[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 92 (Friday, May 13, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 25663]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-9348]



  Federal Register / Vol. 70, No. 92 / Friday, May 13, 2005 / Notices  

[[Page 25663]]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Notice; establishment and request for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture is establishing a Roadless Area 
Conservation National Advisory Committee, under the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act, to provide advice and recommendations on the 
implementation of the State Petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area 
Management final rule set out at 36 CFR part 294, subpart B, published 
elsewhere in this part of today's Federal Register. Nominations of 
persons to serve on this committee are invited.

DATES: Nomination packages should include a signed and dated copy of 
the AD-755 form (Advisory Committee Membership Background Information) 
that may be obtained at the World Wide Web/internet site http://www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/ocio_forms.html. Nominations for membership on 
the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee must be 
received in writing by June 27, 2005.

ADDRESSES: Nominations for membership on the Roadless Area Conservation 
National Advisory Committee may be sent via telefax to the Director, 
Ecosystem Management Coordination at (202) 205-1012, or via mail to the 
Director, Ecosystem Management Coordination, USDA Forest Service, 1400 
Independence Ave., SW., Mail Stop 1104, Washington, DC 20250-1104.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dave Barone, Planning Specialist, 
Ecosystem Management Coordination Staff, Forest Service, USDA, (202) 
205-1019.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (5 U.S.C. App. II), notice is hereby given that the Secretary of 
Agriculture intends to establish a Roadless Area Conservation National 
Advisory Committee. The Secretary has determined the work of this 
committee is in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the 
Department of Agriculture. The purpose of this committee is to provide 
advice and recommendations to the Secretary of Agriculture on the 
implementation of the State Petitions for Inventoried Roadless Area 
Management final rule set out at 36 CFR part 294, subpart B. This rule 
establishes administrative procedures to allow a Governor to petition 
the Secretary to undertake future rulemaking for the management of 
inventoried roadless areas within a specific State.
    Petitions have to be submitted within 18 months of the effective 
date of the final rule set out at 36 CFR part 294, subpart B. The 
Secretary will respond to each petition within 180 days of receipt of a 
completed petition. The Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory 
Committee shall review each petition submitted to the Secretary in 
light of the requirements of the rule, and provide advice and 
recommendations to the Secretary within 90 days of receipt of a 
completed petition. The Advisory Committee will also provide advice and 
recommendations to the Secretary on any subsequent State-specific 
rulemakings.
    The Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory Committee shall 
consist of 12 members appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. 
Officers or employees of the Forest Service may not serve as members of 
the Committee. The Advisory Committee chair shall be elected by the 
members. The Committee shall be composed of a balanced group of 
representatives of diverse national organizations who can provide 
insights into the major contemporary issues associated with the 
conservation and management of inventoried roadless areas. Members of 
the Advisory Committee will operate in a manner designed to establish a 
consensus of opinion in order to develop recommendations that reflect 
relevant needs and perspectives. Members of the Committee will seek to 
reach mutual agreement on a course of action on issues. Collectively, 
the members should represent a diversity of organizations and 
perspectives. They will work together to draft recommendations that are 
representative of the diverse values and interests represented on the 
Committee. Nominations to the Committee should describe and document 
the proposed member's qualifications for membership.
    Appointments to the Committee will be made by the Secretary of 
Agriculture. Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all 
appointments to the Roadless Area Conservation National Advisory 
Committee. To ensure the recommendations of the Committee have taken 
into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, 
membership will include, to the extent practicable, individuals with 
demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with 
disabilities.

    Dated: April 15, 2005.
Michael J. Harrison,
Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 05-9348 Filed 5-12-05; 8:45 am]
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