[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 120 (Friday, June 23, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Page 28618]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-13169]


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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. 82, No. 120 / Friday, June 23, 2017 / 
Notices  

[[Page 28618]]



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. This will be the second 
meeting held during fiscal year 2017 and will consist of, but not be 
limited to: Hearing public comments, update of USDA programs and 
activities, and discussion of committee priorities. This meeting will 
be open to the public.

DATES: The meeting will be held on July 20-21, 2017. The meeting will 
be open to the public on both days with time set aside for public 
comment on July 20 at approximately 2:00-4:00 p.m. The OTR will make 
the agenda 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.

ADDRESSES: The meeting will be held in Carnall Hall's ``The Classroom'' 
at the University of Arkansas, 465 N. Arkansas Ave., Fayetteville, AR 
72701. Written comments may be submitted to the CNAFR Contact Person: 
Abby Cruz, Designated Federal Officer and Senior Policy Advisor for the 
Office of Tribal Relations, 1400 Independence Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 
501-A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 720-1058; or by email: 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Questions should be directed to the 
CNAFR Contact Person: Abby Cruz, Designated Federal Officer and Senior 
Policy Advisor for the Office of Tribal Relations, 1400 Independence 
Ave. SW., Whitten Bldg., 501-A, Washington, DC 20250; by Fax: (202) 
720-1058; or by 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 Keepseagle v. Vilsack settlement agreement 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 programs; 
(2) to transmit recommendations concerning any changes to USDA 
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 by USDA programs 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 
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 
December 2016.
    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 CNAFR Contact Person on or before July 14, 
2017. Oral presentations from the public will be heard approximately 
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. on July 20, 2017. Individuals interested in 
making formal oral presentations should also notify the CNAFR Contact 
Person and submit a brief statement of the general nature of the issue 
they wish to present and the names, tribal affiliations, and addresses 
of proposed participants by July 14, 2017. All oral presentations will 
be given three (3) to five (5) minutes depending on the number of 
participants.
    The OTR will also make the agenda 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. 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 Abby Cruz at least 10 business days in advance of the 
meeting.

    Dated: June 19, 2017.
Linda Cronin,
Acting Director, Office of Tribal Relations.
[FR Doc. 2017-13169 Filed 6-22-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 3410-01-P