[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27760]
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Rules and Regulations
Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2011 /
Rules and Regulations
[[Page 66601]]
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
7 CFR Part 2
Revision of Delegations of Authority
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.
ACTION: Final rule.
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SUMMARY: This document amends the delegation of authority from the
Secretary of Agriculture to the Director of the Office of
Communications to serve as the central information authority for
emergency public information activities. The Secretary further
delegates to the Director of the Office of Communications the authority
to serve as the central authority for the Department and agency
strategic communications plans.
DATES: This rule is effective October 27, 2011.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald N. DeMunbrun, Office of
Communications Budget Officer, (202) 400-0827,
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective June 6, 2010, the Secretary of
Agriculture (Secretary) implemented within USDA a reorganization of the
Office of Communications (OC), led by the Director of OC. This
rulemaking amends USDA's delegations of authority at 7 CFR 2.36
principally to reflect this reorganization. Under the reorganized
structure, the Director of OC assumes responsibility for USDA's
strategic communications planning process. The Director of OC provides
Departmental executive leadership in developing and implementing USDA's
communications strategies for the Secretary and the agencies, including
oversight of creative elements, production, and communications
products.
This rule also amends the delegations of authority at 7 CFR 2.36 to
reflect that the Director of OC is delegated authority, when required
under the National Incident Management System (NIMS), to establish and
administer a Joint Information Center (JIC) to provide a structure for
developing and delivering incident-related coordinated messages.
This rule relates to internal agency management. Therefore,
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), notice of proposed rulemaking and
opportunity for comment are not required, and this rule may be made
effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register.
Further, because this rule relates to internal agency management, it is
exempt from the provisions of Executive Order 12866. Finally, this
action is not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5
U.S.C. 601 et seq, and is, therefore, exempt from the provisions of the
Act. Accordingly, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 808, this rule may be made
effective upon publication. This rule contains no information
collection or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq).
List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 2
Authority Delegations (Government agencies).
Accordingly, Subtitle A of Title 7 of the Code of Federal
Regulations is amended as set forth below:
PART 2--DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE
AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT
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1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6912(a): 5 U.S.C. 301; Reorganization Plan
No. 2 of 1953, 3 CFR 1949-1953 Comp., p. 1024.
Subpart D--Delegations of Authority to Other General Officers and
Agency Heads
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2. Amend Sec. 2.36 as follows:
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a. Revise paragraph (a)(2)(iv); and
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b. Add new paragraphs (a)(2)(xii) and (a)(2)(xiii), to read as follows:
Sec. 2.36 Director, Office of Communications.
(a) * * *
(2) * * *
(iv) Serve as the central public information authority in the USDA,
with authority to determine policy for all USDA and Agency
communication activities, as well as emergency public information and
messaging communication activities, in order to provide leadership and
centralized operational direction for all USDA public information
activities and ensure all materials shall effectively support USDA
policies and programs, including the defense program.
* * * * *
(xii) Serve as the central authority to determine policy, plans,
procedures, and standards for the Department and agency strategic
communications plans; request, receive, review, and approve agency
communications plans; and provide centralized communication strategies
for the Secretary and agencies, including the creativity, production,
and oversight of communication products.
(xiii) When required, support and coordinate staffing of a JIC as
identified in the NIMS, and if required, establish and administer a JIC
to provide a structure for developing and delivering incident-related
coordinated messages.
* * * * *
Signed in Washington, DC, this day: October 21, 2011.
Thomas J. Vilsack,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2011-27760 Filed 10-26-11; 8:45 am]
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