[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 172 (Tuesday, September 7, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 48576]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-23184]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


National Drought Policy Commission

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Commission meeting and public hearing and request for 
comments.

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SUMMARY: The National Drought Policy Act of 1998 established the 
National Drought Policy Commission (Commission). The Farm Service 
Agency (FSA) was identified to provide support to the Commission. The 
Commission shall conduct a thorough study and submit a report to the 
President and Congress on national drought policy. The first meeting of 
the Commission was held on July 22, 1999, and the first public hearing 
on July 23, 1999. Minutes of the first meeting and a list of Commission 
members can be found on the Commission's web site at www.fsa.usda.gov/
drought. This notice announces the second meeting and public hearing 
and seeks comments on issues that the Commission should address and 
recommendations that the Commission should consider as part of its 
report. The second public hearing and meeting of the Commission will be 
held September 22. All meetings are open to the public; however, 
seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.

DATES: The Commission will conduct a public hearing on September 22, 
1999, from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon in the Williamsburg Room, Jamie L. 
Whitten Building, 12th and Jefferson Drive, SW, Washington, DC.
    The Commission will meet on September 22, 1999, from 1:00 p.m. to 
5:00 p.m. in the same location. All times noted are Eastern Daylight 
Time. The Commission will discuss the current drought in the Northeast 
as it applies to national policy. They will also discuss the status of 
Commission activities, the operational definition of drought for the 
Commission, and other committee business.
    Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation to the Commission at 
the public hearing, must contact the Executive Director, Leona Dittus, 
in writing (by letter, fax or internet) no later than 12 noon, 
September 21, 1999, in order to be included on the agenda. Presenters 
will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. The request 
should identify the name and affiliation of the individual who will 
make the presentation and an outline of the issues to be addressed. 
Thirty-five copies of any written presentation material shall be given 
to the Executive Director by all presenters no later than the time of 
the presentation for distribution to the Commission and the interested 
public. Those wishing to testify, but who are unable to notify the 
Commission office by September 21, 1999, will be able to sign up as a 
presenter the day of the hearing (September 22) between 8:00 a.m. and 
10:00 p.m. These presenters will testify on a first-come, first-served 
basis and comments will be limited based on the time available and the 
number of presenters. Written statements will be accepted at the 
meeting, or may be mailed or faxed to the Commission office.

ADDRESSES: Comments and statements should be sent to Leona Dittus, 
Executive Director, National Drought Policy Commission, U.S. Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 6701-S, STOP 0501, 
Washington, DC 20250-0501.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leona Dittus (202) 720-3168; FAX (202) 
720-4293; internet [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Commission is to provide 
advice and recommendations to the President and Congress on the 
creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal policy, designed to 
prepare for and respond to serious drought emergencies. Tasks for the 
Commission include developing recommendations that will (a) better 
integrate Federal laws and programs with ongoing State, local, and 
tribal programs (b) improve public awareness of the need for drought 
mitigation, prevention, and response and (c) determine whether all 
Federal drought preparation and response programs should be 
consolidated under one existing Federal agency, and, if so, identify 
the agency. The Commission will be chaired by the Secretary of 
Agriculture or his designee, and a Vice Chair shall be selected from 
among the members who are not Federal officers or employees. In the 
absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair will act in his stead. 
Administrative staff support essential to the execution of the 
Commission's responsibilities shall be provided by USDA, FSA.
    Commission members specifically cited in Public Law 105-199, 
include the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, Army, and Commerce, 
the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the 
Administrator of the Small Business Administration; two persons 
nominated by the National Governors' Association, a person nominated by 
the National Association of Counties, and a person nominated by the 
Conference of Mayors. Those four members are to be appointed by the 
President. Six additional Commission members have been appointed by the 
Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of the 
Interior and the Secretary of the Army. The six at-large members 
represent 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.
    If special accommodations are required, please contact Leona 
Dittus, at the address specified above, by COB September 15, 1999.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on September 1, 1999.
Parks Shackelford,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 99-23184 Filed 9-1-99; 2:01 pm]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P