[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 128 (Monday, July 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41080-41081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16735]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Office of the Secretary
National Invasive Species Council; Listening Sessions for Input
to the Development of the National Invasive Species Management Plan
AGENCY: National Invasive Species Council, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of regional public listening sessions.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: This notice is published in accordance with the provisions of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463). Pursuant to
Executive Order 13112, the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) on
behalf of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) is holding
regional public listening sessions in five locations for the first
round of public input to the National Invasive Species Management Plan
(Management Plan) under development by the NISC. A compilation of
working group recommendations will be available at the meeting and
through the Council's website (invasivespecies.gov) on or about July 7,
2000. These recommendations will be used to develop the framework and
strategies of a draft plan.
DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for ISAC/Council listening
sessions dates and locations.
ADDRESSES: Comments and statements should be sent to Kelsey Passe,
Program Analyst, National Invasive Species Council, 1951 Constitution
Ave., NW, Room 320, Washington, DC 20240.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelsey Passe or Alexis Gutierrez at
(202) 208-6336; FAX (202) 208-1526; email: kelsey_passe@ios.doi.gov or
alexis_gutierrez@ios.doi.gov; Phone: (202) 208-6336; Fax: (202) 208-
1526. Council website (available on or about 7/10/2000): http://
www.invasivespecies.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1997, more than 500 scientists and land
and resource managers from across the U.S. wrote the Administration to
express their concerns about invasive species and the federal
government's lack of coordinated actions to address biological
invaders. In response to the letter and to the growing concern
associated with invasive species, the Administration issued Executive
Order 13112 on February 3, 1999.
EO 13112 establishes a National Invasive Species Council (NISC)
which is to provide national leadership regarding invasive species. The
Council is to ensure that Federal agency activities concerning invasive
species are coordinated, complementary, cost-efficient, and effective.
The NISC includes the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the
Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the
Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of
Transportation, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection
Agency. The Council is Co-Chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, the
Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Commerce.
The NISC is required to produce a Management Plan in August, 2000.
The Management Plan will encourage planning and action at the local,
tribal, State, regional, and ecosystem-based levels; develop
recommendations for international cooperation; provide guidance on
incorporating prevention and control of invasive species into the
National Environmental Policy Act; facilitate development of a
communication network to document, evaluate, and monitor impacts from
invasive species on the economy, the environment, and human health; and
initiate the development of an information-sharing system that
facilitates the exchange of information concerning invasive species.
The NISC, in order to address the requirements of EO 13112,
established the Invasive Species Advisory Committee which consists of
qualified representatives from outside of the Federal government. Their
role is to provide stakeholder input to help the NISC achieve the goals
and objectives of the Executive Order.
Management Plan--Scope and Objectives
Working groups, including federal and non-federal members, were
convened this spring to provide the ISAC and the Council advice on what
elements were most important to include in the first edition of the
National Invasive Species Management Plan. The six working groups
include the following:
1. Communication, Outreach, and Education
2. International Activities and Cooperation
3. Policy and Regulation
4. Research, Information Sharing, Documentation and Monitoring
5. Risk Analysis and Prevention
6. Management (Control and Restoration)
Working groups were organized with federal and non-federal co-
leaders. The groups have and continue to utilize electronic
communications (email, listservers, and web-based postings) to
accelerate development of Management Plan input. The vision or scoping
statements developed by each working group reflect a more specific
refinement of the draft guiding principles adopted by the ISAC.
Priority issues have been identified and the groups have developed
draft responses or actions to be taken for consideration by the ISAC.
As part of the management planning process, model projects will be
identified which improve coordination and effectiveness and stimulate
local action.
[[Page 41081]]
The working groups provided Council staff with summary information
regarding the priority recommendations the Management Plan should
include when the draft plan is ready for public comment and publication
in the Federal Register in August, 2000. After issuance of the plan in
the fall, the working groups will help implement the plan and begin
developing input for its biennial revision.
A compilation of the working group recommendations will be
available on the Council website, invasivespecies.gov on or about July
7, 2000. Initial comments from Federal agencies, State agencies, and
the public (via the listening sessions and website responses) will be
incorporated into a draft plan for discussion by the ISAC at their
meeting in Seattle, WA, on August 2 and 3. A second draft will be
completed by the end of August, for a 60 or 90 day comment period in
the Federal Register.
Focus Questions
1. What are the most effective methods for gathering and
disseminating information on invasive species and information on
federal and non-federal activities regarding invasive species?
2. What is the best way to improve, expand, and implement an
invasive species risk analysis or screening process?
3. What is the most effective way to communicate with interested
parties before and during critical decision making activities?
4. What is the best way to encourage and involve key groups or
individuals in implementing actions to address invasive species
problems?
5. Is there an immediate project or action involving multiple
regions, states, or interest groups that would address a significant
invasive species issue? In your opinion, what should be the federal
government's role in implementing this project or action?
ISAC Council Listening Sessions
(1) July 12, Oakland, California. 9 am-12 noon. Elihu Harris State
Building, 1st Floor Auditorium, 1515 Clay Street.
(2) July 14, Chicago, Illinois. 9 am-3 pm. EPA Regional Office,
12th Floor Conference Center, Lake Michigan Room, 77 West Jackson
Boulevard.
(3) July 14, Denver, Colorado. 9 am-2 pm. Executive Tower Hotel,
Symphony Ballroom, 1405 Curtis Street.
(4) July 17, Albany, New York. 1 pm-5 pm. Marriott, Grand Ballroom
Area, 189 Wolf Road.
(5) July 20, West Palm Beach, Florida. 1 pm-5 pm. South Florida
Water Management District Headquarters Building, B-1, 3301 Gun Club
Road.
Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation at a public listening
session may do so without prior arrangement. Presenters will be
recognized on a first-come, first-served basis, and comments will be
limited based on the time available and the number of presenters. The
presentation should identify the name and affiliation of the
individual. Written presentation material may be provided to the staff
for supplement to the court reporter's record. Written statements will
be accepted at the meeting, or may be mailed or faxed to the NISC
office. Those wishing to provide initial comments, but who are unable
to attend one of the listening sessions, may send written comments to
Kelsey Passe (see address below) by COB July 21, 2000.
Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or
participate in these meetings should contact Kelsey Passe, at 202-208-
6336 or kelsey_passe@ios.doi.gov, by COB July 6, 2000.
Dated: June 28, 2000.
A. Gordon Brown,
Acting Co-Executive Director, National Invasive Species Council.
[FR Doc. 00-16735 Filed 6-28-00; 3:16 pm]
BILLING CODE 4310-RK-P