[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 51 (Friday, March 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12591-12592]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4874]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE


Federal Advisory Committee for the Expert Review of Synthesis and 
Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP); Nomination Request

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Request for nominations to the Committee for the Expert Review 
of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP).

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is inviting nominations 
for membership on the Committee for the Expert Review of Synthesis and 
Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP). The purpose of the Committee is to 
provide advice on the conduct of a study titled The Effects of Climate 
Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and

[[Page 12592]]

Biodiversity, to be conducted as part of the U.S. Climate Change 
Science Program (CCSP). The prospectus for the study titled The Effects 
of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and 
Biodiversity is on the CCSP Web site at http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.htm.
    Committee membership will total approximately twelve persons and 
may include individuals from the Federal Government, State and/or local 
governments, the scientific community, non-governmental organizations 
and the private sector, with expertise, experience, and knowledge 
essential to the successful completion of the study. Nominations for 
employees of the Department of Agriculture will not be considered.
    Nominations must be received within twenty-one days of the date of 
this Federal Register notice. Any interested person or organization may 
submit a nomination. Nominations must include a complete resume of the 
nominee's background, experience and expertise, Form AD755, and any 
other information considered relevant. Form AD755 is available online 
through the following Web sites: http://www.usda.gov/oce/global_change/index.htm, http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.php, and http://www.sap43.ucar.edu/. Additional avenues and 
resources will be utilized by USDA in the solicitation of nominees.

ADDRESSES: Submit nominations to: Dr. Margaret Walsh, Global Change 
Program Office, Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 112-A Whitten Federal Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3810; e-mail address: 
[email protected], fax: (202) 401-1176.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr. Margaret Walsh, Global Change 
Program Office, Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of 
Agriculture, Room 112-A Whitten Federal Building, 1400 Independence 
Avenue, SW., Washington, DC 20250-3810; telephone: (202) 720-9978; e-
mail address: [email protected], fax: (202) 401-1176.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A copy of the Committee Charter is available 
at http://www.fido.gov/facadatabase/. The purpose of the Committee is 
to provide advice on the conduct of a study titled The Effects of 
Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and 
Biodiversity to be conducted as part of the U.S. Climate Change Science 
Program (CCSP). CERSAP will advise on the specific issues to be 
addressed, appropriate technical approaches, the nature of information 
relevant to decision makers, the content of the final report, 
compliance with the Information Quality Act, and other matters 
important to the successful achievement of the objectives of the study. 
CERSAP will respond specifically to the following seven inquiries 
related to the report:
    1. Are the goals, objectives, and intended audience of the product 
clearly described in the document? Does the product address all the 
questions as outlined in the prospectus?
    2. Are the findings and recommendations adequately supported by 
evidence and analysis? If any recommendations are based on value 
judgments or the collective opinions of the authors, is this 
acknowledged and are adequate reasons given for reaching those 
judgments?
    3. Are the data and analyses handled competently? Are statistical 
methods applied appropriately? Are uncertainties and confidence levels 
evaluated and communicated appropriately?
    4. Are the document's presentation and organization effective? Are 
the questions outlined in the prospectus addressed and communicated in 
a manner that is appropriate for the intended audiences?
    5. Is the document scientifically objective and policy-neutral? Is 
it consistent with the scientific literature, including recent NRC 
reports and other scientific assessments on the same topic?
    6. Does the summary concisely and accurately describe the content, 
key findings, and recommendations? Is it consistent with other sections 
of the document?
    7. What significant improvements, if any, might be made in the 
document?
    Individuals and organizations interested in submitting nominations 
for membership should familiarize themselves with the draft prospectus 
for this study, which is available at http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.htm.
    CERSAP is expected to meet twice during 2007 in the Washington, DC 
area.
    Completed nominations should be sent preferably by e-mail. If sent 
by either fax or regular mail, the sender is encouraged to phone (202) 
720-9978 in advance.

Keith Collins,
Chief Economist.
 [FR Doc. E7-4874 Filed 3-15-07; 8:45 am]
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