[Federal Register: May 14, 2002 (Volume 67, Number 93)]
[Notices]               
[Page 34470-34471]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr14my02-78]                         

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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Minerals Management Service

 
Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) Policy Committee of the Minerals 
Management Advisory Board; Notice and Agenda for Meeting

AGENCY: Minerals Management Service (MMS), Interior.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: The OCS Policy Committee of the Minerals Management Advisory 
Board will meet at the Days Hotel and Conference Center in Herndon, 
Virginia.

DATES: Tuesday, May 21, 2002, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Wednesday, 
May 22, 2002, from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The Days Hotel and Conference Center, 2200 Centreville Road, 
Herndon, Virginia 20170, telephone (703) 471-6700.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jeryne Bryant at Minerals 
Management Service, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4001, Herndon, Virginia 
20170-4187. She can be reached by telephone at (703) 787-1211 or by 
electronic mail at jeryne.bryant@mms.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The OCS Policy Committee represents the 
collective viewpoint of coastal states, environmental interests, 
industry and other parties involved with the OCS Program. It provides 
policy advice to the Secretary of the Interior through the Director of 
MMS on all aspects of leasing, exploration, development, and protection 
of OCS resources.
    The agenda for May 21st will cover the following principal 
subjects:
    Department's Strategic Plan. This presentation will provide an 
overview of the Department's new strategic plan, and provide insight 
into the process MMS is undertaking to develop a strategic plan that 
aligns with the Department's strategic direction.
    Education and Outreach Subcommittee Report. This presentation will 
provide an update on the Subcommittee's charge and activities since 
inception in October 2001.
    Ocean Commission. This presentation will provide an update on 
activities of the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy since the October 
2001 meeting.
    OCS Scientific Committee Update. This presentation will provide an 
update on the activities of the Scientific Committee. It will also 
highlight the activities that are related to mercury, energy issues/
concerns, ocean issues, hard mineral activities, and any other topics 
that are relevant to both Committees.
    Hard Minerals Subcommittee Update. This presentation will provide 
an update on subcommittee activities and other pertinent hard minerals 
information.
    Biological Monitoring Program on Beach Nourishment Operations. This 
presentation will address the $8 million multi-year monitoring study 
recently completed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
    Geographical Information System. This presentation will address how 
the State of Alabama uses the geographical information system for sand 
and gravel resources and oil and gas resources.
    Futuristic Energy Production Schemes in the OCS. This presentation 
will address the possible use of OCS facilities for hydrogen production 
and alternative energy schemes.
    Congressional/Legislative Update. This presentation will provide an 
update on current congressional issues related to the OCS program.
    Moving Toward a National Ocean Observing System: Results of the 
Integrated Sustained Ocean Observing System (ISOOS) Workshop. This 
presentation will address the potential for establishing a National 
Ocean Observing System. Results of the March 2002, ISOOS Workshop, 
hosted by Ocean.US of the National Oceanographic Partnership Program, 
will be presented and discussed.
    Recent Bankruptcies and the Potential Impact on MMS. This 
presentation will address how recent events could potentially impact 
OCS activities.
    The agenda for May 22nd will cover the following principal 
subjects: Change in the Natural Gas Drilling Outlook. This presentation 
will address natural gas supply/demand.
    Floating Production Storage and Offloading Systems Record of 
Decision--Next Steps. This presentation will address the record of 
decision, the environmental impact statement, industry approaches, and 
the Coast Guard's regulatory approach.
    Eastern Gulf of Mexico Sales. This presentation will address Lease 
Sales 181 and 189.
    State Issues. This presentation will address several different 
issues affecting states, which may include concerns regarding drilling 
and tourism, beach nourishment, and pipelines.
    Mercury in Drilling Muds. This presentation will address the 
studies regarding environmental research related to mercury in drilling 
muds, industry drilling operations and the regulatory framework for 
permitting these discharges on the OCS.
    MMS Regional Updates. The Regional Directors will highlight 
activities off the

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California and Alaska coasts and in the Gulf of Mexico.
    The meeting is open to the public. Approximately 100 visitors can 
be accommodated on a first-come-first-served basis.
    Upon request, interested parties may make oral or written 
presentations to the OCS Policy Committee. Such requests should be made 
no later than May 13, 2002, to Jeryne Bryant. Requests to make oral 
statements should be accompanied by a summary of the statement to be 
made. Please see FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT section for address 
and telephone number.
    Minutes of the OCS Policy Committee meeting will be available for 
public inspection and copying at MMS in Herndon.

    Authority: Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, 5 
U.S.C. Appendix 1, and the Office of Management and Budget's 
Circular No. A-63, Revised.

    Dated: May 9, 2002.
Michael Hunt,
Acting Associate Director for Offshore Minerals Management.
[FR Doc. 02-12035 Filed 5-13-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-MR-P