02-31390. Defense Science Board

AGENCY:

Department of Defense.

ACTION:

Notice of Advisory Committee meeting.

SUMMARY:

The Defense Science Board Task Force on Seabasing will meet in closed session on December 11-12, 2002; January 27-28, 2003; February 25-26, 2003; and March 25-26, 2003, at Strategic Analysis Inc., 3601 Wilson Boulevard, Arlington, VA. The Task Force will assess how seabasing of expeditionary forces can best serve the nation's defense needs through at least the first half of the 21st century.

The mission of the Defense Science Board is to advise the Secretary of Defense and the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology & Logistics on scientific and technical matters as they affect the perceived needs of the Department of Defense. At these meetings, the Defense Science Board Task Force will examine the broadest range of alternatives for seabasing of expeditionary forces and be guided by: The expected naval environment for the next 20-50 years; the role of naval forces in enabling access for joint forces through the world's littorals; assets and technologies needed to establish a robust and capable Enhanced Networked Seabase; the timing of the acquisition of the technologies, platforms and systems which replace the legacy systems; and the function of new hardware and opportunities to reallocate functionality to improve effectiveness, or efficiency, or economy.

In accordance with Section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended (5 U.S.C. App. II), it has been determined that these Defense Science Board Task Force meetings concern matters listed in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(1) and that, accordingly, these meetings will be closed to the public.

Due to critical mission requirements, there is insufficient time to provide timely notice required by Section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act and Subsection 101-6.1015(b) of the GSA Final Rule on Federal Advisory Committee Management, 41 CFR Part 101-6, which further requires publication at least 15 calendar days prior to the first meeting of the Task Force on Seabasing scheduled for December 11-12, 2002.

Dated: December 4, 2002.

Patricia L. Toppings,

Alternate OSD Federal Register Liaison Officer, Department of Defense.