Steering CommitteeThe ABSI LCC is governed by a Steering Committee that provides guidance and oversight to the core staff (Coordinator and Science Coordinator). It is composed of the designated representatives of State, Federal and Alaska Native entities participating in the ABSI LCC with an emphasis on field-level staff responsible for management and conservation of land and natural resources in the ABSI region as defined under the Scope section of our charter.
State and Federal agencies holding a seat on the ABSI LCC Steering Committee may be represented by up to two members. Steering Committee members may designate an alternate representative to a Steering Committee meeting, provided the alternate has been given the information, and vested with the authority to speak for, and make decisions on behalf of, the agency being represented. Rotation between standing members and designated alternates may occur on a yearly basis. Governance of the LCC is detailed in the charter, which defines the membership and roles of the LCC constituent parts, specifies the charter review process, clarifies the governance of the LCC, and outlies its operational guidelines. Steering Committee MembershipPrior to convening their first meeting in September 2011, the ABSI staff contacted representatives of Federal, State, and Tribal governments to gauge interest in participating at the Steering Committee level. The Interim Steering Committee, which met three times to develop the charter, originally consisted of four Federal agencies (NOAA, USGS, USFWS, EPA), one State of Alaska agency (ADFG), and one Federally-recognized Alaska Native Tribe (The Qawalangin Tribe of Unalaska). Upon adoption of the charter on March 5, 2012, the State of Alaska declined to participate further on the Steering Committee.
Since adopting our charter, there have been a few changes to the Steering Committee membership. In 2012, the EPA withdrew from further participation, and the Aleutian Pribilof Islands Association joined. And in 2013 both the Pacific Coast Joint Venture and Bureau of Ocean Energy Management also joined the ABSI Steering Committee. In 2015, the National Park Service, represented by Dr. Tahzay Jones, Coordinator of their Oceans and Coastal Programs, and Alaska Sea Grant, represented by Melissa Good, Marine Advisory Program agent in Unalaska, joined the Steering Committee. Most recently, the Aleut Community of St. Paul, represented by Lauren Divine, joined in January 2016. The current Chair is Tahzay Jones; our current Vice Chair is Lauren Divine. |
CharterThe ABSI LCC charter was modeled after those of the Artic and Western Alaska LCCs. It was finalized and adopted by the Steering Committee on March 5, 2012. You can download a PDF version of the charter here.
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Current Steering Committee![]()
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