Overview
Title
U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS®) Advisory Committee Public Meeting
Agencies
ELI5 AI
The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System is having a meeting you can join in-person or online where people can talk about ocean stuff and share their ideas, but they need to follow some rules.
Summary AI
The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS) is hosting a public meeting from March 12 to March 14, 2025, at LUMCON Blue Works in Houma, Louisiana. The meeting, which will be conducted both virtually and in-person, will cover topics like welcoming new members, developing a new work plan, and updates from NOAA. Public comments are welcome, with written comments accepted until March 4, 2025. The event is accessible to people with disabilities and will also be recorded.
Abstract
Notice is hereby given of a hybrid meeting of the U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS[supreg]) Advisory Committee (Committee). The meeting is open to the public and an opportunity for oral and written comments will be provided.
Keywords AI
Sources
AnalysisAI
The U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS), part of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), has announced a public meeting scheduled to take place from March 12 to March 14, 2025. This meeting will be a hybrid event, occurring both virtually and in person at LUMCON Blue Works in Houma, Louisiana. The primary agenda items include onboarding new committee members, developing a new work plan, and receiving updates from NOAA and key partners. Opportunities for public input are available through oral or written comments by a specified deadline.
General Summary
The purpose of the meeting is to facilitate discussion and advisory functions as per the mandates of the Integrated Coastal and Ocean Observation System Act. It provides an opportunity for the public to engage with the process and offer their insights, both in person and virtually. The meeting's discussions and outcomes aim to guide NOAA and other relevant bodies on ocean observation matters.
Significant Issues and Concerns
Privacy Concerns with Google Forms
A notable concern is the use of Google Forms for registration and comment submission. While convenient, this introduces potential privacy and security issues as user data is managed by a third-party service. Participants may be wary of how their information is collected and used.
Restrictive Comment Policies
The document outlines a fairly restrictive format for public comments. Written submissions need to be in by March 4, 2025, which may limit participation from those who fail to meet this deadline. Additionally, there are specific content guidelines that could further restrict the public's input.
Lack of Virtual Participation Details
Though the meeting will be hybrid, there is a lack of precise information regarding how virtual participation will be conducted. This omission could lead to uncertainty for those who cannot attend in person. Clear guidelines and instructions are necessary to ensure robust virtual engagement.
Insufficient Agenda Information
The document provides limited details concerning the specific topics that will be covered during the meeting. While broad themes are mentioned, more detailed information could better prepare participants and increase informed involvement.
Impact on the Public
The public has the opportunity to engage with important ocean observation policymaking through this meeting. While the hybrid format aims to broaden participation, the absence of clear virtual participation instructions could be a barrier for some.
Impact on Specific Stakeholders
For stakeholders such as environmental groups, academic institutions, and industries reliant on ocean health, this meeting presents an important platform to influence and understand upcoming NOAA policies and initiatives. However, they might be impacted by privacy concerns related to data submission and the restrictive comment submission process, potentially hindering their willingness to provide input.
Overall, while the meeting aims to foster open dialogue and gather stakeholder input, addressing the issues identified could significantly enhance participation and the quality of input received, thereby making the advisory process more inclusive and effective.
Issues
• The document provides a link to Google Forms for registration and comment submission. This could raise privacy or security concerns regarding user data being handled by a third-party service.
• The format for providing public comments is somewhat restrictive, requiring submission by a specific date and with specific content rules, which may limit public input.
• The document does not specify how virtual participation will be conducted, which might lead to confusion for those wishing to attend virtually.
• There is a lack of detailed information regarding the agenda of the meeting, which might result in an uninformed public or stakeholders.
• While the document mentions that the meeting will be hybrid, it doesn't provide specific instructions for accessing the virtual component, which could hinder participation.