[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 186 (Monday, September 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 51951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24990]


 ========================================================================
 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
 and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings, 
 delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency 
 statements of organization and functions are examples of documents 
 appearing in this section.
 
 ========================================================================
 

  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 186 / Monday, September 27, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 51951]]


=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


National Drought Policy Commission

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

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

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

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. This notice 
announces a public hearing to be held on October 13, 1999, in El Paso, 
Texas, and seeks comments on issues that the Commission should address 
and recommendations that the Commission should consider as part of its 
report. The public hearing is open to the public.

DATES: The Commission will conduct a public hearing on October 13, 
1999, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) at the Camino 
Real Hotel, 101 S. El Paso Street, El Paso, Texas.
    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 Eastern 
Daylight Time, October 8, 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 October 8, 1999, will be able to 
sign up as a presenter the day of the hearing (October 13) between 1:30 
p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time). 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, US Department 
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 6701-S, STOP 0501, 
Washington, D.C. 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 October 6, 1999.

    Signed at Washington, DC, on September 17, 1999.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 99-24990 Filed 9-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P