[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2015)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 4191-4194]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2015-01522]



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Vol. 80

Monday,

No. 16

January 26, 2015

Part IV





The President





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Executive Order 13689--Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in 
the Arctic
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                         Presidential Documents 
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  Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 2015 / 
Presidential Documents  

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 Title 3--
 The President

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                Executive Order 13689 of January 21, 2015

                
Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the 
                Arctic

                By the authority vested in me as President by the 
                Constitution and the laws of the United States of 
                America, and to prepare the Nation for a changing 
                Arctic and enhance coordination of national efforts in 
                the Arctic, it is hereby ordered as follows:

                Section 1. Policy. The Arctic has critical long-term 
                strategic, ecological, cultural, and economic value, 
                and it is imperative that we continue to protect our 
                national interests in the region, which include: 
                national defense; sovereign rights and 
                responsibilities; maritime safety; energy and economic 
                benefits; environmental stewardship; promotion of 
                science and research; and preservation of the rights, 
                freedoms, and uses of the sea as reflected in 
                international law.

                Over the past 60 years, climate change has caused the 
                Alaskan Arctic to warm twice as rapidly as the rest of 
                the United States, and will continue to transform the 
                Arctic as its consequences grow more severe. Over the 
                past several decades, higher atmospheric temperatures 
                have led to a steady and dramatic reduction in Arctic 
                sea ice, widespread glacier retreat, increasing coastal 
                erosion, more acidic oceans, earlier spring snowmelt, 
                thawing permafrost, drier landscapes, and more 
                extensive insect outbreaks and wildfires, thus changing 
                the accessibility and natural features of this remote 
                region. As a global leader, the United States has the 
                responsibility to strengthen international cooperation 
                to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions driving 
                climate change, understand more fully and manage more 
                effectively the adverse effects of climate change, 
                protect life and property, develop and manage resources 
                responsibly, enhance the quality of life of Arctic 
                inhabitants, and serve as stewards for valuable and 
                vulnerable ecosystems. In doing so, we must rely on 
                science-based decisionmaking and respect the value and 
                utility of the traditional knowledge of Alaska Native 
                peoples. As the United States assumes the Chairmanship 
                of the Arctic Council, it is more important than ever 
                that we have a coordinated national effort that takes 
                advantage of our combined expertise and efforts in the 
                Arctic region to promote our shared values and 
                priorities.

                As the Arctic has changed, the number of Federal 
                working groups created to address the growing strategic 
                importance and accessibility of this critical region 
                has increased. Although these groups have made 
                significant progress and achieved important milestones, 
                managing the broad range of interagency activity in the 
                Arctic requires coordinated planning by the Federal 
                Government, with input by partners and stakeholders, to 
                facilitate Federal, State, local, and Alaska Native 
                tribal government and similar Alaska Native 
                organization, as well as private and nonprofit sector, 
                efforts in the Arctic.

                Sec. 2. Arctic Executive Steering Committee. (a) 
                Establishment. There is established an Arctic Executive 
                Steering Committee (Steering Committee), which shall 
                provide guidance to executive departments and agencies 
                (agencies) and enhance coordination of Federal Arctic 
                policies across agencies and offices, and, where 
                applicable, with State, local, and Alaska Native tribal 
                governments and similar Alaska Native organizations, 
                academic and research institutions, and the private and 
                nonprofit sectors.

                    (b) Membership. The Steering Committee shall 
                consist of:

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(i) the heads, or their designees, of the Office of Science and Technology 
Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Domestic Policy Council, 
and the National Security Council;

(ii) the Executive Officer of the Steering Committee, who shall be 
designated by the Chair of the Steering Committee (Chair); and

(iii) the Deputy Secretary or equivalent officer from the Departments of 
State, Defense, Justice, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health 
and Human Services, Transportation, Energy, and Homeland Security; the 
Office of the Director of National Intelligence; the Environmental 
Protection Agency; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the 
National Science Foundation; the Arctic Research Commission; and the Office 
of Management and Budget; the Assistant to the President for Public 
Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, or his or her designee; and other 
agencies or offices as determined appropriate by the Chair.

                    (c) Administration.

(i) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, or his or 
her designee, shall be the Chair of the Executive Steering Committee. The 
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or his or her 
designee, shall be the Vice Chair. Under the leadership of the Chair, the 
Steering Committee will meet quarterly, or as appropriate, to shape 
priorities, establish strategic direction, oversee implementation, and 
ensure coordination of Federal activities in the Arctic.

(ii) The Steering Committee shall coordinate with existing working groups 
established by Executive Order or statute.

(iii) As appropriate, the Chair of the Steering Committee may establish 
subcommittees and working groups, consisting of representatives from 
relevant agencies, to focus on specific key issues and assist in carrying 
out its responsibilities.

(iv) Agencies shall provide administrative support and additional 
resources, as appropriate, to support their participation in the Steering 
Committee to the extent permitted by law and within existing 
appropriations. Each agency shall bear its own expenses for supporting its 
participation in the Steering Committee and associated working groups.

(v) Each member of the Steering Committee shall provide the Executive 
Officer with a single point of contact for coordinating efforts with 
interagency partners, collaborating with State, local, and Alaska Native 
tribal governments and similar Alaska Native organizations, and assisting 
in carrying out the functions and duties assigned by the Steering 
Committee.

                Sec. 3. Responsibilities of the Arctic Executive 
                Steering Committee. The Steering Committee, in 
                coordination with the heads of relevant agencies and 
                under the direction of the Chair, shall:

                    (a) provide guidance and coordinate efforts to 
                implement the priorities, objectives, activities, and 
                responsibilities identified in National Security 
                Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security 
                Presidential Directive 25, Arctic Region Policy, the 
                National Strategy for the Arctic Region and its 
                Implementation Plan, and related agency plans;
                    (b) provide guidance on prioritizing Federal 
                activities, consistent with agency authorities, while 
                the United States is Chair of the Arctic Council, 
                including, where appropriate, recommendations for 
                resources to use in carrying out those activities; and
                    (c) establish a working group to provide a report 
                to the Steering Committee by May 1, 2015, that:

(i) identifies potential areas of overlap between and within agencies with 
respect to implementation of Arctic policy and strategic priorities and 
provides recommendations to increase coordination and reduce any 
duplication of effort, which may include ways to increase the effectiveness 
of existing groups; and

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(ii) provides recommendations to address any potential gaps in 
implementation.

                Sec. 4. Duties of the Executive Officer. The Executive 
                Officer shall be responsible for facilitating 
                interagency coordination efforts related to 
                implementing the guidance and strategic priorities 
                developed by the Steering Committee. The Executive 
                Officer shall coordinate with the Chair and the Special 
                Advisor on Arctic Science and Policy at the Department 
                of State to provide regular reports to the Steering 
                Committee on agency implementation and planning efforts 
                for the Arctic region.

                Sec. 5. Engagement with the State of Alaska, Alaska 
                Native Tribal Governments, as well as other United 
                States Stakeholders. It is in the best interest of the 
                Nation for the Federal Government to maximize 
                transparency and promote collaboration where possible 
                with the State of Alaska, Alaska Native tribal 
                governments and similar Alaska Native organizations, 
                and local, private-sector, and nonprofit-sector 
                stakeholders. To facilitate consultation and 
                partnerships with the State of Alaska and Alaska Native 
                tribal governments and similar Alaska Native 
                organizations, the Steering Committee shall:

                    (a) develop a process to improve coordination and 
                the sharing of information and knowledge among Federal, 
                State, local, and Alaska Native tribal governments and 
                similar Alaska Native organizations, and private-sector 
                and nonprofit-sector groups on Arctic issues;
                    (b) establish a process to ensure tribal 
                consultation and collaboration, consistent with my 
                memorandum of November 5, 2009 (Tribal Consultation). 
                This process shall ensure meaningful consultation and 
                collaboration with Alaska Native tribal governments and 
                similar Alaska Native organizations in the development 
                of Federal policies that have Alaska Native 
                implications, as applicable, and provide feedback and 
                recommendations to the Steering Committee;
                    (c) identify an appropriate Federal entity to be 
                the point of contact for Arctic matters with the State 
                of Alaska and with Alaska Native tribal governments and 
                similar Alaska Native organizations to support 
                collaboration and communication; and
                    (d) invite members of State, local, and Alaska 
                Native tribal governments and similar Alaska Native 
                organizations, and academic and research institutions 
                to consult on issues or participate in discussions, as 
                appropriate and consistent with applicable law.

                Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order 
                shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the 
head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget 
relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

                    (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with 
                applicable law and subject to the availability of 
                appropriations.

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                    (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, 
                create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, 
                enforceable at law or in equity by any party against 
                the United States, its departments, agencies, or 
                entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any 
                other person.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

                THE WHITE HOUSE,

                    January 21, 2015.

[FR Doc. 2015-01522
Filed 1-23-15; 11:15 am]
Billing code 3295-F5