[Federal Register Volume 63, Number 203 (Wednesday, October 21, 1998)]
[Notices]
[Pages 56142-56143]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 98-28246]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC)

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

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

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SUMMARY: In response to the continued 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 (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 Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC). The purpose of the IAC 
is to provide intergovernmental advice on coordinating the 
implementation of the ROD. The IAC provides 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 Services, USDA, (202) 205-1519.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA) (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 reestablish the Intergovernmental Advisory 
Committee (IAC) to the Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC). 
The purpose of the RIEC is to facilitate the coordinated implementation 
of the ROD of April 13, 1994. The RIEC consists of representatives 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, Environmental 
Protection Agency, Corps of Engineers, Forest Service Research, 
Environmental Protection Agency Research, and United States Geological 
Survey Biological Resources Division. The purpose of the IAC is to 
advise the RIEC on coordinating the implementation of the ROD. The IAC 
will provide advice and recommendations to promote integration and 
coordination of forest management activities among Federal and non-
Federal entities.

    The IAC is 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 
requires improved coordination among governmental entities responsible 
for land management decisions and the public they serve.
    The Chair of the IAC will alternate annually between the Forest 
Service and the Bureau of Land Management representative. The Executive 
Director, Regional Ecosystem Office, will serve as the Designated 
Federal Official under sections 10(e) and (f) of the FACA.
    The action of reestablishing the IAC does not require amendment of 
Bureau of Land Management or Forest Service planning documents because 
it does not affect the standards and guidelines or land allocations, 
which require an amendment process to change. The Bureau of Land 
management 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 IAC 
have taken

[[Page 56143]]

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, Administration.
[FR Doc. 98-28246 Filed 10-20-98; 8:45 am]
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