[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