{"id":173361,"date":"2020-10-30T18:34:51","date_gmt":"2020-10-30T18:34:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/?p=173361"},"modified":"2026-05-05T15:34:31","modified_gmt":"2026-05-05T15:34:31","slug":"make-your-voice-heard-provide-input-on-ocean-mapping-exploration-and-characterization-efforts-in-the-u-s-eez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/make-your-voice-heard-provide-input-on-ocean-mapping-exploration-and-characterization-efforts-in-the-u-s-eez\/","title":{"rendered":"Make your voice heard: Provide input on ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization efforts in the U.S. EEZ"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council (NOMEC Council), a group of federal agencies established&nbsp;to carry out the&nbsp;<a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/20200611-FINAL-STRATEGY-NOMEC-Sec.-2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone<\/a>,&nbsp;requests your input on developing an Implementation Plan and setting strategic priorities for the effort to map the entire U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by 2040 and explore and characterize strategic areas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<!--more-->\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><div class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-host wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover\"><a class=\"wpcp-wp-lightbox-image-link\" href=\"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nomec-listeningsessions-flyer.jpg\" data-wpcp-wp-lb-image=\"1\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"900\" height=\"1200\" src=\"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nomec-listeningsessions-flyer.jpg\" alt=\"Flyer for listening sessions\" class=\"wp-image-173362\"\/><\/a><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">There are three opportunities to provide comments on NOMEC and the development of an implementation plan during two listening sessions on November 16 and 18, 2020, and by submission of public comments. Advance public comments are encouraged by November 12, 2020.<\/figcaption><a href=\"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nomec-listeningsessions-flyer.jpg\" data-fancybox=\"wpcp-wp-img-173362\" class=\"wpcp-lightbox-trigger wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon wpcp-position-top-right wpcp-advanced-image-lightbox-icon-hover wpcp-global-lightbox-icon wpcp-lightbox-icon--global wpcp-lb-icon-style-default\" data-wpcp-lb-icon-source=\"global\" aria-label=\"Open image in lightbox\" data-thumb-src=\"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/nomec-listeningsessions-flyer.jpg\" data-wpcp-lb-single=\"1\"><span class=\"wpcp-icon-container\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 20 20\"><path d=\"M17.6585 16.025L14.2437 12.6198C15.1716 11.3338 15.6121 9.7613 15.4871 8.1819C15.362 6.60251 14.6795 5.11847 13.5607 3.99351C12.936 3.36206 12.1916 2.86066 11.3709 2.51845C10.5502 2.17623 9.66952 2 8.77995 2C7.89039 2 7.00969 2.17623 6.18899 2.51845C5.36829 2.86066 4.62395 3.36206 3.99919 3.99351C3.36594 4.61649 2.86312 5.35871 2.51992 6.17708C2.17673 6.99545 2 7.87365 2 8.76068C2 9.64772 2.17673 10.5259 2.51992 11.3443C2.86312 12.1627 3.36594 12.9049 3.99919 13.5279C5.11957 14.6901 6.62279 15.4103 8.23285 15.5562C9.84291 15.7022 11.4517 15.2641 12.7639 14.3224L16.1788 17.7275C16.3849 17.9034 16.6473 18 16.9186 18C17.1899 18 17.4523 17.9034 17.6585 17.7275C18.1138 17.16 18.1138 16.5925 17.6585 16.025ZM5.59278 12.0523C5.16258 11.6298 4.82094 11.1263 4.58774 10.5709C4.35455 10.0156 4.23446 9.41951 4.23446 8.81744C4.23446 8.21536 4.35455 7.6193 4.58774 7.06394C4.82094 6.50859 5.16258 6.00503 5.59278 5.58257C6.01644 5.15359 6.52144 4.81292 7.07838 4.58039C7.63532 4.34786 8.23308 4.22811 8.83687 4.22811C9.44066 4.22811 10.0384 4.34786 10.5954 4.58039C11.1523 4.81292 11.6573 5.15359 12.081 5.58257C12.5112 6.00503 12.8528 6.50859 13.086 7.06394C13.3192 7.6193 13.4393 8.21536 13.4393 8.81744C13.4393 9.41951 13.3192 10.0156 13.086 10.5709C12.8528 11.1263 12.5112 11.6298 12.081 12.0523C11.6573 12.4813 11.1523 12.822 10.5954 13.0545C10.0384 13.287 9.44066 13.4068 8.83687 13.4068C8.23308 13.4068 7.63532 13.287 7.07838 13.0545C6.52144 12.822 6.01644 12.4813 5.59278 12.0523Z\" \/><\/svg><\/span><\/a><\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Target Audience:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The NOMEC Council seeks input from non-federal stakeholders interested mapping, exploration, and characterization from all sectors, including academia, non-profit, industry, community partners, and other stakeholders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Request for Comments by November 12 and two Federal Register Notices<\/strong>:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Please email letters and comments to:&nbsp; <a href=\"mailto:nomec.execsec@noaa.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nomec.execsec@noaa.gov<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">You are encouraged to provide advance comments via email on the development of the NOMEC Implementation Plan and the strategic priorities. Please submit comments with subject line &#8220;<em>Public Comment on Implementation Plan for the National Strategy<\/em>&#8221; for request #1 and subject line, &#8220;<em>Public Comment on Exploration Priorities for the Implementation Plan<\/em>&#8221; for request #2.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Implementing a National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the U.S. EEZ\u00a0<\/strong>&#8211; The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) issued a notice stating that the NOMEC Council requests input from all interested parties on the development of an Implementation Plan for the National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the U.S. EEZ (\u201cNational Strategy\u201d).\u00a0Input should be provided by\u00a0November 12, 2020.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2020\/10\/13\/2020-22411\/request-for-comment-implementation-plan-for-the-national-strategy-for-ocean-mapping-exploring-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">85 Fed. Reg. 64446<\/a>\u00a0(10\/13\/20)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Strategic priorities for mapping, exploring, and characterizing the U.S. EEZ\u00a0<\/strong> -NOAA issued a second notice stating that the NOMEC Council requests input from all interested parties on the strategic priorities to be included in the Implementation Plan for the National Strategy.\u00a0Input should be provided by\u00a0November 12, 2020.\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2020\/10\/13\/2020-22413\/request-for-information-implementation-plan-for-the-national-strategy-for-mapping-exploring-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">85 Fed. Reg. 64448<\/a>\u00a0(10\/13\/20) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2020\/10\/13\/2020-22413\/request-for-information-implementation-plan-for-the-national-strategy-for-mapping-exploring-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/www.federalregister.gov\/documents\/2020\/10\/13\/2020-22413\/request-for-information-implementation-plan-for-the-national-strategy-for-mapping-exploring-and<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register to attend the Virtual Public Listening Sessions<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Session 1, Nov 16, 2-3:30pm EST: Ocean Exploration and Characterization<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register: &nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nsf.zoomgov.com\/meeting\/register\/vJItfumsqDwoGIDLdHYa_l4ASgzeK_mWmwI\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/nsf.zoomgov.com\/meeting\/register\/vJItfumsqDwoGIDLdHYa_l4ASgzeK_mWmwI<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Session 2, Nov 18, 2-3:30pm EST: Ocean Mapping<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Register: &nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/nsf.zoomgov.com\/meeting\/register\/vJIscemqqjkuGj4ou4-EL5AZJ6f8pZJw0Sc\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/nsf.zoomgov.com\/meeting\/register\/vJIscemqqjkuGj4ou4-EL5AZJ6f8pZJw0Sc<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Background<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In November 2019, the United States issued the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/presidential-actions\/memorandum-ocean-mapping-united-states-exclusive-economic-zone-shoreline-nearshore-alaska\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Presidential Memorandum on Ocean Mapping of the United States Exclusive Economic Zone and Shoreline and Nearshore of Alaska<\/a>.&nbsp;Section 2 calls&nbsp;for Federal agencies to develop a strategy to conduct ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization exercises to meet the mandate to map the entire U.S. EEZ by 2040 and explore and characterize priority areas. Following this directive, in June of 2020, the White House released the&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.whitehouse.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/20200611-FINAL-STRATEGY-NOMEC-Sec.-2.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone<\/a>. This document sets forth a National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), for enhancing opportunities for collaboration among interagency and non-United States Government entities with respect to those activities, and creates the NOMEC Council. Public input is essential for developing the Implementation Plan to carry out the goals and objectives outlined in the National Strategy. The first federal register notice seeks input on the Implementation Plan to carry out the national strategy and the second federal register notice solicits input on the strategic priorities for exploration and characterization activities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public comments and questions can be addressed to <a href=\"mailto:nomec.execsec@noaa.gov\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">nomec.execsec@noaa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The National Ocean Mapping, Exploration, and Characterization Council (NOMEC Council), a group of federal agencies established&nbsp;to carry out the&nbsp;National Strategy for Mapping, Exploring, and Characterizing the United States Exclusive Economic Zone,&nbsp;requests your input on developing an Implementation Plan and setting strategic priorities for the effort to map the entire U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) by &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/make-your-voice-heard-provide-input-on-ocean-mapping-exploration-and-characterization-efforts-in-the-u-s-eez\/\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Make your voice heard: Provide input on ocean mapping, exploration, and characterization efforts in the U.S. EEZ&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":173363,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,6,7,8,34,56,13,24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-173361","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bathymetry","category-event","category-hydrographic-surveys","category-hydrography","category-integrated-ocean-and-coastal-mapping","category-leadership","category-noaa","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173361","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173361"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173361\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":185652,"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173361\/revisions\/185652"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173363"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173361"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=173361"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/nauticalcharts.noaa.gov\/updates\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173361"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}