2021-11480. U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee

AGENCY:

National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Department of Commerce.

ACTION:

Notice of open meeting.

SUMMARY:

Notice is hereby given of a virtual meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee (Committee).

DATES:

The meeting will be held on June 14, 2021, from 12:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. These times and the agenda topics described below are subject to change. Refer to the web page listed below for the most up-to-date agenda and dial-in information.

ADDRESSES:

The meeting will be held virtually. Refer to the U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee website at http://ioos.noaa.gov/​community/​u-s-ioos-advisory-committee/​ for the most up-to-date information.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Krisa Arzayus, Designated Federal Official, U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee, U.S. IOOS Program, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910; Phone [phone]; Fax [phone]; Email [e-mail] or visit the U.S. IOOS Advisory Committee website at http://ioos.noaa.gov/​community/​u-s-ioos-advisory-committee/​. To register for the meeting, contact Erick Lee, [e-mail].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Committee was established by the NOAA Administrator as directed by Section 12304 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act, part of the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Pub. L. 111-11), and reauthorized under the Coordinated Ocean Observations and Research Act of 2020 (Pub. L. No: 116-271). The Committee advises the NOAA Administrator and the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee (IOOC) on matters related to the responsibilities and authorities set forth in section 12302 of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act of 2009 and other appropriate matters as the Under Secretary refers to the Committee for review and advice.

The Committee will provide advice on:

(A) Administration, operation, management, and maintenance of the System;

(B) expansion and periodic modernization and upgrade of technology components of the System;

(C) identification of end-user communities, their needs for information provided by the System, and the System's effectiveness in disseminating information to end-user communities and to the general public; and

(D) additional priorities, including—

(i) a national surface current mapping network designed to improve fine scale sea surface mapping using high frequency radar technology and other emerging technologies to address national priorities, including Coast Guard search and rescue operation planning and harmful algal bloom forecasting and detection that—

(I) is comprised of existing high frequency radar and other sea surface current mapping infrastructure operated by national programs and regional coastal observing systems;

(II) incorporates new high frequency radar assets or other fine scale sea surface mapping technology assets, and other assets needed to fill gaps in coverage on United States coastlines; and

(III) follows a deployment plan that prioritizes closing gaps in high frequency radar infrastructure in the United States, starting with areas demonstrating significant sea surface current data needs, especially in areas where additional data will improve Coast Guard search and rescue models;

(ii) fleet acquisition for unmanned maritime systems for deployment and data integration to fulfill the purposes of this subtitle;

(iii) an integrative survey program for application of unmanned maritime systems to the real-time or near real-time collection and transmission of sea floor, water column, and sea surface data on biology, chemistry, geology, physics, and hydrography;

(iv) remote sensing and data assimilation to develop new analytical methodologies to assimilate data from the System into hydrodynamic models;

(v) integrated, multi-State monitoring to assess sources, movement, and fate of sediments in coastal regions;

(vi) a multi-region marine sound monitoring system to be—

(I) planned in consultation with the Interagency Ocean Observation Committee, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of the Navy, and academic research institutions; and

(II) developed, installed, and operated in coordination with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of the Navy, and academic research institutions; and

(E) any other purpose identified by the Administrator or the Council.

The meeting will be open to public participation after each session (check agenda on website to confirm times.) In general, each individual or group making a verbal presentation will be limited to a total time of three (3) minutes. Due to the condensed nature of the meeting, each individual or group providing written public comments will be limited to one comment per public comment period with no repetition of previous comments. Comments can also be submitted in writing during the public comment period through the webinar. Comments will be read into the record, transcribed, and become part of the meeting record. Due to time meeting constraints, all comments may not be addressed during the meeting. Written comments should be received by the Designated Federal Official by June 11, 2021, to provide sufficient time for Committee review. Written comments received after June 11, 2021, will be distributed to the Committee, but may not be reviewed prior to the meeting date. To submit written comments, please email your comments to Krisa Arzayus, [e-mail] and Erick Lee, [e-mail]. Advance written statements will be shared with the IOOS AC members and will be included in the meeting public record. We do not edit personal identifying information from submissions. You should submit only information that you wish to make available publicly.

Matters to be Considered: The meeting will focus on (1) Presenting the Committee Recommendations Report to NOAA and IOOC Leadership, (2) Discussing the FY22 President's Budget request, which will be public information by then, and (3) Fall public meeting planning. The latest version of the agenda will be posted at http://ioos.noaa.gov/​community/​u-s-ioos-advisory-committee/​.

Special Accommodations: These meetings are physically accessible to people with disabilities. Requests for sign language interpretation or other auxiliary aids should be directed to Krisa Arzayus, Designated Federal Official at [e-mail] and [e-mail] or 240-533-9455 by June 14, 2021.

Krisa M. Arzayus,

Deputy Director, U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System Office, National Ocean Service.