Implementation of New Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology Program, 50030-50032 [2013-19946]
Download as PDF
<![CDATA[
50030
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2013 / Notices
Protection (CBP), the Department has
preliminarily determined that the record
evidence indicates that Terphane
currently had no reviewable entries
during the POR. In addition, the
Department finds that it is not
appropriate to rescind the review with
respect to Terphane but, rather, to
complete the review with respect to
them and issue appropriate instructions
to CBP based on the final results of this
review, as is our recent past practice.3
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Assessment Rates
The Department clarified its
‘‘automatic assessment’’ regulation on
May 6, 2003. This clarification will
apply to entries of subject merchandise
during the POR produced by companies
included in these final results of review
for which these companies did not
know that the merchandise was
destined for the United States. In such
instances, we will instruct CBP to
liquidate un-reviewed entries at the allothers rate if there is no rate for the
intermediate company(ies) involved in
the transaction. For a full discussion of
this clarification, see Antidumping and
Countervailing Duty Proceedings:
Assessment of Antidumping Duties, 68
FR 23954 (May 6, 2003). We intend to
issue assessment instructions directly to
CBP 15 days after publication of the
final results of this review.
Comments
Interested parties are invited to
comment on these preliminary results
and submit written arguments or case
briefs within 30 days after the date of
publication of this notice, unless
otherwise notified by the Department.4
Parties are reminded that written
comments or case briefs are not the
place for submitting new factual
material. Rebuttal briefs, limited to
issues raised in the case briefs, will be
due five days later.5 Parties who submit
case or rebuttal briefs are requested to
submit with each argument: (1) A
statement of the issue; and (2) a brief
summary of the argument. Parties are
requested to provide a summary of the
arguments not to exceed five pages and
a table of statutes, regulations, and cases
cited.
Any interested party who wishes to
request a hearing, or to participate if one
is requested, must submit a written
request to the Assistant Secretary for
3 See, e.g., Certain Frozen Warmwater Shrimp
From Thailand: Preliminary Results of
Antidumping Duty Administrative Review and
Intent To Revoke the Order (in Part); 2011–2012, 78
FR 15686 (March 12, 2013) and the accompanying
Decision Memorandum at 7 to 8.
4 See 19 CFR 351.309(c)(ii).
5 See 19 CFR 351.309(d).
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Aug 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
Import Administration within 30 days
after the day of publication of this
notice. A request should contain: (1)
The party’s name, address, and
telephone number; (2) the number of
participants; and (3) a list of issues to be
discussed.6 Issues raised in the hearing
will be limited to those raised in case
briefs. The Department will issue the
final results of administrative review,
including the results of our analysis of
issues raised in any briefs, within 90
days after the date on which the
preliminary results were issued, unless
the deadline for the final results is
extended.7
Notification to Importers
This notice serves as a preliminary
reminder to the importers of their
responsibility under 19 CFR
351.402(f)(2) to file a certificate
regarding the reimbursement of
antidumping duties prior to liquidation
of the relevant entries during this
review period. Failure to comply with
this requirement could result in the
Secretary’s presumption that
reimbursement of antidumping duties
occurred and the subsequent assessment
of double antidumping duties.
This notice is published in
accordance with sections 751(a)(2)(B)
and 777(i) of the Act and 19 CFR
351.214(f).
Dated: August 2, 2013.
Paul Piquado,
Assistant Secretary for Import
Administration.
BILLING CODE 3510–DS–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
Implementation of New Gulf Coast
Ecosystem Restoration Science,
Observation, Monitoring, and
Technology Program
National Ocean Service (NOS),
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of
Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice; implementation of
competitive research program.
AGENCY:
NOAA announces the
implementation, under the authority of
the Resources and Ecosystem
Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities,
and Revived Economies of the Gulf
Coast States Act (RESTORE Act) of
6 See
7 See
PO 00000
19 CFR 351.310(c).
19 CFR 351.214(i).
Frm 00009
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
I. Introduction
The Resources and Ecosystem
Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities,
and Revived Economies of the Gulf
Coast States Act (RESTORE Act) of 2012
authorized the establishment of a
science, observation, monitoring and
technology program on ecosystem
restoration (RESTORE Act Science
Program). Under Section 1604 of the
RESTORE Act, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA) has been designated with
responsibilities to establish the Program
which is to be funded by 2.5% of the
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Trust
Fund plus twenty-five percent of the
Trust Fund accrued interest.
II. Program Administration
[FR Doc. 2013–19732 Filed 8–15–13; 8:45 am]
SUMMARY:
2012, of a new competitive science
program to ensure the long-term
sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico
ecosystem and the communities that
depend on it.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russ
Beard, Acting Program Director, Gulf
Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science,
Observation, Monitoring, and
Technology Program, National Centers
for Coastal Ocean Science, NOS.
Email:
NOAARestoreScience@noaa.gov.
Phone: 228.688.2936.
Mailing Address: 1021 Balch
Boulevard, Suite 1003, Stennis Space
Center, MS 39529.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
The Program will be housed within
the National Ocean Service’s National
Center for Coastal Ocean Science
(NCCOS). NCCOS’s experience running
competitive science programs focused
on pressing coastal and ocean issues, its
experience working in the Gulf of
Mexico, and its demonstrated ability to
transfer research results to resource
managers makes it a logical home for the
Program. In addition, NOAA established
an Executive Oversight Board consisting
of senior executives representing each of
the NOAA Line Offices, as well as a
senior executive from the US Fish and
Wildlife Service, to oversee continuing
development and implementation of the
program, provide strategic and
programmatic guidance to a Program
Support Team and eventual approval of
the Science and Engagement Plans
developed by the Support Team. The
Program and the Executive Oversight
Board will consult with the RESTORE
Act Council, science advisory bodies
that may be established pursuant to the
Act, and other entities as deemed
appropriate by NOAA or the
Department of Commerce.
E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM
16AUN1
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2013 / Notices
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
III. Guiding Principles, Goals and
Focus Areas
The RESTORE Act Science Program,
including development of a Science
Plan, will be guided by a suite of
principles, including:
1. Requiring an ecosystem approach,
considering the entirety and
connectivity of the system;
2. Integrating and building on existing
research, monitoring, and modeling
efforts and plans (e.g., NRDA science,
Gulf of Mexico States’ Centers of
Excellence, Gulf of Mexico Research
Initiative, Gulf Coast Ecosystem
Restoration Strategy and associated
Science Needs Assessment);
3. Leveraging partnerships established
among federal, state, academics, and
NGOs, and develop new partnerships as
appropriate;
4. Working within a management and
policy framework developed with other
entities in the Gulf, including USFWS,
the Commission, and FMC; and
5. Designing a scalable and modular
approach that adapts to funding
availability, defines the unique roles
and responsibilities of NOAA and
avoids duplication with federal, state,
academic, and NGO activities or NRDA
science efforts.
Numerous documents have been
developed in recent years that identify
science needs in the Gulf of Mexico.
Many of these documents were
produced with extensive stakeholder
input and in consultation with resource
managers throughout the Gulf states. In
development of the Goals for this
program these documents were
referenced to ensure high priority and
recurring needs were captured. The
DRAFT goals presented here were
constructed to be responsive to Section
1604 of the Act and consistent with
science needs identified previously in
the region. The RESTORE Act Science
Program will enable the collection and
dissemination of scientific information
to better inform decision making related
to the following DRAFT goals:
1. Support Healthy, Diverse and
Resilient Coastal Habitats
2. Support Healthy, Diverse and
Sustainable Living Coastal and Marine
Resources
3. Support Sustainably Managed
Fisheries
4. Support Healthy and Well-managed
Offshore Environments
5. Support Healthy, Sustainable, and
Resilient Coastal Communities able to
adapt to a changing environment.
Focusing the activities supported by
this program will help ensure that the
science, observation, monitoring, and
technology advancement are
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Aug 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
coordinated, complement existing and
future science efforts supported and
implemented collaboratively, and
address in an integrated and holistic
manner the critical knowledge needed
for Gulf of Mexico ecosystem restoration
and management. The Focus areas do
not define specific science needs, but
rather encompass a suite of approaches
of scientific study which, when taken
together, will meet the desired outcome
of improved holistic understanding of
the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem. The focus
areas are:
• Periodic ‘‘State of health’’
assessments for the Gulf, incorporating
environmental, socio-economic, and
human well-being information
• Integrated analysis and synthesis of
data—Synthesis and analysis of existing
and new data to understand
interconnections, inform ecosystem
perspective, and produce policyrelevant information
• Ecosystem processes, functioning
and connectivity through integrative
field/laboratory efforts to provide
foundational information to support
restoration planning and
implementation and fisheries science
• Holistic approaches to observing
and monitoring that encompass the next
generation of observing and monitoring
technologies, including those for
fisheries and other natural resources,
and data integration tools focused on
the observing needs in the Gulf of
Mexico
IV. Program Consultation and
Coordination
Section 1604 of the RESTORE Act
specifies that NOAA shall coordinate
with the US Fish and Wildlife Service,
and with ‘‘other existing Federal and
State science and technology programs
in the States of Alabama, Florida,
Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as
well as between the Centers of
Excellence.’’ The Act also requires that
NOAA consult with the Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council and Gulf
States Marine Fisheries Commission ‘‘in
carrying out the program’’. Although
such a provision is not included in the
guidance to the Centers of Excellence
under Section 1605, or in the criminal
settlement agreements funding science
programs for the National Academy of
Sciences, these and other groups also
have acknowledged the need for
coordination.
The USFWS was an active partner
during the program development
process and they continue to engage
fully on the Executive Oversight Board
and on engagement and science
planning working groups. During the
program development, NOAA reached
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
50031
out to both the Regional Gulf of Mexico
Fishery Management Council and the
Gulf States Marine Fisheries
Commission for their input and
feedback to the process. NOAA will
continue direct consultation with both
the Commission and the Council as it
develops and executes the program.
Additionally, several other groups
have or are anticipated to receive
funding as a result of the Deepwater
Horizon oil spill. NOAA believes that it
is imperative that all recipients of
settlement funds derived from the spill
money coordinate science activities to
maximize the benefit to the
environment and people of the Gulf of
Mexico. As the RESTORE Act Science
Program is implemented, NOAA will
continue to actively engage partners,
stakeholders and the public.
V. Next Steps
Development of the Program will be
guided by application of the language of
the Act to the science needs of the
region as described by resource
managers, researchers, residents, and
other stakeholders. Given that the
amount of funds to be made available
and the science priorities of other
programs established under the Act
have yet to be defined, NOAA envisions
that its science investments will evolve
over time, adapting to changing
information and knowledge. As noted
previously, considerable work to
identify science needs has been
conducted in the region and provides an
opportune starting point to frame an
investment strategy. With additional
engagement of partners in the region,
NOAA will develop a science plan that
seeks to achieve a holistic
understanding of the Gulf of Mexico
ecosystem that will contribute
significantly to the science needed for
the long-term sustainability of the Gulf
of Mexico ecosystem, including its
fisheries, and help inform restoration
and management efforts.
NOAA is following a series of steps to
implement the Program including:
• Conducting a review and
assessment of science needs to support
sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico
ecosystem that have been determined
previously;
• Developing a Science Plan
framework that describes the program
and lists a set of draft Goals for
consideration to assist engagement with
partners and stakeholders;
• Engaging partners to identify and
prioritize ecosystem and management
science requirements and gaps,
including but not limited to
coordination with other Trust Fund
recipients;
E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM
16AUN1
50032
Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 159 / Friday, August 16, 2013 / Notices
• Identifying strategic early
investments to assist the integration and
synthesis of science priorities and to
address known priority gaps;
• Conducting competitive processes
for issuing awards for addressing the
science needs;
• Continuing refinement of Science
plan in coordination with partners
through the life of the Program.
NOAA anticipates being able to issue
a focused Federal Funding Opportunity
(FFO)sometime in Fall/Winter, 2013,
contingent upon the regulations
governing the Trust Fund being
finalized. The FFO will be targeted
towards focused areas of investment
derived from reviews of existing plans
and engagement efforts with Gulf
stakeholders being conducted this
summer. This FFO will be announced
through the Federal Register and
grants.gov. Future FFOs will be
announced on grants.gov.
VI. Additional Information
Additional information on the
Program, the draft science framework,
and engagement opportunities can be
found on the Program Web site:
restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov.
Dated: August 12, 2013.
Mary C. Erickson,
Director, National Centers for Coastal Ocean
Science, National Ocean Service.
[FR Doc. 2013–19946 Filed 8–15–13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510–JE–P
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration
[Docket No. 130122061–3061–01]
RIN 0648–XC463
Endangered and Threatened Wildlife;
90-Day Finding on a Petition To List
the Whale Shark as Threatened or
Endangered Under the Endangered
Species Act
National Marine Fisheries
Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA),
Department of Commerce.
ACTION: Notice of 90-day petition
finding.
emcdonald on DSK67QTVN1PROD with NOTICES
AGENCY:
We (NMFS) announce a 90day finding on a petition to list the
whale shark (Rhincodon typus) as
threatened or endangered under the
Endangered Species Act (ESA). We find
that the petition does not present
substantial scientific or commercial
information indicating that the
petitioned action may be warranted.
SUMMARY:
VerDate Mar<15>2010
19:06 Aug 15, 2013
Jkt 229001
Copies of the petition and
related materials are available upon
request from the Director, Office of
Protected Resources, 1315 East West
Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910, or
online at: https://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/
species/negative.htm.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lisa
Manning, Office of Protected Resources,
301–427–8466.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
ADDRESSES:
Background
On December 21, 2012, we received a
petition from the WildEarth Guardians
to list the whale shark (Rhincodon
typus) as threatened or endangered
under the ESA and to designate critical
habitat under the ESA. Copies of this
petition are available from us (see
ADDRESSES).
Section 4(b)(3)(A) of the ESA of 1973,
as amended (U.S.C. 1531 et seq.),
requires, to the maximum extent
practicable, that within 90 days of
receipt of a petition to list a species as
threatened or endangered, the Secretary
of Commerce make a finding on whether
that petition presents substantial
scientific or commercial information
indicating that the petitioned action
may be warranted, and to promptly
publish the finding in the Federal
Register (16 U.S.C. 1533(b)(3)(A)). When
we find that substantial scientific or
commercial information in a petition
indicates the petitioned action may be
warranted (a ‘‘positive 90-day finding’’),
we are required to promptly commence
a review of the status of the species
concerned, which includes conducting a
comprehensive review of the best
available scientific and commercial
information. Within 12 months of
receiving the petition, we must
conclude the review with a finding as to
whether, in fact, the petitioned action is
warranted. Because the finding at the
12-month stage is based on a
significantly more thorough review of
the available information, a ‘‘may be
warranted’’ finding at the 90-day stage
does not prejudge the outcome of the
status review.
Under the ESA, a listing
determination may address a ‘‘species,’’
which is defined to also include
subspecies and, for any vertebrate
species, any distinct population
segment (DPS) that interbreeds when
mature (16 U.S.C. 1532(16)). A joint
NOAA–U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
(USFWS) policy clarifies the agencies’
interpretation of the phrase ‘‘distinct
population segment’’ for the purposes of
listing, delisting, and reclassifying a
species under the ESA (‘‘DPS Policy’’;
61 FR 4722; February 7, 1996). A
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
species, subspecies, or DPS is
‘‘endangered’’ if it is in danger of
extinction throughout all or a significant
portion of its range, and ‘‘threatened’’ if
it is likely to become endangered within
the foreseeable future throughout all or
a significant portion of its range (ESA
sections 3(6) and 3(20), respectively; 16
U.S.C. 1532(6) and (20)). Pursuant to the
ESA and our implementing regulations,
the determination of whether a species
is threatened or endangered shall be
based on any one or a combination of
the following five section 4(a)(1) factors:
The present or threatened destruction,
modification, or curtailment of habitat
or range; overutilization for commercial,
recreational, scientific, or educational
purposes; disease or predation;
inadequacy of existing regulatory
mechanisms; and any other natural or
manmade factors affecting the species’
existence (16 U.S.C. 1533(a)(1), 50 CFR
424.11(c)).
ESA-implementing regulations issued
jointly by NMFS and USFWS (50 CFR
424.14(b)) define ‘‘substantial
information’’ in the context of reviewing
a petition to list, delist, or reclassify a
species as the amount of information
that would lead a reasonable person to
believe that the measure proposed in the
petition may be warranted. When
evaluating whether substantial
information is contained in a petition,
we must consider whether the petition:
(1) Clearly indicates the administrative
measure recommended and gives the
scientific and any common name of the
species involved; (2) contains detailed
narrative justification for the
recommended measure, describing,
based on available information, past and
present numbers and distribution of the
species involved and any threats faced
by the species; (3) provides information
regarding the status of the species over
all or a significant portion of its range;
and (4) is accompanied by the
appropriate supporting documentation
in the form of bibliographic references,
reprints of pertinent publications,
copies of reports or letters from
authorities, and maps (50 CFR
424.14(b)(2)).
At the 90-day stage, we evaluate the
petitioner’s request based upon the
information in the petition including its
references, and the information readily
available in our files. We do not conduct
additional research, and we do not
solicit information from parties outside
the agency to help us in evaluating the
petition. We will accept the petitioner’s
sources and characterizations of the
information presented, if they appear to
be based on accepted scientific
principles, unless we have specific
information in our files that indicates
E:\FR\FM\16AUN1.SGM
16AUN1
]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 159 (Friday, August 16, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 50030-50032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-19946]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Implementation of New Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science,
Observation, Monitoring, and Technology Program
AGENCY: National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC).
ACTION: Notice; implementation of competitive research program.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: NOAA announces the implementation, under the authority of the
Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities, and
Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act) of 2012,
of a new competitive science program to ensure the long-term
sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and the communities that
depend on it.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Russ Beard, Acting Program Director,
Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and
Technology Program, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, NOS.
Email: NOAARestoreScience@noaa.gov.
Phone: 228.688.2936.
Mailing Address: 1021 Balch Boulevard, Suite 1003, Stennis Space
Center, MS 39529.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
I. Introduction
The Resources and Ecosystem Sustainability, Tourist Opportunities,
and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States Act (RESTORE Act) of
2012 authorized the establishment of a science, observation, monitoring
and technology program on ecosystem restoration (RESTORE Act Science
Program). Under Section 1604 of the RESTORE Act, the National Oceanic
and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has been designated with
responsibilities to establish the Program which is to be funded by 2.5%
of the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Trust Fund plus twenty-five
percent of the Trust Fund accrued interest.
II. Program Administration
The Program will be housed within the National Ocean Service's
National Center for Coastal Ocean Science (NCCOS). NCCOS's experience
running competitive science programs focused on pressing coastal and
ocean issues, its experience working in the Gulf of Mexico, and its
demonstrated ability to transfer research results to resource managers
makes it a logical home for the Program. In addition, NOAA established
an Executive Oversight Board consisting of senior executives
representing each of the NOAA Line Offices, as well as a senior
executive from the US Fish and Wildlife Service, to oversee continuing
development and implementation of the program, provide strategic and
programmatic guidance to a Program Support Team and eventual approval
of the Science and Engagement Plans developed by the Support Team. The
Program and the Executive Oversight Board will consult with the RESTORE
Act Council, science advisory bodies that may be established pursuant
to the Act, and other entities as deemed appropriate by NOAA or the
Department of Commerce.
[[Page 50031]]
III. Guiding Principles, Goals and Focus Areas
The RESTORE Act Science Program, including development of a Science
Plan, will be guided by a suite of principles, including:
1. Requiring an ecosystem approach, considering the entirety and
connectivity of the system;
2. Integrating and building on existing research, monitoring, and
modeling efforts and plans (e.g., NRDA science, Gulf of Mexico States'
Centers of Excellence, Gulf of Mexico Research Initiative, Gulf Coast
Ecosystem Restoration Strategy and associated Science Needs
Assessment);
3. Leveraging partnerships established among federal, state,
academics, and NGOs, and develop new partnerships as appropriate;
4. Working within a management and policy framework developed with
other entities in the Gulf, including USFWS, the Commission, and FMC;
and
5. Designing a scalable and modular approach that adapts to funding
availability, defines the unique roles and responsibilities of NOAA and
avoids duplication with federal, state, academic, and NGO activities or
NRDA science efforts.
Numerous documents have been developed in recent years that
identify science needs in the Gulf of Mexico. Many of these documents
were produced with extensive stakeholder input and in consultation with
resource managers throughout the Gulf states. In development of the
Goals for this program these documents were referenced to ensure high
priority and recurring needs were captured. The DRAFT goals presented
here were constructed to be responsive to Section 1604 of the Act and
consistent with science needs identified previously in the region. The
RESTORE Act Science Program will enable the collection and
dissemination of scientific information to better inform decision
making related to the following DRAFT goals:
1. Support Healthy, Diverse and Resilient Coastal Habitats
2. Support Healthy, Diverse and Sustainable Living Coastal and
Marine Resources
3. Support Sustainably Managed Fisheries
4. Support Healthy and Well-managed Offshore Environments
5. Support Healthy, Sustainable, and Resilient Coastal Communities
able to adapt to a changing environment.
Focusing the activities supported by this program will help ensure
that the science, observation, monitoring, and technology advancement
are coordinated, complement existing and future science efforts
supported and implemented collaboratively, and address in an integrated
and holistic manner the critical knowledge needed for Gulf of Mexico
ecosystem restoration and management. The Focus areas do not define
specific science needs, but rather encompass a suite of approaches of
scientific study which, when taken together, will meet the desired
outcome of improved holistic understanding of the Gulf of Mexico
ecosystem. The focus areas are:
Periodic ``State of health'' assessments for the Gulf,
incorporating environmental, socio-economic, and human well-being
information
Integrated analysis and synthesis of data--Synthesis and
analysis of existing and new data to understand interconnections,
inform ecosystem perspective, and produce policy-relevant information
Ecosystem processes, functioning and connectivity through
integrative field/laboratory efforts to provide foundational
information to support restoration planning and implementation and
fisheries science
Holistic approaches to observing and monitoring that
encompass the next generation of observing and monitoring technologies,
including those for fisheries and other natural resources, and data
integration tools focused on the observing needs in the Gulf of Mexico
IV. Program Consultation and Coordination
Section 1604 of the RESTORE Act specifies that NOAA shall
coordinate with the US Fish and Wildlife Service, and with ``other
existing Federal and State science and technology programs in the
States of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas, as well
as between the Centers of Excellence.'' The Act also requires that NOAA
consult with the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and Gulf
States Marine Fisheries Commission ``in carrying out the program''.
Although such a provision is not included in the guidance to the
Centers of Excellence under Section 1605, or in the criminal settlement
agreements funding science programs for the National Academy of
Sciences, these and other groups also have acknowledged the need for
coordination.
The USFWS was an active partner during the program development
process and they continue to engage fully on the Executive Oversight
Board and on engagement and science planning working groups. During the
program development, NOAA reached out to both the Regional Gulf of
Mexico Fishery Management Council and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries
Commission for their input and feedback to the process. NOAA will
continue direct consultation with both the Commission and the Council
as it develops and executes the program.
Additionally, several other groups have or are anticipated to
receive funding as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. NOAA
believes that it is imperative that all recipients of settlement funds
derived from the spill money coordinate science activities to maximize
the benefit to the environment and people of the Gulf of Mexico. As the
RESTORE Act Science Program is implemented, NOAA will continue to
actively engage partners, stakeholders and the public.
V. Next Steps
Development of the Program will be guided by application of the
language of the Act to the science needs of the region as described by
resource managers, researchers, residents, and other stakeholders.
Given that the amount of funds to be made available and the science
priorities of other programs established under the Act have yet to be
defined, NOAA envisions that its science investments will evolve over
time, adapting to changing information and knowledge. As noted
previously, considerable work to identify science needs has been
conducted in the region and provides an opportune starting point to
frame an investment strategy. With additional engagement of partners in
the region, NOAA will develop a science plan that seeks to achieve a
holistic understanding of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem that will
contribute significantly to the science needed for the long-term
sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem, including its
fisheries, and help inform restoration and management efforts.
NOAA is following a series of steps to implement the Program
including:
Conducting a review and assessment of science needs to
support sustainability of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem that have been
determined previously;
Developing a Science Plan framework that describes the
program and lists a set of draft Goals for consideration to assist
engagement with partners and stakeholders;
Engaging partners to identify and prioritize ecosystem and
management science requirements and gaps, including but not limited to
coordination with other Trust Fund recipients;
[[Page 50032]]
Identifying strategic early investments to assist the
integration and synthesis of science priorities and to address known
priority gaps;
Conducting competitive processes for issuing awards for
addressing the science needs;
Continuing refinement of Science plan in coordination with
partners through the life of the Program.
NOAA anticipates being able to issue a focused Federal Funding
Opportunity (FFO)sometime in Fall/Winter, 2013, contingent upon the
regulations governing the Trust Fund being finalized. The FFO will be
targeted towards focused areas of investment derived from reviews of
existing plans and engagement efforts with Gulf stakeholders being
conducted this summer. This FFO will be announced through the Federal
Register and grants.gov. Future FFOs will be announced on grants.gov.
VI. Additional Information
Additional information on the Program, the draft science framework,
and engagement opportunities can be found on the Program Web site:
restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov.
Dated: August 12, 2013.
Mary C. Erickson,
Director, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean
Service.
[FR Doc. 2013-19946 Filed 8-15-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-JE-P
