[Federal Register Volume 86, Number 199 (Tuesday, October 19, 2021)]
[Notices]
[Pages 57848-57849]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2021-22766]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Office of the Secretary

[DOI-2021-0008]


Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities 
Through Recreation Opportunities

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice of listening sessions and request for public comments.

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SUMMARY: As part of its implementation of an Executive order, Advancing 
Racial Equity and Support for Underserved Communities Through the 
Federal Government, the Department of the Interior (DOI) is conducting 
five virtual listening sessions and inviting public comments to obtain 
stakeholder input on barriers that underserved communities and 
individuals may face in participating in recreation opportunities on 
DOI-managed public lands and waters.

DATES: DOI will hold five virtual listening sessions on the following 
dates:

--October 19, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET
--October 21, 2021 from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. ET
--October 25, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET
--October 26, 2021 from 8:00 p.m.-10:00 p.m. ET
--October 27, 2021 from 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m. ET

    Interested persons are also invited to submit comments in writing 
or online (see ADDRESSES below) on or before November 18, 2021.

ADDRESSES: We invite you to submit comments on this notice. You may 
submit comments online at https://www.regulations.gov by entering 
``DOI-2021-0008'' in the Search bar and clicking ``Search'' or by mail 
to U.S. Department of the Interior, Office of Policy Analysis--Mailstop 
3530, ATTN: E.O. 13985 Recreation Comments, 1849 C Street NW, 
Washington, DC 20240. You may respond to some or all of the questions 
listed in the ``Supplementary Information--Questions'' section of this 
document. All public comments received are subject to the Freedom of 
Information Act and will be posted in their entirety at https://www.regulations.gov, including any personal or business confidential 
information provided. Do not include any information you would not like 
to be made publicly available.
    If you plan to attend one of the virtual listening sessions and 
need assistance in a language other than English or if you are a person 
with disabilities who needs a reasonable accommodation, please contact 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kim Oliver, D&I Strategist, Office of 
Diversity, Inclusion, and Civil Rights, [email protected]. (202) 208-
7301.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On January 20, 2021, President Joseph R. Biden issued Executive 
Order 13985 on Advancing Racial Equity and Support for Underserved 
Communities through the Federal Government. In response to Executive 
Order 13985, DOI is consulting with members of communities who have 
been historically underrepresented in the Federal Government and 
underserved by, or subject to discrimination, in Federal policies and 
programs. The term ``underserved communities'' refers to populations 
sharing a particular characteristic, as well as geographic communities, 
that have been systematically denied a full opportunity to participate 
in aspects of economic, social, and civic life, such as Black, Latino, 
and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific 
Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; 
lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, questioning/queer and

[[Page 57849]]

related identities (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons 
who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by 
persistent poverty or inequality. In addition to identifying barriers, 
DOI seeks recommendations on how to update processes, policies, 
regulations, and guidance to address inequities associated with 
recreation on DOI-managed public lands and waters. While all members of 
the public are invited to submit comments, the target audience for 
listening sessions is members of the underserved communities identified 
in Executive Order 13985, which includes:
     Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, 
Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color;
     LGBTQ+ persons;
     Persons with disabilities;
     Persons who live in rural areas; and
     Persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent poverty 
or inequality.

Questions for Discussion

    The Department of the Interior is generally interested in input on 
the following questions, where applicable:
    1. What are the barriers to visiting public lands and waters 
managed by DOI (including the Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of 
Reclamation, National Park Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife 
Service)?
    2. How can DOI remove or reduce barriers (e.g., update policies, 
practices, or programs) that underserved communities and individuals 
may face when they recreate or attempt to recreate on DOI-managed lands 
and waters?
    3. How can DOI establish and maintain connections to a wider and 
more diverse set of stakeholders representing underserved communities? 
What are the best ways to notify and engage underserved stakeholders 
about recreational opportunities?
    Comments received in response to this notice and from listening 
sessions will be evaluated and, as appropriate, incorporated into DOI's 
efforts to improve access to recreational opportunities on DOI-managed 
public lands and waters.

Listening Session Registration Information

    Advanced registration for individuals and groups is strongly 
encouraged. For additional information about the listening sessions and 
to register for a listening session, please visit https://www.doi.gov/ppa/equity/13985. Details for the sessions will be posted to the 
website and additional information will be emailed to registered 
participants in advance of the sessions.

Eric Werwa,
Acting Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary--Policy, Management and 
Budget.
[FR Doc. 2021-22766 Filed 10-15-21; 11:15 am]
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