[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 216 (Tuesday, November 9, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Pages 61059-61060]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-29397]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


National Drought Policy Commission

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Commission meeting, 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 as the lead USDA agency 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. Prior meetings of the Commission were held on July 22, 1999, 
and September 22, 1999, and public hearings on July 23, 1999, September 
22, 1999, and October 13, 1999. Minutes of these meetings and a list of 
Commission members can be found on the Commission's web site at 
http:www.fsa.usda.gov/drought. This notice announces the third meeting, 
and fourth public hearing and seeks comments on issues that the 
Commission should address and recommendations that the Commission 
should consider as part of its report.

DATES: The Commission will conduct a public hearing on December 1, 
1999, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the First Floor Board Room of the 
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California Office Building, 700 
North Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California.
    The Commission will meet on December 2, 1999, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
in the same location. All times noted are Pacific Standard Time.
    All meetings and public hearings are open to the public; however, 
seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.
    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, November 
24, 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 November 24, 1999, will be able to sign up as a 
presenter the day of the hearing (December 1) between 8 a.m. and 10 
a.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.
    Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or 
participate in this meeting should contact Leona Dittus by telephone at 
202-720-3168 on Internet: [email protected], or through Federal 
Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, by COB November 24, 1999.

COMMENTS: The public is invited to respond and/or to submit additional 
comments, concerns, and issues for consideration by the Commission.

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) 
720-9688; Internet: [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission will review the first draft 
of the Commission findings. They will also discuss the status of 
Commission activities and other committee business. Below is a draft 
vision statement and set of principles to guide the Commission. Draft 
Vision Statement: Our vision is of a U. S. citizenry and its 
governments well prepared for and capable of mitigating in a consistent 
and timely manner the impacts of drought in the new millennium.

    This vision is based on the following principles:

A well-informed, involved public;
Self-reliance and self-determination;
Consideration of all affected entities and related issues, including 
legal, economic, geographic, climate, religious, and cultural 
differences, and environmental concerns;
Lessons from past drought experiences; Comprehensive, long-term 
strategic planning, emphasizing preparedness and mitigation;
Federal role focused on appropriate coordination, technical 
assistance, education, and incentives while at all times respecting 
the rights and sovereignty of States, local governments, and tribes.

    In addition to your own views and thoughts regarding a national 
drought policy, as you review the draft vision and guiding principles, 
the Commission would be interested in your thoughts regarding the 
following questions:
    1. What is the best means for informing the public of Federal 
assistance for drought planning and mitigation?
    2. What type of information do you need for responding to the 
drought?
    3. What needs do you or your organization presently have with 
respect to addressing drought conditions?
    4. What do you see as the Federal role with respect to drought 
preparedness? Drought response? Should Federal emergency assistance be 
contingent on advance preparedness?
    5. Are there any ways you feel that the Federal Government could 
better coordinate with State, regional, tribal, and local governments 
in mitigating or responding to droughts?
    6. What lessons have you or your organization learned from past 
drought experiences that would be beneficial in the creation of a 
national drought policy?
    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. 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.
    Commission members specifically cited in Pub. L. 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

[[Page 61060]]

Governors' Association, a person nominated by the National Association 
of Counties, and a person nominated by the Conference of Mayors. Those 
four members are 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.

    Signed at Washington, DC, November 3, 1999.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 99-29397 Filed 11-5-99; 9:39 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P