[Federal Register Volume 70, Number 181 (Tuesday, September 20, 2005)]
[Notices]
[Page 55203]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 05-18723]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5190]


Meeting of the U.S.-Chile Environment Affairs Council

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State and the Office of the United States 
Trade Representative (USTR) are providing notice that, as set forth in 
Chapter 19 (Environment) of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA), 
the tow governments intend to hold the second meeting of the 
Environment Affairs Council (the ``Council'') in Washington, DC on 
October 24, 2005. U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary Claudia McMurray and 
Chilean Under Secretary Rodrigo Egana will jointly chair the Council 
meeting. The purpose of this meeting is detailed below under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    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 implementation of 
the eight cooperative projects listed in Annex 19.3 of Chapter 19 
(Environment) of the FTA, particularly Reducing Mining Pollution and 
Sharing Private Sector Expertise (in the initial implementation 
stages); (3) written comments regarding implementation of Chapter 19's 
framework for public participation; and (4) written suggestions for 
future bilateral environmental cooperation between the United States 
and the Republic of Chile. A joint public session will be held 
immediately following the Council meeting. The purpose of this public 
session is detailed 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 and Annex 19.3, available at:http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Agreements/Bilateral/Chile_FTA/ / Final -- Texts / 
asset -- upload -- file 482 -- 401.3.pdf;
     The U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement, 
available at:http://www.state.gov/goes/rls/or/22185.html and
     The Final Environment Review of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade 
Agreement, available at: http://www.ustr.gov/assets/Trade_Agreements/Bilateral/Chile_FTA/ asset--upload--file 411--5109.pdf.

DATES: To guarantee receipt in proper time for consideration prior to 
the meeting, comments are requested no later than October 20, 2005.

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: Lawrence Sperling, Department of 
State, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs, Office of Policy Coordination and Initiatives, Telephone (202) 
647-2061.

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. The first meeting of the Council was 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. The Council 
Agenda for this second meeting will include discussion of the progress 
in implementing the eight cooperation projects under Chapter 19 of the 
FTA. This meeting will also consider how to further implement the 
provisions of Chapter 19, including public participation, and 
recommendations for future bilateral cooperation. Written comments from 
the public regarding agenda items for the Council meeting, as well as 
written comments regarding the eight cooperative projects and future 
bilateral cooperation, may be submitted to the contact addresses listed 
above.
    The public session will take place in Washington, DC after the 
Council meeting, on October 24, 2005 starting time and place to be 
announced, in order to explain the provision 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. The public is advised 
to refer to the State Department Web site at http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/ for further information related to this meeting.

    Dated: September 15, 2005.
David E. Brown,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy Department of State.
[FR Doc. 05-18723 Filed 9-19-05; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-M