Public Meeting on Amendments to the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) Convention, 50049-50050 [E8-19711]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 165 / Monday, August 25, 2008 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY National Institutes of Health Coast Guard National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases; Notice of Meeting [Docket No. USCG–2008–0885] Pursuant to section 10(a) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2), notice is hereby given of a meeting of the AIDS Research Advisory Committee, NIAID. The meeting will be open to the public, with attendance limited to space available. Individuals who plan to attend and need special assistance, such as sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodations, should notify the Contact Person listed below in advance of the meeting. ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES Name of Committee: AIDS Research Advisory Committee, NIAID; AIDS Vaccine Research Subcommittee. Date: September 16–17, 2008. Time: September 16, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Agenda: To discuss the implication of recent vaccine trial results for future HIV vaccine development. Place: National Institutes of Health, Natcher Building, 45 Center Drive, Conference Rooms E1/E2, Bethesda, MD 20892. Time: September 17, 2008, 8:30 a.m. to Adjourned Agenda: To discuss the implication of recent vaccine trail results for future HIV vaccine development. Place: National Institutes of Health, Natcher Building, 45 Center Drive, Conference Rooms E1/E2, Bethesda, MD 20892. Contact Person: James A. Bradac, PhD, Program Official, Preclinical Research and Development Branch, Division of AIDS, Room 5116, National Institutes of Health/ NIAID, 6700B Rockledge Drive, Bethesda, MD 20892–7628, 301–435–3754, jbradac@mail.nih.gov. In the interest of security, NIH has instituted stringent procedures for entrance onto the NIH campus. All visitor vehicles, including taxicabs, hotel, and airport shuttles will be inspected before being allowed on campus. Visitors will be asked to show one form of identification (for example, a government-issued photo ID, driver’s license, or passport) and to state the purpose of their visit. (Catalogue of Federal Domestic Assistance Program Nos. 93.855, Allergy, Immunology, and Transplantation Research; 93.856, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases Research, National Institutes of Health, HHS) Dated: August 15, 2008. Jennifer Spaeth, Director, Office of Federal Advisory Committee Policy. [FR Doc. E8–19440 Filed 8–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4140–01–M VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 Aug 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 Public Meeting on Amendments to the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) Convention Coast Guard, DHS. Notice of meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will hold a public meeting on issues related to proposed amendments to the Convention of the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO). Background documentation may be found on the Department of State’s Web site: https://www.state.gov/e/eeb/cip/ imso/. DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2008 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 Second Street, SW., Washington, DC. Room 6103. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Jason Smith at (202) 372–1376 or by e-mail to jason.e.smith2@uscg.mil or fax to (202) 372–1925. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This public meeting will discuss proposed Amendments to the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) Convention to Improve Governance and Transparency of IMSO, to provide IMSO with the necessary legal authority to perform its role in the Congressionallymandated Long Range Identification and Tracking of Ships (LRIT) system and to provisionally apply those amendments in advance of their formal entry into force. The amendments are intended to improve the governance and transparency of IMSO oversight and responsibilities that may affect U.S. and non-U.S. mobile satellite services providers. The IMSO is convening its biennial Assembly of Parties meeting September 29–October 3, 2008, in Malta, during which the 92 member governments (Parties) will have the opportunity to consider and act on U.S. proposals (1) to amend the intergovernmental IMSO Convention to improve the governance and transparency of (i) IMSO’s performance of its role in oversight of providers for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and (ii) IMSO’s performance of its role as Coordinator of Long Range Identification and Tracking of ships (LRIT) for the International PO 00000 Frm 00068 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 50049 Maritime Organization’s Maritime Safety Committee (IMO MSC); and (2) to consider whether to provisionally apply those amendments upon their adoption by the IMSO Assembly, pending their formal entry into force. Currently, the IMSO’s authority for oversight of GMDSS services applies exclusively to Inmarsat PLC. In September 2006, the IMSO Assembly adopted amendments to the IMSO Convention that were intended to extend IMSO’s GMDSS oversight to include all mobile satellite service providers, not just Inmarsat PLC. Additionally, in the context of work that has been ongoing in the IMO, the IMSO Assembly of Parties at the same meeting adopted an amendment to the IMSO Convention that purports to authorize IMSO to perform certain review and auditing functions for a new vessel ‘‘LRIT’’ system being developed for maritime security. The United States, along with other Parties, objected to these amendments because they did not contain sufficient elements of transparency for IMSO’s governance and do not provide an adequate legal foundation for IMSO to undertake functions as LRIT Coordinator. Further, at an extraordinary Assembly of Parties meeting in March 2007, a majority of Parties attending the Assembly decided to provisionally apply them, again over the United States’ objection. In the meantime, the Congress has mandated that the Department of Homeland Security develop and implement, consistent with international treaties, conventions, and agreements to which the United States is a party, an LRIT system for all vessels equipped with GMDSS or equivalent technology. See 46 U.S.C. 70115. In a related development, over United States’ objection, the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) decided to recommend, and the IMO Assembly adopted, a resolution mandating that new satellite providers admitted to the GMDSS by the MSC must be overseen by IMSO. See IMO Res. A.1001(25), which revoked and replaced IMO Res. A.888(21). Because of these latter developments, particularly the adoption by the IMO of Res. A.1001, and in order to put the IMSO on a sound legal foundation that will provide sufficient governance and transparency principles for IMSO’s operations in these two new functions, the United States is planning to propose and negotiate a draft set of amendments to the IMSO Convention at the upcoming Assembly of Parties that will accomplish these purposes. The public meeting is intended to solicit public comment on that approach. E:\FR\FM\25AUN1.SGM 25AUN1 50050 Federal Register / Vol. 73, No. 165 / Monday, August 25, 2008 / Notices Public comment will also be solicited on provisional application of those amendments. If provisional application is approved, the Parties would apply those amendments in advance of their formal entry into force under the terms of the IMSO Convention. Formal entry into force under the IMSO Convention requires deposit of an instrument of acceptance with the depositary by 2/3 of the IMSO Parties at the time of adoption. As such, it is not likely to occur for a lengthy period of time. The public meeting will also address other issues that are likely to come before the IMSO Assembly of Parties meeting, including, inter alia, a draft reference Public Services Agreement that guides the terms and conditions of the contractual agreement that satellite service providers would be required to sign before being allowed to provide services for the GMDSS. The Public Services Agreement would require the payment of new fees to the IMSO. Public views and advice are being sought well in advance of the IMSO Assembly. The proposed amendments and other background information relating to this meeting are available at the following Department of State Web site: https:// www.state.gov/e/eeb/cip/imso/. Persons planning to attend this meeting should send their name and nationality by e-mail to jason.e.smith2@uscg.mil or fax to (202) 372–1925 not later than 72 hours before the meeting. Please note that due to security considerations, two valid, government issued photo identifications must be presented to gain entrance to the Headquarters building. The Headquarters building is accessible by taxi and privately owned conveyance (public transportation is not generally available). However, parking in the vicinity of the building is extremely limited. Members of the public are encouraged to participate and join in discussions, subject to the discretion of the moderator. Persons wishing to make formal presentations should provide advance notice to Lieutenant Commander Jason Smith. ebenthall on PRODPC60 with NOTICES Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities For information on facilities or services for individuals with disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact Lieutenant Commander Jason Smith at (202) 372–1376 or by email at jason.e.smith2@uscg.mil as soon as possible. VerDate Aug<31>2005 15:18 Aug 22, 2008 Jkt 214001 Dated: August 21, 2008. William D. Baumgartner, Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Judge Advocate General. [FR Doc. E8–19711 Filed 8–21–08; 11:15 am] BILLING CODE 4910–15–P DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Federal Emergency Management Agency Agency Information Collection Activities: Submission for OMB Review; Comment Request Federal Emergency Management Agency, DHS. ACTION: Notice; 30-day notice and request for comments New Collection, FEMA Form 142–1–1. AGENCY: SUMMARY: The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has submitted the following information collection to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and clearance in accordance with the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The submission describes the nature of the information collection, the categories of respondents, the estimated burden (i.e., the time, effort and resources used by respondents to respond) and cost, and includes the actual data collection instruments FEMA will use. Collection of Information Title: Integrated Public Alert and Warning System (IPAWS) Inventory and Evaluation Survey. OMB Number: 1660–NW40. Abstract: FEMA will be conducting an inventory, evaluation and assessment of the capabilities of Federal, State, local, and tribal government alert and warning systems. The IPAWS Inventory and Evaluation Survey will collect data that will facilitate the integration of public alert and warning systems. It will also reduce Federal planning costs by leveraging existing State systems. Affected Public: State, local or tribal government. Number of Respondents: 1,932. Estimated Time per Respondent: 5 hours. Estimated Total Annual Burden Hours: 9,660. Frequency of Response: Once annually. Comments: Interested persons are invited to submit written comments on the proposed information collection to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs, Office of Management and Budget. Comments should be addressed PO 00000 Frm 00069 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 to Desk Officer for the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, and sent via electronic mail to oira.submission@omb.eop.gov or faxed to (202) 395–6974. Comments must be submitted on or before September 24, 2008. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for additional information or copies of the information collection should be made to Director, Records Management Division, 500 C Street, SW., Drop Box Room 301, Washington, DC 20472, facsimile number (202) 646– 3347, or e-mail address FEMAInformation-Collections@dhs.gov. Dated: August 15, 2008. John A. Sharetts-Sullivan, Director, Records Management Division, Office of Management and Budget, Federal Emergency Management Agency, Department of Homeland Security. [FR Doc. E8–19606 Filed 8–22–08; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 9110–14–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Bureau of Land Management [CO–200–0777–XZ–241A] Notice of Meeting, Front Range Resource Advisory Council (Colorado) Bureau of Land Management, Interior. ACTION: Notice of public meeting. AGENCY: SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Land Policy and Management Act (FLPMA) and the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972 (FACA), the U.S. Department of the Interior, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Front Range Resource Advisory Council (RAC), will meet as indicated below. DATES: The meeting will be held September 30, 2008 from 9:15 a.m. to 4 p.m. ADDRESSES: Bureau of Land Management Royal Gorge Field Office, 3028 E. Main Street, Canon City, Colorado 81212. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: John Dow, (719) 269–8559 SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The 15 member Council advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the Bureau of Land Management, on a variety of planning and management issues associated with public land management in the Royal Gorge Field Office and San Luis Valley, Colorado. Planned agenda topics include: Manager updates on current land management issues including; presentations and E:\FR\FM\25AUN1.SGM 25AUN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 165 (Monday, August 25, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50049-50050]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-19711]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

Coast Guard

[Docket No. USCG-2008-0885]


Public Meeting on Amendments to the International Mobile 
Satellite Organization (IMSO) Convention

AGENCY: Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) will hold a public meeting on 
issues related to proposed amendments to the Convention of the 
International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO). Background 
documentation may be found on the Department of State's Web site: 
https://www.state.gov/e/eeb/cip/imso/.

DATES: The meeting will be held on Thursday, September 4, 2008 from 10 
a.m. to 12 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Coast Guard Headquarters, 2100 
Second Street, SW., Washington, DC. Room 6103.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lieutenant Commander Jason Smith at 
(202) 372-1376 or by e-mail to jason.e.smith2@uscg.mil or fax to (202) 
372-1925.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This public meeting will discuss proposed 
Amendments to the International Mobile Satellite Organization (IMSO) 
Convention to Improve Governance and Transparency of IMSO, to provide 
IMSO with the necessary legal authority to perform its role in the 
Congressionally-mandated Long Range Identification and Tracking of 
Ships (LRIT) system and to provisionally apply those amendments in 
advance of their formal entry into force.
    The amendments are intended to improve the governance and 
transparency of IMSO oversight and responsibilities that may affect 
U.S. and non-U.S. mobile satellite services providers. The IMSO is 
convening its biennial Assembly of Parties meeting September 29-October 
3, 2008, in Malta, during which the 92 member governments (Parties) 
will have the opportunity to consider and act on U.S. proposals (1) to 
amend the intergovernmental IMSO Convention to improve the governance 
and transparency of (i) IMSO's performance of its role in oversight of 
providers for the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) 
and (ii) IMSO's performance of its role as Coordinator of Long Range 
Identification and Tracking of ships (LRIT) for the International 
Maritime Organization's Maritime Safety Committee (IMO MSC); and (2) to 
consider whether to provisionally apply those amendments upon their 
adoption by the IMSO Assembly, pending their formal entry into force.
    Currently, the IMSO's authority for oversight of GMDSS services 
applies exclusively to Inmarsat PLC. In September 2006, the IMSO 
Assembly adopted amendments to the IMSO Convention that were intended 
to extend IMSO's GMDSS oversight to include all mobile satellite 
service providers, not just Inmarsat PLC. Additionally, in the context 
of work that has been ongoing in the IMO, the IMSO Assembly of Parties 
at the same meeting adopted an amendment to the IMSO Convention that 
purports to authorize IMSO to perform certain review and auditing 
functions for a new vessel ``LRIT'' system being developed for maritime 
security. The United States, along with other Parties, objected to 
these amendments because they did not contain sufficient elements of 
transparency for IMSO's governance and do not provide an adequate legal 
foundation for IMSO to undertake functions as LRIT Coordinator. 
Further, at an extraordinary Assembly of Parties meeting in March 2007, 
a majority of Parties attending the Assembly decided to provisionally 
apply them, again over the United States' objection. In the meantime, 
the Congress has mandated that the Department of Homeland Security 
develop and implement, consistent with international treaties, 
conventions, and agreements to which the United States is a party, an 
LRIT system for all vessels equipped with GMDSS or equivalent 
technology. See 46 U.S.C. 70115. In a related development, over United 
States' objection, the IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) decided to 
recommend, and the IMO Assembly adopted, a resolution mandating that 
new satellite providers admitted to the GMDSS by the MSC must be 
overseen by IMSO. See IMO Res. A.1001(25), which revoked and replaced 
IMO Res. A.888(21). Because of these latter developments, particularly 
the adoption by the IMO of Res. A.1001, and in order to put the IMSO on 
a sound legal foundation that will provide sufficient governance and 
transparency principles for IMSO's operations in these two new 
functions, the United States is planning to propose and negotiate a 
draft set of amendments to the IMSO Convention at the upcoming Assembly 
of Parties that will accomplish these purposes. The public meeting is 
intended to solicit public comment on that approach.

[[Page 50050]]

Public comment will also be solicited on provisional application of 
those amendments. If provisional application is approved, the Parties 
would apply those amendments in advance of their formal entry into 
force under the terms of the IMSO Convention. Formal entry into force 
under the IMSO Convention requires deposit of an instrument of 
acceptance with the depositary by 2/3 of the IMSO Parties at the time 
of adoption. As such, it is not likely to occur for a lengthy period of 
time. The public meeting will also address other issues that are likely 
to come before the IMSO Assembly of Parties meeting, including, inter 
alia, a draft reference Public Services Agreement that guides the terms 
and conditions of the contractual agreement that satellite service 
providers would be required to sign before being allowed to provide 
services for the GMDSS. The Public Services Agreement would require the 
payment of new fees to the IMSO. Public views and advice are being 
sought well in advance of the IMSO Assembly.
    The proposed amendments and other background information relating 
to this meeting are available at the following Department of State Web 
site: https://www.state.gov/e/eeb/cip/imso/.
    Persons planning to attend this meeting should send their name and 
nationality by e-mail to jason.e.smith2@uscg.mil or fax to (202) 372-
1925 not later than 72 hours before the meeting. Please note that due 
to security considerations, two valid, government issued photo 
identifications must be presented to gain entrance to the Headquarters 
building. The Headquarters building is accessible by taxi and privately 
owned conveyance (public transportation is not generally available). 
However, parking in the vicinity of the building is extremely limited.
    Members of the public are encouraged to participate and join in 
discussions, subject to the discretion of the moderator. Persons 
wishing to make formal presentations should provide advance notice to 
Lieutenant Commander Jason Smith.

Information on Services for Individuals with Disabilities

    For information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
Lieutenant Commander Jason Smith at (202) 372-1376 or by e-mail at 
jason.e.smith2@uscg.mil as soon as possible.

    Dated: August 21, 2008.
William D. Baumgartner,
Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Judge Advocate General.
[FR Doc. E8-19711 Filed 8-21-08; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-15-P

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