Charting the Course for Ocean Science in the United States: Research Priorities for the Next Decade The National Science and Technology Council Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology is developing Charting the Course for Ocean Science in the United States: Research Priorities for the Next Decade, a draft document that outlines the national ocean research priorities for the United States for the next ten years. Called for in the U.S. Ocean Action Plan, this draft document, along with a follow-on Implementation Strategy, will describe a vision for U.S. ocean science and technology, highlight key areas of interaction of our society and the ocean, and identify critical ocean research priorities for these areas. The draft document is scheduled to be released for public comment late summer 2006. Public briefings on the national ocean research priorities will be held during the next few months in the following cities: Seattle, WA; Anchorage, AK; Miami, FL; Honolulu, HI; Baton Rouge, LA; West Long Branch, NJ; Chicago, IL; and La Jolla, CA. Town hall meetings and panels will also be held at several conferences across the country including Oceans 2006, California and the World Ocean '06, and the American Fisheries Society Annual Meeting. A developing list of public briefings and meetings with venue details is located at: http://ocean.ceq.gov/about/sup_jsost_orpp_outreach.html Members from the research community, Industry groups, ocean educators, government representatives (federal, state, tribal, and local), international representatives, non-governmental organizations, and any interested individuals are invited to attend. For more information, contact: Shelby E. Walker, JSOST Project Manager USGCRP/CCSP Office, 1717 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 250, Washington, DC 20006 T:202-419-3464; F:202-223-3064; e-mail:swalker@usgcrp.gov PLEASE DISTRIBUTE -- Shelby E. Walker, Ph.D. Project Manager Joint Subcommittee on Ocean Science and Technology (JSOST) USGCRP/CCSP Office 1717 Pennsylvania Ave., Suite 250 Washington, DC 20006 T: 202-419-3464 F: 202-223-3064