[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 107 (Monday, June 3, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 47555-47556]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-12106]


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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.

ACTION: Notice of 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. 
Nominations are due by February 21, 2025.

DATES: Nominations for members to serve on the HSRP Federal Advisory 
Committee must be submitted by February 21, 2025, and will be kept on 
file and used for future HSRP vacancies. NOAA anticipates there will be 
five vacancies starting on January 1, 2026, each with a four-year term. 
Current members who may be eligible for a second term in 2026 must 
reapply. Pursuant to the Hydrographic Services Improvement Act, as 
amended (HSIA; 33 U.S.C. 892 et seq.), NOAA maintains an active pool of 
HSRP candidates and solicits nominations for HSRP candidates once each 
year.

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

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: NOAA HSRP Program Manager, Ashley 
Chappell, email [email protected] or phone: 240-429-0293.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the HSIA, NOAA shall solicit 
nominations for HSRP membership once each year (33 U.S.C. 892c). The 
HSRP advises the NOAA Administrator ``on matters related to the 
responsibilities and authorities set forth in [the HSIA] and such other 
appropriate matters as the Administrator refers to the [HSRP] for 
review and advice.'' (33 U.S.C. 892c(b)(1).) The NOAA Administrator's 
responsibilities and authorities include promoting safe, efficient, and 
environmentally sound marine transportation under the Coast and 
Geodetic Survey Act (CGSA; 33 U.S.C. 883 et seq.). To promote safe, 
efficient, and environmentally sound marine transportation under the 
CGSA, the HSIA states that the NOAA Administrator shall,
    1. acquire and disseminate hydrographic data and provide 
hydrographic services;
    2. promulgate standards for hydrographic data and services;
    3. ensure comprehensive geographic coverage of hydrographic 
services;
    4. maintain a national database of hydrographic data, in 
cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies;
    5. provide hydrographic services in uniform, easily accessible 
formats; and
    6. participate in the development of, and implement for the United 
States in cooperation with other appropriate Federal agencies, 
international standards for hydrographic data and services.
    The HSRP has fifteen voting members appointed by the NOAA 
Administrator in accordance with the HSIA, 33 U.S.C. 892c. Voting 
members are individuals who, by reason of knowledge, experience, or 
training, are especially qualified in one or more disciplines relating 
to hydrographic data and services, marine transportation, port 
administration, vessel pilotage, coastal and fishery management, and 
other disciplines as determined appropriate by the NOAA Administrator. 
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 of the 
NOAA Office of Coast Survey serves as the Designated Federal Officer 
(DFO) along with two Alternate DFOs. Full-time officers or employees of 
the United States may not be appointed as voting members. Any voting 
member of the HSRP who is an applicant for or beneficiary of (as 
determined by the Administrator) any assistance under the HSIA 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 Administrator's discretion and are 
subject to government ethics standards. Public meetings occur at least 
twice a year. Voting members receive compensation at a rate established 
by the Administrator, not to exceed the maximum daily rate payable 
under 5 U.S.C. 5376 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 Federal Travel Regulation.

[[Page 47556]]

    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.
    In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as 
amended (5 U.S.C. app.), and the pertinent FACA Implementing 
Regulations (41 CFR 102-3.30(c)), NOAA seeks a balanced HSRP 
membership. Subject matter expertise, with subjects as specified in the 
HSIA, is the primary criterion 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.
    NOAA requests nominations from individuals meeting the criteria 
above. Nominees are required to submit four items; the nomination 
package should include all components, be submitted in Microsoft Word 
and/or 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 noted below and serves as a statement of interest to serve on 
the HSRP. Please highlight the nominee's specific area(s) of expertise 
related to the disciplines and fields described in 33 U.S.C. 892c(c).
    2. A short biography of 300-400 words.
    3. A resume of 3 pages maximum.
    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 data and services (e.g., tides, currents, geodetic, and 
geospatial measurements), marine transportation, port administration, 
vessel pilotage, coastal and fishery management, and other disciplines 
in the 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.
    Additional HSRP information, including past HSRP public meeting 
summary reports, agendas, presentations, transcripts, webinars, and 
other information is available online at https://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/hsrp/.
    Authority: 33 U.S.C. 892 et seq.; 33 U.S.C. 883a et seq.

Benjamin K. Evans,
RDML, Director, Office of Coast Survey, National Ocean Service, 
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-12106 Filed 5-31-24; 8:45 am]
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