FACA

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DOI - 5222 - Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council - Statutory (Congress Created)

GENERAL INFORMATION

Committee Name	Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council	Agency Name	Department of the Interior
Fiscal Year	2023	Committee Number	5222
Original Establishment Date	11/12/1996	Committee Status	Administratively Inactive
Actual Termination Date		Committee URL	https://www.nps.gov/boha/learn/management/bosto...
New Committee This FY	No	Presidential Appointments*	No
Terminated This FY	No	Max Number of Members*	28
Current Charter Date	2/25/2008	Designated Fed Officer Position Title*	General Superintendent, National Parks of Boston
Date Of Renewal Charter	2/25/2010	Designated Federal Officer Prefix
Projected Termination Date		Designated Federal Officer First Name*	Michael
Exempt From Renewal*	Yes	Designated Federal Officer Middle Name
Specific Termination Authority		Designated Federal Officer Last Name*	Creasy
Establishment Authority*	Statutory (Congress Created)	Designated Federal Officer Suffix
Specific Establishment Authority*	P.L. 104-333	Designated Federal Officer Phone*	(617) 242-5644
Effective Date Of Authority*	11/12/1996	Designated Federal Officer Fax*
Exempt From EO 13875 Discretionary Cmte	Not Applicable	Designated Federal Officer Email*	micheal_creasy@nps.gov
Committee Type*	Continuing
Presidential*	No
Committee Function*	Non Scientific Program Advisory Board

RECOMMENDATION/JUSTIFICATIONS

Agency Recommendation*	Continue
Legislation to Terminate Required	Not Applicable
Legislation Status	Not Applicable
How does cmte accomplish its purpose?*	The Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Council's purpose is to advise and make recommendations to the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership on the development and implementation of the general management plan for the islands, including ongoing park operations. The Council has two seats on the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership, as required by P.L. 104-333. The Council is the primary mechanism used by the Partnership to consult with the public on matters of park planning and management, doing so through public meetings, workshops, and other general public forums. The Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Council directly aids the NPS in meeting the DOI's goal to "Restore trust and be a good neighbor." Council engagement with the public and with park management promotes transparency and provides a regular channel through which community members and organizations can share information with park management. This Council also furthers the SOI's goal to uphold its responsibilities to foster government-to-government relationship with federally recognized tribes. One Council member is appointed to represent Mashpee Wampanoag, a federally recognized tribe within Massachusetts. Additional benefits to the NPS and DOI stem from the efficiencies created when park managers have one streamlined source to collect information from public interest groups. This reduces the amount of time park staff spends engaging with individual community members and organizations. The Council does the work of capturing broad interest for the government, reducing the amount of staffing needed to collect public comment for planning decisions.
How is membership balanced?*	The Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Council consists of not fewer than 18 individuals, to be appointed by the Secretary, acting through the Director of the National Park Service. The Secretary appoints no fewer than three individuals to represent each of the following categories of entities: municipalities; educational and cultural institutions; environmental organizations; business and commercial entities, including those related to transportation, tourism and the maritime industry; Boston Harbor-related advocacy organizations; and organizations representing Native American interests. Community groups are also represented on the Council.
How frequent & relevant are cmte mtgs?*	The Advisory Council is administratively inactive. The Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Council typically holds four meetings per year. Meetings focus on issues related to Council membership and bylaws, community outreach efforts, anniversaries, general operations, and discussions on the Council's role as a FACA committee and as a voting member of the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership.
Why advice can't be obtained elsewhere?*	Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area Advisory Council was established to represent constituents of the island system. The island system is comprised of 34 islands within the Boston Harbor that are owned by private sector, state, municipal, and USCG entities. This Council seeks advice from concerned citizens and organizations that have an interest in the park, serving as a liaison between park management and the general public. The 28-member Council includes representatives of seven distinct interest groups, representing business and commercial interests, including those related to the maritime industry, tourism, and water transportation; municipalities; volunteer organizations; education and cultural organizations; and Native American interests. Native American interests are of particular importance in management decisions due to the park's enabling legislation that highlights the importance of understanding the history of Native American use and involvement with the islands. The Council has traditionally served as the main vehicle for park management to collect and incorporate the interests and history of Native American communities in park planning. The importance of including other special interest groups, including private industry, local municipalities, and volunteer and advocacy organizations in park planning and decision making stems from the nature of the park and its surrounding community. Located proximal to a large urban landscape, Boston Harbor Islands decision making has the potential to impact many of the local communities it serves. Conversely, the decisions made by these special interest groups have the potential to impact park resources. The Council has proved a useful tool for information sharing and community-responsive planning that allows park managers to gather input, gain an understanding of public perspective, and address questions and concerns in a single forum. This use of a single, stream-lined public input process reduces the amount of time park management spends on engaging with individual community members and organizations. This adds to the park's ability to reach a larger audience with limited federal resources.
Why close or partially close meetings?	All meetings are open.
Recommendation Remarks	The Advisory Council is administratively inactive and did not meet in FY 2022. (1) EXPECTED CHARTER RENEWAL DATE -- Pursuant to the Commission's enabling legislation (P.L. 104-333), the biennial rechartering provisions of section 14 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act are waived for the Council. (2) EXPECTED COMMITTEE TERMINATION DATE/SPECIFIC TERMINATION AUTHORITY -- The enabling legislation anticipates the Commission will exist into the foreseeable future, without termination.

PERFORMANCE MEASURES

Outcome Improvement To Health Or Safety*	No	Action Reorganize Priorities*	No
Outcome Trust In Government	No	Action Reallocate Resources	No
Outcome Major Policy Changes	No	Action Issued New Regulations	No
Outcome Advance In Scientific Research	No	Action Proposed Legislation	No
Outcome Effective Grant Making	No	Action Approved Grants Or Other Payments	No
Outcome Improved Service Delivery	No	Action Other	No
Outcome Increased Customer Satisfaction	No	Action Comment
Outcome Implement Laws/Reg Requirements	No	Grants Review*	No
Outcome Other	Yes	Number Of Grants Reviewed	0
Outcome Comment	The Advisory Council is administratively inactive and did not meet in FY 2022.	Number Of Grants Recommended	0
Cost Savings*	Unable to Determine	Dollar Value Of Grants Recommended	$0.00
Cost Savings Comment	Not Applicable	Grants Review Comment	Not Applicable
Number Of Recommendations*	22	Access Contact Designated Fed. Officer*	Yes
Number Of Recommendations Comment	No recommendations in FY 2022. Boston Harbor Islands Advisory Council has provided a total of 22 recommendations to park management. Summary of Council activities: Provided comment and public meetings for park's General Management Plan- 2000 Provided position on new runway at Boston Logan International Airport- 2001 Provided position on development of water transportation system- 2001 Developed Native American media project- 2003 Developed community outreach strategy- 2003 Provided comment on Visitor Experience and Resource Protection Initiative- 2003 Provided statement on Wind Energy Initiative- 2003 Gathered public comments on Peddocks Island Adaptive Reuse of Fort Andrews Project- 2005 Submitted statement on liquified natural gas facility on Outer Brewster Island- 2006 Provided analysis of park's strategic plan, with several recommendations for improvement- 2006 Reviewed and commented on branding initiative of park's nonprofit partner- 2007 Provided list of park priorities, identifying 66 recommendations with 10 top priorities- 2008 Gathered public comment on Georges Island Pier Project- 2008 Hosted several public comment workshops to develop park's 2016 Strategic Plan, providing written and verbal comments- 2009 Provided recommendations for public outreach via social media- 2010 Reviewed a draft communication guide- 2010 Provided input on the park's pet policy- 2010 Provided feedback on moorings, marina operations, and park infrastructure- 2012 Provided input on park's Call to Action Plan and Solid Waste Initiative- 2012 Held public workshop to present the 2013 Boston University Master of City Planning and Urban Affairs Symposium Team's Advisory Plan- 2013 Provided recommendations to update the park's General Management Plan- 2013 Participated in a workshop to advise and assist in the development of a State of the Park report- 2014 Council focused inward on developing plans for increasing public participation in park management- 2015 Council focused on increasing membership, understanding council structure, and goal setting- 2016	Access Agency Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented*	30.00%	Access Committee Website	Yes
% of Recs Fully Implemented Comment	The Advisory Council gives regular feedback to the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership. Observations and comments are ongoing and discussions are consensus based. The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership listens to the members of the Council on all aspects of Partnership deliberations. The Council will often submit multiple recommendations in one document or at one meeting. Managers often agree with 90% or more of the content, and do incorporate the Council's recommendations into plans and actions but there is not always funding available to fully implement.	Access GSA FACA Website	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented*	60.00%	Access Publications	Yes
% of Recs Partially Implemented Comment	The Advisory Council gives regular feedback to the Boston Harbor Islands Partnership. Observations and comments are ongoing and discussions are consensus based. The Boston Harbor Islands Partnership listens to the members of the Council on all aspects of Partnership deliberations. The Council will often submit multiple recommendations in one document or at one meeting. Managers often agree with 90% or more of the content, and do incorporate the Council's recommendations into plans and actions but there is not always funding available to fully implement.	Access Other	No
Agency Feedback*	Yes	Access Comment	Not Applicable
Agency Feedback Comment*	The Agency provides feedback through updates at Partnership, Advisory Council, and committee meetings. Partnership members and the Superintendent, the DFO, attend meetings so there is an exchange of information. When appropriate, feedback is provided by email, fax, mail, social media or web pages.	Narrative Description*	Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area has unique legislation whereby the National Park Service does not own any land but instead serves as a facilitator at the landscape-scale for planning and coordination of resource management, educational, and operational activities.

COSTS

Payments to Non-Federal Members*		Est Payments to Non-Fed Members Next FY*
Payments to Federal Members*		Est. Payments to Fed Members Next FY*
Payments to Federal Staff*		Estimated Payments to Federal Staff*
Payments to Consultants*		Est. Payments to Consultants Next FY*
Travel Reimb. For Non-Federal Members*		Est Travel Reimb Non-Fed Members nextFY*
Travel Reimb. For Federal Members*		Est Travel Reimb For Fed Members*
Travel Reimb. For Federal Staff*		Est. Travel Reimb to Fed Staff Next FY*
Travel Reimb. For Consultants*		Est Travel Reimb to Consultants Next FY*
Other Costs		Est. Other Costs Next FY*
Total Costs	$0.00	Est. Total Next FY*	$0.00
Date Cost Last Modified	2/7/2023 1:10 PM	Est. Fed Staff Support Next FY*
Federal Staff Support (FTE)*		Est Cost Remarks
Cost Remarks

Interest Areas

Category Area Animals Fish and Wildlife Business Small Business Civil Rights Native Americans Education Education Energy Natural Resources Environment Earth Sciences Environmental Issues Oceans and Atmospheric Sciences Waste Disposal Government Tribal Government Land Conservation and Preservation Land Management and Use National Parks, Sites, Trails, Recreational Areas Monuments Transportation Mass Transit Boating and Navigation Water Harbors Water Use Waterways

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