[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 210 (Thursday, October 30, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 64572-64573]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-25797]
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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program Science Plan
AGENCY: National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce
ACTION: Notice and Request for Public Comment.
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SUMMARY: The National Ocean Service (NOS) of the National Oceanic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) publishes this notice to announce the
availability of the Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act Science
Program for public comment.
DATES: Comments on this draft document must be submitted by December
15, 2014.
ADDRESSES: The Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act Science
Program will be available at http://restoreactscienceprogram.noaa.gov/.
The public is encouraged to submit comments on the Draft Science
Plan. Electronic comments on the Draft Science Plan can be submitted
via email ([email protected]). Written comments can be
submitted to Becky Allee at NOAA OCM, Gulf of Mexico Division, Bldg.
1100, Rm 232, Stennis Space Center, MS 39529.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For further information, contact:
Becky Allee, ([email protected], 228-688-1701).
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: NOAA is publishing this notice to announce
the availability of the Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act
Science Program for public comment. The draft plan will be posted for
public comment on October 30, 2014. All interested parties are
encouraged to provide comments. The Draft Science Plan is being issued
for comment only and is not intended for interim use. Suggested changes
will be incorporated, where appropriate, in the final version.
Section 1604 of the Resources and Ecosystems Sustainability,
Tourist Opportunities, and Revived Economies of the Gulf Coast States
Act of 2012 (RESTORE Act) establishes the Gulf Coast Ecosystem
Restoration Science, Observation, Monitoring, and Technology program
(Science Program) to be administered by NOAA and to carry out research,
observation, and monitoring to support the long-term sustainability of
the ecosystem, fish stocks, fish habitat, and the recreational,
commercial, and charter fishing industry in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Draft Science Plan for the NOAA RESTORE Act Science Program
lays out the path forward for the program. The plan establishes ten
Long-Term Research Priorities that will guide how the program will
invest its funds. Additionally, the plan provides information on how
the program will be administered and the partners with which the
program will leverage future opportunities.
The plan is organized in three sections. Section I provides
background on legislative requirements; the vision, mission, and
outcomes of the program; program, geographic, and research scope;
approach to engagement; and rationale and development of priorities.
Section II describes the ten long-term research priorities identified
for the program. Also included in Section II are management needs that
drive the priority, related outcomes, and anticipated outputs as well
as a list of example activities. Section III describes the program
structure and administration; defines program management; consultation
and coordination; program parameters; eligibility for funding
opportunities; scientific integrity; and data and information sharing.
NOAA welcomes all comments on the content of the Draft Science
Plan. We also request comments on any inconsistencies perceived within
the document, and possible omissions of important topics or issues. For
any
[[Page 64573]]
shortcoming noted within the draft documents, please propose specific
remedies.
Please adhere to the instructions detailed below for preparing and
submitting your comments on the Draft Science Plan. Using the format
guidance described below will facilitate the processing of reviewer
comments and assure that all comments are appropriately considered.
Please format your comments into the following three sections: (1)
Background information about yourself; (2) overview or general
comments; and (3) specific comments. Section one should include
background information about yourself including: your name(s),
organization(s), area(s) of expertise, mailing address, telephone and
fax numbers, and email address(s). Section two should consist of
overview or general comments on the document and should be numbered.
Section three should consist of comments that are specific to
particular pages, paragraphs, or lines in the document and should
identify the page and line numbers to which they apply. Please number
and print identifying information at the top of all pages.
Technical Program Information: Becky Allee, Science Plan Team Lead,
228-688-1701, Internet: [email protected].
Other Information
Administrative Procedure Act: Notice and comment are not required
under the Administrative Procedure Act, (5 U.S.C. 553), or any other
law, for notices relating to public property, loans, grants, benefits
or contracts (5 U.S.C. 553(a)). Because notice and comment is not
required, a Regulatory Flexibility Analysis is not required and has not
been prepared for this notice, (5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.).
Paperwork Reduction Act: Notwithstanding any other provision of
law, no person is required to respond to, nor shall any person be
subject to a penalty for failure to comply with a collection of
information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act,
unless that collection displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
This notice involves no collection of information, although the FFO
that NOAA anticipates issuing in fall 2014 will have such a
requirement.
Dated: October 16, 2014.
Mary C. Erickson,
Director, National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science, National Ocean
Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-25797 Filed 10-29-14; 8:45 am]
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