Establishment of the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment and Solicitation for Nominations for Membership, 45643-45644 [2015-18781]

Download as PDF asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / Notices submitted by the commenter may be publicly accessible. Do not submit Confidential Business Information or otherwise sensitive or protected information. NMFS will accept anonymous comments (enter N/A in the required fields, if you wish to remain anonymous). You may submit attachments to electronic comments in Microsoft Word, Excel, WordPerfect, or Adobe PDF file formats only. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Amy Scholik-Schlomer, Office of Protected Resources, 301–427–8449, Amy.Scholik@noaa.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA has developed draft guidance for assessing the effects of anthropogenic sound on the hearing of marine mammal species under NOAA’s jurisdiction (i.e., whales, dolphins, porpoises, seals and sea lions). Specifically, the guidance identifies the received levels, or thresholds, above which individual marine mammals are predicted to experience changes in their hearing sensitivity (either temporary or permanent) for all underwater anthropogenic sound sources. This guidance is intended to be used by NOAA analysts and managers and other relevant user groups and stakeholders, including other federal agencies, when seeking to determine whether and how their activities are expected to result in particular types of impacts to marine mammals via acoustic exposure. The document outlines NOAA’s updated acoustic threshold level, describes in detail how the thresholds were developed, and explains how they will be updated in the future. NOAA published a Federal Register Notice on December 27, 2013, announcing the availability of the draft guidance and a 30-day public comment period (78 FR 78822), which was extended another 45 days based upon public request on January 29, 2014 (79 FR 4672). Please refer to these Federal Register Notices for additional background about the draft guidance. While NOAA was in the process of evaluating and addressing public comments, the U.S. Navy updated its methodology for the development of marine mammal auditory weighting functions and acoustic threshold levels. NOAA evaluated the proposed methodology and preliminarily determined that it reflects the best available science. Accordingly, we have incorporated it into our draft guidance. NOAA also re-evaluated its methods for defining threshold usage for sources characterized as ‘‘impulsive’’ or ‘‘nonimpulsive’’ based on comments received VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Jul 30, 2015 Jkt 235001 during the initial public comment period. As a result, NOAA is now soliciting public comment, via this second public comment period, on this revised version of the draft guidance that incorporates these changes. Updated sections can be found in the following locations: (1) A summary of the updated draft acoustic threshold levels and marine mammal auditory weighting functions is in the main body of the document, with additional details provided in Appendix A (Navy Technical Report); (2) NOAA’s proposed methodology for defining threshold usage for sources characterized as ‘‘impulsive’’ or ‘‘non-impulsive’’ is in Section 2.3.1 of the main document, with additional details in Appendix C; (3) a new appendix identifying research recommendations and data gaps in response to comments submitted during the initial public comment period is Appendix D; and a new appendix providing optional alternative methodology for user groups unable to apply the guidance’s more complex acoustic threshold levels and auditory weighting functions is Appendix E. Before the guidance is finalized, NOAA will address substantive public comments received from the initial public comment period, as well as from this second public comment period. Therefore, NOAA encourages the public to currently focus comments on the revised and new sections of the document. We are particularly interested in identification of any additional datasets for inclusion in the assessment, comments on our proposed methodology for transitioning from ‘‘impulsive’’ to ‘‘non-impulsive’’ acoustic threshold levels, and evaluation of the methodology associated with updated marine mammal auditory weighting functions and acoustic thresholds. The guidance is classified as a Highly Influential Scientific Assessment by the Office of Management and Budget. As such, independent peer review is required prior to broad public dissemination by the Federal Government. NOAA recently conducted two independent peer reviews in association with the revised draft guidance (in addition to the peer review on the first draft of the guidance). Details of both peer reviews can be found within the draft guidance and at the following Web site: https:// www.nmfs.noaa.gov/pr/acoustics/. PO 00000 Frm 00005 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 45643 Dated: July 27, 2015. Perry F. Gayaldo, Deputy Director, Office of Protected Resources, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2015–18790 Filed 7–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Establishment of the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment and Solicitation for Nominations for Membership National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment and solicitation for nominations for membership. AGENCY: Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Commerce has determined that the establishment of the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment (Committee) is necessary and in the public interest. Accordingly, NOAA has chartered the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment. NOAA is also soliciting nominations for membership on the Committee. The Committee’s mission is to provide advice on sustained National Climate Assessment activities and products to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (Under Secretary) who will forward the advice to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP). The Committee’s scope is—as requested by the Under Secretary—to advise on the engagement of stakeholders and on sustained assessment activities and the quadrennial National Climate Assessment report. Points of View: Individuals are sought with expertise in communications, engagement, and education; risk management and risk assessment; economics and social sciences; technology, tools, and data systems; and other disciplines relevant to the sustained National Climate Assessment process. In addition, individuals are sought with expertise in climate change and variability, spanning the range from climate science (physical, biological, chemical) to impacts and societal responses. Individuals with experience in the private sector, academia, public sector, non-governmental organizations, SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\31JYN1.SGM 31JYN1 45644 Federal Register / Vol. 80, No. 147 / Friday, July 31, 2015 / Notices and others will all be given consideration. Nominations: Interested persons may nominate themselves or third parties. Applications: An application is required to be considered for membership, regardless of whether a person is nominated by a third party or self-nominated. The application package must include: (1) The nominee’s full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact information; (2) the nominee’s area(s) of expertise; (3) a short description of his/her qualifications relative to the kinds of advice being solicited by NOAA in this Notice; and (4) a current resume (maximum length four pages). Information obtained as a result of this request may be used by the government for program planning on a non-attribution basis. Do not include any information that might be considered proprietary or confidential. If selected, members will be appointed as special government employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethical standards applicable to SGEs. They will also be asked to certify that they are not required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and that they are not Federallyregistered lobbyists. DATES: Nominations should be submitted via the web address specified below and must be received by fortyfive (45) days after this notice is published. Applications should be submitted electronically via https:// globalchange.gov/notices. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Therese Cloyd, NCA Public Participation and Engagement Coordinator, U.S. Global Change Research Program Office, Telephone (202) 223–6262, Fax (202) 223–3064, Email ecloyd@usgcrp.gov. For more information on the NCA process, please visit https:// assessment.globalchange.gov. ADDRESSES: The U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), the principal program responsible for coordinating and integrating U.S. federal research on climate change. Under the Global Change Research Act of 1990, the USGCRP is responsible for producing the National Climate Assessment, the last iteration of which was published in May 2014. The USGCRP is now building a process to ensure all future assessments are responsive to stakeholder needs, scientifically credible and conducted in an efficient manner, coordinating the efforts of partners both inside and outside of the asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: VerDate Sep<11>2014 17:44 Jul 30, 2015 Jkt 235001 government. It is the goal of the USGCRP to create a sustainable assessment process that involves networks of participants in regions and sectors across the country in addition to engaging federal scientists in multiple agencies. This will enable assessment activities and products to address national, regional, sectoral, and topical needs over time and to serve important policy and science objectives. Establishing an ongoing, consistent, and replicable approach to assessment of current and projected climate impacts and climate-related risk will help identify opportunities as well as hazards associated with changes in climate conditions. It will also support U.S. contributions to international assessment, adaptation and mitigation programs. This information can be used to prioritize federal activities that support adaptation and mitigation decisions in the federal government as well as within states, regions, and sectors and to continuously reassess priorities for federal science investments. The Committee will consist of nongovernment experts who will advise on the engagement of stakeholders and on sustained assessment activities and the quadrennial National Climate Assessment report. Within the scope of its mission, the Committee’s specific objective is to provide advice on a sustained National Climate Assessment process that: 1. Integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the U.S. Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and discusses the scientific uncertainties with such findings; 2. Analyzes the effects of current and projected climate change upon ecosystems and biological diversity, agriculture, energy production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human health and welfare, and social systems, including in a regional context; 3. Analyzes current trends in global change, both human-induced and natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years; 4. Is a continuing, inclusive National process that synthesizes relevant science and information about changes in the Earth system as they affect the Nation’s climate, and about how such changes relate to and interact with changes in social, economic, ecological, and technological systems; 5. Addresses risk-based vulnerabilities for business and industry as related to the impacts of weather and climate variations and changes; and PO 00000 Frm 00006 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 6. Supports climate-related decisions by providing information in formats that are useful to decision support. To assure a balanced representation of views among preeminent scientists, engineers, educators, and other experts reflecting the full scope of issues addressed in the National Climate Assessment and/or relevant to the sustained national assessment process, the Committee will consist of fifteen (15) non-Federal members. The Under Secretary, in consultation with the Director of OSTP, shall select and appoint members. Members will be selected for appointment on a clear and standardized basis in accordance with Department of Commerce guidance. Each member shall be appointed for a term of one, two, or three years and shall serve at the discretion of the Under Secretary. Thereafter, members may be reappointed for successive terms of two years. To the extent possible, not more than one-third of the total membership shall change in any one year. Members will be appointed as special government employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethical standards applicable to SGEs. Members are reimbursed for actual and reasonable travel and per diem expenses incurred in performing such duties, but will not be reimbursed for their time. As a Federal Advisory Committee, the Committee’s membership is required to be balanced in terms of viewpoints represented and the functions to be performed as well as the interests of geographic regions of the country and the diverse sectors of U.S. society. The Committee is expected to meet in person at least once each year, plus additional teleconferences or subgroup meetings. Committee members must be willing to serve as liaisons to Committee subgroups and/or participate in reviews and activities as requested by the Under Secretary. The Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment will function solely as an advisory body and in compliance with provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Copies of the charter will be filed with the appropriate Committees of the Congress and with the Library of Congress. Dated: July 27, 2015. Christine Blackburn, Deputy Chief of Staff, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2015–18781 Filed 7–30–15; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P E:\FR\FM\31JYN1.SGM 31JYN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 147 (Friday, July 31, 2015)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45643-45644]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-18781]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Establishment of the Advisory Committee for the Sustained 
National Climate Assessment and Solicitation for Nominations for 
Membership

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

ACTION: Notice of establishment of the Advisory Committee for the 
Sustained National Climate Assessment and solicitation for nominations 
for membership.

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

SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Commerce has 
determined that the establishment of the Advisory Committee for the 
Sustained National Climate Assessment (Committee) is necessary and in 
the public interest. Accordingly, NOAA has chartered the Advisory 
Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment. NOAA is also 
soliciting nominations for membership on the Committee.
    The Committee's mission is to provide advice on sustained National 
Climate Assessment activities and products to the Under Secretary of 
Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere (Under Secretary) who will forward 
the advice to the Director of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy (OSTP). The Committee's scope is--as requested by the Under 
Secretary--to advise on the engagement of stakeholders and on sustained 
assessment activities and the quadrennial National Climate Assessment 
report.
    Points of View: Individuals are sought with expertise in 
communications, engagement, and education; risk management and risk 
assessment; economics and social sciences; technology, tools, and data 
systems; and other disciplines relevant to the sustained National 
Climate Assessment process. In addition, individuals are sought with 
expertise in climate change and variability, spanning the range from 
climate science (physical, biological, chemical) to impacts and 
societal responses. Individuals with experience in the private sector, 
academia, public sector, non-governmental organizations,

[[Page 45644]]

and others will all be given consideration.
    Nominations: Interested persons may nominate themselves or third 
parties.
    Applications: An application is required to be considered for 
membership, regardless of whether a person is nominated by a third 
party or self-nominated. The application package must include: (1) The 
nominee's full name, title, institutional affiliation, and contact 
information; (2) the nominee's area(s) of expertise; (3) a short 
description of his/her qualifications relative to the kinds of advice 
being solicited by NOAA in this Notice; and (4) a current resume 
(maximum length four pages). Information obtained as a result of this 
request may be used by the government for program planning on a non-
attribution basis. Do not include any information that might be 
considered proprietary or confidential.
    If selected, members will be appointed as special government 
employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethical standards 
applicable to SGEs. They will also be asked to certify that they are 
not required to register under the Foreign Agents Registration Act, and 
that they are not Federally-registered lobbyists.

DATES: Nominations should be submitted via the web address specified 
below and must be received by forty-five (45) days after this notice is 
published.

ADDRESSES: Applications should be submitted electronically via https://globalchange.gov/notices.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Emily Therese Cloyd, NCA Public 
Participation and Engagement Coordinator, U.S. Global Change Research 
Program Office, Telephone (202) 223-6262, Fax (202) 223-3064, Email 
ecloyd@usgcrp.gov. For more information on the NCA process, please 
visit https://assessment.globalchange.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Global Change Research Program 
(USGCRP), the principal program responsible for coordinating and 
integrating U.S. federal research on climate change. Under the Global 
Change Research Act of 1990, the USGCRP is responsible for producing 
the National Climate Assessment, the last iteration of which was 
published in May 2014. The USGCRP is now building a process to ensure 
all future assessments are responsive to stakeholder needs, 
scientifically credible and conducted in an efficient manner, 
coordinating the efforts of partners both inside and outside of the 
government. It is the goal of the USGCRP to create a sustainable 
assessment process that involves networks of participants in regions 
and sectors across the country in addition to engaging federal 
scientists in multiple agencies. This will enable assessment activities 
and products to address national, regional, sectoral, and topical needs 
over time and to serve important policy and science objectives. 
Establishing an ongoing, consistent, and replicable approach to 
assessment of current and projected climate impacts and climate-related 
risk will help identify opportunities as well as hazards associated 
with changes in climate conditions. It will also support U.S. 
contributions to international assessment, adaptation and mitigation 
programs. This information can be used to prioritize federal activities 
that support adaptation and mitigation decisions in the federal 
government as well as within states, regions, and sectors and to 
continuously reassess priorities for federal science investments.
    The Committee will consist of non-government experts who will 
advise on the engagement of stakeholders and on sustained assessment 
activities and the quadrennial National Climate Assessment report. 
Within the scope of its mission, the Committee's specific objective is 
to provide advice on a sustained National Climate Assessment process 
that:
    1. Integrates, evaluates, and interprets the findings of the U.S. 
Global Change Research Program (USGCRP) and discusses the scientific 
uncertainties with such findings;
    2. Analyzes the effects of current and projected climate change 
upon ecosystems and biological diversity, agriculture, energy 
production and use, land and water resources, transportation, human 
health and welfare, and social systems, including in a regional 
context;
    3. Analyzes current trends in global change, both human-induced and 
natural, and projects major trends for the subsequent 25 to 100 years;
    4. Is a continuing, inclusive National process that synthesizes 
relevant science and information about changes in the Earth system as 
they affect the Nation's climate, and about how such changes relate to 
and interact with changes in social, economic, ecological, and 
technological systems;
    5. Addresses risk-based vulnerabilities for business and industry 
as related to the impacts of weather and climate variations and 
changes; and
    6. Supports climate-related decisions by providing information in 
formats that are useful to decision support.
    To assure a balanced representation of views among preeminent 
scientists, engineers, educators, and other experts reflecting the full 
scope of issues addressed in the National Climate Assessment and/or 
relevant to the sustained national assessment process, the Committee 
will consist of fifteen (15) non-Federal members. The Under Secretary, 
in consultation with the Director of OSTP, shall select and appoint 
members.
    Members will be selected for appointment on a clear and 
standardized basis in accordance with Department of Commerce guidance. 
Each member shall be appointed for a term of one, two, or three years 
and shall serve at the discretion of the Under Secretary. Thereafter, 
members may be reappointed for successive terms of two years. To the 
extent possible, not more than one-third of the total membership shall 
change in any one year. Members will be appointed as special government 
employees (SGEs) and will be subject to the ethical standards 
applicable to SGEs. Members are reimbursed for actual and reasonable 
travel and per diem expenses incurred in performing such duties, but 
will not be reimbursed for their time. As a Federal Advisory Committee, 
the Committee's membership is required to be balanced in terms of 
viewpoints represented and the functions to be performed as well as the 
interests of geographic regions of the country and the diverse sectors 
of U.S. society.
    The Committee is expected to meet in person at least once each 
year, plus additional teleconferences or subgroup meetings. Committee 
members must be willing to serve as liaisons to Committee subgroups 
and/or participate in reviews and activities as requested by the Under 
Secretary.
    The Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate 
Assessment will function solely as an advisory body and in compliance 
with provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act. Copies of the 
charter will be filed with the appropriate Committees of the Congress 
and with the Library of Congress.

    Dated: July 27, 2015.
Christine Blackburn,
Deputy Chief of Staff, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2015-18781 Filed 7-30-15; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3510-22-P
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