Public Listening Sessions To Obtain Input on the Multi-Stakeholder Group Tasked With the Implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, 14031-14032 [2012-5668]

Download as PDF wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 46 / Thursday, March 8, 2012 / Notices transactions to those most consistent with the demonstration’s primary purpose of enabling PHAs to access needed financing to address their capital repair needs. Waivers (§§ 1.6, 2.3.5, 2.3.6, 3.5). To carry out the goals of the demonstration, the 2012 Appropriations Act provides HUD with statutory and regulatory waiver authority. Rather than allow each PHA, Mod Rehab, Rent Supp or RAP owner to request specific waivers that would be extraordinarily difficult to administer on an individualized basis, HUD lists in each section of the Program Notice related to public housing, Mod Rehab, Rent Supp and RAP the waivers that are applicable to the specific type of conversions being undertaken. HUD invites comments on the range of waivers proposed to be offered and the need, if any, for additional waivers to facilitate successful RAD conversions by property type. No Partial Project Conversions. For administrative reasons, HUD will accept applications only for complete project conversions (excluding de minimis unit reductions as defined in Section I of the Program Notice). For example, if a PHA has a 200-unit project that consists of 100 family units and 100 elderly units on separate sites, and wants only to convert only the family units, the PHA would first need to seek approval from HUD independent and in advance of a RAD application to divide the project into two different projects. Procedures for changing project groupings can be found in PIH Notice 2007–28 (which is available for download at: https:// portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/ program_offices/administration/ hudclips). HUD is particularly interested in receiving comments on any potential unintended consequences of this policy. Choice-Mobility (§§ 1.8.12, 1.12(D)(2), 2.3.6.8, 2.3.9(C)(2)). HUD’s goal is to provide all residents of converted projects under both the first and second components of the demonstration with viable options to obtain a Housing Choice Voucher and move from a converted property as they deem in their best interests, i.e., to offer them choice and mobility after a reasonable tenure. For projects converting assistance to PBVs, existing PBV choice requirements specified under section 8(o)(13)(E) of the United States Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f(o)(13)(E)) will apply. For projects converting assistance to PBRA, choice-mobility options will be required to be made available consistent with Sections 1.8.12 and 2.3.6.8. HUD will further offer ranking factor points to encourage applicants to form partnerships to VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:20 Mar 07, 2012 Jkt 226001 secure the needed turnover vouchers necessary to support the choice-mobility requirement where none is readily available. HUD is particularly interested in receiving comments on how the indicated choice-mobility objectives can best be achieved in the demonstration through the indicated ranking factors or other actions that it might facilitate. Demonstration Design. HUD will be evaluating the demonstration based on the goals detailed in the notice. In that context, HUD solicits public comments on the parameters of the current design and how it serves those goals. For example, the demonstration creates two fairly distinct program options that PHAs can choose from under the first component of RAD: PBRA or PBVs. HUD is interested in the reasons why a PHA may choose to convert public housing units to PBRA rather than PBVs or vice versa. HUD seeks feedback on whether there are additional modifications to the design to maximize the opportunity for learning and the long-term viability of converted properties. III. Environmental Review A Finding of No Significant Impact with respect to the environment has been made in accordance with HUD regulations in 24 CFR part 50 that implement section 102(2)(C) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (42 U.S.C. 4332(2)(C)). The Finding is available for public inspection during regular business hours in the Regulations Division, Office of General Counsel, Department of Housing and Urban Development, 451 7th Street, SW., Room 10276, Washington, DC 20410–0500. Due to security measures at the HUD Headquarters building, please schedule an appointment to review the Finding by calling the Regulations Division at 202–402–3055 (this is not a toll-free number). Individuals with speech or hearing impairments may access this number via TTY by calling the Federal Relay Service at 800–877–8339. Dated: March 5, 2012. Sandra B. Henriquez, Assistant Secretary for Public and Indian Housing, Carol J. Galante, Acting Assistant Secretary for Housing— Federal Housing Commissioner. [FR Doc. 2012–5626 Filed 3–7–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4210–67–P PO 00000 Frm 00033 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 14031 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR [Docket No. ONRR–2012–0002] Public Listening Sessions To Obtain Input on the Multi-Stakeholder Group Tasked With the Implementation of the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative Office of the Secretary, Interior. Notice. AGENCY: ACTION: The Department of the Interior (Department) announces four public listening sessions to receive comments regarding a multi-stakeholder group to implement the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI). SUMMARY: The public listening session dates and cities are: Session 1—March 19, 2012 (1–3 p.m. central time) in St. Louis, Missouri. Session 2—March 21, 2012 (1–3 p.m. mountain time) in Denver, Colorado. Session 3—March 28, 2012 (1–3 p.m. mountain time) in Houston, TX. Session 4—March 29, 2012 (1–3 p.m. eastern time) in Washington, DC. ADDRESSES: The public listening session locations are: Session 1—Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Ave., St. Louis, Missouri 63101, telephone number (314) 418–5820. Session 2— Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California St., Denver, Colorado 80202, telephone number (303) 297–1300. Session 3—Hilton Houston Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77056, telephone number (713) 961–9300. Session 4—Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington DC 20240 (Yates Auditorium), telephone number (202) 254–5573. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Nussdorf, telephone (202) 254–5573, fax number (202) 254–5589, email benjamin.nussdorf@onrr.gov. DATES: On February 24th, 2012, the Department published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comment on the multistakeholder group for the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (74 FR 11151). In that notice, the Department stated that it would hold a series of public listening sessions to provide additional opportunities for public comment on EITI implementation in the United States. In September 2011, President Barack Obama announced the United States’ commitment to participate in the Extractive Industries Transparency SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: E:\FR\FM\08MRN1.SGM 08MRN1 wreier-aviles on DSK5TPTVN1PROD with NOTICES 14032 Federal Register / Vol. 77, No. 46 / Thursday, March 8, 2012 / Notices Initiative. EITI is a signature initiative of the U.S. national action plan for the international Open Government Partnership and offers a voluntary framework for governments and companies to publicly disclose in parallel the revenues paid and received for extraction of oil, gas and minerals owned by the state. The design of each framework is country-specific, and is developed through a multi-year, consensus based process by a multistakeholder group comprised of government, industry and civil society. Thirty-five countries are in various stages of implementing EITI, most of them developing countries. On October 25, President Obama named Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar as the U.S. Senior Official responsible for implementing the United States Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (USEITI). In response, Secretary Salazar posted a White House blog the same day, committing to work with industry and civil society to implement USEITI. EITI will strengthen relationships among the U.S. government, industry, and civil society; deliver a more transparent, participatory, and collaborative government; promote accountability to help ensure the full and fair return to the American people for the use of its public resources; and enable the U.S. to lead by example internationally on transparency and good governance. For further information on EITI, please visit the Department’s EITI Web page at https:// www.doi.gov/EITI. Accordingly, the Department of the Interior is seeking public comment and recommendations on the following specific issues: • The EITI requires a multistakeholder group to be formed to oversee implementation. Who are the key sectors or stakeholders that need to be involved in the multi-stakeholder group? • How best can a balance of interests and perspectives, be achieved in the formation of the multi-stakeholder group? • In your opinion, what are the key attributes of both a successful and high functioning multi-stakeholder group and the successful implementation of USEITI? • What key concerns, if any, do you have about implementing the USEITI process? We encourage stakeholders and members of the public to participate. The listening sessions will be open to the public without advance registration; however, attendance may be limited to the space available at each venue. For VerDate Mar<15>2010 15:20 Mar 07, 2012 Jkt 226001 building security measures, each person may be required to present a picture identification to gain entry to the meetings. Dated: March 2, 2012. Gregory J. Gould, Director for Office of Natural Resources Revenue. [FR Doc. 2012–5668 Filed 3–7–12; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310–T2–P DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Fish and Wildlife Service [FWS–R9–FHC–2012–N030; FF09F21000, FXHC11240900000T5, 123] John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System; Lee County, FL, and Newport County, RI; Availability of Draft Maps and Request for Comments Fish and Wildlife Service, Interior. ACTION: Notice of availability; request for comments. AGENCY: We, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service), announce the availability of two John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System (CBRS) draft revised maps for public review and comment. The first map, dated January 10, 2012, is for two CBRS units located in Lee County, Florida. The second map, dated September 30, 2009, is for four CBRS units located in Newport County, Rhode Island. DATES: To ensure consideration, we must receive your written comments by April 23, 2012. ADDRESSES: Mail or hand-deliver (during normal business hours) comments to Katie Niemi, Coastal Barriers Coordinator, Division of Habitat and Resource Conservation, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 4401 N. Fairfax Drive, Room 860A, Arlington, VA 22203, or send comments by electronic mail (email) to CBRAcomments@fws.gov. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Katie Niemi, Coastal Barriers Coordinator, (703) 358–2161. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: SUMMARY: Background Coastal barriers are typically elongated, narrow landforms located at the interface of land and sea. Coastal barriers provide important habitat for fish and wildlife and serve as the mainland’s first line of defense against the impacts of severe storms. With the passage of the Coastal Barrier Resources Act (CBRA) in 1982 (Pub. L. 97–348), Congress recognized that certain actions PO 00000 Frm 00034 Fmt 4703 Sfmt 4703 and programs of the Federal Government have historically subsidized and encouraged development on coastal barriers and have resulted in the loss of valuable natural resources; threats to human life, health, and property; and the expenditure of millions of tax dollars to build structures and infrastructure and then rebuild them again after damaging storms. The CBRA established the CBRS, a defined set of 186 geographic units, encompassing approximately 453,000 acres, of undeveloped lands and associated aquatic habitat along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts. Most new Federal expenditures and financial assistance that have the effect of encouraging development are prohibited within the CBRS. Development can still occur within the CBRS provided that private developers or other non-Federal parties bear the full cost instead of the American taxpayers. The CBRS was expanded by the Coastal Barrier Improvement Act of 1990 (Pub. L. 101–591) to include additional areas along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts as well as areas along the Great Lakes, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands coasts. The CBRS now comprises 857 units encompassing approximately 3.1 million acres of coastal barrier lands and associated aquatic habitat. These areas are depicted on a series of maps entitled ‘‘John H. Chafee Coastal Barrier Resources System.’’ The CBRS includes two types of units, System units and Otherwise Protected Areas (OPAs). System units generally comprise private lands that were relatively undeveloped at the time of their designation within the CBRS. Most new Federal expenditures and financial assistance, including Federal flood insurance, are prohibited within System units. OPAs generally comprise lands established under Federal, State, or local law or held by a qualified organization primarily for wildlife refuge, sanctuary, recreational, or natural resource conservation purposes. OPAs are denoted with a ‘‘P’’ at the end of the unit number. The only Federal spending prohibition within OPAs is the prohibition on Federal flood insurance. The Secretary of the Interior (Secretary), through the Service, is responsible for administering the CBRA, which includes maintaining the official maps of the CBRS; consulting with Federal agencies that propose to spend funds within the CBRS; preparing draft maps that update and correct existing maps; and making recommendations to Congress regarding proposed changes to the CBRS. Aside from three minor E:\FR\FM\08MRN1.SGM 08MRN1

Agencies

[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 46 (Thursday, March 8, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 14031-14032]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-5668]


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DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

[Docket No. ONRR-2012-0002]


Public Listening Sessions To Obtain Input on the Multi-
Stakeholder Group Tasked With the Implementation of the Extractive 
Industries Transparency Initiative

AGENCY: Office of the Secretary, Interior.

ACTION: Notice.

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

SUMMARY: The Department of the Interior (Department) announces four 
public listening sessions to receive comments regarding a multi-
stakeholder group to implement the Extractive Industries Transparency 
Initiative (EITI).

DATES: The public listening session dates and cities are:
    Session 1--March 19, 2012 (1-3 p.m. central time) in St. Louis, 
Missouri.
    Session 2--March 21, 2012 (1-3 p.m. mountain time) in Denver, 
Colorado.
    Session 3--March 28, 2012 (1-3 p.m. mountain time) in Houston, TX.
    Session 4--March 29, 2012 (1-3 p.m. eastern time) in Washington, 
DC.

ADDRESSES: The public listening session locations are:
    Session 1--Renaissance St. Louis Grand Hotel, 800 Washington Ave., 
St. Louis, Missouri 63101, telephone number (314) 418-5820.
    Session 2-- Denver Marriott City Center, 1701 California St., 
Denver, Colorado 80202, telephone number (303) 297-1300.
    Session 3--Hilton Houston Post Oak, 2001 Post Oak Boulevard, 
Houston, Texas 77056, telephone number (713) 961-9300.
    Session 4--Main Interior Building, 1849 C Street, NW., Washington 
DC 20240 (Yates Auditorium), telephone number (202) 254-5573.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ben Nussdorf, telephone (202) 254-
5573, fax number (202) 254-5589, email benjamin.nussdorf@onrr.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: On February 24th, 2012, the Department 
published a notice in the Federal Register seeking comment on the 
multi-stakeholder group for the Extractive Industries Transparency 
Initiative (74 FR 11151). In that notice, the Department stated that it 
would hold a series of public listening sessions to provide additional 
opportunities for public comment on EITI implementation in the United 
States.
    In September 2011, President Barack Obama announced the United 
States' commitment to participate in the Extractive Industries 
Transparency

[[Page 14032]]

Initiative. EITI is a signature initiative of the U.S. national action 
plan for the international Open Government Partnership and offers a 
voluntary framework for governments and companies to publicly disclose 
in parallel the revenues paid and received for extraction of oil, gas 
and minerals owned by the state. The design of each framework is 
country-specific, and is developed through a multi-year, consensus 
based process by a multi-stakeholder group comprised of government, 
industry and civil society. Thirty-five countries are in various stages 
of implementing EITI, most of them developing countries.
    On October 25, President Obama named Secretary of the Interior Ken 
Salazar as the U.S. Senior Official responsible for implementing the 
United States Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (USEITI). 
In response, Secretary Salazar posted a White House blog the same day, 
committing to work with industry and civil society to implement USEITI.
    EITI will strengthen relationships among the U.S. government, 
industry, and civil society; deliver a more transparent, participatory, 
and collaborative government; promote accountability to help ensure the 
full and fair return to the American people for the use of its public 
resources; and enable the U.S. to lead by example internationally on 
transparency and good governance. For further information on EITI, 
please visit the Department's EITI Web page at https://www.doi.gov/EITI.
    Accordingly, the Department of the Interior is seeking public 
comment and recommendations on the following specific issues:
     The EITI requires a multi-stakeholder group to be formed 
to oversee implementation. Who are the key sectors or stakeholders that 
need to be involved in the multi-stakeholder group?
     How best can a balance of interests and perspectives, be 
achieved in the formation of the multi-stakeholder group?
     In your opinion, what are the key attributes of both a 
successful and high functioning multi-stakeholder group and the 
successful implementation of USEITI?
     What key concerns, if any, do you have about implementing 
the USEITI process?
    We encourage stakeholders and members of the public to participate. 
The listening sessions will be open to the public without advance 
registration; however, attendance may be limited to the space available 
at each venue. For building security measures, each person may be 
required to present a picture identification to gain entry to the 
meetings.

    Dated: March 2, 2012.
Gregory J. Gould,
Director for Office of Natural Resources Revenue.
[FR Doc. 2012-5668 Filed 3-7-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4310-T2-P
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