Sanctuary Advisory Council Recruitment
NOAA is seeking applications from members of the public to fill the following 15 community voting seats, each having a member and an alternate, for Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary. Applications will be accepted by fax or mail through December 15, 2023.
- Maritime History and Archaeology
- Cultural Engagement (2 seats)
- Recreation (2 seats)
- Commercial Fishing
- Education (K-12)
- Education (Higher)
- Communication
- Tourism
- Recreational Fishing
- Business and Economic Development
- Research, Science, and Technology
- Citizen-at-Large
- Conservation (Environmental)
Council members and alternates provide advice and recommendations to NOAA regarding sanctuary management and will act as liaisons to community and constituent groups.
For more information on the advisory council please contact Jessica.Frayser@noaa.gov.
More information about sanctuary advisory councils is available on the NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries website.
Application Process
Candidates are selected based on their expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying, community and professional affiliations, and views regarding the protection and management of maritime heritage resources. Applicants who are chosen as members should expect to serve three-year terms.
Before applying, please review the following documents:
- Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council Charter
- Sanctuary Advisory Council Seat Descriptions
- Application Cover Letter
This is a standard application form for national marine sanctuary advisory councils across the National Marine Sanctuary System. Some questions may not apply to every site. Please answer those that you think are relevant to Mallows Bay-Potomac River National Marine Sanctuary.
Application Form (Youth)
Submit applications by mail or fax to:
Jessica Frayser
Advisory Council Coordinator
NOAA MPNMS
100 Museum Drive
Newport News, VA 23606
Fax: 757-591-7353
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Sanctuary Advisory Council?
National marine sanctuary advisory councils are community-based, volunteer advisory groups established to provide advice and recommendations to NOAA on issues including management, science, service, and stewardship. This Sanctuary Advisory Council brings members of a diverse community together to provide advice to NOAA that supports site management plan and to serve as liaisons to a broad coalition of community organizations to facilitate communication and engagement.
How long do Sanctuary Advisory Council members serve?
Applicants chosen as members or alternates should expect to serve three-year terms. Members are limited to three consecutive three-year terms on the council in the same seat, unless the director has granted a waiver.
How do I apply for a seat on the Sanctuary Advisory Council?
Interested parties should submit their application form to:
Jessica Frayser
Advisory Council Coordinator
NOAA MPNMS
100 Museum Drive
Newport News, VA 23606
Fax: 757-591-7353
To protect personally identifiable information, applications must be sent by mail or fax.
Sanctuary Advisory Council members must be at least 18 years of age, except for candidates for the youth (non-voting) seat.
How are applicants for the Sanctuary Advisory Council chosen?
Applicants are chosen based upon their particular expertise and experience in relation to the seat for which they are applying; community and professional affiliations; views regarding the protection and management of maritime heritage resources; and possibly the length of residence in the area affected by the site. NOAA seeks to create a Sanctuary Advisory Council that represents the primary purposes of the sanctuary and that is balanced in terms of points of view represented, geographic diversity, and advisory functions the council will perform. NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will consult with representatives from the state of Maryland and Charles County who are identified in the memorandum of agreement for joint management of the sanctuary regarding selection of applicants. The director of NOAA’s Office of National Marine Sanctuaries will make the final determination of members and alternates selected.
How can relevant government agencies participate?
NOAA will contact government agencies to determine their desire to participate. Government seats are separate from the 15 advisory council seats for community members and organizations. Government representatives participate fully in advisory council meetings but are considered “non-voting” when it comes to making recommendations to NOAA.
How can tribes participate?
NOAA will contact the Piscataway Conoy Tribe (Maryland), Piscataway Indian Nation (Maryland), and the Patawomeck Indian Tribe of Virginia to determine their desire to participate and in what capacity.
How can youth participate?
The youth seat is a non-voting seat and intended for individuals aged 14-17 at the time of their application. NOAA will contact leaders of local schools, clubs, and other relevant activity groups to offer applications and permission slips to those who want to be considered.