[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 56143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28245]
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Office of the Secretary
Provincial Interagency Executive Committees Advisory Committees
AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of intent to reestablish a Federal Advisory Committee.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: In response to the continued need of the United States
Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Department of
the Interior (DOI) for advice on coordination and implementation of the
Record of Decision (ROD) of April 13, 1994, of Management of Habitat
for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest-Related Species Within the
Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, the Departments have agreed to
reestablish the Advisory Committees for 12 provinces. The purpose of
the Advisory Committees is to provide advice on coordinating the
implementation of the ROD. The Advisory Committees will provide advice
and recommendations to promote integration and coordination of forest
management activities among Federal and non-Federal entities.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Susan Yonts-Shepard, Staff Assistant for National Forest System
Operations, Forest Service, USDA, (202) 205-1519.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee
Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that USDA in
consultation with DOI intends to reestablish Provincial Advisory
Committees (PACs), which will advise the Provincial Interagency
Executive Committees (PIECs). The purpose of the PIECs is to facilitate
the coordinated implementation of the ROD of April 13, 1994. The PIECs
consist of representatives of some of the following Federal agencies:
Forest Service (FS), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Fish and Wildlife
Service, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Park Service,
Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Environmental Protection Agency. The
purpose of the PACs is to advise the PIECS on coordinating the
implementation of the ROD. Each PAC will provide advice regarding
implementation of a comprehensive ecosystem management strategy for
Federal land within a province (provinces are defined in the ROD at E-
19). The PACs will provide advice and recommendations to promote
integration and coordination of forest management activities among
Federal and non-Federal entities.
The PACs are in the public interest in connection with the duties
and responsibilities of USDA and of DOI. The ROD provides direction to
the FS and the BLM for developing an ecosystem management approach that
is consistent with statutory authority for land use planning. Ecosystem
management at the province level requires improved coordination among
governmental entities responsible for land management decisions and the
public they serve.
The Chair of each PAC will alternate annually between the FS and
the BLM representative in provinces where both agencies administer
land. When the BLM is not represented in the PIECs, the FS
representative will serve as Chair. The Chair, or a designated agency
employee, will serve as the Designated Federal Official under sections
10 (e) and (f) of the FACA.
The action of reestablishing the Advisory Committees does not
require amendment of BLM or FS planning documents because it does not
affect the standards and guidelines or land allocations, which require
an amendment process to change. The BLM and FS will provide further
notices, as needed, for additional actions or adjustments when
implementing interagency coordination, public involvement, and other
aspects of the ROD.
Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to
the Advisory Committees. To ensure that the recommendations of the
Advisory Committees have taken into account the needs of diverse groups
served by the Departments, membership should include, to the extent
practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Dated: October 14, 1998.
Reba Pittman Evans,
Acting Assistant Secretary.
[FR Doc. 98-28245 Filed 10-20-98; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M