[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 49 (Wednesday, March 13, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 15928-15929]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-05739]


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 Notices
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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 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 78, No. 49 / Wednesday, March 13, 2013 / 
Notices  

[[Page 15928]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Forestry Research Advisory Council

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to re-establish an advisory council and call 
for nominations

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SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture intends to re-establish the 
Forestry Research Advisory Council (Council). In accordance with 
provisions of Section 1441(c) of the Agriculture and Food Act of 1981 
(Pub. L. 97-98), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), (5 
U.S.C. App. 2), the Council is being re-established to provide advice 
to the Secretary of Agriculture on accomplishing efficiently the 
purposes of the Act of October 10, 1962 (16 U.S.C. 582a, et seq.), 
commonly known as the McIntire-Stennis Act of 1962. The Council also 
provides advice relative to the Forest Service research program, 
authorized by the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Research Act 
of 1978 (Pub. L. 95-307, 92 Stat.353, as amended; 16 U.S.C. 1600 
(note)). Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is seeking nominations 
to fill six vacancies on the Council, and five additional vacancies 
that will occur when current appointments expire in December 2013.

DATES: Written nominations must be received by April 29, 2013. 
Nominations must contain a completed application packet that includes 
the nominee's name, resume, and completed form AD-755 (Advisory 
Committee Membership Background Information). The package must be sent 
to the address below.

ADDRESSES: Daina Dravnieks Apple, USDA Forest Service, Office of the 
Deputy Chief, Research and Devlopment, 1601 North Kent Street, 4th 
Floor, Arlington, Virginia 22209 by express mail or overnight courier 
service. If sent via the U.S. Postal Service, they must be sent to the 
following address: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, 
Office of the Deputy Chief, Research and Development, Mail Stop 1120, 
1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-1120.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Daina Dravnieks Apple, USDA Forest 
Service, Office of the Deputy Chief, Research and Devlopment, 
Telephone: (202) 205-1665, Email: [email protected]. Individuals who use 
telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal 
Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 1-800-877-8339 between 8 a.m. and 5 
p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C. App. 2), the Secretary of Agriculture 
intends to re-establish the Forestry Research Advisory Council (FRAC). 
The Council, a statutory committee, will continue to advise the 
Secretary of Agriculture on regional and national research planning and 
coordination of forestry research within the Federal and State 
agencies, forestry schools, forest industries, and non-governmental 
organizations. The Council may fulfill its responsibility to consult on 
a periodic or regular basis on apportionment of funds.

Advisory Council Organization

    The Council will be comprised of not more than 20 members. The 
members appointed to the Council will be fairly balanced in terms of 
the points of view represented, functions to be performed, and will 
represent a broad array of expertise, leadership and relevancy to a 
membership category. Geographic balance and a balanced distribution 
among the categories are also important. The Council shall include five 
representatives each in the following categories: (1) Federal and State 
Agencies; (2) Industry; (3) Academic; and (4) Voluntary Organization. 
The Council members will serve staggered terms up to 3 years, and will 
meet annually, or as often as necessary and at such times as designated 
by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). No individual who is currently 
registered as a Federal lobbyist is eligible to serve as a member of 
the Council.
    The appointment of members to the Council will be made by the 
Secretary of Agriculture. Vacancies on the Council will be filled in 
the manner in which the original appointment was made. Any individual 
or organization may nominate one or more qualified persons to serve on 
the Council. Individuals may also nominate themselves. Nominations for 
one individual who fits several of the categories or for more than one 
person who fits one category will be accepted. To be considered for 
membership, nominees must submit a:
    1. Resume describing qualifications for membership to the Council;
    2. Cover letter with a rationale for serving on the Council and 
what you can contribute;
    3. Indication of the specific membership category of your interest; 
and
    4. Complete form AD-755, Advisory Committee Membership Background 
Information. The form AD-755 may be obtained from the Forest Service 
contact person or from the following Web site: http://www.usda.gov/documents/OCIO_AD_755_Master_2012.pdf.
    5. Letters of recommendations are welcome.
    All nominations will be vetted by USDA. Nominations are open to all 
individuals without regard for race, color, religion, sex, national 
origin, age, mental or physical handicap, marital status, or sexual 
orientation. Nominations are being solicited from universities, 
organizations, associations, societies, councils, federations, groups, 
and companies that represent a wide variety of forestry research 
interests throughout the country. Members of the Council will serve 
without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel expenses while 
performing duties on behalf of the Council, subject to approval by the 
DFO. A meeting notice will be published in the Federal Register 15 to 
45 days before a scheduled meeting date. All meetings are generally 
open to the public and may include a ``public forum'' that may offer 5-
10 minutes for participants to present comments to the advisory 
committee. The Chairperson of the given Council ultimately makes the 
decision whether to offer time on the agenda for the public to speak to 
the general body.
    Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be 
followed in

[[Page 15929]]

all appointments to the advisory committee. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the FRAC have taken into account the needs of 
diverse groups served by the Department, membership will, to the extent 
practicable, include individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

    Dated: February 20, 2012.
Gregory Parham,
Acting Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2013-05739 Filed 3-12-13; 8:45 am]
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