[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 55 (Tuesday, March 22, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Page 16302]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-06045]



[[Page 16302]]

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OFFICE OF THE UNITED STATES TRADE REPRESENTATIVE

[Docket Number USTR-2022-0003]


Request for Comments and Notice of Meetings of the United States-
Colombia Environmental Affairs Council and Environmental Cooperation 
Commission

AGENCY: Office of the United States Trade Representative.

ACTION: Notice and request for comments.

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SUMMARY: The parties to the United States-Colombia Trade Promotion 
Agreement (TPA) and the United States-Colombia Environmental 
Cooperation Agreement (ECA) intend to hold meetings of the 
Environmental Affairs Council (Council) and Environmental Cooperation 
Commission (Commission). The Office of the United States Trade 
Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of State (State) invite 
public participation in a Council meeting and written comments on 
issues that should be addressed.

DATES: 
    March 30, 2022: Deadline for submission of written comments and 
notices of intent to attend the public meeting.
    April 7, 2022: The Council and Commission will meet in a closed 
government-to-government session. The Council also will convene a 
public session. The time and location of the public meeting will be 
available on the USTR and State websites.

ADDRESSES: We strongly prefers electronic submissions made through the 
Federal eRulemaking Portal: https://www.regulations.gov 
(Regulations.gov), using Docket Number USTR-2022-0003. Follow the 
instructions for submitting comments in `Requirements for Submissions' 
below. For alternatives to on-line submissions, please contact Katy 
Sater at [email protected], (202) 395-9522, or Sarah Flores at 
[email protected], (202) 647-0156.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katy Sater, Director for Environment 
and Natural Resources, USTR, [email protected], (202) 395-9522, 
or Sarah Flores, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and 
Scientific Affairs, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary 
Issues, State, [email protected], (202) 647-0156.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

1. Background

    On April 7, 2022, the Council and Commission will meet in a closed 
government-to-government session to (1) review implementation of 
Chapter 18 (Environment) of the TPA, and discuss how the parties are 
meeting their environment chapter obligations; (2) highlight 
environmental enforcement and achievements and share related lessons 
learned and best practices; (3) review the environmental cooperation 
program; and (4) receive a report from the Secretariat for 
Environmental Enforcement Matters established under the TPA.
    Also on April 7, 2022, the Council invites all interested persons 
to attend a public session on Chapter 18 implementation. The location 
will be shared on the USTR and State websites: https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/environment/bilateral-and-regional-trade-agreements and https://www.state.gov/key-topics-office-of-environmental-quality-and-transboundary-issues/current-trade-agreements-with-environmental-chapters/. At the public session, the Council will welcome questions, 
input and information about challenges and achievements in 
implementation of the Environment Chapter obligations and the related 
ECA. Attendees must comply with any public health protocols required by 
local authorities.

II. Public Participation

    If you would like to attend the public session, please provide your 
full name, identify any organization or group you represent, and 
provide contact information such as email address and phone number.
    USTR and State invite written comments or suggestions regarding 
implementation of Chapter 18, the ECA, or topics to be discussed at the 
public Council meeting. When preparing comments, submitters should 
refer to Chapter 18 of the TPA and ECA. Documents are available at 
https://www.state.gov/key-topics-office-of-environmental-quality-and-transboundary-issues/current-trade-agreements-with-environmental-chapters/#colombia and https://ustr.gov/issue-areas/environment/bilateral-and-regional-trade-agreements.

III. Requirements for Submissions

    USTR and State invite public comments and suggestions, and notices 
of intent to attend the public session, by the March 30, 2022 deadline. 
You can view all comments in Docket Number USTR-2022-0003 on 
Regulations.gov.
    We strongly urge you to make all submissions in English via 
Regulations.gov, using Docket Number USTR-2022-0003. We will not accept 
hand-delivered submissions. To make a submission using Regulations.gov, 
enter Docket Number USTR-2022-0003 in the `search for' field on the 
home page and click `search.' The site will provide a search results 
page listing all documents associated with this docket. Find a 
reference to this notice by selecting `notice' under `document type' in 
the `filter results by' section on the left side of the screen and 
click on the link entitled `comment now.' The Regulations.gov website 
offers the option of providing comments by filling in a `type comment' 
field or by attaching a document using the `upload file(s)' field. We 
prefer that you provide submissions in an attached document and note 
`see attached' in the `type comment' field on the online submission 
form. At the beginning of the submission, or on the first page (if an 
attachment) include `U.S.-Colombia TPA EAC/ECC Meeting'. Submissions 
should not exceed 30 double-spaced, standard letter-size pages in 12-
point type, including attachments. Include any data attachments to the 
submission in the same file as the submission itself, and not as 
separate files. You will receive a tracking number upon completion of 
the submission procedure at Regulations.gov. The tracking number is 
confirmation that Regulations.gov received the submission. Keep the 
confirmation for your records. We are not able to provide technical 
assistance for Regulations.gov.
    If you are unable to provide submissions as requested, please 
contact Katy Sater, Director for Environment and Natural Resources, 
USTR, [email protected], (202) 395-9522, or Sarah Flores, 
Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific 
Affairs, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues, 
State, [email protected], (202) 647-0156, in advance of the deadline, 
to arrange for an alternative method of transmission.

Kelly Milton,
Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Environment and Natural 
Resources, Office of the United States Trade Representative.
[FR Doc. 2022-06045 Filed 3-21-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3390-F2-P