[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 42 (Friday, March 2, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12903-12904]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5121]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7546]


Suggestions for Environmental Cooperation Pursuant to the United 
States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement

ACTION: Notice of preparation of the 2012-2014 U.S.-Chile Environmental 
Cooperation Work Program and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department invites the public, including NGOs, educational 
institutions, private sector enterprises and other interested persons, 
to submit written comments or suggestions regarding items for inclusion 
in a new work program for implementing the U.S.-Chile Environmental 
Cooperation Agreement, which was signed on June 17, 2003. We encourage 
submitters to refer to: (1) The U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation 
Agreement; (2) the U.S.-Chile 2009-2011 Work Program for Environmental 
Cooperation; (3) Chapter 19 (Environment) of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade 
Agreement; and (4) the Environmental Review of the U.S.-Chile Free 
Trade Agreement. These documents are available at http://www.state.gov/e/oes/env/trade/chile/index.htm.

DATES: To be assured of timely consideration, all written comments or 
suggestions are requested no later than March 23, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be emailed 
([email protected]) or faxed ((202) 647-5947) to Rebecca Slocum, 
Office of Environmental Policy, Bureau of Oceans and International 
Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, with 
the subject line ``U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Work Program.'' 
If you have access to the Internet you can view and comment on this 
notice by going to: http://www.regulations.gov/#!home.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Rebecca Slocum, telephone (202) 647-
4828.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States and Chile established the 
U.S.-Chile Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation (the 
Commission) when they signed the U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation

[[Page 12904]]

Agreement (ECA) on June 17, 2003, negotiated in concert with the U.S.-
Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA). The Commission is to meet every two 
years to advance environmental cooperation and review progress in 
implementing the ECA. The Commission also is responsible for 
establishing and developing programs of work that reflect national 
priorities for cooperative environmental activities.
    The Commission last met January 20, 2010 in Washington, DC. During 
the meeting, the United States and Chile signed the 2009-2011 Work 
Program, which built on successes from previous work programs and laid 
out a roadmap for environmental cooperation to achieve the long-term 
goals of: (1) Strengthening effective implementation and enforcement of 
environmental laws and regulations; (2) encouraging development and 
adoption of sound environmental practices and technologies, 
particularly in business enterprises; (3) promoting sustainable 
development and management of environmental resources, including wild 
fauna and flora, protected wild areas, and other ecologically important 
ecosystems; and (4) encouraging civil society participation in the 
environmental decision-making process and environmental education.
    For the 2012-2014 Work Program, we anticipate building upon 
cooperative work initiated under previous work programs. We are 
requesting suggestions that may be considered for inclusion in the next 
Work Program.
    For additional information: http://www.state.gov/e/oes/env/trade/chile/index.htm.
    Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for comments and 
suggestions, and is not a request for applications. No granting of 
money is directly associated with this request for suggestions for the 
Work Program. There is no expectation of resources or funding 
associated with any comments or suggestions for the Work Program.

    Dated: February 24, 2012.
George Sibley,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2012-5121 Filed 3-1-12; 8:45 am]
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