Request for Information on the Development of the 2017 National Plan for Civil Earth Observations, 35398-35400 [2016-13010]

Download as PDF 35398 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2016 / Notices Schedule, a Statement of Supporting Justification, a certification of compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a), and an application for non-public treatment of certain materials. It also filed supporting financial workpapers. II. Notice of Commission Action The Commission establishes Docket Nos. MC2016–147 and CP2016–184 to consider the Request pertaining to the proposed Parcel Select Contract 16 product and the related contract, respectively. The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service’s filings in the captioned dockets are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3633, or 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B. Comments are due no later than June 3, 2016. The public portions of these filings can be accessed via the Commission’s Web site (https://www.prc.gov). The Commission appoints Kenneth R. Moeller to serve as Public Representative in these dockets. III. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: 1. The Commission establishes Docket Nos. MC2016–147 and CP2016–184 to consider the matters raised in each docket. 2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Kenneth R. Moeller is appointed to serve as an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in these proceedings (Public Representative). 3. Comments are due no later than June 3, 2016. 4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the Federal Register. By the Commission. Ruth Ann Abrams, Acting Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–13025 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P POSTAL REGULATORY COMMISSION [Docket Nos. MC2016–146 and CP2016–183; Order No. 3327] New Postal Product Postal Regulatory Commission. Notice. asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES AGENCY: ACTION: The Commission is noticing a recent Postal Service filing concerning the addition of Priority Mail Contract 223 to the competitive product list. This notice informs the public of the filing, invites public comment, and takes other administrative steps. DATES: Comments are due: June 3, 2016. SUMMARY: VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:30 Jun 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 Submit comments electronically via the Commission’s Filing Online system at https:// www.prc.gov. Those who cannot submit comments electronically should contact the person identified in the FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section by telephone for advice on filing alternatives. ADDRESSES: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: David A. Trissell, General Counsel, at 202–789–6820. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Table of Contents I. Introduction II. Notice of Commission Action III. Ordering Paragraphs By the Commission. Ruth Ann Abrams, Acting Secretary. I. Introduction In accordance with 39 U.S.C. 3642 and 39 CFR 3020.30–.35, the Postal Service filed a formal request and associated supporting information to add Priority Mail Contract 223 to the competitive product list.1 The Postal Service contemporaneously filed a redacted contract related to the proposed new product under 39 U.S.C. 3632(b)(3) and 39 CFR 3015.5. Request, Attachment B. To support its Request, the Postal Service filed a copy of the contract, a copy of the Governors’ Decision authorizing the product, proposed changes to the Mail Classification Schedule, a Statement of Supporting Justification, a certification of compliance with 39 U.S.C. 3633(a), and an application for non-public treatment of certain materials. It also filed supporting financial workpapers. II. Notice of Commission Action The Commission establishes Docket Nos. MC2016–146 and CP2016–183 to consider the Request pertaining to the proposed Priority Mail Contract 223 product and the related contract, respectively. The Commission invites comments on whether the Postal Service’s filings in the captioned dockets are consistent with the policies of 39 U.S.C. 3632, 3633, or 3642, 39 CFR part 3015, and 39 CFR part 3020, subpart B. Comments are due no later than June 3, 2016. The public portions of these filings can be accessed via the Commission’s Web site (https://www.prc.gov). The Commission appoints Curtis E. Kidd to serve as Public Representative in these dockets. 1 Request of the United States Postal Service to Add Priority Mail Contract 223 to Competitive Product List and Notice of Filing (Under Seal) of Unredacted Governors’ Decision, Contract, and Supporting Data, May 26, 2016 (Request). PO 00000 Frm 00106 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 III. Ordering Paragraphs It is ordered: 1. The Commission establishes Docket Nos. MC2016–146 and CP2016–183 to consider the matters raised in each docket. 2. Pursuant to 39 U.S.C. 505, Curtis E. Kidd is appointed to serve as an officer of the Commission to represent the interests of the general public in these proceedings (Public Representative). 3. Comments are due no later than June 3, 2016. 4. The Secretary shall arrange for publication of this order in the Federal Register. [FR Doc. 2016–13023 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7710–FW–P OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY Request for Information on the Development of the 2017 National Plan for Civil Earth Observations Office of Science and Technology Policy. ACTION: Notice of Request for Information (RFI). AGENCY: On behalf of the U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO), a Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability (CENRS), the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) requests input from all interested parties regarding recommendations for the development of the 2017 National Plan for Civil Earth Observations (‘‘National Plan’’, or ‘‘Plan’’). An electronic template with questions will be posted at www.usgeo.gov. Comments of up to approximately 2,000 characters per question are requested and must be received by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), July 1, 2016 to be considered. The public input provided in response to this Notice will inform the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) as it works with Federal agencies and other stakeholders to develop this Plan. DATES: Responses must be received by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), July 1, 2016, to be considered. ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods. The first method is preferred by OSTP. • Downloadable form: To aid in information collection and analysis, the SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\02JNN1.SGM 02JNN1 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2016 / Notices Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) encourages responses to be provided by filling out the downloadable form located at https:// www.whitehouse.gov/administration/ eop/ostp/library/shareyourinput and emailing that form, as an attachment, to env_energy@ostp.eop. Please include ‘‘National Plan for Civil Earth Observations’’ in the subject line of the message. • Fax: (202) 456–6071. On the cover page, please state ‘‘National Plan for Civil Earth Observations, attn: Timothy Stryker’’. • Mail: Office of Science and Technology Policy, 1650 Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC, 20504. Information submitted by postal mail should be postmarked by July 1, 2016. Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Respondents need not reply to all questions listed. Each individual or institution is requested to submit only one response. OSTP may post responses to this RFI without change, online. OSTP therefore requests that no business proprietary information, copyrighted information, or personally identifiable information be submitted in response to this RFI. Please note that the U.S. Government will not pay for response preparation, or for the use of any information contained in the response. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Stryker, Director, U.S. Group on Earth Observations Program, OSTP. 202–419–3471 tstryker@ostp.eop.gov. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Background The U.S. Government is the world’s largest single provider of civil environmental and Earth-system data. These data are derived from Earth observations collected by numerous Federal agencies and partners in support of their missions and are critical to the protection of human life and property, economic growth, national and homeland security, and scientific research. Federal investments in Earthobservation activities ensure that decision makers, businesses, first responders, farmers, and a wide array of other stakeholders have the information they need about climate and weather; natural hazards; land-use change; ecosystem health; water; natural resources; and other characteristics of the Earth system. Taken together, Earth observations provide the indispensable foundation for meeting the Federal Government’s long-term sustainability objectives and advancing the Nation’s VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:30 Jun 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 societal, environmental, and economic well-being. As the Nation’s capacity to observe the Earth system has grown, however, so has the operating complexity of sustaining and coordinating civil Earthobservation research, operations, and related activities. To address these growing complexities, in October 2010, Congress charged the Director of OSTP with establishing a mechanism to ensure greater coordination of the research, operations, and activities relating to civil Earth observations, including the development of a triennial strategic implementation plan and a process for external independent advisory input (see the National Aeronautics and Space Authorization Act of 2010, Public Law 111–267, Section 702). In response, OSTP coordinated the first-ever Earth Observations Assessment (EOA 2012), a snapshot of the current portfolio of Earth-observing systems and surveys used to meet key Federal civil objectives across thirteen thematic Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs), and released the National Strategy for Civil Earth Observations in April 2013 (‘‘the National Strategy’’, see https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/ default/files/microsites/ostp/nstc_2013_ earthobsstrategy.pdf). OSTP subsequently developed and released the first National Plan for Civil Earth Observations with support of the USGEO Subcommittee in July 2014 (‘‘the 2014 National Plan’’, see https:// www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/ microsites/ostp/NSTC/2014_national_ plan_for_civil_earth_observations.pdf). Based in large part on the results of EOA 2012, the 2014 National Plan established priorities and supporting actions for advancing our civil Earthobservations capabilities and ensuring stable, continuous, and coordinated Earth-observation capabilities for the benefit of society. The 2016 Earth Observation Assessment (EOA 2016), the second iteration of the assessment process, is nearing completion. Conducted by the Assessment Working Group of the U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO) Subcommittee, EOA 2016 will provide foundational input for OSTP to use when developing the second National Plan for Civil Earth Observations (‘‘Plan’’). In addition, other USGEO Subcommittee activities, including an interagency satellite needs-collection process, U.S. engagement in the intergovernmental Group on Earth Observations (GEO) and efforts to advance the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of Earthobservation data products across the PO 00000 Frm 00107 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 35399 Federal Government, will inform the development of the Plan. As EOA 2016 nears completion, OSTP has commenced the development of the Plan and is seeking public advisory input on this process through this RFI. The public input provided in response to this RFI will inform OSTP and USGEO as they work with Federal agencies and other stakeholders to develop the Plan. Following the receipt and review of responses to this RFI, OSTP also intends to host a public meeting as an additional way to collect individual, actionable feedback. This meeting will feature Federal and nonFederal participants and allow for focused discussions on specific questions related to the priorities and supporting actions outlined in the first National Plan. Questions To Inform Development of the National Plan Through this RFI, OSTP seeks responses to the following questions: 1. What services do you provide or research do you do using Federal Earth observation data and information products? Please provide specific examples. 2. What decisions do you make or support using Federal Earth observation data and information products? Please provide specific examples. 3. In the areas listed below, where has the Federal Government been the most, or least, successful and why? Please provide specific examples. You do not need to provide responses to all listed areas—please focus on those most relevant to your work. a. Improving spatial and temporal resolution, sample density, and geographic coverage of measurements from Earth observation systems. b. Developing and deploying new Earth observation systems that address user needs. c. Improving the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of Earth observation data, model output, and derived information products. 4. One important policy goal for Federal agencies has been to improve external users’ ability to find, access, and use Earth observation data and information products. In which of these three areas (finding, accessing, or using) have you witnessed improvements, if any? Please provide specific examples. 5. In the areas listed below, what could the Federal Government do to improve the Earth observations that you rely on? Please provide specific examples. You do not need to provide responses to all listed areas—please focus on those most relevant to your work. E:\FR\FM\02JNN1.SGM 02JNN1 asabaliauskas on DSK3SPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 35400 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 106 / Thursday, June 2, 2016 / Notices a. Maintain current observing systems. b. Incrementally improve or upgrade current observing systems. c. Develop new observing systems with significantly enhanced measurement capabilities. d. Develop new agency practices to improve the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of Earth observation data. 6. On what emerging technologies, techniques, and management practices should the Federal Government focus attention in the next few years to enhance public services, research in the public interest, and fundamental scientific inquiry? 7. What types of partnerships with Federal agencies, such as those listed below, show the most promise to address current gaps in Earth observation coverage and related service provision? Please provide specific examples. You do not need to provide responses to all listed areas—please focus on those most relevant to your work. You are also free to discuss other types of partnerships that are not listed below. a. Cooperative research and development agreements. b. Challenges and prizes. c. Joint ventures for Earth observation system development and operations. d. Citizen science and crowdsourced observations. 8. Is your organization concerned about a potential shortage of workers in the United States who are trained to develop, understand, or use Earth observation data and geospatial information? Please provide specific concerns. 9. What, if any, do you believe were the key accomplishments of the first National Plan and what impact did the National Plan have, if any, on your organization? Please provide specific examples. 10. The first National Plan identified eight Supporting Actions (pp. 20–27) required to maximize the benefits derived from the Nation’s Earth observations. In priority order, they are: Action 1: Coordinate and Integrate Observations Action 2: Improve Data Access, Management, and Interoperability Action 3: Increase Efficiency and Cost Savings Action 4: Improve Observation Density and Sampling Action 5: Maintain and Support Infrastructure Action 6: Explore Commercial Solutions Action 7: Maintain and Strengthen International Collaboration VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:30 Jun 01, 2016 Jkt 238001 Action 8: Engage in Stakeholder-Driven Data Innovation Of the actions listed above most relevant to your work, where has the Federal Government been the most, or least, successful, and why? Please provide specific examples. Ted Wackler, Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Director. [FR Doc. 2016–13010 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3270–F6–P SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION [Release No. IC–32139] Notice of Applications for Deregistration Under Section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 May 27, 2016. The following is a notice of applications for deregistration under section 8(f) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 for the month of May 2016. A copy of each application may be obtained via the Commission’s Web site by searching for the file number, or for an applicant using the Company name box, at https://www.sec.gov/search/ search.htm or by calling (202) 551– 8090. An order granting each application will be issued unless the SEC orders a hearing. Interested persons may request a hearing on any application by writing to the SEC’s Secretary at the address below and serving the relevant applicant with a copy of the request, personally or by mail. Hearing requests should be received by the SEC by 5:30 p.m. on June 21, 2016, and should be accompanied by proof of service on applicants, in the form of an affidavit or, for lawyers, a certificate of service. Pursuant to Rule 0–5 under the Act, hearing requests should state the nature of the writer’s interest, any facts bearing upon the desirability of a hearing on the matter, the reason for the request, and the issues contested. Persons who wish to be notified of a hearing may request notification by writing to the Commission’s Secretary. ADDRESSES: The Commission: Secretary, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–1090. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jessica Shin, Attorney-Adviser, at (202) 551–5921 or Chief Counsel’s Office at (202) 551–6821; SEC, Division of Investment Management, Chief Counsel’s Office, 100 F Street NE., Washington, DC 20549–8010. PO 00000 Frm 00108 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 9990 John Hancock Diversified Income Fund [811–21367] Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. Applicant has never made a public offering of its securities and does not propose to make a public offering or engage in business of any kind. Filing Dates: The application was filed on December 29, 2015, and amended on May 3, 2016 and May 13, 2016. Applicant’s Address: 601 Congress Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. Morgan Stanley Global Infrastructure Fund [811–05415] Summary: Applicant seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. Applicant has transferred its assets to Global Infrastructure Portfolio, a series of Morgan Stanley Institutional Fund, Inc. and, on March 30, 2015, made a final distribution to its shareholders based on net asset value. Expenses of $135,481 incurred in connection with the reorganization were paid by applicant’s investment adviser. Filing Date: The application was filed on May 4, 2016. Applicant’s Address: 522 Fifth Avenue, New York, New York 10036. O’Connor EQUUS [File No. 811–22937] Summary: Applicant, a closed-end investment company, seeks an order declaring that it has ceased to be an investment company. On April 4, 2016, applicant made a liquidating distribution to shareholders, based on net asset value. Expenses incurred in connection with the liquidation were paid by UBS O’Connor LLC, applicant’s investment adviser. Filing Date: The application was filed on April 25, 2016. Applicant’s Address: One Freedom Valley Drive, Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456. For the Commission, by the Division of Investment Management, pursuant to delegated authority. Robert W. Errett, Deputy Secretary. [FR Doc. 2016–13043 Filed 6–1–16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 8011–01–P E:\FR\FM\02JNN1.SGM 02JNN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 106 (Thursday, June 2, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 35398-35400]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-13010]


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OFFICE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY POLICY


Request for Information on the Development of the 2017 National 
Plan for Civil Earth Observations

AGENCY: Office of Science and Technology Policy.

ACTION: Notice of Request for Information (RFI).

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

SUMMARY: On behalf of the U.S. Group on Earth Observations (USGEO), a 
Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) 
Committee on Environment, Natural Resources, and Sustainability 
(CENRS), the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) 
requests input from all interested parties regarding recommendations 
for the development of the 2017 National Plan for Civil Earth 
Observations (``National Plan'', or ``Plan''). An electronic template 
with questions will be posted at www.usgeo.gov. Comments of up to 
approximately 2,000 characters per question are requested and must be 
received by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard Time), July 1, 2016 to be 
considered. The public input provided in response to this Notice will 
inform the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) as it works 
with Federal agencies and other stakeholders to develop this Plan.

DATES: Responses must be received by 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Standard 
Time), July 1, 2016, to be considered.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments by any of the following methods. The 
first method is preferred by OSTP.
     Downloadable form: To aid in information collection and 
analysis, the

[[Page 35399]]

Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) encourages responses to 
be provided by filling out the downloadable form located at https://www.whitehouse.gov/administration/eop/ostp/library/shareyourinput and 
emailing that form, as an attachment, to env_energy@ostp.eop. Please 
include ``National Plan for Civil Earth Observations'' in the subject 
line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 456-6071. On the cover page, please state 
``National Plan for Civil Earth Observations, attn: Timothy Stryker''.
     Mail: Office of Science and Technology Policy, 1650 
Pennsylvania Avenue NW., Washington, DC, 20504. Information submitted 
by postal mail should be postmarked by July 1, 2016.
    Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Respondents need 
not reply to all questions listed. Each individual or institution is 
requested to submit only one response. OSTP may post responses to this 
RFI without change, online. OSTP therefore requests that no business 
proprietary information, copyrighted information, or personally 
identifiable information be submitted in response to this RFI. Please 
note that the U.S. Government will not pay for response preparation, or 
for the use of any information contained in the response.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Timothy Stryker, Director, U.S. Group 
on Earth Observations Program, OSTP. 202-419-3471 
tstryker@ostp.eop.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The U.S. Government is the world's largest single provider of civil 
environmental and Earth-system data. These data are derived from Earth 
observations collected by numerous Federal agencies and partners in 
support of their missions and are critical to the protection of human 
life and property, economic growth, national and homeland security, and 
scientific research.
    Federal investments in Earth-observation activities ensure that 
decision makers, businesses, first responders, farmers, and a wide 
array of other stakeholders have the information they need about 
climate and weather; natural hazards; land-use change; ecosystem 
health; water; natural resources; and other characteristics of the 
Earth system. Taken together, Earth observations provide the 
indispensable foundation for meeting the Federal Government's long-term 
sustainability objectives and advancing the Nation's societal, 
environmental, and economic well-being.
    As the Nation's capacity to observe the Earth system has grown, 
however, so has the operating complexity of sustaining and coordinating 
civil Earth-observation research, operations, and related activities. 
To address these growing complexities, in October 2010, Congress 
charged the Director of OSTP with establishing a mechanism to ensure 
greater coordination of the research, operations, and activities 
relating to civil Earth observations, including the development of a 
triennial strategic implementation plan and a process for external 
independent advisory input (see the National Aeronautics and Space 
Authorization Act of 2010, Public Law 111-267, Section 702). In 
response, OSTP coordinated the first-ever Earth Observations Assessment 
(EOA 2012), a snapshot of the current portfolio of Earth-observing 
systems and surveys used to meet key Federal civil objectives across 
thirteen thematic Societal Benefit Areas (SBAs), and released the 
National Strategy for Civil Earth Observations in April 2013 (``the 
National Strategy'', see https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/nstc_2013_earthobsstrategy.pdf).
    OSTP subsequently developed and released the first National Plan 
for Civil Earth Observations with support of the USGEO Subcommittee in 
July 2014 (``the 2014 National Plan'', see https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/microsites/ostp/NSTC/2014_national_plan_for_civil_earth_observations.pdf). Based in large 
part on the results of EOA 2012, the 2014 National Plan established 
priorities and supporting actions for advancing our civil Earth-
observations capabilities and ensuring stable, continuous, and 
coordinated Earth-observation capabilities for the benefit of society.
    The 2016 Earth Observation Assessment (EOA 2016), the second 
iteration of the assessment process, is nearing completion. Conducted 
by the Assessment Working Group of the U.S. Group on Earth Observations 
(USGEO) Subcommittee, EOA 2016 will provide foundational input for OSTP 
to use when developing the second National Plan for Civil Earth 
Observations (``Plan''). In addition, other USGEO Subcommittee 
activities, including an interagency satellite needs-collection 
process, U.S. engagement in the intergovernmental Group on Earth 
Observations (GEO) and efforts to advance the discoverability, 
accessibility, and usability of Earth-observation data products across 
the Federal Government, will inform the development of the Plan.
    As EOA 2016 nears completion, OSTP has commenced the development of 
the Plan and is seeking public advisory input on this process through 
this RFI. The public input provided in response to this RFI will inform 
OSTP and USGEO as they work with Federal agencies and other 
stakeholders to develop the Plan. Following the receipt and review of 
responses to this RFI, OSTP also intends to host a public meeting as an 
additional way to collect individual, actionable feedback. This meeting 
will feature Federal and non-Federal participants and allow for focused 
discussions on specific questions related to the priorities and 
supporting actions outlined in the first National Plan.

Questions To Inform Development of the National Plan

    Through this RFI, OSTP seeks responses to the following questions:
    1. What services do you provide or research do you do using Federal 
Earth observation data and information products? Please provide 
specific examples.
    2. What decisions do you make or support using Federal Earth 
observation data and information products? Please provide specific 
examples.
    3. In the areas listed below, where has the Federal Government been 
the most, or least, successful and why? Please provide specific 
examples. You do not need to provide responses to all listed areas--
please focus on those most relevant to your work.
    a. Improving spatial and temporal resolution, sample density, and 
geographic coverage of measurements from Earth observation systems.
    b. Developing and deploying new Earth observation systems that 
address user needs.
    c. Improving the discoverability, accessibility, and usability of 
Earth observation data, model output, and derived information products.
    4. One important policy goal for Federal agencies has been to 
improve external users' ability to find, access, and use Earth 
observation data and information products. In which of these three 
areas (finding, accessing, or using) have you witnessed improvements, 
if any? Please provide specific examples.
    5. In the areas listed below, what could the Federal Government do 
to improve the Earth observations that you rely on? Please provide 
specific examples. You do not need to provide responses to all listed 
areas--please focus on those most relevant to your work.

[[Page 35400]]

    a. Maintain current observing systems.
    b. Incrementally improve or upgrade current observing systems.
    c. Develop new observing systems with significantly enhanced 
measurement capabilities.
    d. Develop new agency practices to improve the discoverability, 
accessibility, and usability of Earth observation data.
    6. On what emerging technologies, techniques, and management 
practices should the Federal Government focus attention in the next few 
years to enhance public services, research in the public interest, and 
fundamental scientific inquiry?
    7. What types of partnerships with Federal agencies, such as those 
listed below, show the most promise to address current gaps in Earth 
observation coverage and related service provision? Please provide 
specific examples. You do not need to provide responses to all listed 
areas--please focus on those most relevant to your work. You are also 
free to discuss other types of partnerships that are not listed below.
    a. Cooperative research and development agreements.
    b. Challenges and prizes.
    c. Joint ventures for Earth observation system development and 
operations.
    d. Citizen science and crowdsourced observations.
    8. Is your organization concerned about a potential shortage of 
workers in the United States who are trained to develop, understand, or 
use Earth observation data and geospatial information? Please provide 
specific concerns.
    9. What, if any, do you believe were the key accomplishments of the 
first National Plan and what impact did the National Plan have, if any, 
on your organization? Please provide specific examples.
    10. The first National Plan identified eight Supporting Actions 
(pp. 20-27) required to maximize the benefits derived from the Nation's 
Earth observations. In priority order, they are:

Action 1: Coordinate and Integrate Observations
Action 2: Improve Data Access, Management, and Interoperability
Action 3: Increase Efficiency and Cost Savings
Action 4: Improve Observation Density and Sampling
Action 5: Maintain and Support Infrastructure
Action 6: Explore Commercial Solutions
Action 7: Maintain and Strengthen International Collaboration
Action 8: Engage in Stakeholder-Driven Data Innovation

    Of the actions listed above most relevant to your work, where has 
the Federal Government been the most, or least, successful, and why? 
Please provide specific examples.

Ted Wackler,
Deputy Chief of Staff and Assistant Director.
[FR Doc. 2016-13010 Filed 6-1-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3270-F6-P
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