E7-4585. Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee; Vacancies

AGENCY:

Coast Guard, DHS.

ACTION:

Solicitation for membership.

SUMMARY:

This notice requests individuals interested in serving on the Houston/Galveston Navigation Safety Advisory Committee (HOGANSAC) to submit their application for membership to Commander, United States Coast Guard Sector Houston/Galveston. HOGANSAC provides advice and makes recommendations to the Coast Guard on matters relating to the safe navigation of vessels to and from the Ports of Galveston, Houston, and Texas City, and throughout Galveston Bay, Texas.

DATES:

Applications for membership must be complete and postmarked no later than March 30, 2007.

ADDRESSES:

You may request an application form by writing to Commander(spw), USCG Sector Houston-Galveston, 9640 Clinton Drive, Houston, TX 77029; by calling LTjg Kevin Cooper at (713-678-9001); by submitting a faxed request to 713-671-5156; or by visiting HOGANSAC's Web site http://www.homeport.uscg.mil under: Missions > Ports and Waterways > Safety Advisory Committees > HOGANSAC. All application forms must be returned to the following address: Commander, USCG Sector Houston/Galveston (spw), Attn: HOGANSAC Executive Secretary, 9640 Clinton Drive, Houston, TX 77029.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

CDR Jerry C. Torok, Executive Secretary of HOGANSAC at (713-671-5164) or LTjg Kevin Cooper, Assistant to the Executive Secretary of HOGANSAC at (713-678-9001).

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

HOGANSAC is a Federal advisory committee subject to the provisions of 5 U.S.C. App. 2. This committee provides local expertise to the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Coast Guard on such matters as communications, surveillance, traffic control, anchorages, aids to navigation, and other related topics dealing with navigation safety in the Houston/Galveston area. The committee normally meets at least three times a year at various locations in the Houston/Galveston area. Members serve voluntarily, without compensation from the Federal Government for salary, travel, or per diem. The term of membership is for two years. Individuals appointed by the Secretary based on applications submitted in response to this solicitation will serve from May 2007 until May 2009.

By law, the Committee consists of nineteen members who have particular expertise, knowledge, and experience regarding the transportation, equipment, and techniques that are used to ship cargo and to navigate vessels in the inshore and the offshore waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Committee members represent a wide range of constituencies. There are twelve membership categories: (1) Two members who are employed by the Port of Houston Authority or have been selected by that entity to represent them; (2) two members who are employed by the Port of Galveston or the Texas City Port Complex or have been selected by those entities to represent them; (3) two members from organizations that represent shipowners, stevedores, shipyards, or shipping organizations domiciled in the State of Texas; (4) two members representing organizations that operate tugs or barges that utilize the port facilities at Galveston, Houston, and Texas City; (5) two members representing shipping companies that transport cargo from the ports of Galveston and Houston on liners, break bulk, or tramp steamer vessels; (6) two members representing those who pilot or command vessels that utilize the ports of Galveston, Houston and Texas City; (7) two at-large members who may represent a particular interest group but who use the port facilities at Galveston, Houston or Texas City; (8) one member representing labor organizations involved in the loading and unloading of cargo at the ports of Galveston or Houston; (9) one member representing licensed merchant mariners other than pilots, who perform shipboard duties on vessels which utilize the port facilities of Galveston, Houston or Texas City; (10) one member representing environmental interests; (11) one member representing the general public and (12) one member representing recreational boaters.

In support of the policy of the Department of Homeland Security on gender and ethnic diversity, the Coast Guard encourages applications from qualified women and members of minority groups. Individuals nominated to represent the general public will be required to complete a Confidential Financial Disclosure Report (OGE Form 450). Neither the report nor the information it contains may be released to the public, except under an order issued by a Federal court or as otherwise provided under the Privacy Act (5 U.S.C. 552a).

Dated: February 26, 2007.

J.R. Whitehead,

Rear Admiral, U.S. Coast Guard, Commander, Eighth Coast Guard District.