Tongass Advisory Committee, 2147-2148 [2014-00326]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
• Office of the Secretary

[Federal Register Volume 79, Number 8 (Monday, January 13, 2014)]
[Notices]
[Pages 2147-2148]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2014-00326]


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Notices
                                                Federal Register
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Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 8 / Monday, January 13, 2014 / 
Notices

[[Page 2147]]



DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Office of the Secretary


Tongass Advisory Committee

AGENCY: Forest Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of intent to establish an advisory committee and call 
for nominations.

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SUMMARY: The Secretary of Agriculture intends to establish the Tongass 
Advisory Committee (Committee) pursuant to the Federal Advisory 
Committee Act (FACA) (5 U.S.C. App. 2). The Committee is being 
established to provide advice and recommendations for developing an 
ecologically, socially, and economically sustainable forest management 
strategy on the Tongass National Forest with an emphasis on young 
growth management. Recommendations and advice may directly inform the 
development of a proposed action for modification of the 2008 Tongass 
Land Management Plan. The Secretary has determined that the work of the 
Committee is in the public interest and relevant to the duties of the 
Department of Agriculture. The Committee will be solely advisory in 
nature. All activities of the Committee will be conducted in an open, 
transparent, and accessible manner. Therefore, the Secretary is seeking 
nominations to fill 15 vacancies, with a term up to two years. The 
public is invited to submit nominations for membership either as a 
self-nomination or a nomination of any qualified and interested person.

DATES: Written nominations must be received by February 27, 2014. 
Nominations must contain a completed application packet that includes 
the nominee's name, resume, and completed form AD-755 (Advisory 
Committee or Research and Promotion Background Information). The form 
AD-755 may be obtained from the Forest Service contact person or from 
the following Web site: https://www.ocio.usda.gov/forms/doc/AD-755_Master_2012_508%20Ver.pdf. The package must be sent to the address 
below.

ADDRESSES: Send nominations and applications to Nicole McMurren, 
Tongass Advisory Committee Coordinator, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 
Forest Service, Tongass National Forest, P.O. Box 309, Petersburg, AK 
99833-0309.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Nicole McMurren, U.S. Forest Service, 
Petersburg, AK 99833; telephone: 907-772-5875, email: 
nmcmurren@fs.fed.us. Individuals who use telecommunications devices or 
the deaf (TDD) may call the Federal Information Relay Service (FIRS) at 
1-800-877-8339 between 8:00 a.m. and 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, 
Monday through Friday.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

    In accordance with the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee 
Act (FACA), as amended (5 U.S.C., App. 2), the Secretary of Agriculture 
intends to establish the Tongass Advisory Committee. The Committee will 
be a discretionary advisory committee. The Committee will operate under 
the provisions of FACA and will report to the Secretary of Agriculture 
through the Chief of the Forest Service.
    The purpose of the Committee is to advise the Secretary of 
Agriculture, through the Chief of the Forest Service, by providing 
advice and recommendations for developing an ecologically, socially, 
and economically sustainable forest management strategy on the Tongass 
National Forest with an emphasis on young growth management. 
Recommendations and advice may directly inform the development of a 
proposed action for modification of the 2008 Tongass Land Management 
Plan.

Advisory Council Organization

    The Council will be comprised of not more than 15 members. The 
members appointed to the Committee will be familiar with the 
ecological, social, and economic issues impacting Southeast Alaska.
    Members shall be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture as 
follows:
    i. Federally Recognized Tribes, Alaska Native Organizations and/or 
Alaska Native Corporation representatives;
    ii. National or regional environmental and/or conservation 
organizations;
    iii. Timber industry representatives;
    iv. Federal, State and local government representatives; and
    v. Other commercial users, those holding land use permits or the 
public at large.
    Three members and one alternate will be selected for each interest 
group. Of these members, one will become the Chairperson who is 
recognized for their ability to lead a group in a fair and focused 
manner and who has been briefed on the mission of this Committee. The 
Secretary appoints the Chairperson. No individual who is currently 
registered as a Federal lobbyist is eligible to serve as a member of 
the Committee. The Council will meet as often as necessary to complete 
its work, perhaps as frequently as every month.
    The appointment of members to the Committee is made by the 
Secretary of Agriculture. Any individual or organization may nominate 
one or more qualified persons to represent the above vacancies on the 
Tongass Advisory Committee. Individuals may also nominate themselves. 
To be considered for membership, nominees must provide--
    1. Resume describing qualifications for membership to the 
Committee;
    2. Cover letter with a rationale for serving on the Committee and 
what they can contribute;
    3. Show their past experience in working successfully as part of a 
coordinating group; and
    4. Complete Form AD-755, Advisory Committee or Research and 
Promotion Background Information.
    5. Letters of recommendation are welcome.
    All nominations will be vetted by U.S. Department of Agriculture 
(USDA). A list of qualified applicants from which the Secretary of 
Agriculture shall appoint to the Tongass Advisory Committee will be 
prepared. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit nominations 
priority mail via United States Post Office to ensure timely receipt by 
the USDA. Members of the Committee will serve without compensation, but 
may be reimbursed for travel expenses while performing duties on behalf 
of the Committee,

[[Page 2148]]

subject to approval by the Designated Federal Officer (DFO).
    Equal opportunity practices, in accordance with USDA policies shall 
be followed in all appointments to the Committee. To ensure that the 
recommendation of the Committee have taken into account the needs of 
the diverse groups served by the Departments, membership should 
include, to the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated 
ability to represent all racial and ethnic groups, women and men, and 
persons with disabilities.

    Dated: December 30, 2013.
Malcolm A. Shorter,
Deputy Assistant Secretary for Administration.
[FR Doc. 2014-00326 Filed 1-10-14; 8:45 am]
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