[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 143 (Wednesday, July 25, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Page 43571]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18088]
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Notices
Federal Register
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This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
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Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 143 / Wednesday, July 25, 2012 /
Notices
[[Page 43571]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Council for Native American Farming and Ranching
AGENCY: Office of Tribal Relations, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of public meeting.
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SUMMARY: This notice announces a forthcoming meeting of The Council for
Native American Farming and Ranching (CNAFR) a public advisory
committee of the Office of Tribal Relations (OTR). Notice of the
meetings are provided in accordance with section 10(a)(2) of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, (5 U.S.C. Appendix 2). This
will be the inaugural meeting of the CNAFR and will consist of, but not
limited to, election of officers, acceptance of committee by-laws, and
overview of USDA farm programs. This meeting will be open to the
public.
DATES: The meeting will be held on August 14, 2012 and August 15, 2012
from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The meetings are open to the public on both days.
Note that a period for public comment will be held on August 15, from
10 a.m. to 12 p.m.
ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held at the Smithsonian's National
Museum of the American Indian, 4th St and Independence Ave. SW.,
Washington, DC 20024. The meeting will be held in the Patrons Lounge.
Written Comments: Written comments may be submitted to: Joanna
Mounce Stancil, Designated Federal Officer, Director, Office of Tribal
Relations (OTR), 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 500-A,
Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720-1058; or by email:
[email protected]. All written comments must be received by
July 31, 2012.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to John
Lowery, Management Analyst, OTR, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten
Bldg., 500A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720-1058 or email:
[email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: In accordance with the provisions of the
Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2),
USDA established an advisory Council for Native American farmers and
ranchers. The Council is a discretionary advisory committee established
under the authority of the Secretary of Agriculture, in furtherance of
the settlement agreement in Keepseagle v. Vilsack that was granted
final approval by the District Court for the District of Columbia on
April 28, 2011.
The Council will operate under the provisions of the FACA and
report to the Secretary of Agriculture. The purpose of the Council is
(1) to advise the Secretary of Agriculture on issues related to the
participation of Native American farmers and ranchers in USDA farm loan
programs; (2) to transmit recommendations concerning any changes to FSA
regulations or internal guidance or other measures that would eliminate
barriers to program participation for Native American farmers and
ranchers; (3) to examine methods of maximizing the number of new
farming and ranching opportunities created through the farm loan
program through enhanced extension and financial literacy services; (4)
to examine methods of encouraging intergovernmental cooperation to
mitigate the effects of land tenure and probate issues on the delivery
of USDA farm loan programs; (5) to evaluate other methods of creating
new farming or ranching opportunities for Native American producers;
and (6) to address other related issues as deemed appropriate.
The Secretary of Agriculture selected a diverse group of members
representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in providing
solutions to the challenges of the aforementioned purposes. Equal
opportunity practices were considered in all appointments to the
Committee in accordance with USDA policies. The Secretary selected the
members in May 2012. Interested persons may present views, orally or in
writing, on issues relating to agenda topics before the council.
Written submissions may be submitted to the contact person on or
before August 5, 2012. Oral presentations from the public will be
scheduled between approximately 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. on August 15,
2012. Those individuals interested in making formal oral presentations
should notify the contact person and submit a brief statement of the
general nature of the issue they wish to present and the names and
addresses of proposed participants. Each person giving public comment
will have three (3) minutes. The contact person will notify interested
persons regarding their request to speak by August 5, 2012. The
deadline to submit comments is July 31, 2012.
OTR will also make all agenda topics available to the public via
the OTR Web site: http://www.usda.gov/wps/portal/usda/usdahome?navid=OTR no later than 10 business days before the meeting
and at the meeting. In addition, the minutes from the meeting will be
posted on the OTR Web site. OTR welcomes the attendance of the public
at the CNAFR meetings and will make every effort to accommodate persons
with physical disabilities or special needs. If you require special
accommodations due to a disability, please contact John Lowery, at
least 10 business days in advance of the meeting.
Dated: July 19, 2012.
Joanna Mounce Stancil,
Director Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2012-18088 Filed 7-24-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P