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[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 41 (Wednesday, March 4, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 9388-9389]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-4568]

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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

Availability of Seats for the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary 
Advisory Council

AGENCY: Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (ONMS), National Ocean 
Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 
Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION: Notice and request for applications.

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SUMMARY: The ONMS is seeking applications for the following vacant 
seats on the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: North 
Carolina Maritime Museums. Applicants are chosen based upon their 
particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which 
they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy 
regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and 
possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. 
Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve two-year 
terms, pursuant to the council's Charter.

DATES: Applications are due by May 29, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Application kits may be obtained from Shannon Rides, 100 
Museum Drive, Newport News, VA 23606. Completed applications should be 
sent to the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Shannon Ricles, 100 Museum Drive, 
Newport News, VA 23606; 757-591-7328; Shannon.ricles@noaa.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Established in 1975 as the Nation's first 
marine sanctuary, the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary is managed by 
NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries. It is one of 13 
sanctuaries and protects the wreck of the famed Civil War ironclad, USS 
Monitor, best known for its battle with the Confederate ironclad, CSS 
Virginia in Hampton Roads, Va., on March 9, 1862.
    The advisory council consists of 13 members and 3 alternates: 9 
non-governmental voting members and 4 governmental voting members. The 
council seats represent a variety of regional interests and 
stakeholders, including: Recreational Diving, Heritage Tourism, 
Education, Maritime Museums, Conservation, the U.S. Navy, Virginia and 
North Carolina Department of Historic Resources, the National Park 
Service, Recreational/Commercial Fishing and the public at-large. It is 
the combined expertise and experience of these individuals that creates 
an advisory council that is a valuable and effective resource for the 
sanctuary manager.
    The council's objectives are to provide the sanctuary manager with 
advice on: (1) Protecting natural and cultural resources, and 
identifying and evaluating emergent or critical issues involving 
sanctuary use or resources; (2) identifying and realizing the 
sanctuary's research objectives; (3) identifying and realizing 
educational opportunities to increase public knowledge and stewardship 
of the sanctuary

[[Page 9389]]

environment; and (4) developing an informed constituency to increase 
awareness and understanding of the purpose and value of the sanctuary 
and the National Marine Sanctuary System.
    The council may serve as a forum for consultation and deliberation 
among its members and as a source of advice to the sanctuary manager 
regarding the management of the Monitor National Marine Sanctuary. The 
sanctuary advisory council holds open meetings to ensure continued 
public input on management issues and to increase public awareness and 
knowledge of the sanctuary environment. Public participation at these 
meetings is welcomed and encouraged.

    Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431, et seq.

(Federal Domestic Assistance Catalog Number 11.429 Marine Sanctuary 
Program)

    Dated: February 20, 2009.
Daniel J. Basta,
Director, Office of National Marine Sanctuaries, National Ocean 
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. E9-4568 Filed 3-3-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-22-M
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