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[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 219 (Wednesday, November 13, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Pages 89619-89620]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-26245]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP)

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

ACTION: Notice of public meeting.

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SUMMARY: This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a 
meeting of the Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP). The members will 
discuss issues outlined in the section on Matters to be considered.

DATES: The meeting is scheduled for December 3, 2024 from 9 a.m. to 
4:30 p.m. eastern standard time (EST) and December 4, 2024 from 8:30 
a.m. to 10:30 a.m. EST. These times and the agenda topics described 
below are subject to change.
    For the latest agenda please refer to the ORAP website: https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisory-panel/orap-public-meetings.

ADDRESSES: The December 3-4, 2024 meeting will be at the AGU Conference 
Center, 2000 Florida Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009. The link for the 
webinar registration will be posted, when available, on the ORAP 
website: https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisory-panel/orap-public-meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Viviane Silva, ORAP Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO), SSMC3, Room 11320, 1315 East-West Hwy., Silver Spring, 
MD 20910; Phone Number: 240-624-0656; Email: [email protected]; or 
visit the ORAP website at https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisory-panel/orap-public-meetings.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Ocean Research Advisory Panel (ORAP) 
advises the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC) and provides independent 
recommendations to the Federal Government on matters of ocean policy.
    Congress directed the establishment of the ORAP in section 1055(c) 
of the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act 
for Fiscal Year 2021 (Pub. L. 116-283), 10 U.S.C. 8933.
    ORAP's responsibilities are (1) to advise the OPC on policies and 
procedures to implement the National Oceanographic Partnership Program; 
(2) to advise the OPC on matters relating to national oceanographic 
science, engineering, facilities, or resource requirements; (3) to 
advise the OPC on improving diversity, equity, and inclusion in the 
ocean sciences and

[[Page 89620]]

related fields; (4) to advise the OPC on national ocean research 
priorities; and (5) any additional responsibilities that the OPC 
considers appropriate.
    Status: The December 3, 2024 meeting will be open to public 
participation with a 30-minute public comment period at 3:15 p.m. EST. 
The ORAP expects that public statements presented at its meetings will 
not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. 
In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will 
be limited to a total time of three minutes. Written comments for the 
December 3-4, 2024 meeting should be received by November 20, 2024 by 
the ORAP DFO ([email protected]) to provide sufficient time for ORAP 
review. Written comments received by the ORAP DFO after this date will 
be distributed to the ORAP, but may not be reviewed prior to the 
meeting date.
    Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to 
people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be 
directed to the ORAP DFO no later than 12 p.m. EST on November 20, 
2024.
    Matters to be Considered: During the ORAP meeting on Dec. 13-14, 
2023, the Ocean Policy Committee (OPC) requested that the ORAP advise 
on areas of opportunity for partnership (such as through the National 
Oceanic Partnership Program) on the topic of emerging technology (which 
could include Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning, eDNA, and 
similar technology) with ocean industry and other sectors over the next 
5-10 years. The OPC also requested that ORAP self-select another topic 
to address. The ORAP members agreed that the topic of accessible, 
inter-operable, interdisciplinary, and trusted ocean data to meet 
research and user needs is critical and deserves ORAP immediate 
attention. At this meeting on December 3-4, 2024, ORAP members will 
examine barriers, challenges, and potential mechanisms that expand 
opportunities for public-private partnerships by engaging external 
input from Government and Industry.
    Meeting materials, including work products, will be made available 
on the ORAP website: https://www.noaa.gov/ocean-research-advisory-panel/orap-public-meetings.

    Dated: October 23, 2024.
David Holst,
Director Chief Financial Officer/CAO, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2024-26245 Filed 11-12-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KD-P
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