[Federal Register Volume 76, Number 208 (Thursday, October 27, 2011)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Page 66601]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2011-27760]



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 Rules and Regulations
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  Federal Register / Vol. 76, No. 208 / Thursday, October 27, 2011 / 
Rules and Regulations  

[[Page 66601]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary

7 CFR Part 2


Revision of Delegations of Authority

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, USDA.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: This document amends the delegation of authority from the 
Secretary of Agriculture to the Director of the Office of 
Communications to serve as the central information authority for 
emergency public information activities. The Secretary further 
delegates to the Director of the Office of Communications the authority 
to serve as the central authority for the Department and agency 
strategic communications plans.

DATES: This rule is effective October 27, 2011.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ronald N. DeMunbrun, Office of 
Communications Budget Officer, (202) 400-0827, 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Effective June 6, 2010, the Secretary of 
Agriculture (Secretary) implemented within USDA a reorganization of the 
Office of Communications (OC), led by the Director of OC. This 
rulemaking amends USDA's delegations of authority at 7 CFR 2.36 
principally to reflect this reorganization. Under the reorganized 
structure, the Director of OC assumes responsibility for USDA's 
strategic communications planning process. The Director of OC provides 
Departmental executive leadership in developing and implementing USDA's 
communications strategies for the Secretary and the agencies, including 
oversight of creative elements, production, and communications 
products.
    This rule also amends the delegations of authority at 7 CFR 2.36 to 
reflect that the Director of OC is delegated authority, when required 
under the National Incident Management System (NIMS), to establish and 
administer a Joint Information Center (JIC) to provide a structure for 
developing and delivering incident-related coordinated messages.
    This rule relates to internal agency management. Therefore, 
pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 553(a)(2), notice of proposed rulemaking and 
opportunity for comment are not required, and this rule may be made 
effective less than 30 days after publication in the Federal Register. 
Further, because this rule relates to internal agency management, it is 
exempt from the provisions of Executive Order 12866. Finally, this 
action is not a rule as defined by the Regulatory Flexibility Act, 5 
U.S.C. 601 et seq, and is, therefore, exempt from the provisions of the 
Act. Accordingly, as authorized by 5 U.S.C. 808, this rule may be made 
effective upon publication. This rule contains no information 
collection or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction 
Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501 et seq).

List of Subjects in 7 CFR Part 2

    Authority Delegations (Government agencies).

    Accordingly, Subtitle A of Title 7 of the Code of Federal 
Regulations is amended as set forth below:

PART 2--DELEGATIONS OF AUTHORITY BY THE SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE 
AND GENERAL OFFICERS OF THE DEPARTMENT

0
1. The authority citation for part 2 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 7 U.S.C. 6912(a): 5 U.S.C. 301; Reorganization Plan 
No. 2 of 1953, 3 CFR 1949-1953 Comp., p. 1024.

Subpart D--Delegations of Authority to Other General Officers and 
Agency Heads

0
2. Amend Sec.  2.36 as follows:
0
a. Revise paragraph (a)(2)(iv); and
0
b. Add new paragraphs (a)(2)(xii) and (a)(2)(xiii), to read as follows:


Sec.  2.36  Director, Office of Communications.

    (a) * * *
    (2) * * *
    (iv) Serve as the central public information authority in the USDA, 
with authority to determine policy for all USDA and Agency 
communication activities, as well as emergency public information and 
messaging communication activities, in order to provide leadership and 
centralized operational direction for all USDA public information 
activities and ensure all materials shall effectively support USDA 
policies and programs, including the defense program.
* * * * *
    (xii) Serve as the central authority to determine policy, plans, 
procedures, and standards for the Department and agency strategic 
communications plans; request, receive, review, and approve agency 
communications plans; and provide centralized communication strategies 
for the Secretary and agencies, including the creativity, production, 
and oversight of communication products.
    (xiii) When required, support and coordinate staffing of a JIC as 
identified in the NIMS, and if required, establish and administer a JIC 
to provide a structure for developing and delivering incident-related 
coordinated messages.
* * * * *

    Signed in Washington, DC, this day: October 21, 2011.
Thomas J. Vilsack,
Secretary of Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2011-27760 Filed 10-26-11; 8:45 am]
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