[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 222 (Wednesday, November 18, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Page 64096]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-30766]
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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Services
North American Wetlands Conservation Council; Membership
AGENCY: Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior.
ACTION: Notice of policy and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The purpose of this action is to notify the public regarding
an existing term rotation policy for membership of charitable and non-
profit organizations of the North American Wetlands Conservation
Council. This policy will assure broad representation from such
organizations in keeping with the purposes of the North American
Wetlands Conservation Act.
DATES: Comments on this policy must be received by January 19, 1999.
ADDRESSES: Comments regarding this notice should be addressed to:
Director (FSW/NAWWO), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 110 ARLSQ, 1849 C
ST., NW, Washington, D.C. 20240. Comments received on this notice will
be available for public inspection during normal business hours in Room
110, Arlington Square Building, 4401 No. Fairfax Drive, Arlington, VA
22203.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. David A. Smith, Executive Director, or Mr. Douglas A. Ryan,
Wildlife Biologist, North American Waterfowl and Wetlands Office, 703/
358-1784; Facsimile 703/358-2282.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
The North American Wetlands Conservation Council (Council) was
established by the North American Wetlands Conservation Act (Act), 16
U.S.C. 4401-4412, Public Law 101-233, and is comprised of nine members.
The Council reviews and recommends wetland conservation projects to the
Migratory Bird Conservation Commission, following criteria given in the
Act. Two permanent Council seats are occupied by the Director of the
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Secretary of the Board of the
National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Four of the seven non-permanent
seats are Directors of State Fish and Wildlife agencies representing
the four migratory bird flyways. Individuals representing non-
governmental organizations (NGOs) that are actively participating in
carrying out wetland conservation projects under the Act, the Plan, or
the Tripartite Agreement (among the U.S., Canada, and Mexico) occupy
the other three non-permanent seats. Appointment of the non-permanent
members is at the discretion of the Secretary of the Interior
(Secretary). The term for non-permanent seats is three years. In
addition, the Secretary appoints an alternate member and may appoint
ex-officio non-voting members to the Council.
What is the Policy?
In the Spring of 1998, the Secretary adopted a term rotation policy
of two consecutive terms or six consecutive years for organizations
occupying the three NGO Council seats. An NGO that has completed two
terms would be eligible for full reappointment to the next vacancy
among the three NGO seats and also eligible for appointment to either
the alternate seat or an ex-officio seat.
Why Was the Policy Adopted?
The Secretary adopted a two-term rotation policy for NGO members on
the Council for the following reasons:
The purpose of the Act is to encourage partnership among
public agencies and other interests for the conservation of wetlands
and migratory birds in North America. This policy is intended to build
broad support for the Act by opening the door to a variety of
organizations to take full advantage of opportunities available through
Council participation.
All organizations that meet the requirements for NGOs
stated above in the Act should be given full and fair consideration for
Council membership.
Given the detailed approval process, and frequent
consideration of complex issues associated with Council participation,
appointing any NGO representative to serve two consecutive terms is
appropriate, as it would allow that representative to become familiar
with Council operations and to reach their full potential for
contributing to the work of the Council.
While the Act requires that NGOs on the Council be active
participants in wetlands conservation, it does not restrict Council
participation to only those NGOs that are most active (i.e., in terms
of matching dollars and services, and grants received).
Each NGO can only represent its own organization, unlike
State agencies on the Council that have the responsibility and
capability to represent the flyways, of which they are a part.
Regardless of appointment status, those NGOs that have
contributed substantially to Act-funded projects are encouraged to
continue as instrumental participants in project development and
implementation.
In summary, the purpose of this action is to notify the public and
invite any comments regarding the Secretary's existing term rotation
policy for charitable and non-profit organizations on the North
American Wetlands Conservation Council, to fully implement the purpose
of the North American Wetlands Conservation Act.
NEPA Consideration
Pursuant to the requirements of section 102(2)(C) of the National
Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (NEPA) (42 U.S.C. 4332(C)), and the
Council on Environmental Quality's regulation for implementing NEPA (40
CFR parts 1500-1508), the Service has determined that the policy
published in this document is categorically excluded from the NEPA
process as provided by 516 DM 2, Appendix 1.10 of the Departmental
Manual.
Authorship: The primary author of this notice is Mr. Douglas A.
Ryan, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service North American Waterfowl and
Wetlands Office, Arlington, Virginia.
Dated: November 6, 1998.
Jamie Rappaport Clark,
Director, Fish and Wildlife Service.
[FR Doc. 98-30766 Filed 11-17-98; 8:45 am]
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