[Federal Register Volume 71, Number 197 (Thursday, October 12, 2006)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60221-60222]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 06-8662]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 5576]


Meetings of the United States-Chile Environment Affairs Council 
and the United States-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 (USTR) are providing notice that, as set forth in 
Chapter 19 (Environment) of the United States-Chile Free Trade 
Agreement (FTA), the United States and Chile intend to hold the third 
meeting of the Environment Affairs Council (the ``Council'') and the 
second meeting of the United States-Chile Joint Commission for 
Environmental Cooperation (the ``Commission'') in Santiago, Chile on 
October 23-24, 2006. A public information session will be held for 
members of the public on October 23, at 3:30 p.m., in the Ministry of 
Foreign Relations, Teatinos 180, Conference Room, 17th floor. The 
purpose of the Council and Commission meetings is detailed below under 
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION.
    The meeting agendas will include an evaluation of the eight 
cooperative projects outlined in the FTA's Environment Chapter and the 
2005-2006 Work Program and a proposed 2007-2008 Work Program pursuant 
to the United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement (``the 
ECA''). The Department of State and USTR invite interested agencies, 
organizations, and members of the public to submit written comments or 
suggestions regarding agenda items.
    In preparing comments, we encourage submitters to refer to:
     The FTA's Environment Chapter including Annex 19.3, and 
the Final Environment Review of the FTA, available at: http://www.ustr.gov/Trade_Agreements/Bilateral/Chile_FTA/Section_Index.html.
     The ECA, available at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/tr/.
     Joint Declaration and Project Reports from the 2005 
Council meeting at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/tr/2005/index.htm.

DATES: To be assured of timely consideration, comments are requested no 
later than October 20, 2006.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be submitted to both:
    (1) Lawrence Sperling, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans, 
Environment, and Science, Office of Policy Coordination Initiatives by 
electronic mail at [email protected] with the subject line ``US-
Chile EAC and JCEC Meetings'' or by fax to (202) 647-5947 or (202) 647-
1052; and (2) Mara M. Burr, Deputy Assistant United States Trade 
Representative for Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the 
United States Trade Representative by electronic mail at 
[email protected] with the subject line ``US-Chile EAC and JCEC 
Meetings'' or by fax to or (202) 395-6865.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Lawrence Sperling, Telephone (202) 
647-2061 or Mara M. Burr, Telephone (202) 395-7320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement 
(FTA) entered into force on January 4, 2004. Article 3 of Chapter 19 
(Environment) of the FTA establishes an Environment Affairs Council 
(the ``Council''), which is required to meet at least once a year to 
discuss the implementation of, and progress under, Chapter 19. Chapter 
19 requires that

[[Page 60222]]

meetings of the Council include a public session, unless otherwise 
agreed by the two governments. Under Chapter 19, the two governments 
agreed to undertake eight specific cooperative activities set out in 
Annex 19.3 of the Chapter and to negotiate a United States-Chile 
Environmental Cooperation Agreement to further environmental 
cooperative activities. The United States-Chile Environmental 
Cooperation Agreement (the ``ECA'') entered into force on May 1, 2004 
and sets out a framework for environmental cooperative activities 
between the two governments. Article II of the ECA establishes the 
United States-Chile Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation (the 
``Commission''), with responsibilities that include developing and 
periodically reviewing a Work Program. The Commission is required to 
meet at least every two years. The first meetings of the Council and 
the Commission were held on July 22, 2004, in Santiago, Chile, and the 
second meeting of the Council was held on October 24, 2005, in 
Washington, DC. Issues of mutual concern related to Chapter 19 of the 
FTA and progress reports on the eight cooperation projects under 
Chapter 19 were discussed at the second meeting of the Council. At the 
upcoming third meeting of the Council and second meeting of the 
Commission, the Council and Commission will consider implementation of 
the Chapter, including with respect to public participation, input from 
advisory committees, review of cooperative projects, the 2005-2006 ECA 
Work Program, and a proposed 2007-2008 ECA Work Program. At these 
meetings, the Council and Commission will also consider recommendations 
for future bilateral environmental cooperation.
    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 the 
Council and Commission meetings.

    Dated: October 6, 2006.
David E. Brown,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 06-8662 Filed 10-11-06; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-M