Draft February 12, 2007
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
CHARTER OF THE
NOAA OCEANS AND HUMAN HEALTH INITIATIVE
ADVISORY PANEL
ESTABLISHMENT
The Oceans and Human Health Act of 2004 (PL 108-447) created a national, interagency
research program to improve understanding of the role of the oceans in human health.
Section 903(a) of this Act authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish an Oceans
and Human Health Initiative (OHHI) to coordinate and implement research and activities
of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) related to the role of
the oceans, the coasts, and the Great Lakes in human health. The OHHI is further
authorized to provide support for (1) centralized program and research coordination, (2)
an advisory panel, (3) one or more NOAA national centers of excellence, (4) research
grants, and (5) distinguished scholars and traineeships. Section 903(b) of the OHH Act
further authorizes the Secretary of Commerce to establish an oceans and human health
advisory panel to assist in the development and implementation of the NOAA OHHI.
This advisory panel is to provide for balanced representation of individuals with multidisciplinary expertise in the marine and biomedical sciences and policy and is not subject
to the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
In 2005, authorities provided to the Secretary of Commerce under the OHH Act were
delegated to the Under Secretary of Commerce for Oceans and Atmosphere and then redelegated to the Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone
Management. Initial appointments to the advisory panel were completed by the NOAA
Assistant Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management in May 2006.
OBJECTIVES AND DUTIES
The purpose of the OHH advisory panel is to advise NOAA with regard to:
1. Development of overall vision, mission and goals for its OHHI;
2. Preparation and periodic updating of a NOAA OHHI Strategic Plan;
3. Communication, coordination and integration of OHHI activities with other
programs and partners, including but not limited to the NSF/NIEHS Centers of Oceans
and Human Health, the Inter-Agency Task Force on Harmful Algal Blooms and Hypoxia,
human health academic and medical communities, and state environmental, health and
natural resource agencies;
4. OHHI performance and progress;
5. Effectiveness of NOAA’s education and outreach efforts; and
Draft February 12, 2007
6. Such other matters as may be identified.
The advisory panel will function solely as an advisory body.
MEMBERS AND CHAIR
The advisory panel shall not exceed 15 members appointed by the NOAA Assistant
Administrator for Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management. Members will be
appointed for three-year terms, renewable once. Vacancy appointments shall be for the
remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy, and shall be renewable twice if the
unexpired term is less than one year. Members whose terms have expired may remain on
the advisory panel until a replacement is appointed.
Members will be subject to ethical standards applicable to special government
employees.
Members will be selected on a clear, standardized basis, in accordance with applicable
Department of Commerce guidance.
The Chair and Vice-Chair of the advisory panel will chosen by the advisory panel
members in consultation with the NOS Senior Scientist for Coastal Ecology or such other
NOAA official as may be empowered by the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Ocean
Services and Coastal Zone Management.
ADMINISTRATIVE PROVISIONS
The advisory panel will report to the NOS Senior Scientist for Coastal Ecology or other
NOAA official as may be designated by the NOAA Assistant Administrator for Ocean
Services and Coastal Zone Management.
The NOS Senior Scientist for Coastal Ecology and the OHHI Program Director/Manager
or his/her representative(s) will attend all meetings of the advisory panel, and will
approve the agenda for meetings.
The NOS Senior Scientist for Coastal Ecology, working with the OHHI Program
Director/Manager, may make available such staff, information, administrative services,
or assistance as they, in consultation with the advisory panel, determine reasonably
necessary to enable the advisory panel and any subcommittees or working groups to carry
out their functions. This includes the preparation and approval of a brief report
summarizing advisory panel deliberations and recommendations and delivered to NOAA
shortly after the meeting.
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The advisory panel will meet twice yearly, except additional meetings may be called as
deemed desirable by the NOS Senior Scientist for Coastal Ecology or other designated
NOAA official or in consultation with the Chair of the advisory panel.
Members of the advisory panel will not be compensated for their services, but will upon
request be allowed travel and per diem as authorized by 5 U.S.C. §5701 et seq.
The advisory panel may establish such subcommittees of its members as may be
necessary, subject to the provisions of the Department of Commerce Committee
Management Handbook.
Reasonable public notice of advisory panel meetings shall be provided. The advisory
panel may go into closed session for purposes of protecting proprietary or confidential
information from disclosure or for confidential deliberations, including such purposes as
set forth in the meeting closure provisions of the Government in the Sunshine Act, 5
U.S.C. § 552b(c).
Standard rules of procedure will apply to advisory panel meetings, and decisions of the
advisory panel will be taken by majority vote, except that a minority report may
accompany any recommendation reported to NOAA.
DURATION
This charter will be reviewed periodically by the NOAA Assistant Administrator for
Ocean Services and Coastal Zone Management and amended or modified as necessary.
___________________________
NOAA Assistant Administrator
for Ocean Services and
Coastal Zone Management
_____________
Date
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