[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 48 (Tuesday, March 13, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 11373-11374]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4545]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary


Establishment of Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of Establishment and Call for Nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of the Interior, after consultation with the 
General Services Administration, has established the Wind Turbine 
Guidelines Advisory Committee. The Committee will provide advice and 
recommendations to the Secretary of the Interior (Secretary) on 
developing effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife 
and their habitats related to land-based wind energy facilities.

DATES: Requests to participate on this Committee must be postmarked by 
April 12, 2007.

ADDRESSES: Send resumes and explanations of interest to Susan L. 
Goodwin, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute Resolution, U.S. 
Department of the Interior, 1801 Pennsylvania Avenue, Suite 500, 
Washington DC 20006, e-mail address [email protected], fax 
number 202/327-5390.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan L. Goodwin, 202/327-5346.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: We are publishing this notice in accordance 
with the requirements of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 
App.) (FACA). The Secretary of the Interior certifies that he has 
determined that the formation of the Committee is necessary and is in 
the public interest.
    The Committee will conduct its operations in accordance with the 
provisions of the FACA. It will report to the Secretary of the Interior 
through the Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and will function 
solely as an advisory body. The Committee will provide recommendations 
and advice to the Department and the Service on developing effective 
measures to protect wildlife resources and enhance potential benefits 
to wildlife that may be identified.
    The Secretary will appoint members who can effectively represent 
the varied interests associated with wind energy development and its 
potential impacts to wildlife species and their habitats. Members will 
represent stakeholders, Federal and State agencies, and tribes. Members 
will be senior representatives of their respective constituent groups 
with knowledge of: wind energy facility location, design, operation, 
and transmission requirements; wildlife species potentially affected 
and potential positive and negative impacts; wildlife survey 
techniques; applicable laws and regulations; and current research on 
wind/wildlife interactions. The Secretary may appoint Committee members 
based on nominations submitted by interested parties, including but not 
limited to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and other Federal 
agencies, States, tribes, wind energy development organizations, 
nongovernmental conservation organizations, and local regulatory/
licensing commissions. The Committee will also include independent 
experts in wind energy/wildlife interactions, appointed as special 
Government employees, to provide technical advice. The Secretary may 
also appoint alternate members to serve in the event that a member 
cannot attend a meeting. Parties interested in participating on this 
Committee should send their resumes and explanations of interest to 
Susan L. Goodwin, Office of Collaborative Action and Dispute 
Resolution, at the contact address listed in ADDRESSES, by the date 
specified in DATES.
    The Committee is expected to meet approximately four times per 
year. All Committee members serve without

[[Page 11374]]

compensation. Travel costs will be provided for Committee members who 
are special Government employees. The Service will provide necessary 
support services to the Committee. Committee meetings will be open to 
the public. Notice of committee meetings will be published in the 
Federal Register at least 15 days before the date of the meeting. The 
public will have an opportunity to provide input at these meetings.
    The Committee is expected to exist for 2 years. Its continuation is 
subject to biennial renewal.
    In accordance with FACA, we will file a copy of the Committee's 
charter with the Committee Management Secretariat, General Services 
Administration; Committee on Environment and Public Works, United 
States Senate; Committee on Resources, United States House of 
Representatives; and the Library of Congress.
    The Certification for establishment is published below.

Certification

    I hereby certify that the Wind Turbine Guidelines Advisory 
Committee is necessary and is in the public interest in connection with 
the performance of duties imposed on the Department of the Interior by 
Public Laws 16 U.S.C. 703-712, Migratory Bird Treaty Act; 16 U.S.C. 
668-668d, Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act; 16 U.S.C. 1531-1544, 
Endangered Species Act; and 42 U.S.C. 4371 et seq., National 
Environmental Policy Act. The Committee will assist the Department of 
the Interior by providing advice and recommendations on developing 
effective measures to avoid or minimize impacts to wildlife and their 
habitats.

    Dated: February 28, 2007.
Dirk Kempthorne,
Secretary of the Interior.
[FR Doc. E7-4545 Filed 3-12-07; 8:45 am]
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