[Federal Register Volume 65, Number 249 (Wednesday, December 27, 2000)]
[Notices]
[Page 81880]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 00-32940]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Establishment of Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Planning 
Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Establishment.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior, after consultation with the 
Department of Energy (DOE) and General Services Administration, has 
established the Hanford Reach National Monument Federal Planning 
Advisory Committee (Committee). The Committee will provide 
recommendations to the Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) and DOE on 
the preparation of a comprehensive conservation plan and associated 
environmental impact statement (CCP/EIS) for the Hanford Reach National 
Monument (Monument). Additionally, the Committee will help to ensure 
that during development of the CCP/EIS, we consider the land-use 
visions and perspectives of affected stakeholders within the framework 
of the directives of Presidential Proclamation 7319, June 9, 2000; the 
DOE Hanford Site; and the policy requirements of the National Wildlife 
Refuge System.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Greg Hughes, Project Leader, Hanford 
Reach National Monument/Saddle Mountain National Wildlife Refuge, 3250 
Port of Benton Boulevard, Richland, WA 99352. Telephone: (509) 371-
1801.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are publishing this notice in accordance 
with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) (FACA). The Secretary of the Interior certifies that he has 
determined that the formation of the Committee is necessary and is in 
the public interest.
    The Committee will conduct its operations in accordance with the 
provisions of FACA. The Committee will report to the Director of the 
Service or the Director's designee and will function solely as an 
advisory body. The Committee's charter directs the Committee to provide 
advice to the Service and DOE regarding the preparation of the Monument 
CCP/EIS, including the identification of planning issues and 
development of vision, goals, objectives, priorities, and management 
alternatives.
    To achieve the Committee's goals, the Secretary will appoint 
members who can effectively represent the varied interests associated 
with the Monument. Members will represent State, local, and tribal 
governments; economic interests; environmental organizations; 
scientific and academic interests; outdoor recreation interests; and 
the public-at-large. Each member must be qualified on the basis of 
knowledge and understanding of the lands and resources of the Monument; 
past experience working with government planning processes; ability to 
actively participate in diverse team settings; demonstrated skill in 
working toward mutually beneficial solutions to complex issues; and 
commitment to attending Committee meetings.
    The Committee will meet at such intervals as are necessary to carry 
out its functions. We expect that the Committee will meet at least six 
times per year. The Service will provide necessary support services to 
the Committee. All meetings of the Committee and any subcommittee 
established by the Committee will be open to the public. The public 
will have the opportunity to provide input at all meetings.
    The Committee will continue for the length of time required to 
complete the Monument CCP/EIS (estimated to be approximately 2 years).
    Fifteen days after publication of this notice in the Federal 
Register, a copy of the Committee's charter will be filed with the 
Committee Management Secretariat, General Services, Administration; 
Committee on Environment and Public Works, United States Senate; 
Committee on Resources, United States House of Representatives; and the 
Library of Congress.
    The Certification for establishment is published below.

Certification

    I hereby certify that the Hanford Reach National Monument Federal 
Planning Advisory Committee is necessary and is in the public interest 
in connection with the performance of duties imposed on the Department 
of the Interior by Presidential Proclamation 7319 of June 9, 2000, 
Establishment of the Hanford Reach National Monument. The Committee 
will assist the Fish and Wildlife Service and the Department of Energy 
by providing advice on the preparation of a Comprehensive Conservation 
Plan and associated Environmental Impact Statement for the Monument.

    Dated: December 19, 2000.
Bruce Babbitt,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. 00-32940 Filed 12-26-00; 8:45 am]
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