[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 200 (Tuesday, October 18, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63042-63043]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-22574]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Solicitation for Members of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board

AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, (OAR) National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce 
(DOC).

ACTION: Notice; correction.

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SUMMARY: NOAA is soliciting nominations for Indigenous, Tribal, Native 
American, Alaska Native, or Native Hawaiian stakeholders from the 
Alaska or Pacific Ocean basin regions to join the Ocean Exploration 
Advisory Board (OEAB). The purpose of the OEAB is to advise the NOAA 
Administrator on matters pertaining to ocean exploration including (1) 
priority areas for survey and discovery; (2) development of a five-year 
strategic plan for the fields of ocean, marine, and Great Lake science, 
(3) exploration and discovery; and, (4) the annual review of the NOAA 
Ocean Exploration Competitive Grants Program process.

DATES: The closing date for soliciting members for the notice published 
on

[[Page 63043]]

August 19, 2022 at 87 FR 51061 has been extended to November 18, 2022. 
Nominations should be sent to the email address specified below and 
must be received by November 18, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Applications should be submitted via email to Joanne 
Flanders: [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David Turner, Ocean Exploration 
Advisory Board, Designated Federal Officer: (859) 327-9661; 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OEAB functions as an advisory board in 
accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), as amended, 
5 U.S.C. app., with the exception of section 14. It reports to the NOAA 
Administrator, as directed by 33 U.S.C. 3405 and is provided staffing 
and other support by the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research.
    At this time, NOAA is soliciting applications to fill up to two 
vacancies on the OEAB from individuals demonstrating expertise and 
experience in areas that include scientific research relevant to ocean 
exploration, ocean engineering, data science, deep ocean biology, 
geology, oceanography, marine archaeology, or ocean-science education 
and communication. NOAA will give particular consideration to 
applications from Indigenous, Tribal, Native American, Alaska Native, 
or Native Hawaiian stakeholders from the Alaska or Pacific Ocean basin 
regions, as such stakeholders' input will be valuable in generating 
advice specific to those regions and stakeholders. Individuals with 
expertise in other NOAA ocean exploration areas are also welcome to 
apply, as well as representatives of other federal agencies involved in 
ocean exploration. The OEAB members will serve a three-year term with 
the possibility of one renewal for an additional three-year term. The 
Board meets two to three times a year.
    Composition and Points of View: The OEAB consists of approximately 
10 members, including a chair and co-chair(s), designated by the NOAA 
Administrator in accordance with FACA requirements and the terms of the 
approved OEAB Charter and Balance Plan. OEAB members represent 
government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, not-
for-profit, and other institutions involved in all facets of ocean 
exploration--from advanced technology to citizen exploration. As a 
Federal Advisory Committee, OEAB membership is required to be balanced 
in terms of viewpoints represented and the functions to be performed as 
well as including the interest of geographic regions of the country and 
the diverse sectors of our society.
    The OEAB was established: To advise the NOAA Administrator on 
priority areas for survey and discovery; assist the program in the 
development of a five-year strategic plan for the fields of ocean, 
marine, and Great Lakes science, exploration, and discovery; annually 
review the quality and effectiveness of the proposal review process 
established under section 12003(a)(4); and provide other assistance and 
advice as requested by the Administrator. In addition to advising NOAA 
leadership, NOAA expects the OEAB to help to define and develop a 
national program of ocean exploration--a network of U.S. stakeholders 
and partnerships advancing national priorities for ocean exploration.
    OEAB members are appointed as Special Government Employees (SGEs) 
and will be subject to the ethical standards applicable to SGEs. 
Members are reimbursed for actual and reasonable expenses incurred in 
performing such duties, including travel costs, but will not be 
reimbursed for their time. All OEAB members serve at the discretion of 
the NOAA Administrator.
    For more information about the OEAB, visit https://oeab.noaa.gov.
    Although the OEAB reports directly to the NOAA Administrator, it is 
provided staffing and other support from the NOAA Office of Ocean 
Exploration and Research which is part of the Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research (OAR). NOAA Ocean Exploration and Research is the 
only U.S. federal organization dedicated to exploring the deep ocean 
and the program:
     Explores the ocean to make discoveries of scientific, 
economic, and cultural value, with priority given to the U.S. Exclusive 
Economic Zone and Extended Continental Shelf;
     Promotes technological innovation to advance ocean 
exploration;
     Provides public access to data and information;
     Encourages the next generation of ocean explorers, 
scientists, and engineers; and
     Expands the national ocean exploration program through 
partnerships.
    For more information about the NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and 
Research, visit https://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.
    Nominations: Interested persons may nominate themselves or third 
parties.
    Applications: An application is required to be considered for Board 
membership, regardless of whether a person is nominated by a third 
party or self-nominated. The application package must include: (1) the 
nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact 
information including mailing address, email address, and telephone 
number; (2) a resume (maximum length four [4] pages); and (3) a cover 
letter that includes a description of their qualifications relative to 
the kinds of advice being solicited by NOAA in this Notice.

Privacy Act Statement

    Authority. The collection of information concerning nominations to 
the OEAB is authorized under the FACA, as amended, 5 U.S.C. app. and 
its implementing regulations, 41 CFR part 102-3, and in accordance with 
the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended, (Privacy Act) 5 U.S.C. 552a.
    Purpose. The collection of names, contact information, resumes, 
professional information, and qualifications is required in order for 
the Under Secretary to appoint members to the OEAB.
    Routine Uses. NOAA will use the nomination information for the 
purpose set forth above. The Privacy Act of 1974 authorizes disclosure 
of the information collected to NOAA staff for work-related purposes 
and for other purposes only as set forth in the Privacy Act and for 
routine uses published in the Privacy Act System of Records Notice 
COMMERCE/DEPT-11, Candidates for Membership, Members, and Former 
Members of Department of Commerce Advisory Committees, available at 
https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/dept-11.htm, and the 
System of Records Notice COMMERCE/DEPT-18, Employees Personnel Files 
Not Covered by Notices of Other Agencies, available at https://www.osec.doc.gov/opog/PrivacyAct/SORNs/DEPT-18.htm.
    Disclosure. Furnishing the nomination information is voluntary; 
however, if the information is not provided, the individuals would not 
be considered for appointment as a member of the OEAB.

David Holst,
Chief Financial Officer/Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2022-22574 Filed 10-17-22; 8:45 am]
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