[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 241 (Monday, December 18, 2023)]
[Notices]
[Pages 87400-87401]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2023-27669]


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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Forest Service


Intent To Reestablish the Black Hills National Forest Advisory 
Board and Solicitation of Nominations for Membership for the Black 
Hills National Forest Advisory Board AGENCY: Forest Service, 
Agriculture (USDA).

ACTION: Notice to reestablish the Black Hills National Forest Advisory 
Board and solicit nominations for membership.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the Forest and Rangeland Renewable 
Resources Planning Act of 1974 (RPA), the National Forest Management 
Act of 1976 (NFMA), the Federal Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (REA), 
and the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), the United States 
Department of Agriculture announces its intent through its Secretary to 
reestablish the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board. The Black 
Hills National Forest Advisory Board will advise the Secretary of 
Agriculture on programmatic forest issues and project level issues that 
have forest-wide implications. The Black Hills National Forest Advisory 
Board will be governed by the provisions of FACA. Duration of the Black 
Hills National Forest Advisory Board is for two years unless renewed by 
the Secretary, USDA. This notice also solicits nominations for 
membership on the Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board.

DATES:  Nominations must be submitted via email or postmarked 30 days 
from the date of publishing this notice in the Federal Register. Once 
approved by the Secretary, the charter will be valid on the date of 
filing by the USDA Committee Management Officer and once the filing 
requirements are met.

ADDRESSES: Please submit nominations and resumes to Scott Jacobson, 
Committee Coordinator, 8221 Mount Rushmore Road, Rapid City, South 
Dakota 57702.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Toni Strauss, Designated Federal 
Officer (DFO), by phone at 605-673-9201 or email at 
[email protected], or Scott Jacobson, Committee Coordinator, by 
phone at 605-440-1409 or email at [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to the Forest and Rangeland 
Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et.seq.), the 
National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 1612), the Federal 
Lands Recreation Enhancement Act (Pub. L. 108-447), and the Federal 
Advisory Committee Act (5 U.S.C. 10), notice is hereby given that the 
Secretary of Agriculture intends to establish the charter.

Scope and Structure

    The purpose of the Board is to provide advice and recommendations 
on a broad range of forest issues such as forest plan revisions or 
amendments, forest health including fire and mountain pine beetle 
epidemics, travel management, forest monitoring and evaluation, 
recreation fees, and site-specific projects having forest-wide 
implications. The Board will meet approximately nine times per year and 
will attend one summer field tour.
    The Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board consists of 16 
members. The members represent the following areas of interest:

 Developed outdoor recreation, Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) use, 
or commercial recreation
 Economic development
 Energy and mineral development
 Forest products industry
 Nationally recognized sportsmen's group such as anglers or 
hunters
 Archaeological, cultural, and historical interests
 Nationally recognized environmental organization
 Regionally recognized environmental organization
 Dispersed recreation
 Hold federal grazing permits or other land use permits
 Tribal government elected or appointed official
 Hold state, county, local-elected or appointed office in South 
Dakota or Wyoming
 State Natural Resource Agency official from South Dakota
 State Natural Resource Agency official from Wyoming

    Any interested person or organization may nominate qualified 
individuals for membership. Interested candidates may nominate 
themselves. Individuals who wish to be considered for membership on the 
Black Hills National Forest Advisory Board must submit a nomination 
with information, including a background disclosure form (Form AD-755). 
Nominations should be typed and include the following:
    1. If nominating an individual, a brief summary, no more than two 
pages, explaining the nominee's qualifications to serve on the Black 
Hills National Forest Advisory Board and addressing the membership 
composition and criteria described above.
    2. A resume providing the nominee's background, experience, and 
educational qualifications.
    3. A completed background disclosure form (Form AD-755) signed by 
the nominee. https://www.usda.gov/sites/default/files/documents/ad-755.pdf
    4. Letters of endorsement are optional.
    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.

[[Page 87401]]

    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 the Board. To ensure that the 
recommendations of the Board 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 persons with disabilities. USDA is an equal 
opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

    Dated: December 12, 2023.
Cikena Reid,
USDA Committee Management Officer.
[FR Doc. 2023-27669 Filed 12-15-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3411-15-P