The NSSI Oversight Group is an executive level organization that sets direction for the NSSI, sets NSSI goals and expectations, and serves as the decision-making body for NSSI priorities. It includes executive membership from federal, state, local and Alaska Native entities that have responsibilities for land and resource management across the North Slope and its adjacent seas. Members include the Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, Alaska Department of Natural Resources, and North Slope Borough. The U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Geological Survey, National Weather Service, U.S. Coast Guard and the U.S. Arctic Research Commission serve the Oversight Group in an advisory capacity.
The stated mission of the Oversight Group is to “enhance the quality and quantity of the scientific information available for aquatic, terrestrial, and marine environments on the North Slope and to make this information available to decision makers, governmental agencies, industry, and the public. This mission will be accomplished through a coordinated and integrated approach to conducting inventory, monitoring, and research activities on the North Slope.” To accomplish this, the Oversight Group directs and facilitates information gathering and analysis on the North Slope. Specific objectives of the Oversight Group include:
- Developing an understanding of informational needs for regulatory and land-management agencies, local governments, and the public;
- Identifying and prioritizing informational needs for inventory, monitoring, and research activities;
- Coordinating ongoing and future inventory, monitoring, and research activities to minimize duplication of effort, share financial resources and expertise, and assure the collection of high-quality information;
- Identifying priority needs not addressed by existing agency science programs and developing a funding strategy to meet these needs;
- Maintaining and improving public and agency access to past and ongoing research and to traditional and local knowledge; and
- Ensuring the technical quality of NSSI scientific activities.
The Oversight Group may establish other ad hoc and standing committees as considered necessary and specify the purpose and duration of each committee. Any committees established automatically expire upon completion of their assignment. The Oversight Group also will establish a standing senior staff-level committee composed of one member from each member agency or organization. Senior staff committee members advise their respective Oversight Group members on issues prior to each meeting and provide assistance to the NSSI Executive Director, as appropriate. Additionally, senior staff members work with STAP members on tasks assigned by the Oversight Group.
The Oversight Group meets a minimum of two times per year—once in Anchorage and once in Barrow or Fairbanks. The meetings are open to the public and shall provide an opportunity for public comment. The Oversight Group may close meetings on matters pertaining to confidential personnel issues, litigation, confidential information such as archaeological information, and other matters included under applicable State and Federal laws and Borough ordinances.
The Oversight Group meets a minimum of two times per year—once in Anchorage and once in Barrow or Fairbanks. The meetings are open to the public and shall provide an opportunity for public comment. The Oversight Group may close meetings on matters pertaining to confidential personnel issues, litigation, confidential information such as archaeological information, and other matters included under applicable State and Federal laws and Borough ordinances.
Oversight Group Members
- Bureau of Land Management
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
- National Park Service
- Bureau of Ocean Energy Management
- Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement
- National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game
- Alaska Department of Natural Resources
Meeting Documents
| Document | Link | Year | Category | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| December 10, 2019: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes |  | 2019 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| July 19, 2017: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2017 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| March 21, 2017: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2017 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| February 11, 2016: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2016 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| January, 28, 2015: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2015 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| October 9, 2015: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2015 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| September 23, 2014: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2014 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| March 3, 2014, Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2014 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| June 18, 2014: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2014 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| February 22, 2013: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes |  | 2013 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| June 20, 2013: Oversight Group: Meeting Minutes | | 2013 | Oversight Group | Meeting Minutes |
| June 13, 2013: Oversight Group: Charter | | 2013 | Oversight Group | Charter |