[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 106 (Friday, June 1, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Pages 29762-29763]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-13755]


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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) between Federal 
Agencies; State, local, and tribal governments; and groups impacted by 
drought. The Interim Council's purpose is to coordinate activities 
between and among its members. 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 June 21, 2001, from 8:00 a.m. 
Pacific Daylight Time (PDT) to 5:00 p.m. PDT at the Marriott Residence 
Inn, Portland Downtown--RiverPlace, 2115 SW. River Parkway, Portland, 
Oregon, 97201, in the Broadway Room and on June 22, 2001, from 8:00 
a.m. PDT to 12:00 noon PDT, at the National Water and Climate Center 
(NWCC) of the Natural Resources Conservation Service, United States 
Department of Agriculture (USDA), 101 SW. Main Street, Suite 1600, in 
Portland, Oregon 97204-3224. The June 21 meeting will be a listening 
session to provide an opportunity for Federal, State, and local 
officials; practitioners; and the general public to give their input on 
how they are being affected by the current drought in the Pacific 
Northwest. On June 22, the Interim Council will assess its current 
overall effectiveness and discuss ways to improve its service delivery 
and assistance.

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

[[Page 29763]]

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 June 18, 2001.

    Signed at Washington, D.C., on May 24, 2001.
James R. Little,
Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 01-13755 Filed 5-31-01; 8:45 am]
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