[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 28 (Friday, February 10, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 7124]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-3186]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service
[Docket No. APHIS-2012-0010]
Information Sharing With Agency Stakeholders; Public Meeting
AGENCY: Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, USDA.
ACTION: Request for information and notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: We are informing the public that the Animal and Plant Health
Inspection Service (APHIS) is soliciting feedback from our stakeholders
in several areas having to do with our partnerships with businesses,
academia, and other levels of government. We are also announcing that
APHIS is hosting a public meeting to share information about the
Agency's budget, process improvement efforts, and modernization
initiatives and to provide an opportunity for stakeholders to share
their thoughts on partnerships and the Agency's critical services.
DATES: The meeting will be held on February 27, 2012, from 1 p.m. to 3
p.m. We will accept stakeholder feedback on the specific topics raised
in this notice until March 23, 2012.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in the Jefferson Auditorium at the
USDA South Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Hallie Zimmers, Stakeholder
Liaison, Legislative and Public Affairs, APHIS, Room 1153, 1400
Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250; phone (202) 720-0378.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is
currently undertaking a variety of efforts to transform itself into a
customer-focused, high-performing organization. In this context, USDA's
Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) is focusing on ways
to share timely information with its stakeholders and communicate the
value APHIS places on our many and diverse stakeholder relationships.
As part of a larger effort to enhance stakeholder communication,
APHIS is hosting an open meeting with all interested stakeholders to
talk about the Agency's budget, process improvement efforts, and
modernization initiatives and to provide stakeholders with an
opportunity to share their thoughts on partnerships and the Agency's
critical services. While we welcome comments and feedback on all
aspects of APHIS-stakeholder partnerships and the Agency's critical
services, we are particularly interested in our stakeholders' thoughts
on the topics discussed below.
In this era of shrinking budgets, Federal Agencies are facing hard
choices about the delivery of important services, and APHIS is no
exception. Some decisions have already been made with respect to our
programs, and we anticipate more difficult choices will be required in
the future. This means that it will be more important than ever for
APHIS to understand its stakeholders' concerns and priorities.
1. As we take stock of our current programs and services and
consider where, if necessary, there should be strategic cuts or across-
the-board reductions, we are interested in hearing from stakeholders
about those APHIS activities you most value and where and how you think
the Agency might make responsible changes.
In your opinion, what are the three to five most essential
services APHIS provides and why?
Please share any feedback regarding how you feel we can
best structure or provide these services.
When you or your members seek APHIS' assistance, do you
primarily rely on our local field offices, State offices, regional
offices, research centers and field stations, or headquarters for
support? Why?
As we continue to look at ways to improve our processes
and enhance customer service, what recommendations do you have for
specific efforts we could undertake in 2012?
2. Given limited resources, APHIS is seeking new ways to enhance
existing partnerships and build new ones.
How might we strengthen current partnerships or
collaborate in new ways to accomplish critical mission activities?
Do you see opportunities for APHIS, State governments,
tribes, industry and academia to redefine traditional roles to find
efficiencies or improvements in the way we collectively safeguard
American agriculture? As best you can, please be specific or provide
examples.
3. Please provide any additional comments or feedback you would
like to share with APHIS' leadership, especially as it relates to how
you like to see APHIS management communicate with you at the local,
regional, and national level. Please be specific.
You may submit your thoughts on these questions by sending them to
the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT or by using the
Web form provided on the APHIS stakeholder information Web site at
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/stakeholders/. Responses may also be
submitted via email to Partnerships@aphis.usda.gov.
On-site registration will begin at noon on the day of the meeting.
All participants must register. If you require special accommodations,
such as a sign language interpreter, or if you have any questions
regarding the meeting, please call or write the person listed under FOR
FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT.
If you are unable to attend the meeting in person, it will be
streamed on the Internet as a live Webcast. To view the Webcast, go to
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/stakeholders/ and follow the instructions to
access the streaming video and audio in ``listen only'' mode. We
recommend you connect at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the
meeting. A recording of the Webcast will be posted to the APHIS
stakeholder information page the following day, and a written
transcript will be posted to the page as soon as it is available.
Persons attending the February 27, 2012, meeting in Washington, DC,
will be required to sign in at the entrance to the USDA South Building
located at 14th Street and Independence Avenue, entering through Wing
7. Photo identification is required to gain access to the building. The
nearest Metro station is the Smithsonian station on the Blue/Orange
Lines, which is within easy walking distance.
Done in Washington, DC, this 6th day of February 2012.
Kevin Shea,
Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
[FR Doc. 2012-3186 Filed 2-9-12; 8:45 am]
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