03-9856. Notice of Public Meeting

SUMMARY:

The Advisory Committee on Commercial Remote Sensing (ACCRES) will meet May 16, 2003.

DATES AND TIMES:

The meeting is scheduled as follows: May 16, 2003, 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The first part of this meeting will be closed to the public. The public portion of the meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held in Room 4527 of Silver Spring Metro Center Building III (SSMC III) in Silver Spring, Maryland. SSMC III is located at 1315 East-West Highway. It is located near the Silver Spring Metro Station on the Red Line. While open to the public, seating capacity may be limited.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

As required by section 10(a)(2) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (1982), notice is hereby given of the meeting of ACCRES. ACCRES was established by the Secretary of Commerce (Secretary) on May 21, 2002, to advise the Secretary through the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere on long- and short-range strategies for the licensing of commercial remote sensing satellite systems.

Matters To Be Considered

The first part of the meeting will be closed to the public pursuant to section 10(d) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. 2, as amended by section 5(c) of the Government in Sunshine Act, Public Law 94-409 and in accordance with section 552b(c)(1) of Title 5, United States Code, that the portions of this meeting which involve briefings on the ongoing review and implementation of commercial space policy relating to the National Security Presidential Directive-15 and the national security and foreign policy considerations for NOAA's licensing decisions may be closed to the public. These briefings are likely to disclose matters that are specifically authorized under criteria established by Executive Order 12958 to be kept secret in the interest of national defense or foreign policy and are in fact properly classified pursuant to such Executive Order.

All other portions of the meeting will be open to the public. During the open portion of the meeting, the Committee will discuss initial findings, the development of its work plan, and will receive public comments on its activities.

Special Accommodations

These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for special accommodations may be directed to ACCRES, NOAA/NESDIS International and Interagency Affairs Office, 1335 East-West Highway, Room 7311, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910.

Additional Information and Public Comments

Any member of the public wishing further information concerning the meeting or who wishes to submit oral or written comments should contact Timothy Stryker, Designated Federal Officer for ACCRES, NOAA/NESDIS International and Interagency Affairs Office, 1335 East-West Highway, Room 7311, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910. Copies of the draft meeting agenda can be obtained from Tahara Moreno at [phone] ext. 202, fax [phone], or e-mail [e-mail].

The ACCRES expects that public statements presented at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously-submitted oral or written statements. In general, each individual or group making an oral presentation may be limited to a total time of five minutes. Written comments (please provide at least 13 copies) received in the NOAA/NESDIS International and Interagency Affairs Office on or before May 12, 2003, will be provided to Committee members in advance of the meeting. Comments received too close to the meeting date will normally be provided to Committee members at the meeting.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Timothy Stryker, NOAA/NESDIS International and Interagency Affairs, 1335 East-West Highway, Room 7311, Silver Spring, Maryland 20910; telephone [phone] x205, fax [phone], e-mail [e-mail], or Douglas Brauer at telephone [phone] x213, e-mail [e-mail].

Gregory W. Withee,

Assistant Administrator for Satellite and Information Services.