[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 38 (Monday, February 26, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14086-14087]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-03829]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Geological Survey

[GX24AC0000EXP00]


Advisory Committee for Science Quality and Integrity 
Establishment; Request for Nominations

AGENCY: U.S. Geological Survey, Department of the Interior

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) 
of 1972, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is establishing and seeking 
nominations for the Advisory Committee for Science Quality and 
Integrity (Committee). The Committee will advise the Secretary of the 
Interior and the Director of the USGS on matters related to the 
responsibilities of the USGS Office of Science Quality and Integrity 
(OSQI) including monitoring and enhancing the integrity, quality, and 
health of all USGS science through

[[Page 14087]]

executive oversight and development of strong practices, policy, and 
supporting programs. Functional areas in the OSQI include Scientific 
Integrity; Science Quality; Fundamental Science Practices; Office of 
Tribal Relations; Youth and Education in Science (YES); Science, 
Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM); Laboratories; 
Postdoctoral Research; and Research and Equipment Development Grade 
Evaluations of USGS scientists.

DATES: Comments regarding the establishment of this Committee must be 
submitted no later than March 12, 2024. Nominations for the Committee 
must be submitted by April 11, 2024.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments and/or nominations by any of the 
following methods: Mail comments and/or nominations to Joanne C. 
Taylor, U.S. Geological Survey, Office of Science Quality and 
Integrity, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Mailstop 911, Reston, VA 20192; 
or email comments and/or nominations to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Joanne C. Taylor, Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO), by U.S. mail at the U.S. Geological Survey, 12201 
Sunrise Valley Drive, Mailstop 911, Reston, VA 20192; by telephone at 
703-648-6837; or by email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Committee is established under the 
authority of the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) and regulated by 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. ch. 10). The 
Committee's duties are strictly advisory and will include advising on: 
(a) Identification of key scientific quality and integrity processes to 
advance the USGS mission. (b) Effective mechanisms for engaging the 
next-generation USGS workforce and others through the YES program and 
with other Federal agencies in STEM and underserved communities. (c) 
The nature and effectiveness of mechanisms to provide oversight of 
science quality within USGS laboratories. (d) Mechanisms that may be 
employed by the USGS to ensure high standards of science quality and 
integrity in its programs and products.
    The Committee will meet approximately one to two times per year. 
The Committee will consist of no more than 15 members appointed by the 
Secretary who represent the diversity of this nation's constituencies, 
and include the following interests:
     Local and State governments;
     Non-governmental organizations;
     Native American, Native Alaskan, and Native Hawaiian 
organizations, including representatives from Tribal governments and 
Tribal colleges;
     Academia; and
     Other stakeholders and sectors, including private 
industry, that make use of USGS science including, but not limited to, 
areas including laboratory sciences, natural resource managers, natural 
hazards protections, and wildlife organizations.
    The Committee may include scientific experts and will include 
rotating representation from one or more local, Tribal, State, 
regional, and/or national organizations.
    Nominations should include a resume providing an adequate 
description of the nominee's qualifications, including information that 
would enable the Department of the Interior (DOI) to make an informed 
decision regarding meeting the membership requirements of the Committee 
and to permit a potential member to be contacted.
    Members of the Committee serve without compensation. However, while 
away from their homes or regular places of business, Committee and 
subcommittee members engaged in Committee or subcommittee business that 
the DFO approves may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in 
lieu of subsistence, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 5703, in the same manner 
as persons employed intermittently in Federal Government service.
    Public Disclosure of Comments: Before including your address, phone 
number, email address, or other personally identifiable information 
(PII) in your comment, you should be aware that your entire comment--
including your PII--may be made publicly available at any time. While 
you may ask us in your comment to withhold your PII from public review, 
we cannot guarantee that we will be able to do so.
    Certification Statement: I hereby certify that the Advisory 
Committee for Science Quality and Integrity is necessary, in the public 
interest, and is in connection to the responsibilities of the DOI, 
USGS, under the President's Memorandum on Restoring Trust in Government 
Through Scientific Integrity and Evidence-Based Policymaking, January 
27, 2021; the DOI policy on Integrity of Scientific and Scholarly 
Activities (305 DM 3); and the USGS policy on Scientific Integrity (SM 
500.25).
    Authority: 5 U.S.C. ch. 10.

Deb Haaland,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 2024-03829 Filed 2-23-24; 8:45 am]
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