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Report on HAB Prediction and Response Published in the Federal Register for Public Comment

The draft National Assessment of Efforts to Predict and Respond to Harmful Algal Blooms in U.S. Waters was published in the Federal Register on September 27, 2006. This report details current harmful algal bloom (HAB) prediction and response efforts and highlights opportunities for advancement of those efforts at local and national scales. The report is the first step in a process to develop an effective and coordinated strategy for reducing HAB impacts, and public comments will inform this process. Comments on all aspects of the report are encouraged, but feedback on the current state of efforts (including infrastructure) in prediction and response to prevent, control, or mitigate HABs, and suggestions for improving those efforts will be particularly useful. The public is given until November 20, 2006 to provide public comments on the report. Please follow the guidelines below when providing feedback.

SUBMITTING COMMENTS:

The Draft National Assessment of Efforts to Predict and Respond to Harmful Algal Blooms in U.S. Waters is available. The public is encouraged to submit comments on the draft report electronically to Prediction.Response.Comments@noaa.gov. The format for comments is given below. As stated in the report, public comments will be summarized and added to the report prior to submission to Congress. For those who do not have access to a computer, comments on the document may be submitted in writing to:

Quay Dortch
NOS/NCCOS/CSCOR/COP
N/SCI2
NOAA
1305 East West Highway
Building IV Rm 8220
Silver Spring , MD 20910

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Quay Dortch by phone 301-713-3338 x157

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

OSTP is publishing this draft report as mandated by the Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia Amendments Act 2004 (P.L. 108-456) to request public comments. The report is organized into FIVE sections plus FIVE appendices:

  1. Executive Summary,
  2. Legislative Background and Purpose of the Report,
  3. Assessment of the Harmful Algal Bloom (HAB) Problem in U.S. waters,
  4. Prediction and Response Programs in the U.S. and
  5. Opportunities for Advancement in Prediction and Response Efforts.

Appendices include:

  1. Prediction and Response Programs in the U.S.,
  2. Other National Programs,
  3. State, local, and tribal Prediction and Response Efforts,
  4. International Programs related to HAB prediction and response, and
  5. Federal Register Notice.

COMMENTS REQUEST:

The Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) welcomes all comments on the content of the Draft report. OSTP is specifically interested in feedback on:

  1. the current state of efforts (including infrastructure) in Prediction and Response to prevent, control, or mitigate Harmful Algal Blooms;
  2. suggestions for specific improvements in those efforts.

Please adhere to the instructions detailed below for preparing and submitting your comments on the Draft National Assessment of Efforts to Predict and Respond to Harmful Algal Blooms in U.S. Waters. Using the format guidance described below will facilitate the processing of reviewer comments and assure that all comments are appropriately considered.

FORMAT GUIDANCE:

Please format your comments into the following sections:

  1. background information for yourself including name, title, organizational affiliation and email or telephone (optional),
  2. overview or general comments,
  3. specific comments with reference to pages or line numbers where possible, and
  4. specific comments about the current state of efforts in prevention, control and mitigation of HABs (PCM), including infrastructure.

Please number and print identifying information at the top of all pages.

Public comments may be submitted from 09/27/2006 to 11/20/2006.

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