Establishment of the Advisory Committee for the Sustained National Climate Assessment and Solicitation for Nominations for Membership, 45643-45644 [2015-18781]
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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.
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comments (enter N/A in the required
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anonymous). You may submit
attachments to electronic comments in
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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developed draft guidance for assessing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availability of the draft guidance and a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draft guidance.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
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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/.
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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:
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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:
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17:44 Jul 30, 2015
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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
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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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]]>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]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
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
