National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration September 24, 2014 – Federal Register Recent Federal Regulation Documents

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is soliciting applications for membership on the United States Integrated Ocean Observing System Advisory Committee (the Committee), a Federal advisory committee. The Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System (ICOOS) Act of 2009 establishes a national integrated System of ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes observing systems, comprised of Federal and non-Federal components including in situ, remote, and other coastal and ocean observation, technologies, and data management and communication systems. The System is designed to address regional and national needs for ocean information; to gather specific data on key coastal, ocean, and Great Lakes variables; and to ensure timely and sustained dissemination and availability of these data to support a variety of societal benefits. These benefits include supporting national defense; marine commerce; navigation safety; weather, climate, and marine forecasting; energy siting and production; economic development; ecosystem-based management of marine and coastal areas; conservation of ocean and coastal resources; and public safety. The System is also designed to promote research to develop, test, and deploy innovations and improvements in coastal and ocean observation technologies and modeling systems. The ICOOS Act also requires the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere to establish a System advisory committee to provide advice to the Under Secretary and to the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, which is responsible for planning for the integrated design, operation, maintenance, enhancement, and expansion of the System. NOAA will hereby accept applications for membership on the Committee through November 24, 2014. The ICOOS Act of 2009 states: ``Members shall be qualified by education, training, and experience to evaluate scientific and technical information related to the design, operation, maintenance, or use of the [Integrated Ocean Observing] System, or use of data products provided though the System.'' NOAA encourages individuals with expertise in oceanographic data, products, and services; coastal management; fisheries management; coastal and marine spatial planning; geodesy; water levels; and other science- related fields to submit applications for Committee membership. To apply for membership on the Committee, applicants should submit a resume as indicated in the ADDRESSES section. NOAA is an equal- opportunity employer.

The North Pacific Fishery Management Council (Council) has submitted Amendment 107 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP). Amendment 107, if approved, would establish seasonal transit areas for vessels designated on Federal Fisheries Permits (FFPs) through Walrus Protection Areas in northern Bristol Bay, AK. This action would allow vessels designated on FFPs to transit through Walrus Protection Areas in the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) near Round Island and Cape Peirce from April 1 through August 15, annually. This action is necessary to restore the access of Federally-permitted vessels to transit through Walrus Protection Areas that was limited by regulations implementing Amendment 83 to the Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Gulf of Alaska (GOA FMP), and to maintain adequate protection for walruses on Round Island and Cape Peirce. This action would maintain an existing prohibition on deploying fishing gear in Walrus Protection Areas by vessels designated on an FFP. This action is intended to promote the goals and objectives of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the BSAI FMP, Fishery Management Plan for Groundfish of the Bering Sea and Aleutian Islands Management Area (BSAI FMP), and other applicable law.