16 U.S.C. § 1445a — Advisory Councils

(a) The Secretary may create one or more advisory councils, called an “Advisory Council” in this section, to advise and recommend to the Secretary about designating and managing national marine sanctuaries. The councils are exempt from chapter 10 of title 5. (b) Members may be chosen from: (1) Federal or State employees experienced in natural-resource management; (2) members of relevant Regional Fishery Management Councils under section 1852; and (3) local user groups, conservation or other public-interest organizations, scientific or educational organizations, or others interested in protecting sanctuary resources and managing their multiple uses. (c) For sanctuaries designated after November 4, 1992, an Advisory Council may have no more than 15 members. (d) The Secretary may provide staff, information, administrative services, and other help reasonably needed for a council to perform its functions. (e) Council business meetings follow these rules: (1) every meeting is open to the public, and interested people may make oral or written statements about agenda items; (2) the chair or presiding officer may call an emergency meeting; (3) timely notice stating the time, place, and agenda must be published locally and in the Federal Register, except that Federal Register publication is not required for a council assisting a particular sanctuary; and (4) minutes must be kept and summarize attendees and matters discussed.