[Federal Register Volume 87, Number 191 (Tuesday, October 4, 2022)]
[Notices]
[Pages 60115-60116]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2022-21496]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council

AGENCY: Forest Service, Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Solicitation for members.

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SUMMARY: The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is seeking 
nominations for members to the National Urban and Community Forestry 
Advisory Council (NUCFAC) pursuant the 1990 Farm Bill, Cooperative 
Forestry Assistance Act, the Cooperative Forestry Assistance Act (the 
Act), and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Additional 
information on NUCFAC can be found by visiting the NUCFAC website at: 
https://www.fs.usda.gov/managing-land/urban-forests/ucf/nucfac.

DATES: Electronic and written nominations must be received by October 
19, 2022.

ADDRESSES: Send completed application packets via email to 
[email protected], remembering to send the AD-755 Form in a 
separate email. The subject line should read ``NUCFAC Nominations 
(Candidates Name)'' for the application packet and ``Encrypted AD-755 
(Candidates Name)'' for the AD-755 Form.
    Courier submissions of application packets (on a thumb/flash drive) 
are also accepted. Please send to: Nancy Stremple, Executive Staff to 
National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, 201 14th Street 
SW, Sidney Yates Building, Room 3NW-01B, Washington, DC 20024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nancy Stremple, Executive Staff to the 
National Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council, 201 14th Street 
SW, Sidney Yates Building, Room 3NW-01B, Washington, DC 20024; 
telephone (202) 205-7829, email: [email protected].
    Individuals who use telecommunication devices for the deaf and hard 
of hearing (TDD) may call the Federal Relay Service (FRS) at 1-800-877-
8339, 24 hours a day, every day of the year, including holidays.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Nominations must contain a completed 
application packet that may be downloaded from the application website 
at https://nucfac.org/application-portal. This includes instructions on 
how to nominate and apply for a position. Note: As part of the 
application process, candidates will be required to submit a signed AD-
755 Form (Advisory Committee or Research and Promotion Background 
Information) authorizing the Forest Service to perform a background 
check. The AD-755 Form should be encrypted and emailed separately to 
the address in the ADDRESSES section.

Background

    In accordance with FACA, the NUCFAC charter was renewed on June 2, 
2022 and USDA is seeking nominations for membership to the National 
Urban and Community Forestry Advisory Council (NUCFAC). Members will 
advise the Secretary of Agriculture, U.S. Forest Service and related 
Federal agencies on urban and community forestry and related natural 
resources. The duties of NUCFAC include: developing a national urban 
and community forest action plan every ten years as described in the 
Act; evaluating the implementation of that plan by submitting to the 
Secretary annual accomplishments of the action plan and any amendments 
to the plan incorporated into this review, beginning no later than one 
year after the plan is submitted, and annually thereafter; and annually 
developing criteria for, and submitting recommendations with respect 
to, the topic categories and recommendations for grant awards for the 
Forest Service's National Urban and Community Forestry Challenge Cost 
Share Grant Program.

NUCFAC Membership

    NUCFAC shall be comprised of 15 members appointed by the Secretary 
of Agriculture. Membership will be fairly balanced in terms of points 
of view represented and functions to be performed. In NUCFACs renewal 
of the committee, initial appointments will introduce staggered terms 
for its memberships --
    1. 5, including the chairperson and 2 governmental employees, shall 
be appointed for a term of 3 years,
    2. 5, including 2 governmental employees, shall be appointed for a 
term of 2 years, and
    3. 5, including 2 governmental employees, shall be appointed for a 
term of 1 year, as designated by the Secretary at the time of 
appointment.
    NUCFAC shall include representation from the following interest 
areas:
    1. Two members representing national nonprofit forestry and 
conservation citizen organizations;
    2. Three members, one each representing State, county, and city and 
town governments;
    3. One member representing the forest products, nursery, or related 
industries;
    4. One member representing urban forestry, landscape, or design 
consultants;
    5. Two members representing academic institutions with an expertise 
in urban and community forestry activities;

[[Page 60116]]

    6. One member representing state forestry agencies or equivalent 
state agencies;
    7. One member representing a professional renewable natural 
resource or arboricultural society;
    8. One member from National Institute of Food & Agriculture;
    9. One member from the Forest Service; and
    10. Two members who are not officers or employees of any 
governmental body, one of whom is a resident of a community with a 
population of less than 50,000 as of the most recent census and both of 
whom have expertise and have been active in urban and community 
forestry.
    NUCFAC shall meet on a periodic and regular basis, at least bi-
annually. Any individual or organization may nominate one or more 
qualified persons to serve on NUCFAC. Individuals may also nominate 
themselves. Applicants are asked to apply separately for each positions 
that they are eligible.
    Letters of recommendations are welcome, but not required. All 
nominations will be vetted by USDA. The Secretary of Agriculture will 
appoint members to NUCFAC from the list of qualified applicants. 
Members of NUCFAC shall serve without compensation, but may be 
reimbursed for travel expenses while performing duties on behalf of 
NUCFAC, subject to approval of USDA.
    USDA programs are prohibited from discriminating based on race, 
color, national origin, religion, sex, gender identity (including 
gender expression), sexual orientation, disability, age, marital 
status, family/parental status, income derived from a public assistance 
program, political beliefs, or reprisal or retaliation for prior civil 
rights activity, in any program or activity conducted or funded by USDA 
(not all bases apply to all programs). Remedies and complaint filing 
deadlines vary by program or incident.
    Persons with disabilities who require alternative means of 
communication for program information (e.g., Braille, large print, 
audiotape, American Sign Language, etc.) should contact the responsible 
Agency or USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TTY) or 
contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339. 
Additionally, program information may be made available in languages 
other than English.
    Equal opportunity practices in accordance with USDA's policies will 
be followed in all appointments to NUCFAC. To ensure that the 
recommendations of NUCFAC have taken in account the needs of the 
diverse groups served by USDA, membership shall include to the extent 
possible, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent 
minorities, women, and person with disabilities. USDA is an equal 
opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: September 28, 2022.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2022-21496 Filed 10-3-22; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P