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###### Department of Commerce

###### National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

# AGENCY:

National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

# ACTION:

Notice of Establishment of and Membership Solicitation for the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee.

# SUMMARY:

                        The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has established and is soliciting applications for membership on the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee (the Committee), a Federal advisory committee. The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (ICOOS) Act of 2009 establishes a national integrated System of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing systems, comprised of                               ( print page 14376)                            Federal and non-Federal components including in situ, remote, and other coastal and ocean observation, technologies, and data management and communication systems. The System is designed to address regional and national needs for ocean information; to gather specific data on key coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes variables; and to ensure timely and sustained dissemination and availability of these data to support a variety of societal benefits. These benefits include supporting national defense; marine commerce; navigation safety; weather, climate, and marine forecasting; energy siting and production; economic development; ecosystem-based management of marine and coastal areas; conservation of ocean and coastal resources; and public safety. The System is also designed to promote research to develop, test, and deploy innovations and improvements in coastal and ocean observation technologies and modeling systems.                    

The ICOOS Act also requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish a System advisory committee to provide advice to the Under Secretary and to the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, which is responsible for planning for the integrated design, operation, maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of the System.

                        NOAA will hereby accept applications for membership on the Committee through May 16, 2011. The ICOOS Act of 2009 states: “Members shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific and technical information related to the design, operation, maintenance, or use of the [Integrated Ocean Observing] System, or use of data products provided though the System.” NOAA encourages individuals with expertise in oceanographic data, products, and services; coastal management; fisheries management; coastal and marine spatial planning; geodesy; water levels; and other science-related fields to submit applications for Committee membership. To apply for membership on the Committee, applicants should submit a resume as indicated in the                         **ADDRESSES**                         section. NOAA is an equal-opportunity employer.                    

# DATES:

Application materials should be sent to the address, e-mail address, or fax number specified and must be received by May 16, 2011.

# ADDRESSES:

                        Submit an application for Committee membership, in the form of a resume, to Jessica Geubtner via mail, fax, or e-mail. Mail: 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Fax: 301-427-2073; E-mail:                         *Jessica.geubtner@noaa.gov.*

# FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

                        Jessica Geubtner, 1100 Wayne Avenue, Suite 1225, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Telephone: 301-427-2453, Fax: 301-427-2073; E-mail:                         *Jessica.geubtner@noaa.gov.*

# SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

This notice responds to the ICOOS Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-11, section 12304), which requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to solicit nominations for Committee membership. The Committee will advise the NOAA Administrator or Interagency Ocean Observation Committee on matters related to the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 12302 of the ICOOS Act of 2009 and other appropriate matters as the Under Secretary refers to the Committee for review and advice.

The United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee will provide advice on:

(a) Administration, operation, management, and maintenance of the System;

(b) Expansion and periodic modernization and upgrade of technology components of the System;

(c) Identification of end-user communities, their needs for information provided by the System, and the System's effectiveness in dissemination information to end-user communities and to the general public; and

(d) Any other purpose identified by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere or the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee.

The Committee's voting members will be appointed by the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere. Members shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific and technical information related to the design, operation, maintenance, or use of the System, or the use of data products provided through the System. Members are selected on a standardized basis, in accordance with applicable Department of Commerce guidance. Members will be appointed for three-year terms, renewable once. One Committee member will be designated by the Under Secretary as chairperson. Full-time officers or employees of the United States may not be appointed as a voting member. Members will be appointed as special Government employees (SGEs) for purposes of section 202(a) of title 18, United States Code. Members serve at the discretion of the Under Secretary and are subject to government ethics standards. Members of the Committee will not be compensated for service on the Committee, but they may be allowed travel expenses, including per diem in lieu of subsistence, in accordance with subchapter I of chapter 57 of title 5, United States Code.

The Committee will meet at least once each year, and at other times at the call of the Under Secretary, the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, or the Committee Chairperson.

## Individuals Selected for Committee Membership

Upon selection and agreement to serve on the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee, one becomes a Special Government Employee (SGE) of the United States Government. An SGE is an officer or employee of an agency who is retained, designated, appointed, or employed to perform temporary duties, with or without compensation, for not to exceed 130 days during any period of 365 consecutive days, either on a full-time or intermittent basis. After the membership selection process is complete, applicants who are selected to serve on the Committee must complete the following actions before they can be appointed as a Committee member:

(a) Security Clearance (on-line Background Security Check process and fingerprinting conducted through NOAA Workforce Management); and 

                    (b) Confidential Financial Disclosure Report: As an SGE, one is required to file a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report to avoid involvement in a real or apparent conflict of interest. One may find the Confidential Financial Disclosure Report at the following Web site:                     *http://www.usoge.gov/​forms/​form_​450.aspx.*

Dated: March 8, 2011.

David M. Kennedy,

Assistant Administrator, Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management.

[FR Doc. 2011-6063 Filed 3-15-11; 8:45 am]

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