Date

Public Comment Period Open
Ocean Research Priorities Plan
U.S. National Science and Technology Council
Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology

For further information, please go to:
http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/sup_jsost_public_comment.html


The public comment period on the development of the Ocean Research
Priorities Plan (ORPP) is now open. The U.S. National Science and
Technology Council Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology
(JSOST) encourages all interested parties to review the planning
document and provide input. The planning document is available at:
http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/sup_jsost_public_comment.html

In addition to the public comment period, the JSOST is holding a public
workshop on 18-20 April 2006 in Denver, Colorado to solicit input and
guidance from the ocean science communities on the development of the
ORPP. Further information is available at:
http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/jsost_workshop/welcome.html

Called for in the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, the ORPP, in conjunction with
a follow-on Implementation Strategy, will describe a vision for U.S.
ocean science and technology, describe the challenges to be addressed,
identify key themes, specify goals for each theme and a time frame for
their achievement, and address implications for the use or
prioritization of resources. The draft ORPP will be formulated using the
input from both the workshop and the public comment period.

Members from the research community, ocean educators, government
representatives (federal, state, tribal, and local), industry groups,
international representatives, non-governmental organizations, and any
individuals interested in helping guide national ocean research are
invited to attend the workshop and contribute to the public comment.

For further information, please contact:
Shelby E. Walker, USGCRP/CCSP Office
1717 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 250
Washington, D.C. 20006

Phone: 202-419-3464
Fax: 202-223-3064
E-mail: swalker [at] usgcrp.gov