[Federal Register Volume 68, Number 55 (Friday, March 21, 2003)]
[Notices]
[Page 13892]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 03-6770]


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 Notices
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 This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules 
 or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 68, No. 55 / Friday, March 21, 2003 / 
Notices  

[[Page 13892]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Intergovernmental Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to renew Federal Advisory Committee.

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the 
Department of the Interior, intends to renew the Intergovernmental 
Advisory Committee (IAC). This renewal is in response to the continued 
need for the IAC to provide intergovernmental advice on coordinating 
the implementation of the Record of Decision of April 13, 1994, for 
Management of Habitat for Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest 
Related Species Within the Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. The IAC 
also provides advice and recommendations to promote integration and 
coordination of forest management activities between Federal and non-
Federal entities.

ADDRESSES: Copies of the April 13, 1994, Record of Decision can be 
obtained electronically at http://www.reo.gov/library/reports/newsandga.pdf. Paper copies can be obtained from the Office of 
Strategic Planning, P.O. Box 3623, Portland, OR 97208.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Geraldine Bower, Planning Specialist, 
Ecosystem Management Coordination Staff, Forest Service, USDA (202) 
205-1022.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App.), notice is hereby given that the Department of 
Agriculture, in consultation with the Department of the Interior, 
intends to renew the Intergovernmental Advisory Committee (IAC) to the 
Regional Interagency Executive Committee (RIEC). The purpose of the 
RIEC is to facilitate the coordinated implementation of the Record of 
Decision (ROD) signed April 13, 1994, for Management of Habitat for 
Late-Successional and Old-Growth Forest Related Species Within the 
Range of the Northern Spotted Owl. The RIEC consists of representatives 
of the following Federal agencies: Forest Service, Natural Resources 
Conservation Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land 
Management, National Marine Fisheries Service, National Park Service, 
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey Biological 
Resources Division, Environmental Protection Agency, and U.S. Army 
Corps of Engineers. The purpose of the IAC is to advise the RIEC on 
coordinating the implementation of the ROD. The IAC will provide advice 
and recommendations to promote integration and coordination of forest 
management activities between Federal and non-Federal entities.
    The IAC is in the public interest in connection with the duties and 
responsibilities of the managing agencies for developing an ecosystem 
management approach that is consistent with statutory authority for 
land use planning. Ecosystem management at the province level requires 
improved coordination among governmental entities responsible for land 
management decisions and the public they serve (provinces are defined 
in the ROD at E19).
    The chair of the IAC will alternate annually between 
representatives of the Forest Service and the Bureau of Land 
Management. The Executive Director, Regional Ecosystem Office, will 
serve as the Designated Federal Official under sections 10(e) and (f) 
of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. App.). Any vacancies on 
the committee will be filled in the manner in which the original 
appointment was made.
    A meeting notice will be published in the Federal Register within 
15 to 45 days before a scheduled meeting date. All meetings are 
generally open to the public and may include a ``public forum'' that 
may offer 5-10 minutes for participants to present comments to the 
advisory committee. Alternates may choose not to be active during this 
session on the agenda. The chair of the given committee ultimately 
makes the decision whether to offer time on the agenda for the public 
to speak to the general body.
    Renewal of the IAC does not require amendment of Bureau of Land 
Management or Forest Service planning documents because it does not 
affect the standards and guidelines or land allocations. The Bureau of 
Land Management and Forest Service will provide further notice, as 
needed, for additional actions or adjustments when implementing 
interagency coordination, public involvement, and other aspects of the 
ROD.
    Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to 
the advisory committee. To ensure that the recommendations of the IAC 
have taken into account the needs of diverse groups served by the 
Departments, membership will, to the extent practicable, include 
individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, 
and persons with disabilities.

    Dated: March 12, 2003.
Clyde Thompson,
Associate Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 03-6770 Filed 3-20-03; 8:45 am]
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