[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 227 (Monday, November 25, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Page 70259]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-28176]


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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 fifth meeting of the CNAFR and will consist of, but not 
limited to: Hearing public comments; update on USDA programs and 
activities; and discussion of committee priorities. This meeting will 
be open to the public.

DATES: The meeting will be held on December 12th, 2013 from 8: 30 a.m. 
to 5 p.m. and December 13th, 2013 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The 
meeting will be open to the public. Note that a period for public 
comment will be held on December 11th, 2013 from 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.

ADDRESSES: The meeting and public comment period will be held at the 
Flamingo Las Vegas, 3555 Las Vegas Blvd. South, Las Vegas, Nevada 
89109.

WRITTEN COMMENTS: Written comments may be submitted to: John Lowery, 
Designated Federal Officer, 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].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to John 
Lowery, Designated Federal Officer, Office of Tribal (OTR), 1400 
Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 500-A, 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 CNAFR 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 CNAFR will operate under the provisions of the FACA and report 
to the Secretary of Agriculture. The purpose of the CNAFR 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 CNAFR 
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 CNAFR.
    Written submissions may be submitted to the contact person on or 
before December 6, 2013. Oral presentations from the public will be 
scheduled between approximately 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. on December 
11th. 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 by December 6, 2013. All oral 
presentations will be given three (3) to five (5) minutes depending on 
the number of participants.
    OTR will also make meeting room and all agenda topics available to 
the public via the OTR Web site: http://www.usda.gov/tribalrelations 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: November 15, 2013.
Leslie Wheelock,
Director, Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2013-28176 Filed 11-22-13; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P