BOEMRE's Outer Continental Shelf

Scientific Committee to Hold Public Meeting

Washington — The Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement (BOEMRE) announced that its Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Scientific Committee will hold a public meeting on May 17-19, 2011, in Hyannis, Mass.

The OCS Scientific Committee is a public federal advisory committee of distinguished scientists. Chaired by Dr. Michael D. Fry, the Director of Conservation Advocacy for the American Bird Conservancy, the Committee consists of 15 members with expertise in biological oceanography, marine biology, social science, marine archeology and physical oceanography.

"This committee is a key component of our efforts to ensure scientific integrity in our decision-making regarding offshore energy development," said BOEMRE Director Michael R. Bromwich. "I look forward to meeting with the Committee members as we continue to evaluate the important elements of BOEMRE's research and science agenda."

Director Bromwich will update the Committee on the bureau's regulatory reform and reorganization efforts, highlighting the Department of the Interior's recently completed Scientific Integrity Policy. The meeting will include a presentation on alternative energy programs, updates of activities pertaining to the priorities of the National Ocean Policy, Atlantic Governance Councils, as well as an update of ongoing and future research pertaining to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill. The Committee will also review the specific studies plans of the BOEMRE regional offices for Fiscal Years 2012-2014.

The Committee advises the Secretary of the Interior, through the BOEMRE Director, on the appropriateness, feasibility and scientific value of the bureau's OCS Environmental Studies Program (ESP) and informs decisions related to environmental aspects of the offshore energy and marine minerals programs. The Committee also reviews the relevance of the scientific-information produced by the ESP and may recommend changes in its scope, direction and emphasis.

 

Source: BOEMRE