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| [Federal Register: January 12, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 7)] [Notices] [Page 1792-1793] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr12ja99-29] DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE Farm Service Agency National Drought Policy Commission AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA. ACTION: Notice of establishment; request for nominations and comments. SUMMARY: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) will provide administrative support for the National Drought Policy Commission (Commission) established by Pub. L. 105-199, signed by the President on July 16, 1998. The Charter for the Commission became effective on January 4, 1999. The purpose of the Commission is to provide advice and recommendations on the creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal policy designed to prepare for and respond to serious drought emergencies. This document solicits nominations of individuals to be considered for selection as Commission members. Comments are requested on categories of membership and duties of the Commission. DATES: Written nominations must be received on or before February 11, 1999. ADDRESSES: Nominations should be sent to Leona Dittus, Executive Director, National Drought Policy Commission, USDA, Farm Service Agency, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Room 6701 South Building, STOP 0501, Washington, DC 20250-0501. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Leona Dittus, telephone (202) 720-3168. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Notice is hereby given that the Secretary of Agriculture has chartered the National Drought Policy Commission, hereafter referred to as the Commission. The purpose of the Commission is to provide advice and recommendations on the creation of an integrated, coordinated Federal policy designed to prepare for and respond to serious drought emergencies. On the basis of a thorough study, the Commission shall submit a report to the President and Congress with regard to national drought policy. The Secretary of Agriculture, or his designee, will be Chairperson of the Commission. The Vice Chairperson will act in his/her stead. The Commission will select the Vice Chairperson from among the members who are not Federal officers or employees. The Commission shall be composed of 16 members. The members of the Commission shall include: (A) the Secretary of Agriculture, or the designee of the Secretary, who shall chair the Commission; (B) the Secretary of the Interior, or the designee of the Secretary; (C) the Secretary of the Army, or the designee of the Secretary; (D) the Secretary of Commerce, or the designee of the Secretary; (E) the Director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, or the designee of the Director; (F) the Administrator of the Small Business Administration, or the designee of the Administrator; (G) two persons nominated by the National Governors' Association and appointed by the President, of whom (i) one shall be the Governor of a State east of the Mississippi River; and (ii) one shall be the Governor of a State west of the Mississippi River; (H) a person nominated by the National Association of Counties and appointed by the President; (I) a person nominated by the United States Conference of Mayors and appointed by the President; and (J) six persons, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture in coordination with the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of the Army, who shall be representative of 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. The Secretary of Agriculture invites those individuals, organizations and groups acutely affected by drought emergencies to nominate individuals for membership to the Commission. Nominations should describe and document the proposed member's qualifications for membership to the Commission. The Secretary seeks a diverse group of members representing a broad spectrum of persons interested in national drought policy. Individuals receiving nominations will be contacted and biographical information must be completed and returned to USDA within 5 working days of its receipt, to expedite the clearance process that is required before selection by the Secretary of Agriculture. Equal opportunity practices will be followed in all appointments to the Commission in accordance with USDA policies. To ensure that the recommendations of the Commission have taken into account the needs of the diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities. Signed at Washington, DC, on January 6, 1999. Parks Shackelford, Acting Administrator, Farm Service Agency. [FR Doc. 99-651 Filed 1-11-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 3410-05-P |
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