[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 132 (Monday, July 12, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Pages 41875-41876]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-15754]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 4757]


Meetings of the U.S.-Chile Environment Affairs Council and the 
U.S.-Chile Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State and the Office of the United States 
Trade Representative are providing notice that, as set forth in Chapter 
19 (Environment) of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the two 
governments intend to hold the first meeting of the Environment Affairs 
Council (the ``Council'') in Santiago on July 22, 2004. Immediately 
following this meeting, the U.S.-Chile Joint Commission for 
Environmental Cooperation (the ``Commission''), established under the 
U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), will hold its 
inaugural meeting. The purpose of the two meetings is detailed below 
under Supplementary Information. A joint public session will also be 
held in conjunction with these meetings. In this notice, the Department 
of State and USTR are requesting: (1) Written comments from the public 
regarding agenda items for the Council meeting; (2) written comments 
regarding the eight cooperative projects listed in Annex 19.3 of 
Chapter 19 (Environment) of the FTA; and (3) written suggestions for 
bilateral environmental cooperation between the United States and the 
Republic of Chile in the priority areas

[[Page 41876]]

outlined below under Supplementary Information. In preparing comments, 
the public is encouraged to refer to:
     The environment chapter of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade 
Agreement, available at: http://www.ustr.gov/new/fta/Chile/final/19.environment.PDF;
     The U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement, 
available at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/rls/or/22185.htm; and
     The Final Environment Review of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade 
Agreement, available at: http://www.ustr.gov/environment/tpa/chile-environment.pdf.

DATES: To guarantee receipt in proper time for consideration prior to 
the meeting, comments are requested no later than July 20, 2004.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be sent by fax to (202) 647-5947 or 202-647-
1052, by e-mail to [email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Luke Ney, Department of State, Bureau 
of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, 
Office of Environmental Policy, telephone 202-647-6867.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) 
entered into force on January 1, 2004. Article 3 of Chapter 19 
(Environment) of the FTA establishes an Environment Affairs Council 
(the ``Council''), which is required to meet once a year, or more often 
if agreed by the two governments, to discuss the implementation of, and 
progress under, Chapter 19. Chapter 19 requires that meetings of the 
Council include a public session, unless otherwise agreed by the two 
governments. Through this notice the Department announces that the 
first meeting of the Council will be held on July 22, 2004, in 
Santiago, Chile, to discuss issues of mutual concern related to Chapter 
19 of the FTA, including matters related to the eight cooperation 
projects listed in Annex 19.3 of the FTA. In this meeting the Council 
will also consider how to implement the provisions of Chapter 19, 
including public participation. Written comments from the public 
regarding agenda items for the Council meeting, as well as written 
comments regarding the eight cooperative projects, may be submitted to 
the contact addresses listed above.
    The Agreement Between the Government of the United States of 
America and the Government of the Republic of Chile on Environmental 
Cooperation (the ``Environmental Cooperation Agreement,'' or ECA) 
entered into force on May 1, 2004. The objective of the ECA is to 
establish a framework for cooperation between the two governments to 
support sustainable development by promoting the conservation and 
protection of the environment, the prevention of pollution and 
degradation of natural resources and ecosystems, and the rational use 
of natural resources. Article II of the ECA establishes a U.S.-Chile 
Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation (the ``Commission''), 
comprised of representatives from both governments. The Commission is 
responsible for establishing and developing programs of work resulting 
from the ECA, examining and evaluating the cooperative activities under 
the ECA, making recommendations to the two governments on ways to 
improve cooperation under the ECA, and undertaking other activities as 
the two governments agree. Through this notice, the Department 
announces the first meeting of the Commission, to take place 
immediately following the Council meeting, on July 22, 2004 in 
Santiago. The primary objective of the Commission meeting will be to 
prepare a formal work plan. Public comment is invited on possible areas 
for bilateral environmental cooperation under the work plan, including: 
(1) Capacity building and exchange of information on strategies and 
experiences regarding the control, supervision and the compliance of 
environmental laws, norms and regulations; (2) Capacity building and 
exchange of information regarding eco-tourism; (3) Participation of 
civil society in decision-making related to environmental matters; (4) 
Joint research and collaboration on preventing the introduction of 
alien invasive species, with special emphasis on highly-trafficked 
maritime ports and other pathways of introduction; (5) Impact 
mitigation of longline fishing on non-target species such as turtles 
and seabirds; and (6) Capacity building and exchange of information on 
forest management and protection.
    A special introductory public session will take place in Santiago 
prior to the Council and Commission meetings, at a time and place to be 
announced, in order to explain the provisions in Chapter 19 of the FTA 
and the role of the Council, as well as discuss the cooperative 
projects identified in the annex of Chapter 19. This session will also 
provide the opportunity for the public to learn about, and provide 
input towards, the cooperative activities envisioned by the ECA. The 
public is advised to refer to the State Department Web site at 
www.state.gov/g/oes/env/ for further information related to this 
meeting.

    Dated: July 7, 2004.
Michael Glover,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 04-15754 Filed 7-9-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P