[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 49 (Tuesday, March 16, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14403-14404]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-05287]


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 Notices
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  Federal Register / Vol. 86, No. 49 / Tuesday, March 16, 2021 / 
Notices  

[[Page 14403]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

[Docket Number: USDA-2021-0003]


Notice of Request for Public Comment on the Executive Order on 
Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad

AGENCY: Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

ACTION: Request for public comment.

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

SUMMARY: On January 27, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order 
on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad. This Executive Order 
laid out a series of actions for Federal Agencies to take regarding 
climate change mitigation and resilience, including directing the 
Secretary of Agriculture to collect stakeholder input on a climate-
smart agriculture and forestry strategy. As part of this process, the 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking input from the public 
to ensure that relevant information is considered. USDA is interested 
in your comments in response to the topics, categories and questions 
shown in the SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION section of this notice.

DATES: Interested persons are invited to submit comments on or before 
11:59 p.m. Eastern Time April 29, 2021.

ADDRESSES: Comments may be submitted online via the Federal eRulemaking 
Portal. Go to http://www.regulations.gov and search for the Docket No. 
USDA-2021-0003. Follow the online instructions for submitting comments. 
All comments received will be posted without change and publicly 
available on www.regulations.gov.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: William Hohenstein, Director, USDA 
Office of Energy and Environmental Policy, Phone: 202-720-0450; Email: 
[email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Through the Executive Order on Tackling the 
Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad, the U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA) is being asked to seek public input regarding USDA's climate 
strategy. Part II Section 216(b) of this Executive Order directs the 
Secretary of Agriculture to, ``collect input from Tribes, farmers, 
ranchers, forest owners, conservation groups, firefighters, and other 
stakeholders on how to best use Department of Agriculture programs, 
funding and financing capacities, and other authorities, and how to 
encourage the voluntary adoption of climate-smart agricultural and 
forestry practices that decrease wildfire risk fueled by climate change 
and result in additional, measurable, and verifiable carbon reductions 
and sequestration and that source sustainable bioproducts and fuels.'' 
This public input will be considered as USDA prepares recommendations 
to expand climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices and systems. 
The feedback requested through this Executive Order is far-reaching; it 
encompasses the best use of USDA programs, funding and financing 
capabilities, authorities, and encouragement of voluntary conservation 
adoption.
    USDA currently requests public comment on:

1. Climate-Smart Agriculture and Forestry Questions

    A. How should USDA utilize programs, funding and financing 
capacities, and other authorities, to encourage the voluntary adoption 
of climate-smart agricultural and forestry practices on working farms, 
ranches, and forest lands?
    1. How can USDA leverage existing policies and programs to 
encourage voluntary adoption of agricultural practices that sequester 
carbon, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and ensure resiliency to 
climate change?
    2. What new strategies should USDA explore to encourage voluntary 
adoption of climate-smart agriculture and forestry practices?
    B. How can partners and stakeholders, including State, local and 
Tribal governments and the private sector, work with USDA in advancing 
climate-smart agricultural and forestry practices?
    C. How can USDA help support emerging markets for carbon and 
greenhouse gases where agriculture and forestry can supply carbon 
benefits?
    D. What data, tools, and research are needed for USDA to 
effectively carry out climate-smart agriculture and forestry 
strategies?
    E. How can USDA encourage the voluntary adoption of climate-smart 
agricultural and forestry practices in an efficient way, where the 
benefits accrue to producers?

2. Biofuels, Wood and Other Bioproducts, and Renewable Energy Questions

    A. How should USDA utilize programs, funding and financing 
capacities, and other authorities to encourage greater use of biofuels 
for transportation, sustainable bioproducts (including wood products), 
and renewable energy?
    B. How can incorporating climate-smart agriculture and forestry 
into biofuel and bioproducts feedstock production systems support rural 
economies and green jobs?
    C. How can USDA support adoption and production of other renewable 
energy technologies in rural America, such as renewable natural gas 
from livestock, biomass power, solar, and wind?

3. Addressing Catastrophic Wildfire Questions

    A. How should USDA utilize programs, funding and financing 
capacities, and other authorities to decrease wildfire risk fueled by 
climate change?
    B. How can the various USDA agencies work more cohesively across 
programs to advance climate-smart forestry practices and reduce the 
risk of wildfire on all lands?
    C. What additional data, tools and research are needed for USDA to 
effectively reduce wildfire risk and manage Federal lands for carbon?
    D. What role should partners and stakeholders play, including 
State, local and Tribal governments, related to addressing wildfires?

4. Environmental Justice and Disadvantaged Communities Questions

    A. How can USDA ensure that programs, funding and financing 
capacities, and other authorities used to advance climate-smart 
agriculture and forestry practices are available to all landowners, 
producers, and communities?
    B. How can USDA provide technical assistance, outreach, and other 
assistance necessary to ensure that all

[[Page 14404]]

producers, landowners, and communities can participate in USDA 
programs, funding, and other authorities related to climate-smart 
agriculture and forestry practices?
    C. How can USDA ensure that programs, funding and financing 
capabilities, and other authorities related to climate-smart 
agriculture and forestry practices are implemented equitably?
    Please provide information including citations and/or contact 
details for the correspondent when submitting comments to 
Regulations.gov.

Seth Meyer,
Chief Economist, Office of the Chief Economist.
[FR Doc. 2021-05287 Filed 3-15-21; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-GL-P