[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 90 (Thursday, May 9, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Pages 31302-31303]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-11651]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7208-5]


Public Listening Sessions on EPA's Watershed Initiative

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of public meetings.

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SUMMARY: EPA is inviting all interested members of the public to 
participate in one of four listening sessions on EPA's Watershed 
Initiative, in Washington DC.

[[Page 31303]]

The purpose of these sessions is to solicit ideas and suggestions on 
the design of the Initiative, specifically the nomination and selection 
processes, and the development of appropriate selection criteria. On 
January 25, 2002, EPA announced that the President's 2003 budget would 
include a request for $21 million for a new Watershed Initiative. 
Pending appropriations for this purpose, EPA will call for nominations 
and select up to 20 watershed organizations to receive grants for 
projects that support innovative watershed-based approaches to 
watershed protection. Throughout the upcoming months, EPA will be 
working cooperatively with the States, Tribes, local governments, and 
community groups to develop the proposed program.

DATES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for meeting dates 
and times.

ADDRESSES: See SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section below for the location 
of the meetings.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For general information about the 
sessions and to register for one of the sessions, contact James Cole, 
Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and 
Watersheds, by telephone at 202-566-1291 or by e-mail at 
[email protected]. For information about the Watershed Initiative 
visit EPA's web site at http://www.epa.gov/owow/watershed/ or contact 
Carol Peterson, Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Wetlands, 
Oceans, and Watersheds by telephone at 202-566-1304 or by e-mail at 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    On January 25, 2002, EPA announced that it was including an 
additional $21 million in its fiscal year 2003 budget proposal for a 
new initiative to protect, preserve, and restore watersheds across the 
country. This new Watershed Initiative will seek to encourage 
successful watershed partnerships aimed at improving the nation's water 
resources. As part of this community-based effort, EPA will target up 
to 20 of the nation's most valued watersheds to receive a grant. In 
Governor Whitman's address, she stated that the Agency will be working 
cooperatively with Congress, States, local governments, agricultural 
groups, environmental groups, industry, and watershed community 
organizations in developing the details of how this Initiative will be 
designed and implemented.
    In the next few weeks, EPA will publish a notice in the Federal 
Register soliciting stakeholder ideas and suggestions on possible 
approaches EPA might take in designing the new program. This notice 
will outline the Watershed Initiative, present EPA's current ideas on 
how the Initiative should be designed, and pose specific questions with 
respect to the nomination and selection processes for watershed 
projects. The Agency will provide the public with a 60-day review and 
comment period.

II. Public Listening Sessions

    EPA has scheduled four stakeholder listening sessions during the 
month of May. It is the Agency's goal that these meetings be comprised 
of people from diverse interests and perspectives in the hopes of 
providing an opportunity for open and active discussions. The purpose 
of these sessions is to attain an array of opinions and viewpoints 
regarding the details of the Initiative on issues such as, the role of 
Governors and Tribal Leaders, project scope and criteria, and the 
nomination and selection processes. EPA will use the information 
solicited from the public via the Federal Register notice and the 
listening sessions to develop the Watershed Initiative.
    Additional sessions may be held in June if there is sufficient 
interest. Space is limited to approximately 30 people per session, and 
registration will be on a first-come basis. All participants must 
register. Due to the limited seating, EPA asks that organizations 
wishing to attend a session send only one representative.

Meeting Information

    Location: All sessions will be held in Room 1117A, EPA East 
Building, 1201 Constitution Avenue, NW., Washington, DC 20004.
    Dates and Times

Tuesday, May 14; 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 15; 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
Wednesday, May 22; 1 p.m.-4 p.m.
Wednesday, May 29; 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.
    Registration: Please register at least two days prior to your 
session of choice by contacting Mr. James Cole at [email protected] or 
202-566-1291. To register, provide your name, affiliation, mailing and 
e-mail address, and phone number along with your first and second 
choice for the listening session you are interested in attending. 
Please also advise Mr. Cole if you have a disability and require any 
special accommodations; the room is wheelchair accessible.

    Dated: May 3, 2002.
Robert H. Wayland III,
Director, Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds.
[FR Doc. 02-11651 Filed 5-8-02; 8:45 am]
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