[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 89 (Monday, May 10, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 25843-25844]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-11016]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
RIN 0648-XT64
Notice of Public Review and Comment Period on NOAA's Arctic
Vision and Strategy
AGENCY: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
ACTION: Request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The Arctic has profound significance for climate and
functioning of ecosystems around the globe. The region is particularly
vulnerable and prone to rapid change. Increasing air and ocean
temperatures, thawing permafrost, loss of sea ice, and shifts in
ecosystems are evidence of widespread and dramatic ongoing change. As a
result, critical environmental, economic, and national security issues
are emerging, many of which have significant impacts for human lives,
livelihoods, and coastal communities. Though NOAA has numerous and
diverse capabilities that support these emerging issues, a strategic
approach that leverages NOAA's existing priorities and strengths, as
well as those of our national and international partners, is needed.
This document provides a high-level framework and six strategic goals
to address NOAA's highest priorities in the region. It is based upon
assumptions that the region will: continue to experience dramatic
change; become more accessible to human activities; and, be a focus of
increasing global strategic interest.
DATES: Comments must be submitted by June 10, 2010.
ADDRESSES: Submit comments by one of the following methods-
Electronic Submissions: strategic.planning@noaa.gov
Mail: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration,
Office of Program Planning and Integration, 1315 East-West Highway,
Room 15749, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tracy Rouleau, Office of Program
Planning and Integration, at strategic.planning@noaa.gov or (301) 713-
1622 x187.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: To view the document, go to http://www.arctic.noaa.gov/.
I. Summary of the Strategy
NOAA envisions an Arctic where decisions and actions related to
conservation, management, and use are based on sound science and
support healthy, productive, and resilient communities and ecosystems.
The agency seeks a future where the global implications of Arctic
change are better understood and predicted.
NOAA will focus its efforts on the following six priority goals
needed to realize this vision:
(1) Forecast Sea Ice
(2) Strengthen Foundational Science to Understand and Detect Arctic
Climate and Ecosystem Changes
(3) Improve Weather and Water Forecasts and Warning
(4) Enhance International and National Partnerships
(5) Improve Stewardship and Management of Ocean and Coastal Resources
in the Arctic
(6) Advance Resilient and Healthy Arctic Communities and Economies
These goals were selected because they represent areas where NOAA
can address urgent and timely issues that meet two key criteria:
providing the information, knowledge, and policies to meet NOAA
mandates and stewardship responsibilities, and providing the
information, knowledge, and services to enable others to live and
operate safely in the Arctic.
Each goal also fulfills international goals and establishes,
enhances, or leverages partnerships with other Arctic nations,
international organizations, government agencies, and non-governmental
organizations, academia, and local communities. The goals are also
geared towards generating large societal benefits relative to the
resources required and strengthening NOAA's
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engagement, politically, scientifically, internationally, and publicly.
NOAA will next develop and execute a five-year Arctic Action Plan
to achieve these goals. Development and execution of the plan will
require coordination across all NOAA Line and Staff Offices and
collaboration with local, regional, federal, nongovernmental, and
academic partners. As a starting point, NOAA will establish a single
point of contact within NOAA Senior Executive Leadership who will be
accountable for achieving the Arctic goals. The Arctic Action Plan will
also include an engagement strategy for reaching internal and external
employees, partners, and stakeholders, as well as a detailed budget
strategy. NOAA is committed to enhancing its current involvement in
research and management programs in the Arctic, and anticipates an
initial investment of $10 million towards the implementation of this
strategy, recognizing that additional funds will be needed to achieve
the goals.
II. Request for Comments
NOAA invites comments on its: (a) vision for the Arctic; and (b)
six strategic goals and five-year strategies for the Arctic.
Dated: May 4, 2010.
Paul N. Doremus,
Director of Strategic Planning, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration.
[FR Doc. 2010-11016 Filed 5-7-10; 8:45 am]
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