[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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