**AGENCY:** Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of
Agriculture.

**ACTION:** Request for nominations to the Committee for the Expert
Review of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP).

**SUMMARY:** The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is inviting
nominations for membership on the Committee for the Expert Review of
Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP). The purpose of the
Committee is to provide advice on the conduct of a study titled *The
Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water
Resources, and Biodiversity,* to be conducted as part of the U.S.
Climate Change Science Program (CCSP). The prospectus for the study
titled *The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources,
Water Resources, and Biodiversity* is on the CCSP Web site at
*http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.htm.*

Committee membership will total approximately twelve persons and may
include individuals from the Federal Government, State and/or local
governments, the scientific community, non-governmental organizations
and the private sector, with expertise, experience, and knowledge
essential to the successful completion of the study. Nominations for
employees of the Department of Agriculture will not be considered.

Nominations must be *received* within twenty-one days of the date of
this **Federal Register** notice. Any interested person or organization
may submit a nomination. Nominations must include a complete resume of
the nominee's background, experience and expertise, Form AD755, and any
other information considered relevant. Form AD755 is available online
through the following websites:
http://www.usda.gov/oce/global_change/index.htm,
http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.php, and
http://www.sap43.ucar.edu/. Additional avenues and resources will be
utilized by USDA in the solicitation of nominees.

**ADDRESSES:** Submit nominations to: Dr. Margaret Walsh, Global Change
Program Office, Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Room 112-A Whitten Federal Building, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3810; e-mail address:
*mwalsh@oce.usda.gov,* fax: (202) 401-1176.

**FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:** Dr. Margaret Walsh, Global Change
Program Office, Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of
Agriculture, Room 112-A Whitten Federal Building, 1400 Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-3810; telephone: (202) 720-9978; e-mail
address: *mwalsh@oce.usda.gov,* fax: (202) 401-1176.

**SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:** A copy of the Committee Charter is
available at *http://www.fido.gov/facadatabase/.* The purpose of the
Committee is to provide advice on the conduct of a study titled *The
Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water
Resources, and Biodiversity* to be conducted as part of the U.S. Climate
Change Science Program (CCSP). CERSAP will advise on the specific issues
to be addressed, appropriate technical approaches, the nature of
information relevant to decision makers, the content of the final
report, compliance with the Information Quality Act, and other matters
important to the successful achievement of the objectives of the study.
CERSAP will respond specifically to the following seven inquiries
related to the report:

1.  Are the goals, objectives, and intended audience of the product
    clearly described in the document? Does the product address all the
    questions as outlined in the prospectus?

2.  Are the findings and recommendations adequately supported by
    evidence and analysis? If any recommendations are based on value
    judgments or the collective opinions of the authors, is this
    acknowledged and are adequate reasons given for reaching those
    judgments?

3.  Are the data and analyses handled competently? Are statistical
    methods applied appropriately? Are uncertainties and confidence
    levels evaluated and communicated appropriately?

4.  Are the document's presentation and organization effective? Are the
    questions outlined in the prospectus addressed and communicated in a
    manner that is appropriate for the intended audiences?

5.  Is the document scientifically objective and policy-neutral? Is it
    consistent with the scientific literature, including recent NRC
    reports and other scientific assessments on the same topic?

6.  Does the summary concisely and accurately describe the content, key
    findings, and recommendations? Is it consistent with other sections
    of the document?

7.  What significant improvements, if any, might be made in the
    document?

Individuals and organizations interested in submitting nominations for
membership should familiarize themselves with the draft prospectus for
this study, which is available at
*http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.htm.*

CERSAP is expected to meet twice during 2007 in the Washington, DC area.

Completed nominations should be sent preferably by e-mail. If sent by
either fax or regular mail, the sender is encouraged to phone (202)
720--9978 in advance.

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Keith Collins

Chief Economist