Suggestions for 2009-2011 Work Program for Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation Established Pursuant to the United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement, 63495-63496 [E9-28876]

Download as PDF Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 231 / Thursday, December 3, 2009 / Notices DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6829] Suggestions for 2009–2011 Work Program for Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation Established Pursuant to the United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES ACTION: Notice of preparation of the 2009–2011 U.S.-Chile Environmental Cooperation Work Program and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Department of State is soliciting ideas and suggestions for environmental cooperation projects between the United States and Chile. The United States and Chile are in the process of developing a 2009–2011 Work Program pursuant to the United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) signed in June 2003. The ECA outlines broad areas for environmental cooperation with the objective of establishing a framework for cooperation between the United States and Chile to promote the conservation and protection of the environment, the prevention of pollution and degradation of natural resources and ecosystems, and the rational use of natural resources, in support of sustainable development. In addition, in the Environment Chapter of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (Chapter 19), ‘‘[t]he Parties recognize the importance of strengthening capacity to protect the environment and promote sustainable development in concert with strengthening trade and investment relations between them [and] agree to undertake cooperative environmental activities.’’ (U.S.-Chile FTA, Article 19.5(1)). The main areas of cooperation under the 2009–2011 Work Program are: (1) Strengthening the effective implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations; (2) encouraging the development and adoption of sound environmental practices and technologies, particularly in business enterprises; (3) promoting the sustainable development and management of environmental resources, including wild fauna and flora, protected wild areas, and other ecologically important ecosystems; and (4) civil society participation in the environmental decision-making process and environmental education. During 2009–2011, the United States and Chile intend to continue to build upon the cooperative work initiated in the 2007– 2008 Work Program, and to continue to follow up on the themes reflected in the environment chapter of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA). VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:16 Dec 02, 2009 Jkt 220001 The Department of State invites government agencies and the public, including NGOs, educational institutions, private sector enterprises and other interested persons, to submit written comments or suggestions regarding items for the Work Program and implementation of environmental cooperation activities. In preparing such comments or suggestions, we encourage submitters to refer to: (1) The U.S.-Chile ECA, (2) the U.S.-Chile Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation (JCEC) 2007–2008 Work Program, (3) the U.S.-Chile FTA available at https://www.ustr.gov, and (4) the Environmental Review of the FTA. (Documents are available at: https:// www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/chile/ index.htm). In the near future, the Department of State will be seeking ideas and suggestions for environmental cooperation projects with Peru, Bahrain and Oman through a similar Federal Register notice. DATES: To be assured of timely consideration, all written comments or suggestions are requested no later than December 28, 2009. ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be e-mailed (trontjm@state.gov) or faxed to Jacqueline Tront ((202) 647–5947), U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science, Office of Environmental Policy, with the subject line ‘‘U.S.-Chile Work Program on Environmental Cooperation.’’ FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Tront, telephone (202) 647– 4750 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science, Office of Environmental Policy. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Article 19.3 of the U.S.-Chile FTA establishes an Environmental Affairs Council (EAC), which is required to meet at least once a year to discuss the implementation and progress of environmental cooperation between the U.S. and Chile. Article II of the U.S.Chile ECA establishes the JCEC, with responsibilities which include developing and periodically reviewing the work program. The work program is a tool which identifies and outlines agreed upon environmental cooperation priorities, on-going efforts and possibilities for future cooperation. The 2009–2011 Work Program focuses on the following priority areas, with the following corresponding general objectives: (1) Strengthening the effective implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations (see FTA Art. 19.2.1(a); ECA Art. III.2); (2) Encouraging the development and adoption of sound PO 00000 Frm 00111 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 63495 environmental practices and technologies, particularly in business enterprises (see FTA Art. 19.10; ECA Art. II.2(d), Art. III.2(d)); (3) Promoting sustainable development and management of environmental resources, including wild fauna and flora, protected wild areas, and other ecologically important ecosystems (see FTA Annex 19.3 Art. 3(d); ECA Art. III.2(d)) and (4) Civil society participation in the environmental decision-making process and environmental education (see FTA Arts. 19.3 and 19.4; ECA Arts. III.1 and IV). We are seeking ideas and suggestions for activities which can be included in the work plan. Ongoing environmental cooperation work includes: environmental law training workshops for Chilean judges; environmental permitting training for Chilean inspectors; a Patagonia volunteer expedition project where volunteers are engaged in trail and habitat repair within Chilean protected areas; and consultations and information exchange to support Chile’s efforts to implement a Pollutant Release and Transfer Registry. Projects that have been successfully completed and in which we are engaged in follow up activities include: promotion of renewable energy opportunities in Chile (e.g., geothermal, wind, biogas, solar, hydroelectric power) including sharing of prospective policy, regulatory and financial models for the adoption of renewable energy technologies; reduction of air pollution in the transport sector by implementing a diesel retrofit project; reduction of the environmental impacts of mining through information exchange on enhanced land use planning and generating and reviewing environmental impact assessments; and consultations on approaches to promoting sustainable agriculture and appropriate handling of pesticides and fertilizers. The listed activities and additional cooperative activities were outlined in previous work plans agreed upon by the EAC and discussed during previous meetings of the JCEC. Additional information can be found on the Web site listed below. The ECA was signed on June 17, 2003, and sets out a framework for environmental cooperative activities between the two governments. The United States and Chile negotiated the ECA in concert with the U.S.-Chile FTA, which entered into force January 1, 2004. Article 19.3 of the U.S.-Chile FTA establishes the EAC. Article II of the ECA establishes the United States-Chile JCEC, with responsibilities which include developing and periodically reviewing the work program. The JCEC E:\FR\FM\03DEN1.SGM 03DEN1 jlentini on DSKJ8SOYB1PROD with NOTICES 63496 Federal Register / Vol. 74, No. 231 / Thursday, December 3, 2009 / Notices is required to meet at least every two years. The first meetings of the EAC and JCEC were held on July 22, 2004, in Santiago, Chile, the second EAC meeting was held on October 24, 2005, in Washington, DC, and the third EAC meeting and second JCEC meeting were held October 23–24, 2006 in Santiago. At the fourth EAC meeting, held April 23–25, 2008, in Santiago, the EAC discussed the implementation of Chapter 19 of the FTA with respect to public participation, progress reports on the eight cooperation projects under Chapter 19, implementation of the 2005–2006 Work Program, and elaboration of the 2007–2008 Work Program. At the upcoming fifth EAC meeting in Washington, DC on January 20, 2010, the EAC will review implementation of Chapter 19 and receive reports on (1) the progress of projects outlined in Chapter 19 of the FTA, (2) the roles and activities of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee and the public advisory committee that advises the Chilean government on environmental policy, and (3) the 2009– 2011 Work Program. At its third meeting, the JCEC, during a Joint Public Session with the EAC, will receive reports on progress of implementing the 2007–2008 Work Program and review and approve the 2009–2011 Work Program. The EAC and JCEC will also consider recommendations for future bilateral cooperation. In carrying out this cooperative work, the United States and Chile intend to explore the development of partnerships with private sector and civil society organizations, to build upon and complement ongoing bilateral cooperative work in other fora, and to explore opportunities for mutual collaboration in these priority areas with other countries in the Western Hemisphere. For additional information: https:// www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/chile/ index.htm. Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for comments and suggestions, and is not a request for applications. No granting or money is directly associated with this request for suggestions for the 2009–2011 Work Program. There is no expectation of resources or funding associated with any comments or suggestions provided for the 2009–2011 Work Program. Dated: November 30, 2009. Willem H. Brakel, Acting Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State. [FR Doc. E9–28876 Filed 12–2–09; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710–09–P VerDate Nov<24>2008 16:16 Dec 02, 2009 Jkt 220001 DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice 6830] Meetings of the United States-Chile Environment Affairs Council and Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation ACTION: Notice of the U.S.-Chile Environmental Affairs Council and Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation and request for comments. SUMMARY: The Department of State and the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) are providing notice that the United States and Chile intend to hold the fifth meeting of the Environment Affairs Council (the ‘‘Council’’) and the third meeting of the Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation (the ‘‘Commission’’) in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2010. These bodies were created pursuant to Chapter 19 (Environment) of the United States-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and Article II of the United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA), respectively. A public information session will be held on January 20th, at 2 p.m., in room 1107 at the U.S. Department of State, 2201 C Street, NW., Washington, DC 20520. If you would like to attend the session, please send the following information to Jacqueline Tront at the fax number or email address listed below under the heading ADDRESSES: (1) Your name, (2) your date of birth, and (3) the number of a valid identification card that a government has issued to you. The purpose of the Council and Commission meeting is detailed below under SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION. The meeting agenda will include an overview of Chapter 19 and review of its implementation, progress report on projects outlined in the FTA’s Annex 19.3 on Environmental Cooperation, a discussion of the roles and activities of the Trade and Environment Policy Advisory Committee and the public advisory committee that advises the Chilean government on trade and environment policy issues, an overview of progress of implementing selected projects under the 2007–2008 Work Program pursuant to the ECA, and the presentation of a new ECA Work Program. The Department of State and USTR invite interested agencies, organizations, and members of the public to submit written comments or suggestions regarding agenda items and to attend the public session. In preparing comments, we encourage submitters to refer to: • Chapter 19 of the FTA, including Annex 19.3 PO 00000 Frm 00112 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 • The Final Environment Review of the FTA • The ECA These documents are available at: https://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/ chile/index.htm. DATES: The Council/Commission meeting is to be held: (1) January 20, 2010, 2 p.m. to 4:45 p.m., Washington, DC. To be assured of timely consideration, comments are requested no later than January 10, 2009. ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be submitted to both: (1) Jacqueline Tront, Office of Environmental Policy, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science, U.S. Department of State, by electronic mail at trontjm@state.gov with the subject line ‘‘U.S.-Chile EAC/JCEC Meeting’’ or by fax to (202) 647–5947; and (2) Mara M. Burr, Deputy Assistant United States Trade Representative for Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the United States Trade Representative by electronic mail at mburr@ustr.eop.gov with the subject line ‘‘U.S.-Chile EAC/JCEC Meeting’’ or by fax to (202) 395–9517. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Tront, Telephone (202) 647– 4750 or Mara M. Burr, Telephone (202) 395–7320. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The United States-Chile FTA entered into force on January 4, 2004. Article 19.3 of the FTA establishes an Environment Affairs Council, which is required to meet at least once a year to discuss the implementation of, and progress under, Chapter 19. Chapter 19 requires that meetings of the Council include a public session. Under Chapter 19, the two governments agreed to undertake eight specific cooperative activities set out in Annex 19.3 to the Chapter and to negotiate a United States-Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement to establish priorities for further cooperative environmental activities. The ECA entered into force on April 30, 2004, and sets out a framework for environmental cooperative activities between the two governments. Article II of the ECA establishes the United States-Chile Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation, with responsibilities that include developing and periodically reviewing a work program. The Commission is required to meet at least every two years. The first meetings of the Council and the Commission were held on July 22, 2004, in Santiago, Chile, and the third meeting of the Council and second meeting of E:\FR\FM\03DEN1.SGM 03DEN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 74, Number 231 (Thursday, December 3, 2009)]
[Notices]
[Pages 63495-63496]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E9-28876]



[[Page 63495]]

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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice 6829]


Suggestions for 2009-2011 Work Program for Joint Commission for 
Environmental Cooperation Established Pursuant to the United States-
Chile Environmental Cooperation Agreement

ACTION: Notice of preparation of the 2009-2011 U.S.-Chile Environmental 
Cooperation Work Program and request for comments.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Department of State is soliciting ideas and suggestions 
for environmental cooperation projects between the United States and 
Chile. The United States and Chile are in the process of developing a 
2009-2011 Work Program pursuant to the United States-Chile 
Environmental Cooperation Agreement (ECA) signed in June 2003. The ECA 
outlines broad areas for environmental cooperation with the objective 
of establishing a framework for cooperation between the United States 
and Chile to promote the conservation and protection of the 
environment, the prevention of pollution and degradation of natural 
resources and ecosystems, and the rational use of natural resources, in 
support of sustainable development. In addition, in the Environment 
Chapter of the U.S.-Chile Free Trade Agreement (FTA) (Chapter 19), 
``[t]he Parties recognize the importance of strengthening capacity to 
protect the environment and promote sustainable development in concert 
with strengthening trade and investment relations between them [and] 
agree to undertake cooperative environmental activities.'' (U.S.-Chile 
FTA, Article 19.5(1)). The main areas of cooperation under the 2009-
2011 Work Program are: (1) Strengthening the effective implementation 
and enforcement of environmental laws and regulations; (2) encouraging 
the development and adoption of sound environmental practices and 
technologies, particularly in business enterprises; (3) promoting the 
sustainable development and management of environmental resources, 
including wild fauna and flora, protected wild areas, and other 
ecologically important ecosystems; and (4) civil society participation 
in the environmental decision-making process and environmental 
education. During 2009-2011, the United States and Chile intend to 
continue to build upon the cooperative work initiated in the 2007-2008 
Work Program, and to continue to follow up on the themes reflected in 
the environment chapter of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
    The Department of State invites government agencies and the public, 
including NGOs, educational institutions, private sector enterprises 
and other interested persons, to submit written comments or suggestions 
regarding items for the Work Program and implementation of 
environmental cooperation activities. In preparing such comments or 
suggestions, we encourage submitters to refer to: (1) The U.S.-Chile 
ECA, (2) the U.S.-Chile Joint Commission for Environmental Cooperation 
(JCEC) 2007-2008 Work Program, (3) the U.S.-Chile FTA available at 
https://www.ustr.gov, and (4) the Environmental Review of the FTA. 
(Documents are available at: https://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/chile/index.htm). In the near future, the Department of State will be 
seeking ideas and suggestions for environmental cooperation projects 
with Peru, Bahrain and Oman through a similar Federal Register notice.

DATES:  To be assured of timely consideration, all written comments or 
suggestions are requested no later than December 28, 2009.

ADDRESSES: Written comments or suggestions should be e-mailed 
(trontjm@state.gov) or faxed to Jacqueline Tront ((202) 647-5947), U.S. 
Department of State, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and Science, Office 
of Environmental Policy, with the subject line ``U.S.-Chile Work 
Program on Environmental Cooperation.''

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Jacqueline Tront, telephone (202) 647-
4750 U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Oceans, Environment, and 
Science, Office of Environmental Policy.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Article 19.3 of the U.S.-Chile FTA 
establishes an Environmental Affairs Council (EAC), which is required 
to meet at least once a year to discuss the implementation and progress 
of environmental cooperation between the U.S. and Chile. Article II of 
the U.S.-Chile ECA establishes the JCEC, with responsibilities which 
include developing and periodically reviewing the work program. The 
work program is a tool which identifies and outlines agreed upon 
environmental cooperation priorities, on-going efforts and 
possibilities for future cooperation.
    The 2009-2011 Work Program focuses on the following priority areas, 
with the following corresponding general objectives: (1) Strengthening 
the effective implementation and enforcement of environmental laws and 
regulations (see FTA Art. 19.2.1(a); ECA Art. III.2); (2) Encouraging 
the development and adoption of sound environmental practices and 
technologies, particularly in business enterprises (see FTA Art. 19.10; 
ECA Art. II.2(d), Art. III.2(d)); (3) Promoting sustainable development 
and management of environmental resources, including wild fauna and 
flora, protected wild areas, and other ecologically important 
ecosystems (see FTA Annex 19.3 Art. 3(d); ECA Art. III.2(d)) and (4) 
Civil society participation in the environmental decision-making 
process and environmental education (see FTA Arts. 19.3 and 19.4; ECA 
Arts. III.1 and IV). We are seeking ideas and suggestions for 
activities which can be included in the work plan.
    Ongoing environmental cooperation work includes: environmental law 
training workshops for Chilean judges; environmental permitting 
training for Chilean inspectors; a Patagonia volunteer expedition 
project where volunteers are engaged in trail and habitat repair within 
Chilean protected areas; and consultations and information exchange to 
support Chile's efforts to implement a Pollutant Release and Transfer 
Registry. Projects that have been successfully completed and in which 
we are engaged in follow up activities include: promotion of renewable 
energy opportunities in Chile (e.g., geothermal, wind, biogas, solar, 
hydroelectric power) including sharing of prospective policy, 
regulatory and financial models for the adoption of renewable energy 
technologies; reduction of air pollution in the transport sector by 
implementing a diesel retrofit project; reduction of the environmental 
impacts of mining through information exchange on enhanced land use 
planning and generating and reviewing environmental impact assessments; 
and consultations on approaches to promoting sustainable agriculture 
and appropriate handling of pesticides and fertilizers. The listed 
activities and additional cooperative activities were outlined in 
previous work plans agreed upon by the EAC and discussed during 
previous meetings of the JCEC. Additional information can be found on 
the Web site listed below.
    The ECA was signed on June 17, 2003, and sets out a framework for 
environmental cooperative activities between the two governments. The 
United States and Chile negotiated the ECA in concert with the U.S.-
Chile FTA, which entered into force January 1, 2004. Article 19.3 of 
the U.S.-Chile FTA establishes the EAC. Article II of the ECA 
establishes the United States-Chile JCEC, with responsibilities which 
include developing and periodically reviewing the work program. The 
JCEC

[[Page 63496]]

is required to meet at least every two years. The first meetings of the 
EAC and JCEC were held on July 22, 2004, in Santiago, Chile, the second 
EAC meeting was held on October 24, 2005, in Washington, DC, and the 
third EAC meeting and second JCEC meeting were held October 23-24, 2006 
in Santiago. At the fourth EAC meeting, held April 23-25, 2008, in 
Santiago, the EAC discussed the implementation of Chapter 19 of the FTA 
with respect to public participation, progress reports on the eight 
cooperation projects under Chapter 19, implementation of the 2005-2006 
Work Program, and elaboration of the 2007-2008 Work Program.
    At the upcoming fifth EAC meeting in Washington, DC on January 20, 
2010, the EAC will review implementation of Chapter 19 and receive 
reports on (1) the progress of projects outlined in Chapter 19 of the 
FTA, (2) the roles and activities of the Trade and Environment Policy 
Advisory Committee and the public advisory committee that advises the 
Chilean government on environmental policy, and (3) the 2009-2011 Work 
Program. At its third meeting, the JCEC, during a Joint Public Session 
with the EAC, will receive reports on progress of implementing the 
2007-2008 Work Program and review and approve the 2009-2011 Work 
Program. The EAC and JCEC will also consider recommendations for future 
bilateral cooperation.
    In carrying out this cooperative work, the United States and Chile 
intend to explore the development of partnerships with private sector 
and civil society organizations, to build upon and complement ongoing 
bilateral cooperative work in other fora, and to explore opportunities 
for mutual collaboration in these priority areas with other countries 
in the Western Hemisphere.
    For additional information: https://www.state.gov/g/oes/env/trade/chile/index.htm.
    Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for comments and 
suggestions, and is not a request for applications. No granting or 
money is directly associated with this request for suggestions for the 
2009-2011 Work Program. There is no expectation of resources or funding 
associated with any comments or suggestions provided for the 2009-2011 
Work Program.

    Dated: November 30, 2009.
Willem H. Brakel,
Acting Director, Office of Environmental Policy, Department of State.
[FR Doc. E9-28876 Filed 12-2-09; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-09-P
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