[Federal Register Volume 64, Number 186 (Monday, September 27, 1999)]
[Notices]
[Page 51951]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 99-24990]
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Notices
Federal Register
________________________________________________________________________
This section of the FEDERAL REGISTER contains documents other than rules
or proposed rules that are applicable to the public. Notices of hearings
and investigations, committee meetings, agency decisions and rulings,
delegations of authority, filing of petitions and applications and agency
statements of organization and functions are examples of documents
appearing in this section.
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Federal Register / Vol. 64, No. 186 / Monday, September 27, 1999 /
Notices
[[Page 51951]]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Farm Service Agency
National Drought Policy Commission
AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.
ACTION: Notice of Commission public hearing and request for comments.
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SUMMARY: The National Drought Policy Act of 1998 established the
National Drought Policy Commission (Commission). The Farm Service
Agency (FSA) was identified to provide support to the Commission. The
Commission shall conduct a thorough study and submit a report to the
President and Congress on national drought policy. This notice
announces a public hearing to be held on October 13, 1999, in El Paso,
Texas, and seeks comments on issues that the Commission should address
and recommendations that the Commission should consider as part of its
report. The public hearing is open to the public.
DATES: The Commission will conduct a public hearing on October 13,
1999, from 1:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time) at the Camino
Real Hotel, 101 S. El Paso Street, El Paso, Texas.
Anyone wishing to make an oral presentation to the Commission at
the public hearing, must contact the Executive Director, Leona Dittus,
in writing (by letter, fax or internet) no later than 12 noon Eastern
Daylight Time, October 8, 1999, in order to be included on the agenda.
Presenters will be approved on a first-come, first-served basis. The
request should identify the name and affiliation of the individual who
will make the presentation and an outline of the issues to be
addressed. Thirty-five copies of any written presentation material
shall be given to the Executive Director by all presenters no later
than the time of the presentation for distribution to the Commission
and the interested public. Those wishing to testify, but who are unable
to notify the Commission office by October 8, 1999, will be able to
sign up as a presenter the day of the hearing (October 13) between 1:30
p.m. and 2:30 p.m. (Mountain Daylight Time). These presenters will
testify on a first-come, first-served basis and comments will be
limited based on the time available and the number of presenters.
Written statements will be accepted at the meeting, or may be mailed or
faxed to the Commission office.
ADDRESSES: Comments and statements should be sent to Leona Dittus,
Executive Director, National Drought Policy Commission, US Department
of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 6701-S, STOP 0501,
Washington, D.C. 20250-0501.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leona Dittus (202) 720-3168; FAX (202)
720-4293; internet [email protected]
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The purpose of the Commission is to provide
advice and recommendations to the President and Congress on the
creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal policy, designed to
prepare for and respond to serious drought emergencies. Tasks for the
Commission include developing recommendations that will (a) Better
integrate Federal laws and programs with ongoing State, local, and
tribal programs (b) improve public awareness of the need for drought
mitigation, prevention, and response and (c) determine whether all
Federal drought preparation and response programs should be
consolidated under one existing Federal agency, and, if so, identify
the agency. The Commission will be chaired by the Secretary of
Agriculture or his designee, and a Vice Chair shall be selected from
among the members who are not Federal officers or employees. In the
absence of the Chair, the Vice Chair will act in his stead.
Administrative staff support essential to the execution of the
Commission's responsibilities shall be provided by USDA, FSA.
Commission members specifically cited in Public Law 105-199,
include the Secretaries of Agriculture, Interior, Army, and Commerce,
the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and the
Administrator of the Small Business Administration; two persons
nominated by the National Governors' Association, a person nominated by
the National Association of Counties, and a person nominated by the
Conference of Mayors. Those four members are to be appointed by the
President. Six additional Commission members have been appointed by the
Secretary of Agriculture, in coordination with the Secretary of the
Interior and the Secretary of the Army. The six at-large members
represent groups acutely affected by drought emergencies, such as the
agricultural production community, the credit community, rural and
urban water associations, Native Americans, and fishing and
environmental interests.
If special accommodations are required, please contact Leona
Dittus, at the address specified above, by COB October 6, 1999.
Signed at Washington, DC, on September 17, 1999.
Keith Kelly,
Administrator, Farm Service Agency.
[FR Doc. 99-24990 Filed 9-24-99; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3410-05-P
