[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 49 (Thursday, March 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14213-14214]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-05467]


-----------------------------------------------------------------------

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the National 
Forest System Land Management Planning Rule

AGENCY: USDA Forest Service.

ACTION: Notice of intent to call for nominations.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the 
National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule (Committee) was 
re-established on February 3, 2014, in the public interest, to continue 
providing advice and recommendations on the implementation of the 
National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule (planning rule). 
Therefore, the Secretary of Agriculture is seeking nominations for 
individuals to be considered as Committee members. The public is 
invited to submit nominations for membership. Further information about 
the Committee is posted on the Planning Rule Advisory Committee Web 
site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/main/planningrule/committee.

DATES: Written nominations must be received by April 28, 2014. 
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 form AD-755 may be 
obtained from the following Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5203568.pdf or via email from Chalonda Jasper at 
[email protected]. The package must be sent to the address below.

ADDRESSES: Send nominations and applications to Andre Teague, USDA 
Forest Service, National Forest System, Mail Stop 1106, 201 14th Street 
SW., Washington, DC 20025 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, National 
Forest System, Mail Stop 1106, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., 
Washington, DC 20250-1106.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Tony Tooke, USDA Forest Service, 
National Forest System, by telephone: 202-205-0824 or by email: 
[email protected]. Chris French, USDA Forest Service, National Forest 
System, Ecosystem Management Coordination, by telephone: 202-205-1022 
or by email: [email protected]. Chalonda Jasper, USDA Forest Service, 
National Forest System, Planning Specialist, by telephone: 202-260-9400 
or by 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 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., 
Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice and 
recommendations on implementation of the planning rule. The current 
Committee officially transmitted their recommendations to improve the 
draft planning rule directives to the USDA Forest Service on November 
21, 2013. This marked an important accomplishment and point of 
transition for the Committee. Having finalized consensus 
recommendations on the draft directives, the Committee now turns its 
full attention to improving the efficiency and efficacy of implementing 
the planning rule. The current Committee's membership will expire in 
June 2014.
    The Committee will be asked to perform the following duties or 
other requests made by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Chief of the 
Forest Service:
    1. Offer ongoing advice related to the implementation directives of 
the planning rule;
     Collaborating around recommendations for and 
implementation of the rule, retaining
    national policy focus.
    2. Offer assistance with outreach efforts;
     Engaging with US Forest Service, including with early 
adopter forests, and reaching out beyond the US Forest Service and 
across other Government agencies.
    3. Offer overall guidance on planning practices important to 
implementation of the planning rule;
     Developing guidance on techniques, strategies and 
potential partners to facilitate outreach and greater understanding to 
broader public, including youth, local communities, urban 
constituencies etc.

Advisory Committee Organization

    This Committee will be comprised of not more than 21 members who 
provide balanced and broad representation within each of the following 
three categories of interests:
    1. Up to 7 members who represent one or more of the following:
    a. Represent the affected public at-large.
    b. Hold State-elected office (or designee).
    c. Hold county or local elected office.
    d. Represent American Indian Tribes.
    e. Represent Youth.
    2. Up to 7 members who represent one or more of the following:
    a. National, regional, or local environmental organizations.
    b. Conservation organizations or watershed associations.
    c. Dispersed recreation interests.
    d. Archaeological or historical interests.
    e. Scientific Community.
    3. Up to 7 members who represent one or more of the following:
    a. Timber industry.
    b. Grazing or other land use permit holders or other private forest 
landowners.
    c. Energy and mineral development.
    d. Commercial or recreational hunting and fishing interests.

[[Page 14214]]

    e. Developed outdoor recreation, off-highway vehicle users, or 
commercial recreation interests.
    No individual who is currently registered as a Federal lobbyist is 
eligible to serve as a member of the Committee. Members of the 
Committee serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for travel 
expenses while performing duties on behalf of the Committee, subject to 
approval by the Designated Federal Official (DFO).
    The Committee will meet three to six times annually or as often as 
necessary and at such times as designated by the DFO.
    The appointment of members to the Committee will be made by the 
Secretary of Agriculture. Any individual or organization may nominate 
one or more qualified persons to serve on the National Advisory 
Committee for Implementation of the Planning Rule. Individuals may also 
nominate themselves. To be considered for membership, nominees must 
submit a:
    1. Resume describing qualifications for membership to the 
Committee;
    2. Cover letter with a rationale for serving on the committee and 
what the applicant can contribute; and
    3. Complete form AD-755, Advisory Committee Membership Background 
Information.
    Letters of recommendation are welcome. The form AD-755 may be 
obtained from the following Web site: http://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5203568.pdf or via email from Chalonda Jasper at 
[email protected]. All nominations will be vetted by U.S. Department of 
Agriculture (USDA). The Secretary of Agriculture will appoint committee 
members to the National Advisory Committee for Implementation of the 
National Forest System Land Management Planning Rule from the list of 
qualified applicants.
    Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA policies will 
be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the Committee take into account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include to the extent 
possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.

    Dated: March 7, 2014.
Malcom A. Shorter,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration, U. S. Department of 
Agriculture.
[FR Doc. 2014-05467 Filed 3-12-14; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P