Availability of Seats for the Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council

AGENCY:

National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), National Ocean Service (NOS), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Commerce (DOC).

ACTION:

Notice and request for applications.

SUMMARY:

The Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary (TBNMS or sanctuary) is seeking applicants for the following vacant seats on its Sanctuary Advisory Council (council): Higher Education, Recreation, Fishing (recreational, charter, and/or commercial), Business/Economic Development alternate, and Citizen-at-Large. Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; philosophy regarding the protection and management of marine resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the sanctuary. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve 3-year terms, pursuant to the council's Charter.

DATES:

Applications are due by March 31, 2008.

ADDRESSES:

Application kits may be obtained from Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 500 W. Fletcher Street, Alpena, Michigan 49707. Completed applications should be sent to the same address.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Jean Prevo, Advisory Council Coordinator, Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary, 500 W. Fletcher Street, Alpena, Michigan 49707, (989) 356-8805 ext. 13, jean.prevo@noaa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

The Thunder Bay Sanctuary Advisory Council (council) was established in 1997. The council has fifteen members and fifteen alternatives; five seats represent local community governments, and the other ten represent facets of the sanctuary community, including education, research, fishing, diving, tourism, economic development, and the community at large. The council meets bi-monthly, with informal coffees and lunches scheduled for non-meeting months. Working groups meet as needed. The fifteen alternates also take an active role in council meetings as well as assist in carrying out many volunteer assignments throughout the year.

Authority: 16 U.S.C. 1431, et seq.