[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 7 (Tuesday, January 12, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 1792-1793]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-651]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
National Drought Policy Commission
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of establishment; request for nominations and comments.
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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide
administrative support for the National Drought Policy Commission
(Commission) established by Pub. L. 105-199, signed by the President on
July 16, 1998. The Charter for the Commission became effective on
January 4, 1999. The purpose of the Commission is to provide advice and
recommendations on the creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal
policy designed to prepare for and respond to serious drought
emergencies. This document solicits nominations of individuals to be
considered for selection as Commission members. Comments are requested
on categories of membership and duties of the Commission.
DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before February 11,
1999.
ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Leona Dittus, Executive
Director, National Drought Policy Commission, USDA, Farm Service
Agency, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 6701 South Building, STOP
0501, Washington, DC 20250-0501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leona Dittus, telephone (202) 720-
3168.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of
Agriculture has chartered the National Drought Policy Commission,
hereafter referred to as the Commission. The purpose of the Commission
is to provide advice and recommendations on the creation of an
integrated, coordinated Federal policy designed to prepare for and
respond to serious drought emergencies. On the basis of a thorough
study, the Commission shall submit a report to the President and
Congress with regard to national drought policy.
The Secretary of Agriculture, or his designee, will be Chairperson
of the Commission. The Vice Chairperson will act in his/her stead. The
Commission will select the Vice Chairperson from among the members who
are not Federal officers or employees. The Commission shall be composed
of 16 members. The members of the Commission shall include: (A) the
Secretary of Agriculture, or the designee of the Secretary, who shall
chair the Commission; (B) the Secretary of the Interior, or the
designee of the Secretary; (C) the Secretary of the Army, or the
designee of the Secretary; (D) the Secretary of Commerce, or the
designee of the Secretary; (E) the Director of the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, or the designee of the Director; (F) the
Administrator of the Small Business Administration, or the designee of
the Administrator; (G) two persons nominated by the National Governors'
Association and appointed by the President, of whom (i) one shall be
the Governor of a State east of the Mississippi River; and (ii) one
shall be the Governor of a State west of the Mississippi River; (H) a
person nominated by the National Association of Counties and appointed
by the President; (I) a person nominated by the United States
Conference of Mayors and appointed by the President; and (J) six
persons, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture in coordination with
the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the Army, who shall
be representative of groups acutely affected by drought emergencies,
such as the agricultural production community, the credit community,
rural and urban water associations, Native Americans, and fishing and
environmental interests.
The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals,
organizations and groups acutely affected by drought emergencies to
nominate individuals for membership to the Commission. Nominations
should describe and document the proposed member's qualifications for
membership to the Commission. The Secretary seeks a diverse group of
members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in national
drought policy.
Individuals receiving nominations will be contacted and
biographical information must be completed and
[[Page 1793]]
returned to USDA within 5 working days of its receipt, to expedite the
clearance process that is required before selection by the Secretary of
Agriculture.
Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to
the Commission in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the
recommendations of the Commission have taken into account the needs of
the diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include,
to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to
represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Signed at Washington, DC, on January 6, 1999.
Parks Shackelford,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 99-651 Filed 1-11-99; 8:45 am]
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