[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 94 (Tuesday, May 18, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Page 27009]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-10434]


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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE


Notice of the First United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement 
Environment Committee Meeting

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice of meeting and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The Parties to the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement 
(USMCA) intend to hold the first meeting of the Environment Committee 
(Committee) virtually, on June 17, 2021. Following the government-to-
government meeting, the Committee will hold a virtual public session. 
The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will accept 
comments on suggestions for topics to be discussed during the Committee 
meeting, and questions for the public session.

DATES: 
    June 17, 2021, from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. EST: The Parties' will 
host a virtual public session of the Committee.
    June 4, 2021, at 11:59 p.m. EST: Deadline for submission of written 
comments on suggestions for meeting topics and questions for the public 
session.

ADDRESSES: Submit written comment to Sarah Lopp, Director for 
Environment and Natural Resources, by email at 
[email protected] with the subject line ``USMCA Environment 
Committee Meeting''.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Sarah Lopp, Director for Environment 
and Natural Resources, at [email protected], or 202-881-9034.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Background

    Article 24.26 of the USMCA establishes an Environment Committee 
composed of senior government representatives. The Committee oversees 
implementation of the Environment Chapter and provides a forum to 
discuss and review implementation issues. USMCA requires the Committee 
to meet within one year of the date of entry into force and every two 
years thereafter unless the Parties otherwise agree. All Committee 
decisions and reports will be made publicly available, unless the 
Parties decide otherwise. The Committee will provide for public input 
on matters relevant to its work, as appropriate, and hold a public 
session at each meeting.

II. Committee Meeting

    On June 17, 2021, the Committee will meet virtually in a 
government-to-government session. During the meeting the Parties will: 
(1) Review implementation of Chapter 24 (Environment), and discuss how 
the Parties are meeting their Chapter 24 obligations, and (2) receive a 
presentation from the Commission on Environmental Cooperation (CEC) 
Secretariat on cooperation and public Submissions for Enforcement 
Matters (SEMs). This session will not be open to the public.

III. Public Session on USMCA Chapter 24 Implementation

    Following the government-to-government session, the Committee 
invites all interested persons to attend a virtual public session on 
USMCA Chapter 24 implementation. At the public session, the Committee 
will welcome questions, input, and information concerning 
implementation of the Chapter 24 obligations. The Committee will 
address questions raised in comments submitted to USTR, and through a 
live chat function overseen by a moderator. Prior to the meeting, USTR 
will make details on how to access the public session available on the 
USTR website at https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/environment.

IV. Comments

    USTR invites all interested persons to submit specific questions 
and comments on topics and issues for the U.S. government to consider 
as it prepares for the Committee meeting. As noted, during the public 
session the public will be able to ask questions through a chat 
function overseen by a moderator. The Committee will address both 
questions raised in written comments in advance and through the live 
chat. When preparing comments, we encourage submitters to refer to 
Chapter 24 of the USMCA, which you can access at: https://ustr.gov/sites/default/files/files/agreements/usmca/24Environment.pdf.

Kelly Milton,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Environment and Natural 
Resources, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2021-10434 Filed 5-17-21; 8:45 am]
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