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WAIS Document Retrieval[Federal Register: December 21, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 244)]

[Notices]

[Page 71401]

From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

[DOCID:fr21de99-40]

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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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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

 

National Drought Policy Commission

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Commission meetings.

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SUMMARY: The National Drought Policy Commission (Commission) will

continue discussion on its draft report of the Commission findings.

They will also discuss the status of Commission activities and other

committee business. This notice announces three meetings being held via

teleconferencing on January 5, January 19, and February 2, 2000.

DATES: The Commission will conduct three meetings via teleconferencing:

(1) January 5, 2000, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m.; (2) January 19, 2000, from

2 p.m. to 4 p.m.; (3) February 2, 2000, from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the

Mezzanine Conference Room, Federal Emergency Management Agency, 500 C

Street, SW, Washington, DC. All times noted are Eastern Standard Time.

Members of the public in the Washington, DC area may attend the

meetings in person at the above address. All meetings are open to the

public; however, teleconference lines are limited. Please call Leona

Dittus at 202-720-3168 if you are interested in participating in the

call and to obtain the dial-in number. Seating is limited and is

available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or

participate in this meeting should contact Leona Dittus, on 202-720-

3168, or Federal Relay Service at 1-800-877-8339, and

leona.dittus@usda.gov, by COB December 30, 1999.

COMMENTS: The public is invited to respond and/or to submit additional

comments, concerns, and issues for consideration by the Commission.

ADDRESSES: Comments and statements should be sent to Leona Dittus,

Executive Director, National Drought Policy Commission, U.S. Department

of Agriculture, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 6701-S, STOP 0501,

Washington, DC 20250-0501.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leona Dittus (202) 720-3168; FAX (202)

720-9688; internet leona.dittus@usda.gov.

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.

Below is a draft vision statement and set of principles to guide

the Commission.

Draft Vision Statement

Our vision is of a well-informed, involved U.S. citizenry and its

governments prepared for and capable of lessening the impacts of

drought--consistently and timely--in the new millennium.

This vision is based on the following principles:

Consideration of all affected entities and related issues,

including legal, economic, geographic, climate, religious, and cultural

differences; fairness and equity; and environmental concerns;

Comprehensive, long-term strategies that emphasize drought planning

and measures to reduce the impacts of drought;

Federal role focused on appropriate coordination, technical

assistance, education, and incentives while at all times respecting the

rights and responsibilities of Federal, State, and local governments,

and tribal sovereignty;

Self-reliance and self-determination;

Lessons learned from past drought experiences;

Shared drought-related expertise and knowledge across international

borders.

In addition to your own views and thoughts regarding a national

drought policy, as you review the draft vision and guiding principles,

the Commission would be interested in your thoughts regarding the

following questions:

1. What is the best means for informing the public of Federal

assistance for drought planning and mitigation?

2. What type of information do you need for responding to the

drought?

3. What needs do you or your organization presently have with

respect to addressing drought conditions?

4. What do you see as the Federal role with respect to drought

preparedness? Drought response? Should Federal emergency assistance be

contingent on advance preparedness?

5. Are there any ways you feel that the Federal government could

better coordinate with State, regional, tribal, and local governments

in mitigating or responding to droughts?

6. What lessons have you or your organization learned from past

drought experiences that would be beneficial in the creation of a

national drought policy?

Signed at Washington, D.C., on December 16, 1999.

Keith Kelly,

Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

[FR Doc. 99-33097 Filed 12-16-99; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410-05-P

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