modeled, and/or projected changes in nature and/or benefits 
from nature--are requested. Scientific/technical inputs that are peer-
reviewed and published, or accepted for publication, in journals and/or 
government reports are welcome. Please refer to the NNA1 topics list 
above to target submissions. Submissions of information for cross-
cutting topics are especially encouraged. For best consideration, 
please submit by the close of this notice. Submissions must be uploaded 
electronically via the link provided at https://www.globalchange.gov/notices.
    The NNA Federal Steering committee understands that Indigenous 
Knowledge may be sensitive, sacred, or belongs to certain families or 
clans, and recognizes concerns of Tribes and Indigenous Peoples 
regarding privacy or potential threats to natural or cultural 
resources. As such, the NNA Federal Steering committee will follow the 
guidance on Indigenous Knowledge provided by the White House Office of 
Science and Technology Policy and Council on Environmental Quality 
(https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/OSTP-CEQ-IK-Guidance.pdf). We welcome discussion with Indigenous Knowledge holders 
regarding the potential benefits and risks of sharing Indigenous 
Knowledge, including the potential for public release under the Freedom 
of Information Act and other public disclosure obligations. When 
possible, the NNA team will collaborate with Tribal Nations and 
Indigenous Peoples to develop the means for information sharing that 
reduces the risk of disclosure. The NNA team will work with Tribes and 
Indigenous Peoples to facilitate informed decision making.

Notice of Planned Public Engagement Opportunities For NNA1:

    Public engagement has been a priority for NNA1 with more than 25 
public outreach activities to date. Multiple future opportunities for 
public engagement to inform NNA1 will be presented throughout the 
report's development. The following planned public engagement schedule 
is presented to notify the public of these coming opportunities. Note 
that the proposed time ranges are tentative and subject to change based 
on the timing of various development stages for NNA.
     Public comment on NNA1 annotated outline (Q2 2024)
     Public engagement workshops and webinars (Q2 2024 through 
Q3 2025)
     Public call for Review Editors (Q4 2025)
     Public comment on NNA1 Third Order Draft (Q3 & Q4 2025)
     National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine 
peer review of NNA1 Third Order Draft (Q4 & Q5 2025)
    Interested parties are invited to participate in these public 
engagement opportunities to ensure robust public input to NNA1. 
Specific dates and locations for all engagements will be provided on 
https://www.globalchange.gov/notices as they are determined.

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    Members of the public may also sign up to receive updates through 
USGCRP's bimonthly newsletter at https://www.globalchange.gov/newsletter-signup.

Jacob Malcom,
Director, Office of Policy Analysis Office of Policy, Management, and 
Budget.
[FR Doc. 2023-25573 Filed 11-17-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4334-63-P