[Federal Register Volume 73, Number 59 (Wednesday, March 26, 2008)]
[Notices]
[Pages 16089-16090]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E8-6207]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6153]


Meetings of the United States-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 United States-Chile Free Trade 
Agreement (FTA), the two governments intend to hold the fourth meeting 
of the Environment Affairs Council (the ``Council'') in Santiago, Chile 
on April 24, 2008. A public information session will be held for 
members of the public on April 24, at 3 p.m., in the Ministry of 
Foreign Relations, Teatinos 180, Conference Room, 2nd Floor. The 
purpose of the Council meeting is detailed below under SUPPLEMENTARY 
INFORMATION.
    The meeting agenda will include a review of Chapter 19 Provisions, 
a progress report on projects outlined in the FTA's Environment 
Chapter, an overview of success stories under the 2007-2008 Work 
Program pursuant to the United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation 
Agreement (``the ECA''), a presentation of project ideas to continue 
with the implementation of the 2007-2008 Work Program and beyond, and a 
consultation between the advisory committees for Chile and the United 
States, La Comision Nacional del Medio Ambiente (CONAMA) and the Trade 
and Environment Policy Advisory Committee (TEPAC). The Department of 
State and USTR invite interested agencies, organizations, and members 
of the public to submit written comments or suggestions regarding 
agenda items and to attend the public session.
    In preparing comments, we encourage submitters to refer to:

[[Page 16090]]

     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/rls/or/22185.htm.
     Joint Declaration from the third Council meeting (October 
23, 2006) at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/index.htm.

DATES: To be assured of timely consideration, comments are requested no 
later than April 21, 2008.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be submitted to both:
    (1) Carmen Yee-Batista, U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans, 
Environment, and Science, Office of Environmental Policy by electronic 
mail at [email protected] with the subject line ``US-Chile EAC 
Meeting'' or by fax to (202) 647-5947; 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 Meetings'' or by fax to (202) 395-9517.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Carmen Yee-Batista, Telephone (202) 
647-6777 or Mara M. Burr, Telephone (202) 395-7320.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States-Chile FTA entered into 
force on January 4, 2004. Article 3 of Chapter 19 (Environment) of the 
FTA establishes an Environment Affairs 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 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 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 third meeting of the 
Council and second meeting of the Commission were held on October 23-
24, 2006, in Santiago, Chile. At the third Council meeting, the Council 
discussed the implementation of Chapter 19 of the FTA with respect to 
public participation, progress reports on the eight cooperation 
projects under Chapter 19, implementation of the 2005-2006 Work 
Program, and elaboration of the 2007-2008 Work Program. At the upcoming 
fourth meeting of the Council, the Council will consider the 
implementation of the Chapter, review of cooperative projects, success 
stories under the 2007-2008 ECA Work Program, and project ideas to 
continue with the implementation of the 2007-2008 Work Program and 
beyond. At these meetings, the Council 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 meeting.

    Dated: March 21, 2008.
Daniel T. Fantozzi,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
 [FR Doc. E8-6207 Filed 3-25-08; 8:45 am]
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