[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 244 (Tuesday, December 21, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 71401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-33097]


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 Notices
                                                 Federal Register
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 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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 244 / Tuesday, December 21, 1999 / 
Notices  

[[Page 71401]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


National Drought Policy Commission

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Commission meetings.

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SUMMARY: The National Drought Policy Commission (Commission) will 
continue discussion on its draft report of the Commission findings. 
They will also discuss the status of Commission activities and other 
committee business. This notice announces three meetings being held via 
teleconferencing on January 5, January 19, and February 2, 2000.

DATES: The Commission will conduct three meetings via teleconferencing: 
(1) January 5, 2000, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; (2) January 19, 2000, from 
2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; (3) February 2, 2000, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the 
Mezzanine Conference Room, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C 
Street, SW, Washington, DC. All times noted are Eastern Standard Time. 
Members of the public in the Washington, DC area may attend the 
meetings in person at the above address. All meetings are open to the 
public; however, teleconference lines are limited. Please call Leona 
Dittus at 202-720-3168 if you are interested in participating in the 
call and to obtain the dial-in number. Seating is limited and is 
available on a first-come, first-served basis.
    Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or 
participate in this meeting should contact Leona Dittus, on 202-720-
3168, or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, and 
[email protected], by COB December 30, 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 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.
    Below is a draft vision statement and set of principles to guide 
the Commission.

Draft Vision Statement

    Our vision is of a well-informed, involved U.S. citizenry and its 
governments prepared for and capable of lessening the impacts of 
drought--consistently and timely--in the new millennium.
    This vision is based on the following principles:
    Consideration of all affected entities and related issues, 
including legal, economic, geographic, climate, religious, and cultural 
differences; fairness and equity; and environmental concerns;
    Comprehensive, long-term strategies that emphasize drought planning 
and measures to reduce the impacts of drought;
    Federal role focused on appropriate coordination, technical 
assistance, education, and incentives while at all times respecting the 
rights and responsibilities of Federal, State, and local governments, 
and tribal sovereignty;
    Self-reliance and self-determination;
    Lessons learned from past drought experiences;
    Shared drought-related expertise and knowledge across international 
borders.

    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?

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on December 16, 1999.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 99-33097 Filed 12-16-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P