[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 246 (Wednesday, December 26, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 73038-73039]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-24902]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

[Docket No. DHS-2007-0086]


Homeland Security Advisory Council

AGENCY: Policy Directorate, DHS.

ACTION: Notice of partially closed Federal Advisory Committee Meeting.

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SUMMARY: The Homeland Security Advisory Council (HSAC) will meet for 
purposes of reviewing recommendations from the Administration 
Transition Task Force and HSAC subgroups. In addition, the HSAC will 
receive briefings from Secretary Michael Chertoff and other DHS 
officials. The meeting will be partially closed.

DATES: Thursday, January 10, 2008. The open session will run from 10:55 
am to 12:30 pm. The closed portions of the meeting will be held in the 
Seminar Room, from 8:30 a.m. to 10:55 a.m., and from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 
p.m.

ADDRESSES: The open portion of the meeting will be held at the U.S. 
Secret Service building located at 950 H Street, NW., Washington, DC, 
in the William P. Wood Conference Center.

[[Page 73039]]

    If you desire to submit written comments, they must be submitted by 
January 3, 2008. Comments must be identified by DHS-2007-0086 and may 
be submitted by one of the following methods:
     Federal eRulemaking Portal: http://www.regulations.gov. 
Follow the instructions for submitting comments.
     E-mail: [email protected]. Include docket number in the subject 
line of the message.
     Fax: (202) 282-9207.
     Mail: Ms. Jennifer Myers, Homeland Security Advisory 
Council, Department of Homeland Security, Mailstop 0850, 245 Murray 
Lane, SW., Washington, DC 20528.
    Instructions: All submissions received must include the words 
``Department of Homeland Security'' and DHS-2007-0086, the docket 
number for this action. Comments received will be posted without 
alteration at http://www.regulations.gov, including any personal 
information provided.
    Docket: For access to the docket to read background documents or 
comments received by the DHS Homeland Security Advisory Council, go to 
http://www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jennifer Myers, Homeland Security 
Advisory Council, Washington, DC 20528, (202) 447-3135, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice of this meeting is given under the 
Federal Advisory Committee Act, 5 U.S.C. App. (Pub. L. 92-463). The 
HSAC exists to provide independent advice to the Secretary of the 
Department aiding in the creation of expeditious implementation of 
critical and actionable policy and operational capacities across the 
spectrum of homeland security operations. The HSAC shall periodically 
report, as appropriate, to the Secretary on matters within the scope of 
that function. The HSAC serves as an advisory body with the goal of 
providing advice upon the request of the Secretary.
    The HSAC will meet to review recommendations from the 
Administration Transition Task Force (ATTF) and other HSAC subgroups. 
The ATTF has focused on identifying issues and priorities for DHS and 
relevant partners to address to effectively plan for the transition in 
administrations. In addition, recommendations from the HSAC's other 
subgroups are expected on the following topics: medical surge 
capabilities, Real-ID implementation, DHS training and education 
efforts, and private sector and state and local information sharing 
efforts. The Essential Technology Task Force will update the HSAC on 
its progress and planned activities but will not report recommendations 
at this meeting.
    During the open portion of the meeting, the HSAC will consider the 
recommendations from its various subgroups as outlined above.
    Public Attendance: A limited number of members of the public may 
register to attend the public session on a first-come, first-served 
basis per the procedures that follow. Security requires that any member 
of the public who wishes to attend the public session provide his or 
her full legal name, date of birth, and Social Security Number no later 
than 5 p.m. EST., January 3, 2008, to Jennifer Myers or a staff member 
of the HSAC via e-mail at [email protected] or via phone at (202) 447-3135. 
Photo identification will be required for entry into the public 
session, and everyone in attendance must be present and seated by 10:45 
a.m.
    Information on Services for Individuals With Disabilities: For 
information on facilities or services for individuals with 
disabilities, or to request special assistance at the meeting, contact 
Kezia Williams as soon as possible.
    Basis for Closure: The Federal Advisory Committee Act permits the 
closure of advisory committee meetings, or portions thereof, as a 
matter of public interest subject to the requirements of the Government 
in the Sunshine Act (5 U.S.C., 552b(c)). At this meeting, the HSAC will 
participate in sensitive discussions with senior officials regarding 
priorities and ongoing initiatives in the Department.
    Pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(9)(B), the nature of discussions could 
lead to premature disclosure of information on Department of Homeland 
Security actions that would be ``likely to significantly frustrate 
implementation of proposed agency action.'' Additionally, discussions 
of ongoing investigations with Department of Homeland Security 
enforcement components and outside law enforcement partners fall within 
the meaning of 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(7)(E) insofar as they will disclose 
investigative techniques and procedures.
    Closed portions of the meeting will include discussions on general 
administrative updates, ethics requirements for advisory committee 
members, updates on operational challenges, intelligence briefing, and 
pre-decisional policy decisions. During the closed portions of the 
meeting, various speakers from Customs and Border Protection, United 
States Secret Service, Intelligence and Analysis, Policy Directorate, 
Management Directorate, and the Transportation Security Administration 
will discuss planning efforts for the transition in administrations, 
potential changes to airport security, border security, potential areas 
to focus the Quadrennial Homeland Security Review, and the challenges 
faced by the United States Secret Service in a presidential election 
year. The discussion will involve discussions of law enforcement and 
airport security procedures of Department of Homeland Security 
components. The nature of the discussions could lead to premature 
disclosure of information on Department of Homeland Security actions 
that would be ``likely to significantly frustrate implementation of a 
proposed agency action.'' Additionally, discussions of ongoing 
investigations with Department of Homeland Security enforcement 
components and outside law enforcement partners fall within the meaning 
of 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(7)(E) insofar as they will ``disclose investigative 
techniques and procedures.''

    Dated: December 14, 2007.
Doug Hoelscher,
Executive Director, Homeland Security Advisory Committees.
[FR Doc. E7-24902 Filed 12-21-07; 8:45 am]
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