Public Comment Period Open

September 5, 2006

The public comment period is now OPEN for Charting the Course for Ocean Science in the United States: Research Priorities for the Next Decade, a draft document that outlines the national ocean research priorities for the United States for the next ten years. All interested parties are encouraged to review the document and provide input during this 45 day public comment period (scheduled to close October 20, 2006).

http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/sup_jsost_public_comment.html

Called for in the U.S. Ocean Action Plan and developed by the Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology, this draft document, along with a follow-on Implementation Strategy, will describe a vision for U.S. ocean science and technology, highlight key areas of interaction of our society and the ocean, and identify critical ocean research priorities for these areas.

Public briefings on the national ocean research priorities are being held throughout the country over the next few months. Town hall meetings and panels will also be held at several conferences. A list of public briefings and meetings with venue details is located at:

http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/sup_jsost_orpp_outreach.html

Members from the research community, ocean educators, government representatives (federal, state, tribal, and local), industry groups, international representatives, non-governmental organizations, and any interested individuals are invited provide comments and attend the briefings.

For more information, contact:

Shelby E. Walker, JSOST Project Manager USGCRP/CCSP Office, 1717 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006 T:202-419-3464; F:202-223-3064; e-mail:swalker@usgcrp.gov

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