Overview
Title
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration; Ocean Exploration Advisory Board
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The government is having an online meeting about exploring the ocean to talk about fun ideas and plans for figuring out what's under the sea. People from different groups like scientists and explorers will join, and regular people can share their thoughts too, but they need to send in their ideas by April 2.
Summary AI
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is holding a virtual meeting for the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB) on April 7 and 8, 2021. During this meeting, members will discuss topics such as federal ocean exploration programs and the Office of Ocean Exploration and Research's competitive grants program. The meeting is open to the public, with a specific time allocated for public comments on April 8, 2021. NOAA aims to develop a national program for ocean exploration, involving various stakeholders from government, private, academic, and nonprofit sectors.
Abstract
This notice sets forth the schedule and proposed agenda for a meeting of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB). OEAB members will discuss and provide advice on Federal ocean exploration programs, with a particular emphasis on the topics identified in the section on Matters to Be Considered.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The document from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announces a virtual meeting of the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board (OEAB) scheduled for April 7 and 8, 2021. This meeting will focus on federal ocean exploration initiatives and the Office of Ocean Exploration and Research's competitive grants program. The gathering is intended to be open to the public, allowing for a period of public comment on the second day of the meeting.
General Summary
NOAA has organized this meeting as part of its wider efforts to foster a national program for ocean exploration. This initiative involves collaboration with various sectors, including government agencies, private organizations, academic institutions, and nonprofit groups. The OEAB, which advises NOAA on strategic planning and exploration priorities, will address topics that align with administration priorities. By convening this meeting, NOAA looks to capture valuable input from a broad range of stakeholders on how best to advance federal ocean exploration programs.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Several noteworthy issues arise from the notice, notably the lack of detailed information regarding funding allocations for the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board, which could lead to uncertainties about resource management. Additionally, the document references "other matters" to be discussed during the meeting without specifying what these entail, potentially leading to the introduction of unexpected or unanticipated agenda items.
Furthermore, the document does not articulate the expected outcomes or impact of the meeting discussions on existing ocean exploration programs, making it difficult to assess their significance. Clarification is also absent on how public comments will be utilized in the decision-making process, which might make public contributions appear inconsequential.
Lastly, the deadline for submitting written comments by April 2, 2021, provides a narrow window for public stakeholders to contribute, potentially limiting engagement from interested parties who may need more time to formulate their inputs.
Impact on the Public and Stakeholders
The public at large may gain increased awareness of federal ocean exploration priorities and initiatives through this meeting. However, the limited detail on how public comments will be integrated into the OEAB's processes and the tight submission deadline may restrict meaningful public participation, which is a potential downside for individuals aiming to influence ocean exploration policies.
For specific stakeholders such as academic institutions and nonprofit organizations involved in ocean exploration, the meeting could offer a platform to voice their views and align their efforts with national priorities. Nonetheless, the ambiguity surrounding funding and agenda items might hinder their ability to engage fully in strategic discussions or collaborative opportunities.
In summary, while the NOAA's effort to engage various constituencies in ocean exploration is commendable, the document could benefit from greater transparency and clarity on certain aspects to ensure more inclusive and impactful participation from all relevant stakeholders.
Issues
• The notice does not provide specific details on how funding for the Ocean Exploration Advisory Board will be allocated, leaving potential ambiguity in how resources will be managed.
• The document lacks clarity on which specific 'other matters' will be discussed, as mentioned in Matters to be Considered, making it ambiguous and possibly leading to unexpected agenda items.
• Language regarding the impact or expected outcomes of the meeting discussions on ocean exploration programs is absent, making it difficult to assess the significance of the meeting.
• Details about how public comments will influence or be integrated into the decision-making process of the OEAB are not provided, potentially leaving public contributions without clear purpose.
• The requirement for written comments to be submitted by April 2, 2021, allows limited time for public stakeholders to prepare and submit their inputs, which may limit participation from interested parties.