OCS Scientific Committee Meets to Review BOEM Plans and Actions
The Outer Continental Shelf Scientific Committee, of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, will hold a Plenary Session on September 14-16, 2010, at the Embassy Suites Dulles North in Ashburn, Virginia.

A copy of the meeting agenda may be requested from BOEM by e-mailing Ms. Carolyn Beamer at carolyn.beamer@boemre.gov. Other inquiries concerning the OCS SC meeting should be addressed to Dr. James Kendall, Executive Secretary to the OCS SC, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement, 381 Elden Street, Mail Stop 4043, Herndon, Virginia 20170-4817, or by calling (703) 787-1656 or via e-mail at james.kendall@boemre.gov.

The OCS Scientific Committee will provide advice on the feasibility, appropriateness, and scientific value of the OCS Environmental Studies Program to the Secretary of the Interior through the Director of the BOEM. The Scientific committee will review the relevance of the research and data being produced to meet BOEM scientific information needs for decision making and may recommend changes in scope, direction, and emphasis.

On September 14, the Director of BOEM will address the Committee on the general status of BOEM and its activities. There will be a presentation from NOAA on the Natural Resource Damage Assessment process and on USGS science with respect to the Deepwater Horizon incident. The NRD assessment may include harm to marine mammals.

On Wednesday, September 15, the Committee will meet in discipline breakout sessions (i.e., biology/ecology, physical sciences, and social sciences) to review the specific studies plans of BOEM regional offices for Fiscal Years 2011-2013.

On Thursday, September 16, the Committee will meet in plenary session for reports of the individual discipline breakout sessions of the previous day and to continue with Committee business.

The meetings are open to the public. Approximately 30 visitors can be accommodated on a first-come-first-served basis at the plenary session.