[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 128 (Monday, July 3, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41080-41081]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-16735]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


National Invasive Species Council; Listening Sessions for Input 
to the Development of the National Invasive Species Management Plan

AGENCY: National Invasive Species Council, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of regional public listening sessions.

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SUMMARY: This notice is published in accordance with the provisions of 
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (Pub. L. 92-463). Pursuant to 
Executive Order 13112, the National Invasive Species Council (NISC) on 
behalf of the Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC) is holding 
regional public listening sessions in five locations for the first 
round of public input to the National Invasive Species Management Plan 
(Management Plan) under development by the NISC. A compilation of 
working group recommendations will be available at the meeting and 
through the Council's website (invasivespecies.gov) on or about July 7, 
2000. These recommendations will be used to develop the framework and 
strategies of a draft plan.

DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section for ISAC/Council listening 
sessions dates and locations.

ADDRESSES: Comments and statements should be sent to Kelsey Passe, 
Program Analyst, National Invasive Species Council, 1951 Constitution 
Ave., NW, Room 320, Washington, DC 20240.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kelsey Passe or Alexis Gutierrez at 
(202) 208-6336; FAX (202) 208-1526; email: [email protected] or 
[email protected]; Phone: (202) 208-6336; Fax: (202) 208-
1526. Council website (available on or about 7/10/2000): http://www.invasivespecies.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In 1997, more than 500 scientists and land 
and resource managers from across the U.S. wrote the Administration to 
express their concerns about invasive species and the federal 
government's lack of coordinated actions to address biological 
invaders. In response to the letter and to the growing concern 
associated with invasive species, the Administration issued Executive 
Order 13112 on February 3, 1999.
    EO 13112 establishes a National Invasive Species Council (NISC) 
which is to provide national leadership regarding invasive species. The 
Council is to ensure that Federal agency activities concerning invasive 
species are coordinated, complementary, cost-efficient, and effective.
    The NISC includes the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the 
Treasury, the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of the Interior, the 
Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of 
Transportation, and the Administrator of the Environmental Protection 
Agency. The Council is Co-Chaired by the Secretary of the Interior, the 
Secretary of Agriculture, and the Secretary of Commerce.
    The NISC is required to produce a Management Plan in August, 2000. 
The Management Plan will encourage planning and action at the local, 
tribal, State, regional, and ecosystem-based levels; develop 
recommendations for international cooperation; provide guidance on 
incorporating prevention and control of invasive species into the 
National Environmental Policy Act; facilitate development of a 
communication network to document, evaluate, and monitor impacts from 
invasive species on the economy, the environment, and human health; and 
initiate the development of an information-sharing system that 
facilitates the exchange of information concerning invasive species.
    The NISC, in order to address the requirements of EO 13112, 
established the Invasive Species Advisory Committee which consists of 
qualified representatives from outside of the Federal government. Their 
role is to provide stakeholder input to help the NISC achieve the goals 
and objectives of the Executive Order.

Management Plan--Scope and Objectives

    Working groups, including federal and non-federal members, were 
convened this spring to provide the ISAC and the Council advice on what 
elements were most important to include in the first edition of the 
National Invasive Species Management Plan. The six working groups 
include the following:

1. Communication, Outreach, and Education
2. International Activities and Cooperation
3. Policy and Regulation
4. Research, Information Sharing, Documentation and Monitoring
5. Risk Analysis and Prevention
6. Management (Control and Restoration)

    Working groups were organized with federal and non-federal co-
leaders. The groups have and continue to utilize electronic 
communications (email, listservers, and web-based postings) to 
accelerate development of Management Plan input. The vision or scoping 
statements developed by each working group reflect a more specific 
refinement of the draft guiding principles adopted by the ISAC. 
Priority issues have been identified and the groups have developed 
draft responses or actions to be taken for consideration by the ISAC. 
As part of the management planning process, model projects will be 
identified which improve coordination and effectiveness and stimulate 
local action.

[[Page 41081]]

    The working groups provided Council staff with summary information 
regarding the priority recommendations the Management Plan should 
include when the draft plan is ready for public comment and publication 
in the Federal Register in August, 2000. After issuance of the plan in 
the fall, the working groups will help implement the plan and begin 
developing input for its biennial revision.
    A compilation of the working group recommendations will be 
available on the Council website, invasivespecies.gov on or about July 
7, 2000. Initial comments from Federal agencies, State agencies, and 
the public (via the listening sessions and website responses) will be 
incorporated into a draft plan for discussion by the ISAC at their 
meeting in Seattle, WA, on August 2 and 3. A second draft will be 
completed by the end of August, for a 60 or 90 day comment period in 
the Federal Register.

Focus Questions

    1. What are the most effective methods for gathering and 
disseminating information on invasive species and information on 
federal and non-federal activities regarding invasive species?
    2. What is the best way to improve, expand, and implement an 
invasive species risk analysis or screening process?
    3. What is the most effective way to communicate with interested 
parties before and during critical decision making activities?
    4. What is the best way to encourage and involve key groups or 
individuals in implementing actions to address invasive species 
problems?
    5. Is there an immediate project or action involving multiple 
regions, states, or interest groups that would address a significant 
invasive species issue? In your opinion, what should be the federal 
government's role in implementing this project or action?

ISAC Council Listening Sessions

    (1) July 12, Oakland, California. 9 am-12 noon. Elihu Harris State 
Building, 1st Floor Auditorium, 1515 Clay Street.
    (2) July 14, Chicago, Illinois. 9 am-3 pm. EPA Regional Office, 
12th Floor Conference Center, Lake Michigan Room, 77 West Jackson 
Boulevard.
    (3) July 14, Denver, Colorado. 9 am-2 pm. Executive Tower Hotel, 
Symphony Ballroom, 1405 Curtis Street.
    (4) July 17, Albany, New York. 1 pm-5 pm. Marriott, Grand Ballroom 
Area, 189 Wolf Road.
    (5) July 20, West Palm Beach, Florida. 1 pm-5 pm. South Florida 
Water Management District Headquarters Building, B-1, 3301 Gun Club 
Road.
    Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation at a public listening 
session may do so without prior arrangement. Presenters will be 
recognized on a first-come, first-served basis, and comments will be 
limited based on the time available and the number of presenters. The 
presentation should identify the name and affiliation of the 
individual. Written presentation material may be provided to the staff 
for supplement to the court reporter's record. Written statements will 
be accepted at the meeting, or may be mailed or faxed to the NISC 
office. Those wishing to provide initial comments, but who are unable 
to attend one of the listening sessions, may send written comments to 
Kelsey Passe (see address below) by COB July 21, 2000.
    Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or 
participate in these meetings should contact Kelsey Passe, at 202-208-
6336 or [email protected], by COB July 6, 2000.

    Dated: June 28, 2000.
A. Gordon Brown,
Acting Co-Executive Director, National Invasive Species Council.
[FR Doc. 00-16735 Filed 6-28-00; 3:16 pm]
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