[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 55 (Wednesday, March 21, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 15827]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-6935]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 55 / Wednesday, March 21, 2001 / 
Notices  

[[Page 15827]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency


Interim National Drought Council

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of interim national drought council meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Interim National Drought Council (Interim Council) was 
established through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The Interim 
Council's purpose is to coordinate activities between and among Federal 
Agencies, States, local governments, tribes and others. All meetings 
are open to the public; however, seating is limited and available on a 
first-come basis.

DATES: The Interim Council will meet on April 5, 2001, from 10:00 a.m. 
to 3:00 p.m. in the Williamsburg Room of the U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Jamie L. Whitten Building, 12th and Jefferson Drive, SW, 
Washington, DC. All times noted are Eastern Daylight Time. The primary 
focus of this meeting will be to discuss actions and reports of the 
subcommittees and other Interim 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, DC, 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 Interim 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. Activities of the Interim 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 
Interim Council is co-chaired by the Secretary of Agriculture or her 
designee, and a non-federal co-chair, Ms. Ane D. Deister, Executive 
Assistant to the General Manager, Metropolitan Water District of 
Southern California, representing urban water interests. Administrative 
staff support essential to the execution of the Interim Council's 
responsibilities shall be provided by USDA. The Interim 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 March 30, 2001.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on March 15, 2001.
James R. Little,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 01-6935 Filed 3-20-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P