[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 235 (Friday, December 6, 2002)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Page 72816]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-30682]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service

36 CFR Part 219

RIN 0596-AAB86


National Forest System Land and Resource Management Planning; 
Diversity Options Workshop

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Proposed rule; notice of workshop.

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SUMMARY: Elsewhere in this part of today's Federal Register, the Forest 
Service is publishing a proposed rule to revise the land and resource 
management planning process for National Forest System lands. As part 
of that rule, the agency is proposing two options that would fulfill 
the statutory requirements of the National Forest Management Act that 
forest plans provide for the diversity of plant and animal communities 
consistent with the multiple-use objectives of the land and resource 
management plan. To provide further comment on the diversity options 
presented in the proposed rule, the agency will hold a Diversity 
Options Workshop, scheduled for February 18-20, 2003, in the general 
Washington, DC area. The agency will invite up to 80 persons who 
represent a variety of interests, expertise, backgrounds, and 
perspectives to participate in the workshop. The agency hereby requests 
nominations of persons to invite to the workshop.

DATES: The workshop is scheduled for February 18-20, 2003, in the 
general Washington, DC area. The workshop begins the evening of 
February 18, 2003, and an evening session may also be held on February 
19, 2003. The workshop is scheduled to adjourn at 3:30 p.m. on February 
20, 2003. Nominations for the workshop must be received no later than 
January 6, 2003.

ADDRESSES: The agency has contracted with the Meridian Institute to 
plan, organize, and facilitate the workshop. It is strongly suggested 
that nominations be submitted electronically via the Internet at 
www.merid.org/diversityoptions. Those wishing to submit nominations by 
other means must contact the Meridian Institute at (202) 354-6450 for 
further instructions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions regarding the workshop 
should be directed to Shawn Walker, Meridian Institute, (202) 354-6450 
or at [email protected]. Questions regarding the proposed rule 
should be directed to Jody Sutton, Content Analysis Team Program 
Coordinator, Forest Service at (801) 517-1023.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The workshop will address scientifically 
sound and practical forest planning approaches to implementing the 
statutory requirements of the National Forest Management Act (NFMA) 
with respect to diversity as well as the advantages and disadvantages 
of the two proposed diversity options or variations of these options. 
The two proposed diversity options are presented in the proposed land 
and resource management planning rule published elsewhere in this part 
of today's Federal Register. The discussion and information generated 
by workshop participants will aid the Forest Service in determining how 
to meet the diversity requirements of the NFMA. The workshop is 
designed for participants to remain on site to encourage informal 
discussions as well as attendance at the planned plenary and breakout 
sessions.

Selection Process

    Workshop participants will be selected and invited through an open 
nomination process. Both self-nominations and nominations of others 
will be accepted from anyone wishing to submit a nomination based on 
the criteria described below.
    [sbull] Balanced representation of interests among the selected 
participants to include highly qualified individuals from the variety 
of scientific disciplines relevant to a discussion of the diversity 
options; and
    [sbull] Balanced representation of individuals from a diversity of 
geographic regions and circumstances who have practical experience in 
the land and resource management planning process and plan 
implementation.
    To assist in evaluating the nomination process the following 
information on nominees would be helpful:

1. Background/Expertise
    a. Scientific or technical expertise
    b. Legal or policy experience with diversity of plant and animal 
communities
    c. Direct experience with the land and resource planning process 
and plan implementation
2. Relevant Affiliations
    a. Government
    b. Industry Sectors
    c. Non-Governmental Organizations
    d. Other
3. Geographic Location of Relevant Work Experience: Local, State, 
Regional (eastern U.S., western U.S., etc.), or National
4. Scope of Work: Local, State, Regional, or National

Conclusion

    The agency invites nomination of qualified persons to attend the 
Diversity Options Workshop described in this notice. Both self-
nominations and nominations of others for the workshop will be accepted 
and will be reviewed using the preceding participant selection 
criteria.

    Dated: November 27, 2002.
Sally D. Collins,
Associate Chief.
[FR Doc. 02-30682 Filed 12-5-02; 8:45 am]
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