NOAA Office of Program Planning and Integration

2.5 – Federal Advisory Committees

Federal Advisory Committees (FACs) provide advice and guidance to NOAA on specific functional areas. The Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) requires that certain procedures be followed when a Federal agency seeks consensus advice from a group external to the Federal Government. The FACA provides uniform standards for the operation of advisory committees in the Executive Branch and ensures public access to and knowledge of their deliberations.

The ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON COMMERCIAL REMOTE SENSING (ACCRES) advises NOAA on matters relating to the U.S. commercial remote-sensing industry and NOAA’s activities to carry out the responsibilities established in the Land Remote Sensing Policy Act of 1992, particularly the Act’s provisions related to licensing of private remote sensing space systems. This FAC has 13 members (the charter requires 12–15).

The HYDROGRAPHIC SERVICES REVIEW PANEL (HSRP) was established by the NOAA Hydrographic Services Improvement Act to provide advice to the NOAA Administrator on all authorities related to hydrographic surveys. The scope of this FAC includes hydrographic surveying, nautical charting, water level measurements, and geodetic measurements, as well as operations, research, development, and dissemination of these data.

The MARINE FISHERIES ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MAFAC) was established by the Secretary of Commerce in 1971 to advise the NOAA Administrator on all living marine resource matters that are the responsibility of DOC. This committee advises and reviews the adequacy of living marine resource policies and programs to meet the needs of commercial and recreational fisheries, as well as environmental, state, consumer, academic, tribal, governmental, and other national interests.

The MARINE PROTECTED AREAS FEDERAL ADVISORY COMMITTEE (MPAFAC) was established by Executive Order (EO) 13158, Marine Protected Areas. The committee establishes policy for protecting “the significant natural and cultural resources within the marine environment for the benefit of present and future generations by strengthening and expanding the Nation’s system of marine protected areas.” This FAC has 25 members.

The NATIONAL CLIMATE ASSESSMENT AND DEVELOPMENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (NCADC) was established under the Department of Commerce in December 2010 and is supported through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). It is a federal advisory committee established as per the Federal Advisory Committee Act of 1972. The Committee serves to oversee the activities of the National Climate Assessment.

The NATIONAL SEA GRANT ADVISORY BOARD was established in 1976 and is authorized by statute (33 U.S.C. § 1128) to advise the Secretary of Commerce, NOAA Administrator, and NOAA Sea Grant Director on the direction, operations, and performance of the National Sea Grant College Program. The panel comprises 15 members with expertise in marine science and with diverse backgrounds related to ocean, coastal, and Great Lakes resources.

The SCIENCE ADVISORY BOARD (SAB) is an external 15-member FAC composed of eminent scientists, engineers, resource managers, and educators which advises NOAA on long- and short-range strategies for research, education, and the application of science to resource management, as well as environmental assessment and prediction. The SAB assists NOAA in maintaining a current understanding of scientific issues critical to the agency’s mission. Members are appointed by the NOAA Administrator to serve a three-year term with the possibility of a second term.