[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]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P