High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas; Petitions for Designation, 46099-46101 [E7-16174]
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 158 / Thursday, August 16, 2007 / Notices
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V. Authority and Signature
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr., Assistant
Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health, directed the
preparation of this notice. The authority
for this notice is the Paperwork
Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3506
et seq.) and Secretary of Labor’s Order
No. 5–2002 (67 FR 65008).
Signed at Washington, DC, on August 9,
2007.
Edwin G. Foulke, Jr.,
Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational
Safety and Health.
[FR Doc. E7–16043 Filed 8–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510–26–P
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Jkt 211001
NATIONAL COUNCIL ON DISABILITY
Sunshine Act Meetings
Quarterly Meeting
‘‘Teleconference Call.’’
DATE AND TIME: September 5, 2007, 12
p.m.–2 p.m.
LOCATION: National Council on
Disability, 1331 F St., NW., Suite 850,
Washington, DC 20004.
STATUS: September 5, 2007, 12 p.m.–2
p.m.—Open.
AGENDA: Opening Remarks, Discussion
of Budget Planning for Fiscal Year 2009,
Closing Remarks.
SUNSHINE ACT MEETING CONTACT: Mark S.
Quigley, Director of Communications,
NCD, 1331 F Street, NW., Suite 850,
Washington, DC 20004; 202–272–2004
(voice), 202–272–2074 (TTY), 202–272–
2022 (fax).
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and with the advice and consent of the
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notify NCD immediately.
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Services for Persons with Limited
English Proficiency, those people with
disabilities who are limited English
proficient and seek translation services
for these meetings should notify NCD
immediately.
TYPE:
Dated: August 10, 2007.
Michael C. Collins,
Executive Director.
[FR Doc. 07–4031 Filed 8–14–07; 12:11 pm]
BILLING CODE 6820–MA–P
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE
PRESIDENT
Office of National Drug Control Policy
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas;
Petitions for Designation
Office of National Drug Control
Policy.
ACTION: Notice.
AGENCY:
PO 00000
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
46099
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Office of
National Drug Control Policy
Reauthorization Act of 2006, Public Law
109–469, section 707(c), the Director,
National Drug Control Policy is
establishing regulations under which
interested coalitions of law enforcement
agencies from an area may petition for
designation as a high intensity drug
trafficking area.
Public Comment: On June 4, 2007
(Volume 72, Number 106, Notices Page
30862–30864), the Executive Office of
the President, Office of National Drug
Control published Notice of its intent to
issue this regulation. A 60-day public
comment period was established. The
June 4 Notice stated that any written
comments must be received by ONDCP
via electronic mail or facsimile on or
before August 3, 2007. In addition, an
ONDCP staff point of contact was listed
to provide additional information as
appropriate. ONDCP did not receive any
comments. Therefore, ONDCP is issuing
this Notice of the agency’s intent to
publish a regulation identical to the
document published on June 4, 2007.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The AntiDrug Abuse Act of 1988, the ONDCP
Reauthorization Act of 1998, and the
ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 2006
authorize the Director of the Office of
National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP)
to designate areas within the United
States that exhibit serious drug
trafficking problems and harmful impact
of other areas of the country as High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
(HIDTA). The HIDTA Program provides
federal resources to those areas to help
eliminate or reduce drug trafficking and
its harmful consequences. Law
enforcement organizations within
HIDTAs assess drug trafficking
problems and design specific initiatives
to reduce or eliminate the production,
manufacture, transportation,
distribution, and use of illegal drugs and
money laundering.
When designating a new HIDTA or
adding counties to existing HIDTAs, the
Director of ONDCP consults with the
Attorney General, Secretary of
Homeland Security, Secretary of
Treasury, heads of national drug control
agencies, and the appropriate governors,
and considers the extent to which—
(1) The area is a significant center of
illegal drug production, manufacturing,
importation, or distribution;
(2) State, local, and tribal law
enforcement agencies have committed
resources to respond to the drug
trafficking problem in the area, thereby
indicating a determination to respond
aggressively to the problem;
(3) Drug-related activities in the area
are having a significant harmful impact
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46100
Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 158 / Thursday, August 16, 2007 / Notices
in the area, and in other areas of the
country; and
(4) A significant increase in allocation
of Federal resources is necessary to
respond adequately to drug-related
activities in the area.
The HIDTA Program helps improve
the effectiveness and efficiency of drug
control efforts by facilitating
cooperation among drug control
organizations through resource and
information sharing, collocation, and
implementing joint initiatives. HIDTA
funds help Federal, State, local, and
tribal law enforcement organizations
invest in infrastructure and joint
initiatives to confront drug trafficking
organizations.
Each HIDTA is governed by its own
executive board comprised of Federal,
State and local law enforcement officials
from the designated HIDTA region. The
executive boards facilitate interagency
drug control efforts to eliminate or
reduce drug threats.
HIDTA-designated counties comprise
approximately 13 percent of U.S.
counties, and are present in 43 states,
Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and
the District of Columbia. The following
28 areas are designated HIDTAs:
1990: Houston, Los Angeles, New
York/New Jersey, South Florida, and
Southwest Border (California, Arizona,
New Mexico, and South and West
Texas).
1994: Washington/Baltimore
(Maryland, Virginia, and District of
Columbia) and Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin
Islands.
1995: Atlanta, Chicago, and
Philadelphia/Camden.
1996: Rocky Mountain (Colorado,
Montana, Utah, and Wyoming), Gulf
Coast (Alabama, Louisiana, and
Mississippi), Lake County (Indiana),
Midwest (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri,
Nebraska, North Dakota, and South
Dakota) and Northwest (Washington).
1997: Michigan and Northern
California.
1998: Appalachia (Kentucky,
Tennessee, and West Virginia), Central
Florida, Milwaukee, and North Texas
(Texas and Oklahoma).
1999: Central valley California,
Hawaii, New England (Connecticut,
New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts,
Rhode Island, and Vermont), Ohio, and
Oregon.
2001: North Florida and Nevada.
To date, counties seeking HIDTA
designation have communicated their
interest to ONDCP in a variety of
manners. Currently, no formal process
or regulation exists outlining the
application and selection process.
Historically, law enforcement
coalitions interested in obtaining
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17:27 Aug 15, 2007
Jkt 211001
designation as HIDTAs have submitted
drug-related threat assessments for their
counties which typically include a
narrative analysis of the drug threat and
statistical information related to the four
statutory criteria. The proposed rule is
intended to create a better coordinated
and more meaningful process for
reviewing applications. The rule sets
forth a general process that enables
interested coalitions of law enforcement
agencies to submit petition for
designation as a HIDTA. The criteria by
which ONDCP will evaluate the
petitions are set forth in this regulation.
In addition, the proposed rule requires
ONDCP to review submitted petitions
on a regular basis.
Sec. 1
General Provisions
(a) This regulation contains the rules
that the Office of National Drug Control
Policy (Office) follows in processing
petitions for designation as a High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Area
(HIDTA), in accordance with the
ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 2006,
Public Law No. 109–469.
(b) Establishment—
(1) In General—There is established in
the Office a program known as the High
Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas
Program (in this regulation referred to as
the ‘‘Program’’).
(2) Purpose—The purpose of the
Program is to reduce drug trafficking
and drug production in the United
States by—
(A) Facilitating cooperation among
Federal, State, local, and tribal law
enforcement agencies to share
information and implement coordinated
enforcement activities;
(B) Enhancing law enforcement
intelligence sharing among Federal,
State, local, and tribal law enforcement
agencies;
(C) Providing reliable law
enforcement intelligence to law
enforcement agencies needed to design
effective enforcement strategies and
operations; and
(D) Supporting coordinated law
enforcement strategies which maximize
use of available resources to reduce the
supply of illegal drugs in designated
areas and in the United States as a
whole.
(c) Designation—
(1) In General—The Director, in
consultation with the Attorney General,
the Secretary of the Treasury, the
Secretary of Homeland Security, heads
of the National Drug Control Program
agencies, and the Governor of each
applicable State, may designate any
specified area of the United States as a
high intensity drug trafficking area.
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Fmt 4703
Sfmt 4703
(2) Activities—After making a
designation under paragraph (1) and in
order to provide Federal assistance to
the area so designated, the Director
may—
(A) Obligate such sums as are
appropriated for the Program;
(B) Direct the temporary reassignment
of Federal personnel to such area,
subject to the approval of the head of
the department or agency that employs
such personnel;
(C) Take any other action authorized
under the Office of National Drug
Control Policy Reauthorization Act of
2006 to provide increased Federal
assistance to those areas; and
(D) Coordinate activities under this
section (specifically administrative,
recordkeeping, and funds management
activities) with State, local, and tribal
officials.
(3) Factors for Consideration—In
considering whether to designate an
area as a high intensity drug trafficking
area, the Director shall consider, in
addition to such other criteria as the
Director considers to be appropriate, the
extent to which—
(A) The area is a significant center of
illegal drug production, manufacturing,
importation, or distribution;
(B) State, local, and tribal law
enforcement agencies have committed
resources to respond to the drug
trafficking problem in the area, thereby
indicating a determination to respond
aggressively to the problem;
(C) Drug-related activities in the area
are having a significant harmful impact
in the area, and in other areas of the
country; and
(D) A significant increase in allocation
of Federal resources is necessary to
respond adequately to drug-related
activities in the area.
Sec. 2 Instructions for Petitions
(a) A coalition of interested law
enforcement agencies from an area may
petition for designation as a HIDTA.
(b) Petitions must specify the
geographical area for which HIDTA
designation is requested. Areas are
designated by county, therefore, such
areas must be identified in the petition.
(c) Petitions must state specifically
which law enforcement agencies are
making the petition, a responsible
official for each agency making the
petition, and a point of contact for the
coalition of interested law enforcement
agencies.
(d) Petitions must include an
assessment of the threat of illegal drugs
in the area for which HIDTA
designation is requested and must
specifically respond to each of the
following four requirements:
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Federal Register / Vol. 72, No. 158 / Thursday, August 16, 2007 / Notices
(1) The area is a significant center of
illegal drug production, manufacturing,
importation, or distribution;
(2) State, local, and tribal law
enforcement agencies have committed
resources to respond to the drug
trafficking problem in the area, thereby
indicating a determination to respond
aggressively to the problem;
(3) Drug-related activities in the area
are having a significant harmful impact
in the area, and in other areas of the
country; and
(4) A significant increase in allocation
of Federal resources is necessary to
respond adequately to drug-related
activities in the area.
(e) Each of the requirements in
Section 2(d) must be addressed and
justified with sufficient information/
documentation for each county
proposed in the petition.
(f) If the petition proposes to
designate additional counties to an
already established HIDTA region, the
petition shall include a letter from the
Chairman of that HIDTA’s Executive
Committee indicating that the Executive
Committee has reviewed the petition
and sets forth its position related to the
petition for designation.
(g) Petitions may be submitted to the
Executive Office of the President, Office
of National Drug Control Policy, Office
of State, Local and Tribal Affairs,
Washington, DC 20503 via facsimile at
(202) 395–6721 or electronic mail at
ondcp_hidta@ondcp.eop.gov.
Comments or questions regarding this
notice should be directed to Mr. Daniel
Grayson, ONDCP Policy Analyst at (202)
395–4582.
rwilkins on PROD1PC63 with NOTICES
Sec. 3
Processing of Petitions
(a) Acknowledgements of Petitions.
Upon receipt of a petition, the Office
shall send an acknowledgement letter to
the requester to confirm receipt of the
petition and provide an assigned
number for further reference.
(b) Petitions will be reviewed by the
Office on a regular basis. The review
will include a recommendation
regarding the merit of the petition to the
Director by a panel of qualified,
independent experts who are designated
by the Director.
(c) Notification of merit of petition.
After the review is completed the
requestor will be notified in writing
regarding the disposition of the petition.
(d) The Director, Office of National
Drug Control Policy, is solely
responsible for making designation and
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funding decisions relating to the HIDTA
Program.
Michael K. Gottlieb,
Assistant General Counsel, Office of National
Drug Control Policy.
[FR Doc. E7–16174 Filed 8–15–07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3180–02–P
NATIONAL NANOTECHNOLOGY
COORDINATION OFFICE
Nanoscale Science, Engineering and
Technology Subcommittee, National
Science and Technology Council,
Committee on Technology; Priorities
for Environmental, Health, and Safety
Research Related to Engineered
Nanoscale Materials: An Interim
Document for Public Comment
August 10, 2007.
ACTION:
Notice of public comment
period.
SUMMARY: The National Nanotechnology
Coordination Office (NNCO), on behalf
of the Nanoscale Science, Engineering,
and Technology (NSET) Subcommittee
of the Committee on Technology,
National Science and Technology
Council (NSTC), will post a document
for public comment on the Web site
www.nano.gov. The document, The
Prioritization of Environmental, Health,
and Safety Research Needs for
Engineered Nanoscale Materials: An
Interim Document for Public Comment,
assigns priority to research needs and
areas that were identified in the NSET
Subcommittee document
Environmental, Health, and Safety
Research Needs for Engineered
Nanoscale Materials, which was
published on September 21, 2006. The
comment period will commence on
August 16, 2007 and end on September
17, 2007.
Web site Posting: The prioritization
document and request for comment will
be posted at the Web site of the National
Nanotechnology Initiative,
www.nano.gov. (The document can be
accessed from the indicated home page
or by going directly to https://
www.nano.gov/html/society/
ehs_priorities.) Comments can be
submitted to the NSET Subcommittee
via the Web site through September 17,
2007. Only written comments are being
solicited at this time.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: For
information regarding this Notice,
please contact Cate Alexander Brennan,
National Nanotechnology Coordination
Office. Telephone: (703) 292–4399. Email: calexand@nnco.nano.gov.
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46101
The
Nanoscale Science, Engineering, and
Technology (NSET) Subcommittee
coordinates planning, budgeting, and
program implementation and review to
ensure a balanced and comprehensive
National Nanotechnology Initiative
(NNI). The NSET Subcommittee is
composed of representatives from
agencies participating in the NNI. The
NNCO provides technical and
administrative support to the NSET
Subcommittee in its work.
On September 21, 2006, the NSET
Subcommittee released a document
identifying environmental, health, and
safety research and information needs
related to understanding and
management of potential risks of
nanomaterials. The document,
Environmental, Health, and Safety
Research Needs for Engineered
Nanoscale Materials, was created by the
Nanotechnology Environmental and
Health Implications (NEHI) Working
Group of the NSET Subcommittee,
which is composed of scientists and
other agency representatives. The
document reflects expert input from
industry liaison groups and other
research needs-identification efforts. (To
read this document, see https://
www.nano.gov/
NNI_EHS_research_needs.pdf).
On January 4, 2007, a public meeting
was held in Arlington, VA, to receive
input on research needs related to the
environmental, health, and safety
aspects of engineered nanoscale
materials, and specifically,
prioritization criteria for the research
identified in the September 21, 2006,
document. Input gained from the public
at the January 4 meeting was considered
in preparing the prioritization
document, which is the subject of this
call for public comment.
The additional feedback requested
through this solicitation by the NSET
Subcommittee and the NNI participating
agencies is whether parties agree with
the identified priorities of the
Government or would suggest different
or additional priorities. Support for the
submitted perspectives is requested.
The comment period is an opportunity
for public input into the prioritization of
research related to environmental,
health, and safety aspects of
nanomaterials. The prioritization
document will be used by the Federal
agencies as they set research priorities
for Government-funded research
programs.
For more information on the National
Nanotechnology Initiative and its
various working entities, please visit
www.nano.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
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]]>Agencies
[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 158 (Thursday, August 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 46099-46101]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-16174]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT
Office of National Drug Control Policy
High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas; Petitions for Designation
AGENCY: Office of National Drug Control Policy.
ACTION: Notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: Pursuant to the Office of National Drug Control Policy
Reauthorization Act of 2006, Public Law 109-469, section 707(c), the
Director, National Drug Control Policy is establishing regulations
under which interested coalitions of law enforcement agencies from an
area may petition for designation as a high intensity drug trafficking
area.
Public Comment: On June 4, 2007 (Volume 72, Number 106, Notices
Page 30862-30864), the Executive Office of the President, Office of
National Drug Control published Notice of its intent to issue this
regulation. A 60-day public comment period was established. The June 4
Notice stated that any written comments must be received by ONDCP via
electronic mail or facsimile on or before August 3, 2007. In addition,
an ONDCP staff point of contact was listed to provide additional
information as appropriate. ONDCP did not receive any comments.
Therefore, ONDCP is issuing this Notice of the agency's intent to
publish a regulation identical to the document published on June 4,
2007.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, the ONDCP
Reauthorization Act of 1998, and the ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 2006
authorize the Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy
(ONDCP) to designate areas within the United States that exhibit
serious drug trafficking problems and harmful impact of other areas of
the country as High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas (HIDTA). The HIDTA
Program provides federal resources to those areas to help eliminate or
reduce drug trafficking and its harmful consequences. Law enforcement
organizations within HIDTAs assess drug trafficking problems and design
specific initiatives to reduce or eliminate the production,
manufacture, transportation, distribution, and use of illegal drugs and
money laundering.
When designating a new HIDTA or adding counties to existing HIDTAs,
the Director of ONDCP consults with the Attorney General, Secretary of
Homeland Security, Secretary of Treasury, heads of national drug
control agencies, and the appropriate governors, and considers the
extent to which--
(1) The area is a significant center of illegal drug production,
manufacturing, importation, or distribution;
(2) State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies have
committed resources to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the
area, thereby indicating a determination to respond aggressively to the
problem;
(3) Drug-related activities in the area are having a significant
harmful impact
[[Page 46100]]
in the area, and in other areas of the country; and
(4) A significant increase in allocation of Federal resources is
necessary to respond adequately to drug-related activities in the area.
The HIDTA Program helps improve the effectiveness and efficiency of
drug control efforts by facilitating cooperation among drug control
organizations through resource and information sharing, collocation,
and implementing joint initiatives. HIDTA funds help Federal, State,
local, and tribal law enforcement organizations invest in
infrastructure and joint initiatives to confront drug trafficking
organizations.
Each HIDTA is governed by its own executive board comprised of
Federal, State and local law enforcement officials from the designated
HIDTA region. The executive boards facilitate interagency drug control
efforts to eliminate or reduce drug threats.
HIDTA-designated counties comprise approximately 13 percent of U.S.
counties, and are present in 43 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin
Islands, and the District of Columbia. The following 28 areas are
designated HIDTAs:
1990: Houston, Los Angeles, New York/New Jersey, South Florida, and
Southwest Border (California, Arizona, New Mexico, and South and West
Texas).
1994: Washington/Baltimore (Maryland, Virginia, and District of
Columbia) and Puerto Rico/U.S. Virgin Islands.
1995: Atlanta, Chicago, and Philadelphia/Camden.
1996: Rocky Mountain (Colorado, Montana, Utah, and Wyoming), Gulf
Coast (Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi), Lake County (Indiana),
Midwest (Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, and South
Dakota) and Northwest (Washington).
1997: Michigan and Northern California.
1998: Appalachia (Kentucky, Tennessee, and West Virginia), Central
Florida, Milwaukee, and North Texas (Texas and Oklahoma).
1999: Central valley California, Hawaii, New England (Connecticut,
New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Vermont), Ohio,
and Oregon.
2001: North Florida and Nevada.
To date, counties seeking HIDTA designation have communicated their
interest to ONDCP in a variety of manners. Currently, no formal process
or regulation exists outlining the application and selection process.
Historically, law enforcement coalitions interested in obtaining
designation as HIDTAs have submitted drug-related threat assessments
for their counties which typically include a narrative analysis of the
drug threat and statistical information related to the four statutory
criteria. The proposed rule is intended to create a better coordinated
and more meaningful process for reviewing applications. The rule sets
forth a general process that enables interested coalitions of law
enforcement agencies to submit petition for designation as a HIDTA. The
criteria by which ONDCP will evaluate the petitions are set forth in
this regulation. In addition, the proposed rule requires ONDCP to
review submitted petitions on a regular basis.
Sec. 1 General Provisions
(a) This regulation contains the rules that the Office of National
Drug Control Policy (Office) follows in processing petitions for
designation as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), in
accordance with the ONDCP Reauthorization Act of 2006, Public Law No.
109-469.
(b) Establishment--
(1) In General--There is established in the Office a program known
as the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas Program (in this
regulation referred to as the ``Program'').
(2) Purpose--The purpose of the Program is to reduce drug
trafficking and drug production in the United States by--
(A) Facilitating cooperation among Federal, State, local, and
tribal law enforcement agencies to share information and implement
coordinated enforcement activities;
(B) Enhancing law enforcement intelligence sharing among Federal,
State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies;
(C) Providing reliable law enforcement intelligence to law
enforcement agencies needed to design effective enforcement strategies
and operations; and
(D) Supporting coordinated law enforcement strategies which
maximize use of available resources to reduce the supply of illegal
drugs in designated areas and in the United States as a whole.
(c) Designation--
(1) In General--The Director, in consultation with the Attorney
General, the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Homeland
Security, heads of the National Drug Control Program agencies, and the
Governor of each applicable State, may designate any specified area of
the United States as a high intensity drug trafficking area.
(2) Activities--After making a designation under paragraph (1) and
in order to provide Federal assistance to the area so designated, the
Director may--
(A) Obligate such sums as are appropriated for the Program;
(B) Direct the temporary reassignment of Federal personnel to such
area, subject to the approval of the head of the department or agency
that employs such personnel;
(C) Take any other action authorized under the Office of National
Drug Control Policy Reauthorization Act of 2006 to provide increased
Federal assistance to those areas; and
(D) Coordinate activities under this section (specifically
administrative, recordkeeping, and funds management activities) with
State, local, and tribal officials.
(3) Factors for Consideration--In considering whether to designate
an area as a high intensity drug trafficking area, the Director shall
consider, in addition to such other criteria as the Director considers
to be appropriate, the extent to which--
(A) The area is a significant center of illegal drug production,
manufacturing, importation, or distribution;
(B) State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies have
committed resources to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the
area, thereby indicating a determination to respond aggressively to the
problem;
(C) Drug-related activities in the area are having a significant
harmful impact in the area, and in other areas of the country; and
(D) A significant increase in allocation of Federal resources is
necessary to respond adequately to drug-related activities in the area.
Sec. 2 Instructions for Petitions
(a) A coalition of interested law enforcement agencies from an area
may petition for designation as a HIDTA.
(b) Petitions must specify the geographical area for which HIDTA
designation is requested. Areas are designated by county, therefore,
such areas must be identified in the petition.
(c) Petitions must state specifically which law enforcement
agencies are making the petition, a responsible official for each
agency making the petition, and a point of contact for the coalition of
interested law enforcement agencies.
(d) Petitions must include an assessment of the threat of illegal
drugs in the area for which HIDTA designation is requested and must
specifically respond to each of the following four requirements:
[[Page 46101]]
(1) The area is a significant center of illegal drug production,
manufacturing, importation, or distribution;
(2) State, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies have
committed resources to respond to the drug trafficking problem in the
area, thereby indicating a determination to respond aggressively to the
problem;
(3) Drug-related activities in the area are having a significant
harmful impact in the area, and in other areas of the country; and
(4) A significant increase in allocation of Federal resources is
necessary to respond adequately to drug-related activities in the area.
(e) Each of the requirements in Section 2(d) must be addressed and
justified with sufficient information/documentation for each county
proposed in the petition.
(f) If the petition proposes to designate additional counties to an
already established HIDTA region, the petition shall include a letter
from the Chairman of that HIDTA's Executive Committee indicating that
the Executive Committee has reviewed the petition and sets forth its
position related to the petition for designation.
(g) Petitions may be submitted to the Executive Office of the
President, Office of National Drug Control Policy, Office of State,
Local and Tribal Affairs, Washington, DC 20503 via facsimile at (202)
395-6721 or electronic mail at ondcp_hidta@ondcp.eop.gov.
Comments or questions regarding this notice should be directed to
Mr. Daniel Grayson, ONDCP Policy Analyst at (202) 395-4582.
Sec. 3 Processing of Petitions
(a) Acknowledgements of Petitions. Upon receipt of a petition, the
Office shall send an acknowledgement letter to the requester to confirm
receipt of the petition and provide an assigned number for further
reference.
(b) Petitions will be reviewed by the Office on a regular basis.
The review will include a recommendation regarding the merit of the
petition to the Director by a panel of qualified, independent experts
who are designated by the Director.
(c) Notification of merit of petition. After the review is
completed the requestor will be notified in writing regarding the
disposition of the petition.
(d) The Director, Office of National Drug Control Policy, is solely
responsible for making designation and funding decisions relating to
the HIDTA Program.
Michael K. Gottlieb,
Assistant General Counsel, Office of National Drug Control Policy.
[FR Doc. E7-16174 Filed 8-15-07; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3180-02-P
