[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 165 (Friday, August 24, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 51606-51607]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-20896]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 7992]


Notice of Request for Expressions of Interest by Environmental 
Experts in Assisting the CAFTA-DR Secretariat for Environmental Matters 
With the Preparation of Factual Records

AGENCY: Department of State.

ACTION: Request for environmental experts to assist the Dominican 
Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) 
Secretariat for Environmental Matters (Secretariat) with the 
preparation of factual records.

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SUMMARY: The Department of State and the Office of the United States 
Trade Representative are compiling recommendations for candidates to be 
included on a roster of environmental experts from which the CAFTA-DR 
Secretariat can select individuals to assist in the preparation of 
factual records. The Department of State and the Office of the United 
States Trade Representative invite environmental experts, including 
representatives from non-governmental organizations, educational 
institutions, private sector enterprises, and other interested persons, 
to submit their expression of interest in being included on a roster of 
experts. We encourage submitters to review the following prior to 
offering a recommendation: (1) Chapter 17: Environment of the CAFTA-DR, 
in particular Articles 17.7 and 17.8; (2) paragraph 2(d) of the 
Understanding Regarding the Establishment of a Secretariat for 
Environmental Matters Under CAFTA-DR; (3) paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 
5 of the Agreement

[[Page 51607]]

Establishing a Secretariat for Environmental Matters Under CAFTA-DR; 
and (4) Decision No. 10 of the CAFTA-DR Environmental Affairs Council 
(Council). These documents are available at: http://www.state.gov/e/oes/env/trade/caftadr/index.htm.

DATES: To be assured of timely consideration, all written suggestions 
are requested no later than September 3, 2012.

ADDRESSES: Written suggestions should be emailed or faxed to Kelly 
Milton, Office of Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the 
United States Trade Representative ([email protected], Fax: 202-395-
9517), and Abby Lindsay, Office of Environmental Policy, Bureau of 
Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. 
Department of State ([email protected], Fax: 202-647-5947), with the 
subject line ``CAFTA-DR Roster of Environmental Experts to Assist in 
Development of Factual Records.'' If you have access to the Internet, 
you can view and comment on this notice by going to: http://www.regulations.gov/#!home and searching on docket number: DOS-2012-
0047.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: Abby Lindsay, telephone (202) 647-
8772 or Kelly Milton, telephone (202) 395-9590.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Article 17.7 and 17.8 of the 
Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement 
(CAFTA-DR), any person of a Party may file a submission with the CAFTA-
DR Secretariat asserting that a Party is failing to effectively enforce 
its environmental laws. Where the Secretariat determines that a 
submission meets the criteria set out in paragraph 2 and 4 of Article 
17.7, and where the Secretariat considers that the submission, in light 
of any response provided by the Party, warrants developing a factual 
record, the Secretariat shall so inform the Council and provide its 
reasons. The Secretariat shall prepare a factual record if the Council, 
by vote of any Party, instructs it to do so. For more information on 
factual records, see the Web site of the CAFTA-DR Secretariat, 
available at: www.saa-sem.org.
    Pursuant to paragraph 2(d) of the Understanding Regarding the 
Establishment of a Secretariat for Environmental Matters Under CAFTA-DR 
(the Understanding), the Council shall establish a roster of 
environmental experts, comprising persons with a demonstrated record of 
good judgment, objectivity, and environmental expertise, including 
regional expertise, from which the Secretariat shall select, as 
appropriate, individuals to assist the Secretariat with the preparation 
of factual records pursuant to Article 17.8 of the CAFTA-DR.
    Consistent with the obligation of paragraph 2(d) of the 
Understanding and paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 5 of the Agreement 
Establishing a Secretariat for Environmental Matters Under CAFTA-DR, on 
July 3, 2012, the Council set forth procedures for the Secretariat to 
follow regarding the engagement of such experts. See Decision No. 10 
``Engagement of Environmental Experts to Assist the Secretariat for 
Environmental Matters with the Preparation of Factual Records.'' 
Pursuant to Decision 10, the General Coordinator of the Secretariat 
shall compile the recommendations received from the Parties and present 
the Council with the proposed roster of environmental experts. The 
Council shall decide, by consensus, to establish the roster as 
proposed.
    According to Decision No. 10, individuals selected for inclusion on 
the roster shall:

     Have demonstrated a record of good judgment, 
objectivity and environmental expertise;
     Carry out all duties fairly, thoroughly and diligently;
     Demonstrate national or regional expertise where 
possible;
     Avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety and 
shall observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity or 
impartiality of any work performed by the expert at the request of 
the SEM shall not be called into question;
     Not seek or receive instructions from any government or 
any other authority external to the SEM or Council. Accordingly, 
experts shall not have ex parte contacts with any of the Parties 
without the prior explicit consent of the Secretariat or Council;
     Safeguard from public disclosure any information 
received in their capacity as an environmental expert, where the 
information is designated by its source as confidential or 
proprietary;
     Ensure that his or her work complies with all 
applicable laws and regulations; and
     Promptly disclose any interest, relationship or matter 
that is likely to affect the expert's independence or impartiality 
or that might reasonably create an appearance of impropriety or an 
apprehension of bias in his work.

    The Department of State and the Office of the US Trade 
Representative are requesting expressions of interest in being included 
on the roster from environmental experts. To do so, please submit the 
following information:
    1. Full Name.
    2. Contact information (should include a business address, 
telephone number, and email address).
    3. Citizenship(s).
    4. A resume or curriculum vitae.
    5. A letter of reference.
    6. Three individuals, in addition to the author of the letter of 
reference, who are willing to serve as a reference and provide 
information regarding the expert's professional experience (should 
include the names, contact information, and relationship to expert).
    7. A summary of any current and past employment by, consulting 
experience, or other work for any of the Governments that are a Party 
to the CAFTA-DR.
    8. Proof of Spanish and English language proficiency, written and 
spoken.
    For additional information, please visit: http://www.state.gov/e/oes/env/trade/caftadr/index.htm.
    Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for expressions of 
interest, and is not a request for applications. No granting of money 
is directly associated with this request for environmental experts. The 
Department of State and the Office of the United States Trade 
Representative will select which environmental experts are included on 
the U.S. recommendation of candidates.

    Dated: August 20, 2012.
John Thompson,
Acting Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2012-20896 Filed 8-23-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P