[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 181 (Monday, September 20, 2010)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57326-57327]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-23425]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7160]


Request for Comments and Suggestions for Environmental 
Cooperation Pursuant to the United States-Oman Memorandum of 
Understanding on Environmental Cooperation

ACTION: Notice of preparation of the 2011-2014 U.S.-Oman Environmental 
Cooperation Plan of Action and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State invites the public, including NGOs, 
educational institutions, private sector enterprises and other 
interested persons, to submit written comments or suggestions regarding 
items for inclusion in a new Plan of Action for implementing the United 
States-Oman Memorandum of Understanding on Environmental Cooperation 
(MOU) signed on February 20, 2006. We encourage submitters to refer to: 
(1) The U.S.-Oman MOU, (2) the U.S.-Oman 2006-2008 Environmental 
Cooperation Work Program, (3) the Environment Chapter (17) of the U.S.-
Oman Free Trade Agreement, and (4) the Environmental Review of the 
U.S.-Oman Free Trade Agreement.
    (Documents are available at: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/oman/index.htm).

DATES: To be assured of timely consideration, all written comments or 
suggestions are requested no later than October 20, 2010.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be e-mailed 
([email protected]) or faxed to Abby Lindsay at (202) 647-5947, Office 
of Environmental Policy, Bureau of Oceans and International 
Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State, with 
the subject line ``U.S.-Oman Environmental Cooperation 2011-2014 Plan 
of Action.'' If you have access to the Internet and wish to view and 
make comment on this Public Notice, you may do so by going to:) http://www.regulations.gov/search/Regs/home.html#home.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Abby Lindsay, telephone (202) 647-
8772. Office of Environmental Policy, Bureau of Oceans and 
International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of 
State.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In the U.S.-Oman Memorandum of Understanding 
on Environmental Cooperation, the Governments (1) recognize ``the 
importance of strengthening capacity to protect the environment while 
promoting sustainable development in concert with the expanded 
bilateral trade relationship that will accompany the United States-Oman 
Free Trade Agreement (FTA)'' and (2) indicate their intent ``to 
cooperate in the field of environmental and natural resource protection 
and sustainable development.'' In the Environment Chapter of the U.S.-
Oman Free Trade Agreement (Chapter 17), the Governments likewise 
``recognize the importance of strengthening their capacity to protect 
the environment and to promote sustainable development in concert with 
strengthening bilateral trade and investment relations.'' The 
Governments commit to ``undertaking cooperative environmental 
activities pursuant to'' the MOU.
    In Section 2 of the MOU, the Governments set forth plans to 
establish the Joint Forum on Environmental Cooperation (JFEC) to 
coordinate and review environmental cooperation activities. As 
envisioned in the MOU, the JFEC will ``develop a Plan of Action; review 
and assess cooperative environmental activities undertaken pursuant to 
the Plan of Action; recommend ways to improve cooperation; and 
undertake such other activities as the Governments may deem to be 
appropriate.'' The Plan of Action is a tool to identify and establish 
goals, objectives and areas for cooperation, including short-, medium- 
and long-term bilateral and/or regional projects and activities. 
Through this notice, the United States seeks to ``solicit, and take 
into account as appropriate, the views of its public with respect to 
the Plan of Action.''
    In March 2007, the Governments agreed to the 2006-2008 U.S.-Oman 
Work Program on environmental cooperation. The main areas of 
cooperation under the 2006-2008 Work Program were: (1) Environmental 
Laws and Regulations; (2) Environmental Impact Assessments; (3) 
Environmental Incentives; (4) Public Participation in Environmental 
Protection; (5) Integrated Water Resources Management and Protection; 
(6) Coastal Protection and Preservation of Marine Resources; (7) 
Protected Area Management and Conservation of Flora and Fauna; (8) 
Improved Environmental Performance in the Productive Sector; and (9) 
Chemical and Hazardous Waste Management and Disposal.
    The United States anticipates building upon the cooperative work 
initiated in the 2006-2008 Work Program. We are requesting ideas and 
suggestions that may be considered for inclusion in the next Plan of 
Action.

For additional information: http://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/oman/index.htm.

    Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for comments and 
suggestions and is not a request for applications. No granting or 
money is directly associated with this request for suggestions for 
the Plan of Action. There is no expectation of resources or funding 
associated with any comments or suggestions provided for the 2011-
2014 Plan of Action.


[[Page 57327]]


    Dated: September 14, 2010.
Willem H. Brakel,
Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2010-23425 Filed 9-17-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P