[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 89 (Monday, May 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25843-25844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11016]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

RIN 0648-XT64


Notice of Public Review and Comment Period on NOAA's Arctic 
Vision and Strategy

AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Arctic has profound significance for climate and 
functioning of ecosystems around the globe. The region is particularly 
vulnerable and prone to rapid change. Increasing air and ocean 
temperatures, thawing permafrost, loss of sea ice, and shifts in 
ecosystems are evidence of widespread and dramatic ongoing change. As a 
result, critical environmental, economic, and national security issues 
are emerging, many of which have significant impacts for human lives, 
livelihoods, and coastal communities. Though NOAA has numerous and 
diverse capabilities that support these emerging issues, a strategic 
approach that leverages NOAA's existing priorities and strengths, as 
well as those of our national and international partners, is needed. 
This document provides a high-level framework and six strategic goals 
to address NOAA's highest priorities in the region. It is based upon 
assumptions that the region will: continue to experience dramatic 
change; become more accessible to human activities; and, be a focus of 
increasing global strategic interest.

DATES: Comments must be submitted by June 10, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Submit comments by one of the following methods-
    <bullet> Electronic Submissions: <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#c3b0b7b1a2b7a6a4aaa0edb3afa2adadaaada483adaca2a2eda4acb5"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="becdcaccdfcadbd9d7dd90ced2dfd0d0d7d0d9fed0d1dfdf90d9d1c8">[email protected]</span></a>
    <bullet> Mail: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 
Office of Program Planning and Integration, 1315 East-West Highway, 
Room 15749, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Rouleau, Office of Program 
Planning and Integration, at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#bccfc8ceddc8d9dbd5df92ccd0ddd2d2d5d2dbfcd2d3dddd92dbd3ca"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="c5b6b1b7a4b1a0a2aca6ebb5a9a4ababacaba285abaaa4a4eba2aab3">[email protected]</span></a> or (301) 713-
1622 x187.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To view the document, go to http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/.

I. Summary of the Strategy

    NOAA envisions an Arctic where decisions and actions related to 
conservation, management, and use are based on sound science and 
support healthy, productive, and resilient communities and ecosystems. 
The agency seeks a future where the global implications of Arctic 
change are better understood and predicted.
    NOAA will focus its efforts on the following six priority goals 
needed to realize this vision:
(1) Forecast Sea Ice
(2) Strengthen Foundational Science to Understand and Detect Arctic 
Climate and Ecosystem Changes
(3) Improve Weather and Water Forecasts and Warning
(4) Enhance International and National Partnerships
(5) Improve Stewardship and Management of Ocean and Coastal Resources 
in the Arctic
(6) Advance Resilient and Healthy Arctic Communities and Economies
    These goals were selected because they represent areas where NOAA 
can address urgent and timely issues that meet two key criteria: 
providing the information, knowledge, and policies to meet NOAA 
mandates and stewardship responsibilities, and providing the 
information, knowledge, and services to enable others to live and 
operate safely in the Arctic.
    Each goal also fulfills international goals and establishes, 
enhances, or leverages partnerships with other Arctic nations, 
international organizations, government agencies, and non-governmental 
organizations, academia, and local communities. The goals are also 
geared towards generating large societal benefits relative to the 
resources required and strengthening NOAA's

[[Page 25844]]

engagement, politically, scientifically, internationally, and publicly.
    NOAA will next develop and execute a five-year Arctic Action Plan 
to achieve these goals. Development and execution of the plan will 
require coordination across all NOAA Line and Staff Offices and 
collaboration with local, regional, federal, nongovernmental, and 
academic partners. As a starting point, NOAA will establish a single 
point of contact within NOAA Senior Executive Leadership who will be 
accountable for achieving the Arctic goals. The Arctic Action Plan will 
also include an engagement strategy for reaching internal and external 
employees, partners, and stakeholders, as well as a detailed budget 
strategy. NOAA is committed to enhancing its current involvement in 
research and management programs in the Arctic, and anticipates an 
initial investment of $10 million towards the implementation of this 
strategy, recognizing that additional funds will be needed to achieve 
the goals.

II. Request for Comments

    NOAA invites comments on its: (a) vision for the Arctic; and (b) 
six strategic goals and five-year strategies for the Arctic.

    Dated: May 4, 2010.
Paul N. Doremus,
Director of Strategic Planning, National Oceanic and Atmospheric 
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-11016 Filed 5-7-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-NW-S


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