[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 189 (Friday, September 30, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-24172]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 30, 1994]


  
  
  
  
                                                   VOL. 59, NO. 189

                                         Friday, September 30, 1994

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

 

Provincial Interagency Executive Committees (PIEC) Advisory 
Committees

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish a Federal Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: In response to the need of the United States Department of 
Agriculture and the United States Department of the Interior for advice 
on coordination and implementation of the Record of Decision of April 
13, 1994 for 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 establish twelve advisory committees. 
The purpose of the Advisory Committees is to provide advice on 
coordinating the implementation of the Record of Decision. The Advisory 
Committees will provide advice and recommendations to promote better 
integration of forest management activities among Federal and non-
Federal entities to ensure that such activities are complementary.

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 (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that the United States 
Department of Agriculture in consultation with the Department of the 
Interior intends to establish twelve Advisory Committees to the 
Provincial Interagency Executive Committees (PIECs) The purpose of the 
PIECs is to facilitate the coordinated implementation of the Record of 
Decision (ROD) of April 13, 1994. The PIECs consist of representatives 
of some or all of the following Federal Agencies; the Forest Service, 
Bureau of Land Management, Fish and Wildlife Service, National Marine 
Fisheries Service, National Park Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and 
Environmental Protection Agency. The purpose of the PIEC Advisory 
Committees is to advise the PIECs on coordinating the implementation of 
the ROD. Each PIEC Advisory Committee also 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 PIEC Advisory Committees will provide advice and 
recommendations to promote better integration of forest management 
activities among Federal and non-Federal entities to ensure that such 
activities are complementary.
    The PIEC Advisory Committees are necessary and in the public 
interest in connection with the duties and responsibilities of the 
United States Department of Agriculture and of the United States 
Department of the Interior. The ROD provides direction to the Forest 
Service and the Bureau of Land Management 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 Chairperson of each PIEC Advisory Committee will alternate 
annually between the Forest Service representative and the Bureau of 
Land Management representative in provinces where both agencies 
administer land. When the Bureau of Land Management is not represented 
on the PIEC, the Forest Service representative will serve as 
Chairperson. The Chairperson will serve as the Executive Secretary and 
as the designated Federal official under sections 10 (e) and (f) of the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. APP.).
    Appointments to the PIEC Advisory Committees will be made by the 
Regional Forester, Pacific Northwest Region after consultation with the 
State Director, Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Office, when 
appropriate (in provinces where the Bureau of Land Management 
administers land), and the Regional Interagency Executive Committee. 
The Regional Forester, Pacific Northwest Region, also shall consult 
with the Regional Forester, Pacific Southwest Region, when appropriate. 
The Bureau of Land Management State Director, Oregon State Office, 
shall consult with the Bureau of Land Management State Director, 
California State Office, when appropriate.
    The action of establishing the Advisory Committees does not require 
amendment of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service 
planning documents because these explanatory statements that appear in 
the ROD (Attachment A, E-17) are not standards and guidelines or land 
allocations, which would require an amendment process to change. The 
BLM and Forest Service 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 Committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the 
Advisory Committee have taken into account the needs of the diverse 
groups served by the Departments, membership should include individuals 
with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons 
with disabilities.

    Dated: September 8, 1994.
Wardell C. Townsend,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 94-24172 Filed 9-29-94; 8:45 am]
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