[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 122 (Tuesday, June 25, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 42772]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-16032]


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ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[FRL-7237-3]


Gulf of Mexico Program Meeting of the Policy Review Board

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

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SUMMARY: Under the Federal Advisory Act, Public Law 92-463, EPA gives 
notice of a meeting of the Gulf of Mexico Program (GMP) Policy Review 
Board (PRB).

DATES: The PRB meeting will be held on Thursday, July 18, 2002, from 8 
a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Embassy Suites Hotel, 315 
Julia Street, New Orleans, Louisiana (504-525-1993).

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Gloria D. Car, Designated Federal 
Officer , Gulf of Mexico Program Office, Mail Code EPA/GMPO, Stennis 
Space Center, MS, 39529-6000 at 228-688-2421.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Proposed agenda is attached.
    The meeting is open to the public.

    Dated: June 17, 2002.
Gloria D. Car,
Designated Federal Officer.

Gulf of Mexico Program--Policy Review Board Meeting, July 18, 2002, 
Embassy Suites Hotel, New Orleans, Louisiana

Purposes:
    (1) To discuss the feasibility of developing recommendations 
requesting that the Administrator of EPA support a Presidential 
Executive Order establishing the Gulf of Mexico Program (GMP);
    (2) To discuss and endorse actions proposed by the Management 
Committee to address mercury in Gulf fisheries;
    (3) To discuss the role of the GMP in assisting Louisiana and 
the Army Corps of Engineers address coastal land loss and implement 
the Louisiana Coastal Assessment;
    (4) To discuss the 2002 Farm Bill and opportunities for 
leveraging resources to support GMP objectives;
    (5) To endorse Research Needs Assessment for the GMP; and
    (6) To receive an update on Program progress and endorse out-
year objectives.

Thursday, July 18

8:00  Welcome and Introductions, Jimmy Palmer, EPA Regional 
Administrator--Atlanta
8:15  EPA's Goals and Expectations for the Gulf of Mexico Program
    Diane Regas, EPA Deputy Assistant Administrator for Water 
(Invited)
    Jimmy Palmer, EPA Regional Administrator--Atlanta
    Gregg Cooke, EPA Regional Administrator--Dallas
    Purpose: Discuss EPA's expectations for the Program and 
transition to a new Director for the Gulf of Mexico Program Office.
9:00  GMP Environmental Objectives, Progress to Date, Performance 
Review, Bryon Griffith, GMPO
    Purpose: Review fiscal year 2004 objectives; progress on FY 2002 
objectives; provide brief overview of recommendations and changes 
resulting from the Management Committee's review of GMP performance; 
and discuss formation of independent Gulf of Mexico Regional Panel 
for aquatic nuisance species.
9:30  Presidential Executive Order for the Gulf of Mexico Program, 
Jim Giattina, GMPO
    Purpose: Review the purpose and key elements of an Executive 
Order (EO) for the Program and discuss support for an EO and how it 
would reinforce efforts to engage the support and commitment of 
Federal agencies.
    Decision: PRB discussion and agreement on next steps, regarding 
development of recommendations to the Administrator.
10:30  Break
10:45  Mercury in Gulf Seafood
    Ron Lukens, Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission
    Fred Kopfler, GMPO
    Spencer Garrett, National Marine Fisheries Service
    Purpose: Identify key policy issues that will require the 
attention of the PRF as well as Important Federal and State actions 
that could result from the efforts underway to address public health 
concerns associated with mercury in Gulf seafood.
    Decision: Endorsement of the GMP's course of action.
11:45  Break for Lunch
    Lunch to be catered in
12:30  Louisiana Coastal Land Loss and Gulf Hypoxia, Len Bahr, 
Executive, Office of the Governor of Louisiana
    Purpose: Presentation on the State's and the Army Corps of 
Engineers efforts to address coastal land loss through the Louisiana 
Coastal Assessment and linkages with efforts to address Gulf 
hypoxia.
    Decision: Discussion of the appropriate role and activities for 
the GMP to undertake to support State efforts.
1:30  The 2002 Farm Bill, Ron Harrell, Louisiana Farm Bureau 
Federation
    Purpose: Discussion of key provisions of the 2002 Farm Bill and 
how they may be leveraged to support GMP objectives.
2:00  Scientific Research Needs Assessment for the GMP, Jim Giattina
    Purpose: Brief overview of Critical Scientific Research Needs 
Assessment for the Gulf of Mexico Program.
    Decision: PRB endorsement of final document for printing and 
distribution.
2:15  Review Action Items, Bryon Griffith
2:30  Adjourn

[FR Doc. 02-16032 Filed 6-24-02; 8:45 am]
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