[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 239 (Tuesday, December 12, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Pages 77554-77555]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-31538]


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

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Provincial Advisory Committees

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of advisory committee renewal.

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

SUMMARY: In response to the continued need of the Department of 
Agriculture and the Department of the Interior for advice on 
coordination and implementation of the Record of Decision of April 13, 
1994, for Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth 
Forest Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl, 
the Departments have renewed the Provincial Advisory Committees for 12 
provinces. The purpose of the Provincial Advisory Committees is to 
provide advice on coordinating the implementation of the Record of 
Decision and to make recommendations promoting the integration and 
coordination of forest management activities between Federal and non-
Federal entities.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jonathan Stephens, Planning 
Specialist, Forest Service, USDA, (202) 205-0948.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that the Department of 
Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of the Interior, has 
renewed the Provincial Advisory Committees (PACs), which will advise 
the Provincial Interagency Executive Committee (PIEC). The purpose of 
the PIEC is to facilitate the coordinated implementation of the Record 
of Decision of April 13, 1994. The PIEC consists of representatives of 
the following Federal agencies: the Forest Service, the Bureau of Land 
Management, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine 
Fisheries Service, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Indian 
Affairs, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Army Corps of 
Engineers, the Natural Resource Conservation Service, and the 
Geological Survey's Biological Resources Division.
    Ecosystem management at the province level requires improved 
coordination among governmental entities responsible for land 
management decisions and the public those agencies serve. The PACs 
provide

[[Page 77555]]

advice and recommendations to promote integration and coordination of 
forest management activities between Federal and non-Federal entities. 
Each PAC will provide advice regarding implementation of a 
comprehensive ecosystem management strategy for Federal land within a 
province (provinces are defined in the Record of Decision at E-19).
    The chairing responsibility of the PACs will alternate annually 
between the Forest Service's and the Bureau of Land Management's 
representative. When the Bureau of Land Management is not represented 
on the PIEC, the Forest Service representative will serve as chair. The 
chair, or a designated agency employee, will serve as the Designated 
Federal Official under sections 10(e) and (f) of the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.).
    The renewal of the PACs does not require an amendment of Bureau of 
Land Management or Forest Service planning documents because the 
renewal does not affect the standards and guidelines or land 
allocations. The Bureau of Land Management and Forest Service will 
provide further notices, as needed, for additional actions or 
adjustments when implementing interagency coordination, public 
involvement, and other aspects of the Record of Decision.
    Equal opportunity practices are followed in all appointments to the 
advisory committees. To ensure that the recommendations of the PACs 
have taken into account the needs of diverse groups served by the 
Departments, membership will include, to the extent practicable, 
individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, 
persons with disabilities, and senior citizens.

    Dated: October 23, 2000.
Paul W. Fiddick,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 00-31538 Filed 12-11-00; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-11-M