Request for Information; Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone, 64448-64449 [2020-22413]

Download as PDF 64448 Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 13, 2020 / Notices Dated: October 7, 2020. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–22554 Filed 10–9–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration [RTID 0648–XA525] Fisheries of the South Atlantic; Southeast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR); Public Meeting National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Commerce. ACTION: Notice of SEDAR 65 Review Workshop for HMS Atlantic Blacktip Shark. AGENCY: The SEDAR 65 assessment of the Atlantic stock of Blacktip Shark will consist of a series of workshops and webinars: Stock Identification (ID) Workshop; Stock ID Review Workshop; Stock ID Joint Cooperator Technical Review; Data Workshop; Assessment Webinars; and a Review Workshop. See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. DATES: The SEDAR 65 Review Workshop will be held via webinar on October 29 and 30, 2020 from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. EDT and November 2, 4, and 5, 2020, from 12 p.m. until 5 p.m. EST. The established times may be adjusted as necessary to accommodate the timely completion of discussion relevant to the assessment process. Such adjustments may result in the meeting being extended from or completed prior to the time established by this notice. ADDRESSES: Meeting address: The SEDAR 65 Review Workshop will be held via webinar. The webinar is open to members of the public. Registration is available online at: https:// attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/ 4363248477396410380. SEDAR address: South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, N Charleston, SC 29405; www.sedarweb.org. khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES SUMMARY: FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kathleen Howington, SEDAR Coordinator, 4055 Faber Place Drive, Suite 201, North Charleston, SC 29405; phone: (843) 571–4366; email: Kathleen.howington@safmc.net. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:52 Oct 09, 2020 Jkt 253001 Caribbean Fishery Management Councils, in conjunction with NOAA Fisheries and the Atlantic and Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commissions, have implemented the Southeast Data, Assessment and Review (SEDAR) process, a multi-step method for determining the status of fish stocks in the Southeast Region. SEDAR is a threestep process including: (1) Data Workshop; (2) Assessment Process utilizing webinars; and (3) Review Workshop. The product of the Data Workshop is a data report which compiles and evaluates potential datasets and recommends which datasets are appropriate for assessment analyses. The product of the Assessment Process is a stock assessment report which describes the fisheries, evaluates the status of the stock, estimates biological benchmarks, projects future population conditions, and recommends research and monitoring needs. The assessment is independently peer reviewed at the Review Workshop. The product of the Review Workshop is a Summary documenting panel opinions regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the stock assessment and input data. Participants for SEDAR Workshops are appointed by the Gulf of Mexico, South Atlantic, and Caribbean Fishery Management Councils and NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office, Highly Migratory Species Management Division, and Southeast Fisheries Science Center. Participants include: Data collectors and database managers; stock assessment scientists, biologists, and researchers; constituency representatives including fishermen, environmentalists, and nongovernmental organizations (NGOs); international experts; and staff of Councils, Commissions, and state and federal agencies. The items of discussion at the Review Workshop are as follows: • Review the stock assessment report and determine if it is scientifically sound. Although non-emergency issues not contained in this agenda may come before this group for discussion, those issues may not be the subject of formal action during this meeting. Action will be restricted to those issues specifically identified in this notice and any issues arising after publication of this notice that require emergency action under section 305(c) of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, provided the public has been notified of the intent to take final action to address the emergency. PO 00000 Frm 00008 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 Special Accommodations This meeting is accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for auxiliary aids should be directed to the SAFMC office (see ADDRESSES) at least 10 business days prior to the meeting. Note: The times and sequence specified in this agenda are subject to change. Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1801 et seq. Dated: October 7, 2020. Tracey L. Thompson, Acting Deputy Director, Office of Sustainable Fisheries, National Marine Fisheries Service. [FR Doc. 2020–22553 Filed 10–9–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–22–P DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Request for Information; Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). ACTION: Notice of public comment. AGENCY: On behalf of the Ocean Policy Committee, Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee, and the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) as CoChairs of the Ocean Policy Committee, the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council (NOMEC Council) requests input from all interested parties on the development of an Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (U.S. EEZ)(‘‘National Strategy’’). Through this Request for Information (RFI), the NOMEC Council seeks input from the public to recommend exploration and characterization priorities to be included in the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy. SUMMARY: Comments must be received by October 30, 2020 November 12, 2020. ADDRESSES: A copy of the National Strategy may be downloaded or viewed at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wpcontent/uploads/2020/01/20200611FINAL-STRATEGY-NOMEC-Sec.-2.pdf Responses should be submitted via email to nomec.execsec@noaa.gov. Include ‘‘Public Comment on DATES: E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1 khammond on DSKJM1Z7X2PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 85, No. 198 / Tuesday, October 13, 2020 / Notices Exploration Priorities for the Implementation Plan’’ in the subject line of the message. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender is publicly accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous comments. Clearly indicate which section and page number, if applicable, submitted comments pertain to. All submissions must be in English. Please note that the U.S. Government will not pay for responsible preparation, or for the use of any information contained in the response. Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Respondent needs not reply to all questions listed. For all submissions, clearly indicate which questions are being answered. Email attachments will be accepted in plain text, Microsoft Word, or Adobe PDF formats only. Each individual or institution is requested to submit only one response. OSTP may post responses to this RFI, without change, on a Federal website. NOAA, 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: National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization (NOMEC) Council Co-Chairs; Dr. Alan Leonardi, NOAA, alan.leonardi@noaa.gov, 301–734–1016; RDML Shepard Smith, NOAA, shep.smith@noaa.gov, 202–510–5561; Dr. John Haines, USGS, jhaines@ usgs.gov, 703–648–6422. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum, Ocean Mapping of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and the Shoreline and Nearshore of Alaska, 84 FR 64699 (Nov. 19, 2020), the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council (NOMEC Council), on behalf of the Director of the OSTP and the Chairman of the CEQ, in their capacity as Co-Chairs of the Ocean Policy Committee, working through its Ocean Science and Technology Subcommittee and in coordination with the Administrator of NOAA, are developing an Implementation Plan for the National Strategy. The NOMEC Council has commenced development of the Implementation Plan and is soliciting public input through this RFI to obtain information from a wide range of stakeholders, including academia, VerDate Sep<11>2014 18:52 Oct 09, 2020 Jkt 253001 private industry, and other relevant organizations and institutions. The public input provided in response to this RFI will inform the NOMEC Council as it continues to identify strategic priorities for Exploration and Characterization within the Implementation Plan. Questions To Inform Development of the Implementation Plan Through this RFI, the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council seeks responses to the following questions to inform the Exploration and Characterization priorities for an Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization. 1. NOMEC Strategy Goal 3.1 ‘‘Identify Strategic Priorities’’ describes the need for strategic ocean exploration and characterization priorities and lists some examples. What do you feel are the most important strategic national priorities for exploration and characterization efforts in the deep sea (depth >40 m)? These can be specific geographic areas within the U.S. EEZ or thematic/topical issue priorities. 2. What are the most important questions for exploration and characterization to address? 3. What are the most important data variables that need to be measured, and what are the most valuable physical samples to collect; to conduct baseline exploration and characterization? 4. What novel or established tools, platforms, and technologies could advance our capability to explore, and characterize the U.S. EEZ more efficiently and effectively? To the extent innovative capabilities already exist, but are not being effectively used, what are the barriers to adopting them? How can these barriers be overcome? 5. Deep waters within the U.S. EEZ host a wide variety of habitats and geomorphological features (e.g., continental shelves, canyons, seamounts, trenches, abyssal plains, and mesopelagic and bathypelagic zones of the water column). Which ones of these do you think are most important to explore to address the priority questions you identified above? 6. How can artificial intelligence and machine learning be used to guide planning, execution, and analysis of exploration and characterization activities? 7. How should the data generated by implementation of the Strategy be managed so that it is most accessible and useful (file formats, compatibility, etc.) to public and private sectors? PO 00000 Frm 00009 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 64449 Dated: September 24, 2020. David Holst, Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. [FR Doc. 2020–22413 Filed 10–9–20; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3510–KD–P DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE Department of the Army U.S. Army Science Board; Notice of Federal Advisory Committee Meeting Department of the Army, DoD. Notice of Federal Advisory Committee meeting. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Army is publishing this notice to announce the following Federal Advisory Committee meeting of the U.S. Army Science Board (ASB). This meeting is open to the public. DATES: Thursday, October 22, 2020. Time: 9:00 a.m.–4:30 p.m. This meeting will be open but with required COVID– 19 precautions. ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at Bell Textron, 2231 Crystal Drive, Suite 1010, Arlington, VA 22202. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Heather J. Gerard, (703) 545–8652, heather.j.gerardi.civ@mail.mil or Ms. Gloria Mudge at gloria.l.mudge.civ@ mail.mil. Mailing address is Army Science Board, 2530 Crystal Drive, Suite 7098, Arlington, VA 22202. Website: https://asb.army.mil/. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: This meeting is being held under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) of 1972 (5 U.S.C., Appendix, as amended), the Government in the Sunshine Act of 1976 (5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended), and 41 CFR 102–3.140 and 102–3.150. Purpose of the Meeting: The purpose of the meeting is for ASB members to review, deliberate, and vote on the findings and recommendations presented for a Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20) ASB studies. Agenda: The board will present findings and recommendations for deliberation and vote on the following FY20 studies: ‘‘Data Integrity for Operating Force (OF) Decision Making’’: This study will be discussed from 9:30 a.m. to 11:45 a.m.; ‘‘Army Modeling and Simulation’’: This study will be discussed from 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.. Public Accessibility to the Meeting: Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b, as amended, and 41 CFR 102–3.140 through 102– 3.165, and subject to the availability of SUMMARY: E:\FR\FM\13OCN1.SGM 13OCN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 85, Number 198 (Tuesday, October 13, 2020)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64448-64449]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2020-22413]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration


Request for Information; Implementation Plan for the National 
Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States 
Exclusive Economic Zone

AGENCY: Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR), National 
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

ACTION: Notice of public comment.

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

SUMMARY: On behalf of the Ocean Policy Committee, Ocean Science and 
Technology Subcommittee, and the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy (OSTP) and the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) as Co-
Chairs of the Ocean Policy Committee, the National Ocean Mapping, 
Exploration, and Characterization Council (NOMEC Council) requests 
input from all interested parties on the development of an 
Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, 
and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (U.S. 
EEZ)(``National Strategy''). Through this Request for Information 
(RFI), the NOMEC Council seeks input from the public to recommend 
exploration and characterization priorities to be included in the 
Implementation Plan for the National Strategy.

DATES: Comments must be received by October 30, 2020 November 12, 2020.

ADDRESSES: A copy of the National Strategy may be downloaded or viewed 
at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/20200611-FINAL-STRATEGY-NOMEC-Sec.-2.pdf Responses should be submitted via email 
to [email protected]. Include ``Public Comment on

[[Page 64449]]

Exploration Priorities for the Implementation Plan'' in the subject 
line of the message. All personal identifying information (e.g., name, 
address, etc.), confidential business information, or otherwise 
sensitive information submitted voluntarily by the sender is publicly 
accessible. NOAA will accept anonymous comments. Clearly indicate which 
section and page number, if applicable, submitted comments pertain to. 
All submissions must be in English. Please note that the U.S. 
Government will not pay for responsible preparation, or for the use of 
any information contained in the response.
    Instructions: Response to this RFI is voluntary. Respondent needs 
not reply to all questions listed. For all submissions, clearly 
indicate which questions are being answered. Email attachments will be 
accepted in plain text, Microsoft Word, or Adobe PDF formats only. Each 
individual or institution is requested to submit only one response. 
OSTP may post responses to this RFI, without change, on a Federal 
website. NOAA, 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: National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, 
and Characterization (NOMEC) Council Co-Chairs; Dr. Alan Leonardi, 
NOAA, [email protected], 301-734-1016; RDML Shepard Smith, NOAA, 
[email protected], 202-510-5561; Dr. John Haines, USGS, 
[email protected], 703-648-6422.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Presidential Memorandum, 
Ocean Mapping of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and the 
Shoreline and Nearshore of Alaska, 84 FR 64699 (Nov. 19, 2020), the 
National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council 
(NOMEC Council), on behalf of the Director of the OSTP and the Chairman 
of the CEQ, in their capacity as Co-Chairs of the Ocean Policy 
Committee, working through its Ocean Science and Technology 
Subcommittee and in coordination with the Administrator of NOAA, are 
developing an Implementation Plan for the National Strategy. The NOMEC 
Council has commenced development of the Implementation Plan and is 
soliciting public input through this RFI to obtain information from a 
wide range of stakeholders, including academia, private industry, and 
other relevant organizations and institutions. The public input 
provided in response to this RFI will inform the NOMEC Council as it 
continues to identify strategic priorities for Exploration and 
Characterization within the Implementation Plan.

Questions To Inform Development of the Implementation Plan

    Through this RFI, the National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and 
Characterization Council seeks responses to the following questions to 
inform the Exploration and Characterization priorities for an 
Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Ocean Mapping, 
Exploration, and Characterization.
    1. NOMEC Strategy Goal 3.1 ``Identify Strategic Priorities'' 
describes the need for strategic ocean exploration and characterization 
priorities and lists some examples. What do you feel are the most 
important strategic national priorities for exploration and 
characterization efforts in the deep sea (depth >40 m)? These can be 
specific geographic areas within the U.S. EEZ or thematic/topical issue 
priorities.
    2. What are the most important questions for exploration and 
characterization to address?
    3. What are the most important data variables that need to be 
measured, and what are the most valuable physical samples to collect; 
to conduct baseline exploration and characterization?
    4. What novel or established tools, platforms, and technologies 
could advance our capability to explore, and characterize the U.S. EEZ 
more efficiently and effectively? To the extent innovative capabilities 
already exist, but are not being effectively used, what are the 
barriers to adopting them? How can these barriers be overcome?
    5. Deep waters within the U.S. EEZ host a wide variety of habitats 
and geomorphological features (e.g., continental shelves, canyons, 
seamounts, trenches, abyssal plains, and mesopelagic and bathypelagic 
zones of the water column). Which ones of these do you think are most 
important to explore to address the priority questions you identified 
above?
    6. How can artificial intelligence and machine learning be used to 
guide planning, execution, and analysis of exploration and 
characterization activities?
    7. How should the data generated by implementation of the Strategy 
be managed so that it is most accessible and useful (file formats, 
compatibility, etc.) to public and private sectors?

    Dated: September 24, 2020.
David Holst,
Chief Financial and Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and 
Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2020-22413 Filed 10-9-20; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-KD-P

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