2018-08523. Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB) Public Meeting of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board

AGENCY:

Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION:

Notice of public meeting.

SUMMARY:

This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda of a forthcoming meeting of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB). OEAB members will discuss and provide advice on Federal ocean exploration programs, with a particular emphasis National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) leadership priorities and how they align with a national ocean exploration program. Other topics will include implementation of the President's Executive Order on a Federal Strategy to Ensure Secure and Reliable Supplies of Critical Minerals; other federal agency activity in support of this executive order; NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration and Research (OER) activities; and other matters as described in the agenda found on the OEAB website at http://oeab.noaa.gov.

DATES:

The announced meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. EDT and Thursday, May 17, 2018 from 9:00 to 5:00 p.m. EDT.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held at the Morrison-Clark Historic Inn at 1011 L Street NW, Washington, DC 20001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Mr. David McKinnie, Designated Federal Officer, Ocean Exploration Advisory Board, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 7600 Sand Point Way NE, Seattle, WA 98115, [phone].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

NOAA established the OEAB under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) and legislation that gives the agency statutory authority to operate an ocean exploration program and to coordinate a national program of ocean exploration. The OEAB advises NOAA leadership on strategic planning, exploration priorities, competitive ocean exploration grant programs and other matters as the NOAA Administrator requests.

OEAB members represent government agencies, the private sector, academic institutions, and not-for-profit institutions involved in all facets of ocean exploration—from advanced technology to citizen exploration.

In addition to advising NOAA leadership, NOAA expects the OEAB to help to define and develop a national program of ocean exploration—a network of stakeholders and partnerships advancing national priorities for ocean exploration.

Status: The meeting will be open to the public with a 15-minute public comment period on Wednesday, May 16, 2018 from 11:45 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. EDT (please check the final agenda on the website to confirm the time). The public may listen to the meeting and provide comments during the public comment period via teleconference. Dial-in information may be found on the meeting agenda posted to the OEAB website.

The OEAB expects that public statements at its meetings will not be repetitive of previously submitted verbal or written statements. In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to three minutes. The Designated Federal Officer must receive written comments by May 1, 2018 to provide sufficient time for OEAB review. Written comments received after May 1, 2018 will be distributed to the OEAB but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. Seats will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to David McKinnie, Designated Federal Officer (see below) by May 1, 2018.

Dated: April 13, 2018.

David Holst,

Chief Financial Officer/Chief Administrative Officer, Office of Oceanic and Atmospheric Research, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.