Minutes


June 19, 2015 • Arlington, Virginia

(Virtual Meeting for members)

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Committee Participants present: The meeting took place via conference call.

W. Berry Lyons* (OPP Subcommittee Chair)
Stefanie Brachfeld
James Dixon*
Thomas Neumann
Leigh Stearns
Gregory Sullivan*

(*designates subcommittee members who are members of the full AC/GEO)

NSF participants: 

Kelly Falkner (Director, OPP)
Gwen Adams
William Ambrose
Charles Amsler
Scot Arnold
Andrew Backe
Scott Borg
Jessie Crain
Renee Crain
Paul Cutler
Hedy Edmonds
Michael Jackson
Sue LaFratta
Maggie Knuth
Nature McGinn
Tim McGovern
Polly Penhale
Eric Saltzman
Pat Smith
Brian Stone
Neil Swanberg

Friday, June 19, 2015

Discussion Notes

Berry Lyons, chair of the OPP SC developed the agenda in coordination with Kelly Falkner, Director of NSF OPP. The agenda and main topics were outlined in a set of power point slides provided to all invitees prior to the teleconference. The main subjects were as follows:

1. .Antarctic Infrastructure Modernization (AIMS) Community Engagement Plan
   
   Kelly Falkner provided a status update on AIMS and explained its relation to the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) report. Nature McGinn reviewed the AIMS Community Engagement Plan and thanked the Polar Subcommittee members for their review of a matrix (which she previously provided to Berry Lyons) identifying science expertise needed for providing input to AIMS. Berry Lyons provided the status of OPP SC input on the matrix. Brian Stone reiterated the importance of obtaining input from the scientific community to help develop design requirements during the upcoming charrettes.  Stephanie Brachfeld asked whether AIMS included vessel requirements. Kelly Falkner responded that those requirements are being addressed through other means. Tom Neumann asked about timelines for feedback and what details are needed in the feedback; Nature noted the charettes are in July and Berry will coordinate input from the OPP SC.


2. OPP Updates on Personnel and Budget
   
   

   Kelly Falkner reviewed OPP personnel reassignments, departures, additions, pending selections, and vacancies. All newcomers who were present during the teleconference introduced themselves to the Polar Subcommittee. Scott Borg (Section Head for Antarctic Sciences) and Eric Saltzman (Section Head for Arctic Sciences) provided background on those newcomers who were not present. Sue LaFratta (Section Head for Polar Environmental Safety and Health) provided a status update on pending personnel action for the Medical Officer and Environmental Policy Specialist. Kelly Falkner and Scott Borg spoke about the Antarctic Integrated System Science Program Director position and encouraged Subcommittee members to inform the community of the vacancy and the Dear Colleague Letter relevant to those interested in possible IPA positions.   

   Kelly Falkner reviewed PLR’s current budget circumstances and GEO’s and NSF’s circumstances more generally. In relation to the FY2015 budget, OPP is expecting for the FY2016 budget to be flat at best, with the outcome depending on numerous factors at the National level. Eric Saltzman commented on the spending for Arctic Research Support and Logistics in FY2015, explaining that such spending is expected to go back down in FY2016. Subcommittee members asked how the budget situation relates to AIMS. Kelly Falkner and Brian Stone explained that OPP has to make R&RA investments in design before being approved to receive MREFC funds for AIMS.

3. OPP COVs
   
   Kelly Falkner reviewed the purpose, timing (every three years), and composition of Committee of Visitors (COVs). She informed the Polar Subcommittee that we would need recommendations for membership for the upcoming COVs. Scott Borg indicated that the next Antarctic COV (combined Antarctic Sciences and Antarctic Infrastructure and Logistics) and Arctic COV (similarly combined science and infrastructure and logistics) are planned to occur simultaneously in May of 2016. Scott Borg noted that the Polar Subcommittee would need to provide membership recommendations by January 2016. Eric Saltzman provided a status update on the Arctic Sciences response to the 2013 COV report. He plans to provide the complete formal response during the October 2015 AC GEO meeting. Scott Borg informed the Polar Subcommittee that they can interact with previous COV chairs and members to learn more about what others have done in the past in relation to conducting COVs. Kelly noted that each COV should have at least one member from the current AC GEO.


4. Closing Remarks
   
   Kelly Falkner noted the intention to use video capability to enhance the next OPP subcommittee meeting, which will be scheduled prior to the October 21-22, 2015 AC GEO meeting. Additionally, Polar Subcommittee members were encouraged to make suggestions for agenda items for the next meeting. Berry Lyons noted that he will work with the Subcommittee to co-develop the agenda for the next Subcommittee meeting.

Action Items

1. NSF OPP will provide the Polar Subcommittee a link to the Dear Colleague Letter regarding expressions of interest in OPP Rotator Program Officer positions (A. Backe).
2. NSF OPP will provide COV-related links to Polar Subcommittee members (A. Backe).
3. The OPP Subcommittee will provide recommendations for COV membership to the NSF OPP by January 15, 2016 (B. Lyons).
4. NSF OPP will prepare the Arctic Sciences Section full response to the 2013 COV and present it at the October 21-22, 2015 AC GEO meeting (E. Saltzman). 
5. NSF OPP will schedule the next Polar Subcommittee teleconference prior to the October 21-22, 2015 AC GEO Meeting and make arrangements to have video capabilities during the meeting (A. Backe).

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Last updated: 06/24/2015