[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 212 (Wednesday, November 1, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 65290]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-27988]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


National Drought Council

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of interim meeting.

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

SUMMARY: The National Drought Policy Commission recommended that a 
National Drought Council (Council) be established to coordinate 
activities between and among Federal Agencies, States, local 
governments, tribes and others. The Council was established through a 
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The first meeting of the Council 
will be held November 9, 2000. All meetings are open to the public; 
however, seating is limited and available on a first-come basis.

DATES: The Council will meet on November 9, 2000, from 9:00 a.m. to 
11:30 a.m. in Room 221-A, Jamie L. Whitten Building, 12th and Jefferson 
Drive, SW, Washington, D.C. and from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m. in Room 4960-S 
of the United States Department of Agriculture South Building at 1400 
Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. All times noted are Eastern 
Standard Time. The first part of the meeting will be devoted to the 
organization of the Council. The remainder of the meeting will be 
dedicated to establishing a work plan and other Council business.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leona Dittus, Executive Director, 
Interim National Drought Council, United States Department of 
Agriculture (USDA), 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 6701-S, Stop 
0501, Washington, D.C., 20250-0501 or telephone (202) 720-3168; FAX 
(202) 720-9688; internet [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the MOU is to establish a 
more comprehensive, integrated, coordinated approach toward reducing 
the impacts of drought through better preparedness, monitoring and 
prediction, risk management, and response to drought emergencies in the 
United States. The Council will encourage cooperation and coordination 
between and among Federal, State, local, and tribal governments and 
others, relative to preparation for and response to serious drought 
emergencies. The Council is not a source of consensus advice and 
therefore is not subject to the Federal Advisory Committee Act. 
Activities of the Council include providing coordination to: (a) 
resolve drought related issues, (b) exchange information about lessons 
learned, and (c) improve public awareness of the need for drought 
planning and mitigation measures. The Council will be co-chaired by the 
Secretary of Agriculture or his designee, and a non-Federal co-chair 
shall be selected from among the members who are not Federal officers 
or employees. Administrative staff support essential to the execution 
of the Council's responsibilities shall be provided by USDA. The 
Council will continue in effect for 5 years or until Congress 
establishes a permanent National Drought Council.
    If special accommodations are required, please contact Leona 
Dittus, at the address specified above, by COB November 7, 2000.

    Signed at Washington, DC on October 26, 2000.
 George Arredondo,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 00-27988 Filed 10-31-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P