48860 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices

have more complex implementation

strategies.

DATES: The Measures Strategy

announced today will be available on or

about September 17, 1997. Written

comments must be received by EPA (see

address below for contact person) the

close of business on October 17, 1997.

ADDRESSES: The draft report is available

at the following Internet address: http:/

/es.inel.gov/oeca/perfmeas. It is also

available by contacting Mary Woods at

Science Applications International

Corporation; telephone 703–645–6958.

Hard copies of the draft report are

available at EPA’s Information Resource

Center, which is located at 401 M St.

SW (Room #M2904); Washington, DC

20460; telephone (202) 260–5921. The

Information Resource Center is open for

business Monday-Friday between 8:00

am—5:00 pm, except legal holidays.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Additional documents relating to the

Measures Strategy may also be obtained

by contacting James McDonald, U.S.

Environmental Protection Agency,

Office of Enforcement and Compliance

Assurance (2201–A); 401 M St. SW;

Washington, DC 20460; telephone (202)

564–4043; fax (202) 501–0701; e-mail:

mcdonald.james@epamail.epa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The draft

report released today will be the subject

of a conference in Alexandria, VA on

October 7, 1997. It will take place at the

Holiday Inn Historic District

Alexandria, 625 First Street, Alexandria,

Virginia 22314; telephone 703–548-

6300. The purpose of the conference is

to review and discuss with stakeholders

and regulatory partners the alternative

performance measures contained in the

draft report and which EPA is

considering adopting for its enforcement

and compliance assurance program. At

that conference, panels of stakeholders

and interested parties will be asked to

provide comments and suggestions

about the measures or other aspects of

the report. Anyone interested in

attending the conference and/or

interested in being considered for

participation on a panel should contact:

James McDonald at the address listed

above, or Mary Woods, Science

Applications International Corporation,

2222 Gallows Road, Suite 300, Dunn

Lorying, VA 22027; telephone 703–645-

6958; fax 703–903–1373.

Dated: September 10, 1997.

Sylvia Lowrance,

Deputy Assistant Administrator, Office of

Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

[FR Doc. 97–24548 Filed 9–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6560–50–P

COUNCIL ON ENVIRONMENTAL

QUALITY

American Heritage Rivers Initiative

AGENCY: Council on Environmental

Quality.

ACTION: Description of American

Heritage Rivers Initiative and

information on how communities

nominate their rivers.

CONTENTS: The major sections of this

document include:

Summary

Deadline

Availability of Nomination Packets and

Supplementary Information

Background

Summary of Comments Received from the

Federal Register Notices of May 19 and

June 20

Overall Program Design

Benefits of Designation

Benefits to Applicants who Submit Complete

Nomination Packages

Improved Services Available to All

Communities

Clarifications

Appendices

Summary

In the State of the Union Address on

February 4, 1997, President Clinton

announced an initiative supporting

community-led efforts relating to rivers

that spur economic revitalization,

protect natural resources and the

environment, and preserve historic and

cultural heritage. President Clinton has

since issued Executive Order 13061

directing agencies to establish and

implement the initiative. This notice

summarizes the initiative developed to

implement the President’s directive.

The federal government plays two

critical roles in supporting river-related

projects. First, it offers federal agency

services to organizations and

governments conducting communitybased work. Second, it creates a national

information and communications

network to encourage communities to

provide useful information to

communities, including sharing success

stories.

The American Heritage Rivers

initiative is voluntary and locally

driven; communities choose to

participate and can terminate their

participation at any time. In

implementing the American Heritage

Rivers initiative, federal departments

and agencies shall act with due regard

for the protections of private property

provided by the Fifth Amendment to the

United States Constitution.

The American Heritage Rivers

initiative will create no new regulatory

requirements or rules for property

owners or state, tribal, or local

governments. The American Heritage

Rivers initiative will use existing federal

resources more effectively to assist

communities.

To enhance federal assistance to

community-based projects, the federal

government will solicit nominations

from communities wishing to designate

their rivers as American Heritage Rivers.

The nomination process is described in

this notice. The President will designate

10 American Heritage Rivers in early

1998. The communities surrounding

designated rivers will receive a number

of benefits, including special

recognition; focused support from

existing federal programs; a person (the

‘‘River Navigator’’) to serve as a liaison

between the community and the federal

government; improved delivery of

assistance from agencies throughout the

federal government; and a ‘‘good

neighbor’’ policy. The federal

government will work to integrate and

streamline its approach to providing

existing federal services in designated

American Heritage River communities

in partnership with local leadership.

These partnerships will give the federal

government an opportunity to study and

improve how it provides assistance to

communities across the nation.

Additionally, the federal government

will provide a new information center

on the World Wide Web for communitybased projects in economic

revitalization, natural resources and the

environment, and historic and cultural

preservation. These Web pages will

include information about services that

can assist community projects and

provide opportunities for dialogue

between communities. The federal

government will also provide this

information to people without access to

the Internet.

The American Heritage Rivers

initiative was developed by an

interagency task force convened by the

White House.

The President’s Executive Order

creates a new committee, called the

American Heritage Rivers Interagency

Committee (Committee) that will be

responsible for the implementation of

the American Heritage Rivers initiative.

The Committee will be composed of the

following members or their designees at

the Assistant Secretary level or

equivalent:

• The Secretary of Defense;

• The Attorney General;

• The Secretary of the Interior;

• The Secretary of Agriculture;

• The Secretary of Housing and

Urban Development;

• The Secretary of Transportation;

• The Secretary of Energy;
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices 48861

• The Administrator of the

Environmental Protection Agency;

• The Chair of the Advisory Council

on Historic Preservation;

• The Chairperson of the National

Endowment for the Arts;

• The Chairperson of the National

Endowment for the Humanities.

The Executive Order shall apply to

any agency on the Committee and such

other agencies as designated by the

President.

Each of these departments and

agencies oversees programs and

services, authorized by Congress, that

can benefit citizens in riverfront

communities. By engaging many of

these departments and agencies in the

creation of the American Heritage Rivers

initiative, the Administration has tried

to ensure that the initiative is founded

on their various missions they are

mandated to address, economic

revitalization, natural resources and

environmental protection, and historic

and cultural preservation, and is

directed at improving the coordination

and delivery of related services.

The American Heritage Rivers

initiative embodies the Administration’s

effort to reinvent government in

accordance with the National

Performance Review. The National

Performance Review, directed by Vice

President Gore, seeks to create a

government that works better and costs

less through focusing on customer

service, developing partnerships, and

delegating power to the front lines.

Availability of Nomination Packets and

Supplementary Information

Deadline: Nominations must be

received by 7:00 p.m., EST, on

December 10, 1997. No nomination

packets will be accepted after this time.

Availability of Nomination Packets:

Nomination packets are available by

request:

1. To call for nomination packets: 1–

888–40RIVER and leave a message to

request a nomination packet.

2. To request nomination packets by

mail, write to: Karen Hobbs, Agency

Representative, Executive Office of the

President, Old Executive Office

Building, Room 360, Washington, D.C.

20502.

3. To request nomination packets by

Internet, access the American Heritage

Rivers homepage at http://

www.epa.gov/rivers.

Address

Nomination packets will be accepted

in three ways:

1. To mail nomination packets:

Executive Office of the President, Old

Executive Office Building, Room 360,

Washington, D.C. 20502.

2. To fax nomination packets: 202–

456–6546.

3. To e-mail nomination packets see

instructions on the American Heritage

Rivers homepage at http://

www.epa.gov/rivers.

All applicants will receive a postcard

notification that their nomination

packet has been received.

For Further Information: You can

request additional information about

American Heritage Rivers in the

following ways:

1. To receive an information packet or

ask a specific question: Call 1–888–

40RIVER and leave a message with you

name, address and daytime telephone

number. Please be as specific as possible

in your information request.

2. Federal field staff have been

identified in each state to answer

questions. You can obtain a list of the

federal field staff by calling 1–888–

40RIVER, or by accessing the American

Heritage Rivers home page at: http//

www.epa.gov/rivers. A list of the agency

staff in Washington, D.C. is also

available via these two methods.

3. The latest information is available

on the American Heritage Rivers home

page at: http//www.epa.gov/rivers.

Supplementary Information

This notice is available on the

American Heritage Rivers home page at:

http://www.epa.gov/rivers.

Background

Why This Initiative?

Rivers are an integral part of our

Nation’s history. They often define the

distinctive character of communities,

providing avenues for trade,

opportunities for commerce, agriculture

and forestry, routes for exploration and

discovery, inspiration for ideas and

culture, means of recreation, and habitat

for wildlife.

Communities across America are

working to revitalize their waterfronts

and to enhance the historic, cultural,

recreational, agricultural, public health,

and environmental values of their

rivers. At the same time, many people

have called for better, smarter, and more

coordinated ways to work with the

federal government. President Clinton

instructed the Cabinet to work with

communities in the design of this

initiative to support community-led

efforts that spur economic revitalization,

protect natural resources and the

environment, and preserve our historic

and cultural heritage.

The American Heritage Rivers

initiative is consistent with the existing

authorities articulated by Congress in

the National Environmental Policy Act

(NEPA) of 1969, as well as other

authorities granted to agencies (the

National Historic Preservation Act, the

Housing and Community Development

Act, the Clean Water Act and the

Intermodal Surface Transportation

Efficiency Act, to name a few). NEPA,

for example, instructs federal agencies

to seek to create and maintain

conditions under which man and nature

can exist in productive harmony, while

preserving important historic, cultural,

and natural aspects of our national

heritage. The American Heritage Rivers

initiative seeks to coordinate these

existing authorities in a more efficient

and complementary manner.

How Was the Initiative Developed?

President Clinton announced the

initiative during the State of the Union

Address on February 4, 1997. An

interagency task force was formed to

develop the initiative and was charged

to report to the President within 90

days. The task force was chaired by the

Council on Environmental Quality, and

participating agencies included the

Departments of Agriculture, Commerce,

Defense, Energy, Housing and Urban

Development, Justice, Interior,

Transportation, the Environmental

Protection Agency, the Advisory

Council on Historic Preservation, the

National Endowment for the Arts, the

National Endowment for the

Humanities, and the Smithsonian

Institution.

On February 10, 1997, a home page on

the World Wide Web was established to

share ongoing information with the

public and to encourage their input on

all components of the initiative (http://

www.eps.gov/rivers). The home page is

updated on a regular basis. In addition,

a hotline was established for citizen

comments and questions (1–888–

40RIVER).

During April and May, meetings were

held across the country to solicit input

on the criteria and selection process and

to identify the particular federal

resources sought most by communities.

Staff members from the U.S. Congress

authorizing and appropriating

committees, along with a varied group

of stakeholders, were invited to the two

Washington, D.C. meetings. Meetings

have also been held in Albuquerque,

New Mexico; Boston, Massachusetts;

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Atlanta,

Georgia; Chicago, Illinois; San

Francisco, California; Los Angeles,

California; Seattle, Washington;

Asheville, North Carolina; and Denver,

Colorado. In addition, members of the

interagency task force were invited to

meetings in El Paso (organized by

Congressman Silvestre Reyes) and
48862 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices

Laredo, Texas (convened by Mayor Saul

N. Ramirez, Jr. and Webb County Judge

Mercurio Martinez, Jr.)

Participants in these meetings offered

many excellent suggestions on the

overall initiative design and the needs

of communities across the country

engaged in river revitalization efforts.

As a result, a draft notice of the

initiative was published in the Federal

Register on May 19. The Federal

Register notice specifically asked for

comments on the proposed overall

design of the initiative, the qualifying

and selection criteria, and the

nomination and selection process. It

also solicited advice regarding the

specific types of federal assistance

communities would find most helpful.

The comment period was originally

scheduled to end June 9, 1997, but was

extended until August 20, 1997 at the

request of individuals and organizations

and to encourage additional public

comment.

Following the Federal Register notice,

members of the interagency task force

were invited to attend a number of

meetings, including those in

Minneapolis, Minnesota (organized by

St. Paul Mayor Norm Coleman and

attended by some 20 mayors along the

Upper Mississippi River); the Fox River,

Wisconsin (at the request of

Congressman Jay Johnson); and the

cities of Dubuque, Iowa; Jefferson City,

Missouri; and Austin, Texas (at the

invitation of representatives from the

agriculture community); Denver,

Colorado (at the invitation of the Upper

Arkansas Watershed Council); West

Virginia (at the request of the Hardy

County Commissioners); and Frederick,

Maryland (at the request of the

Frederick County Board of

Commissioners).

Summary of Comments Received From

the Comment Period (May 19 to August

20, 1997)

The Federal Register notice comment

period ran from May 19 to August 20,

1997, for a total of 90 days. The

Administration is appreciative of all

those who took the time to express their

views and ideas on the initiative.

More than 1,700 comments were

received. Many respondents wrote in

favor of the initiative, citing increased

coordination of federal services, the

attention to environmental, economic,

and cultural and historic values in the

design of the initiative, the integrated

method to river restoration and

revitalization, and the communitydriven approach. Many appreciated the

fact that no new regulations would be

imposed as a result of the initiative.

Many of the respondents wrote in

opposition to the initiative. Many were

opposed to federal involvement of any

kind in restoring and revitalizing rivers

and often expressed concern about

property rights and the role of the

United Nations along designated rivers.

Efforts were made to address all

comments received. Special effort was

made to clarify and refine the following

areas:

• Overall initiative design;

• Need for the initiative;

• Qualifying and selection criteria;

• Role of the federal government;

• Congressional, state, and local roles;

• Benefits to non-designated rivers;

• Role of the River Navigator;

• Private property concerns;

• Nomination and selection process;

• Public involvement in the design of

the initiative.

A summary of the comments received,

and how each was addressed, appears in

Appendix 2 of this notice.

Overall Program Design

The American Heritage Rivers

initiative will be driven by the needs

and desires of communities that wish to

participate. The federal government will

focus the delivery of resources to

support community-led efforts that spur

economic revitalization, protect natural

resources and the environment, and

preserve our historic and cultural

heritage. The initiative will also

pinpoint and recognize outstanding

models of community-based

development, conservation, and other

efforts, and will, through an information

clearinghouse, share the lessons learned

in these communities with all who are

interested.

How Do Communities Nominate a River

and Who May Apply?

The nomination process begins in the

local community. People representing

all the different interests who live and

work in the area should come together

to develop the nomination. After

meeting to share information, identify

common goals for their river, and set

strategies to achieve those goals, they

should ask one of their members to

submit a nomination on their behalf.

The nomination package must include

a completed American Heritage Rivers

Cover Sheet (printed at the end of this

notice in Appendix 1) and responses to

items 1–4, listed below. Responses to

items 3 and 4 constitute the primary

basis for evaluating nominations. Items

1 and 2 will be used to put responses

to items 3 and 4 in context, but will not

be used to assess the merits of the

nomination. The President will

designate rivers that receive the highest

evaluation from items 3 and 4 and have

substantively answered items 1 and 2.

The President will also seek rivers

representing the geographical,

historical, and resource diversity of the

nation (for a complete discussion of

additional factors used in the selection

process, please see ‘‘How Will Rivers Be

Selected for Designation?’’ below).

These four items reflect changes made

to the initiative as a result of public

comment. In the May 19 and June 20

Federal Register notices, five criteria

were listed: (1) Broad community

support; (2) notable resource qualities;

(3) local and regional partnership

agreements; (4) strategies that lead to

action; and (5) measurable results. In

this final notice, two criteria from the

earlier notices, (1) broad community

support and (2) local and regional

partnership agreements, have been

combined into one item: ‘‘illustrate

support for the nomination and plan of

action.’’ The second criterion from

earlier notices, notable resource

qualities, is no longer a criterion

because it is primarily descriptive. The

two criteria from the earlier notices, (3)

strategies that lead to action and (4)

measurable results, have been combined

into one item: ‘‘describe the

community’s plan of action,’’ which

includes measures of performance as

one of the components of the plan of

action.

The four items to be addressed in the

nomination packet are:

1. Describe the Proposed American

Heritage River Area

Define the proposed area and describe

its natural qualities and current uses; for

example, economic activities,

population patterns, and topography.

The size may vary from a short stretch

to the whole length of the river. It can

cover land immediately adjacent to the

river, such as the waterfront and stream

side areas, or span the entire watershed.

It may cross jurisdictional boundaries.

The scope of the area, however, should

be sufficient to achieve the community’s

goals.

2. Describe the Notable Resource

Qualities in the Area

Explain how the natural, economic,

agricultural, scenic, historic, cultural,

and/or recreational resources are

distinctive or unique.

3. Describe the Community’s Plan of

Action

Demonstrate that the community has

in hand, or is developing, a clearly

defined plan of action to achieve its

vision for the river area. Applicants are

expected to address all three American
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices 48863

Heritage Rivers objectives—economic

revitalization, natural resource and

environmental protection, and historic

and cultural preservation—either

through planned actions or past

accomplishments. Any actions planned

on the designated river area should not

adversely impact neighboring

communities. The community may

describe both long-term plans and shortterm actions. It should also describe

how private property rights will be

respected.

At a minimum, the plan of action

should address:

• Community vision.

• Products and projects, including

project maintenance.

• Resources, both committed and

anticipated, including means of

generating additional support from both

private and public sources.

• Expected federal role.

• Schedule or timeline.

• Citizen involvement.

• Public education.

• Logistical support, operating

procedures and policies.

• Prior accomplishments, if relevant,

and relationship to existing plans and

projects in the area.

• Challenges to community action.

• Measures of performance.

4. Illustrate Who Supports the

Nomination and Plan of Action

Demonstrate that a range of citizens

and organizations support the

nomination and plan of action. Provide

evidence that members of the

community have had an opportunity to

comment on and discuss the

nomination and plan of action.

• Supporters should reflect the

diversity of the community. As

appropriate, they should include

farmers, ranchers, landowners,

businesses and industries, educational

and arts organizations, youth groups,

community leaders, developers and

community development organizations,

historical societies, environmental

groups, and other nonprofit

organizations, elected officials, and

state, tribal and local governments.

Supporters should include minority and

low income-individuals and groups.

Those who rely on the resources but live

outside the area should also be included

in discussions about the plan of action,

but may not submit a nomination.

• Describe the nature and scope of the

supporters’ role. Demonstrate that they

come from all affected jurisdictions.

• As appropriate, describe how past

and continuing partnerships or

agreements support the nomination

proposal. If relevant, describe

partnerships or agreements that were

forged and commitments that were

made specifically to support the

American Heritage Rivers nomination

proposal.

• Letters of endorsement and support

are highly recommended, especially

those from elected officials and

appropriate state, tribal and local

governments. Letters from federal

agencies will not be accepted.

Nominations must be limited to 15

pages of 10-point text or larger, using

one-inch margins. Letters of

endorsement should include names,

addresses, and phone numbers of the

supporters and will not count toward

the 15-page limit. Letters of

endorsement should also indicate the

level of support to be given to the

American Heritage River plan of action

by the individual or organization

writing the letter. Letters of

endorsement must be included in the

nomination packet; letters of

endorsement sent separately will not be

considered. Due to constraints on the

review and selection process, additional

materials, such as videos, photographs,

and plans, will not be accepted;

however, photographs may be

embedded in the text if the total length

does not exceed 15 pages.

As part of a nomination packet,

communities must identify projects they

wish to undertake. Communities

seeking designation do not have to agree

on every aspect of the river’s use; they

must only agree to support the plan of

action for the river they identify in their

nomination package. Of course, any

projects identified in the nomination

packet must still undergo applicable

state and local review processes.

The most successful applicants will

show evidence of broad community

support and a clearly defined plan of

action. A single nomination for the same

river, river stretch or river confluence

will indicate, in part, this broad

community support. One nomination

per river, river stretch or river

confluence is recommended. Multiple

nominations will be ranked and scored

separately.

The scope of the nomination does not

have to include contiguous segments of

the river. While it is desirable to apply

for designation of contiguous river

segments, nominations for two or more

noncontiguous segments will be

accepted and considered. It is

conceivable that two communities will

choose to nominate noncontiguous

segments of the same river. Although

this is acceptable, actions proposed

should not adversely affect neighboring

communities or have a negative impact

on such things as cultural or natural

resources, the environment, river access,

water quantity or quality, agriculture,

navigation, or flood plain management.

After a designation is made, some

communities may wish to add stretches

of river as part of their designated river.

The same process used by the

community to seek designation should

be used to augment the designated river

area. The community should notify the

Committee (see ‘‘Coordinated Delivery

of Federal Services’’ below) of this

augmentation. The Committee will then

make such recommendations to the

President on behalf of the community.

Foreign governments and their

international organizations are ineligible

to nominate rivers. Foreign governments

and their international organizations

will have no authority granted to them

as a result of an American Heritage

Rivers designation.

Nominations are welcomed from

community-led efforts that are well

underway, as well as from new efforts

that are not yet being implemented.

How Will Rivers Be Selected for

Designation?

A panel of experts on river issues will

review nominations and recommend

rivers to the President for designation.

The panel will be composed of a

number of interests, such as

representatives of natural, cultural and

historic resources concerns; scenic,

environmental and recreation interests;

tourism, transportation, and economic

development interests; labor; and

industries such as agriculture,

hydropower, manufacturing, mining,

forest management and others.

The Chair of the Council on

Environmental Quality shall develop

procedures for selecting the members of

the panel and directing its activities.

In preparation for review by the

panel, agency staff will score individual

nominations based on community

responses to items 1–4 explained in

detail above and summarized as follows:

1. Description of the proposed

American Heritage River area.

2. Description of the notable resource

qualities in the area.

3. Description of the community’s

plan of action.

4. Illustration of who supports the

nomination and plan of action.

Responses to items 3 and 4 constitute

the primary basis for evaluating

nominations and will be given equal

weight in the scoring process, while

items 1 and 2 will be used to put

responses to items 3 and 4 in context.

From among those nominations that

are considered to be qualified, the

reviewing panel will also seek to

recommend rivers for designation that
48864 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices

represent a range and variety of kinds of

rivers, including those that:

• As a group and individually,

represent the natural, historic, cultural,

social, economic and agricultural

diversity of American rivers.

• Showcase a variety of stream sizes

and an assortment of urban, rural, and

mixed settings from around the country.

The Committee may recommend both

relatively pristine and degraded rivers.

• Highlight a variety of innovative

programs in such areas as historic

preservation, wildlife management,

fisheries restoration, recreation,

community revitalization, agricultural

practices, public health and drinking

water source protection, and flood plain

and watershed management.

• Include community partnerships in

an early stage of development, as well

as those that are more well established.

• Stand to benefit from requested

federal assistance.

Number of Designations

The President will designate ten

rivers in early 1998. Additional

designation in subsequent years will be

guided by experience gained from the

designated rivers and the level of

community support for the initiative.

Terms of Designation

American Heritage Rivers designation

is intended to enhance the partnership

between a community along a

designated river and the federal

government. Although the term of

focused, active assistance will be

limited to five years, it may be

impossible to achieve measurable

results from a community’s plan of

action in that time. Federal agencies

may continue to provide appropriate

services as part of their ongoing

activities after this time.

The community, with the support of

the federal government, will work

together to implement the plan of

action. Designation will generally be

considered permanent or until and

unless termination of designation is

sought.

The Committee will develop a process

by which any community that

nominates and has its river designated

may have this designation terminated at

its request.

Upon a determination by the Chair of

the Council on Environmental Quality

that a community has failed to

implement its plan, the Chair may

recommend to the President that a

designation be revoked. The Chair shall

notify the community at least 30 days

prior to making such a recommendation

to the President. Based on that

recommendation, the President may

revoke the designation.

The federal government may also find

it necessary to terminate designation

because a community has failed to

pursue its plan of action. The

procedures for such an action will

accompany the designation of American

Heritage Rivers. Regardless of whether

the community or the federal

government has requested termination

of designation, the other party shall be

entitled to know the rational for the

other party’s action.

Benefits of Designation

Presidential Recognition

Designated American Heritage Rivers

will be selected by the President of the

United States as rivers which deserve

special recognition.

Coordinated Delivery of Federal

Services

Programs exist in numerous federal

agencies to support economic

revitalization, natural resources and

environmental protection, and historic

and cultural preservation, especially in

the agencies that have participated in

the development of American Heritage

Rivers.

All assistance from the federal

government under the auspices of the

American Heritage Rivers initiative will

come at the request of the community.

However, once a river is designated, a

preliminary team of federal agency

representatives will be available to help

the community determine the role for

federal assistance. A River Navigator,

formerly referred to as a ‘‘caseworker’’

in public meetings and earlier

documents (see ‘‘River Navigator’’

below, for a full description of this

position) will be made available for each

community. The American Heritage

Rivers Interagency Committee (see

‘‘Summary’’ above) may assist in

overcoming obstacles that arise as many

federal services are provided.

Examples of the federal assistance a

community might receive include:

information and maps to help

communities identify and evaluate

historic, environmental and economic

resources; capacity building, planning

and community outreach assistance to

ensure a well-defined action strategy

and a broad base of support; training in

the use of soil and water quality

information as a basis for decisionmaking and against which to measure

progress; training and assistance with

environmental monitoring to help

communities develop a report card on

river conditions and trends; research

assistance to identify events and trends

in local history; interpretive assistance

to develop a framework for

communicating the importance of the

community’s river heritage; technical

and financial assistance to implement

restoration and pollution prevention

activities; and economic modeling to

help communities assess benefits and

costs of proposed projects.

Within 90 days of designation, the

community and the federal agency team

should agree on a framework document

to identify their proposed roles. The

community and the federal team should

agree upon one sponsoring federal

agency to lead the coordination of

federal resources. Methods for

simplifying and expediting individual

program services will be investigated,

and, recommendations made, as

appropriate, for improving the scope

and substance of federal tools.

The federal teams will function in

partnership with each community, state,

local, tribal governments, nongovernmental organizations, and others,

as appropriate.

The Committee will oversee the

federal responsibilities under the

initiative. Based on the lessons learned

from each designated river, the

Committee will look for opportunities to

reduce bureaucracy, streamline services,

and overcome obstacles.

Finally, federal employees providing

assistance to designated American

Heritage Rivers will participate in an

evaluation of the successes and

problems associated with the initiative

and make recommendations for

improving delivery and accessibility of

services and programs.

River Navigator

The community surrounding each

designated river will have the

opportunity to help select a River

Navigator who will assist the

community in implementing its plan of

action. The River Navigator will serve as

a liaison between the community and

the appropriate federal programs; assist

the community, if requested, in

engaging the assistance of state, tribal,

and local governments and private

sector interest; provide information

services; offer technical advice; and

perform other duties as the community

may request, consistent with the goals of

the American Heritage Rivers initiative.

The community, rather than the River

Navigator, will be responsible for

implementation of the community’s

plans. The River Navigator will have no

authority to adjudicate and may not

engage in the following: lobbying;

leadership of the community

partnership or any of its endeavors, or

sponsoring organizations; or serve as an
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices 48865

officer or voting member of the

partnership or any sponsoring

organization.

In order to ensure clear

communication, the federal government

will request that the community identify

a single point of contact as its

representative to work closely with the

River Navigator. Of course, all members

of the community may speak with the

River Navigator and other appropriate

federal officials assisting American

Heritage Rivers.

The framework document, drafted by

the federal agencies and the community

within 90 days of designation, should

include a position description for the

River Navigator tailored to the unique

needs of the community. The federal

agencies and the community should

develop performance measures for the

River Navigator once she or he is

identified. These performance measures

must reflect the role of the River

Navigator as defined in this Federal

Register notice.

The River Navigator will be selected

by the sponsoring federal agency with

input from the community (see

‘‘Coordinated Delivery of Federal

Services’’ above), and will be filled for

a period no longer than five years

beginning no later than 120 days after

the date of designation. Because each

community will have difference needs,

the sponsoring federal agency will

identify several candidates for the River

Navigator position from existing staff

and provide an opportunity for the

community to interview these

candidates and provide input to the

selection process. The River Navigator

will have maximum latitude to work

with the community, while also having

direct access to principal staff of the

sponsoring agency, including the agency

representative on the Council (see

‘‘Coordinated Delivery of Federal

Services’’ above) as well as other

agencies.

The River Navigator position will be

fully federally funded, unless the

community volunteers non-federal

funds to support the position. There is

no requirement that a community accept

a federal employee as their River

Navigator. If the community chooses not

to take advantage of the benefit of

having a River Navigator, the federal

government will provide a point of

contact on the Council to call upon as

needed.

‘‘Good Neighbor’’ Policy

Regarding those sites designated as

American Heritage Rivers, the federal

government intends to act as a ‘‘good

neighbor’’ in planning and making

decisions that affect economic

development, natural resources and

environmental protection, and historic

and cultural preservation. The

assistance provided by federal agencies

is intended to enhance and complement

local community goals. In coordinating

with state, tribal and local governments,

federal agencies will strive to minimize

inconsistency, and to reduce or

eliminate conflicting policies and

programs operating on and around

designated rivers. Through early

coordination and public involvement,

federal agencies will be in a better

position to accommodate the local

community plans for designated rivers

when planning proposed federal

actions. The Good Neighbor policy will

add no new layers of review or approval

to federal actions—it will simply

facilitate those coordination policies

and review processes already in place,

and encourage the consolidation and

streamlining of existing review

processes, where possible.

Federal agencies will be encouraged

to work in partnership with

communities. Local federal facilities

will be encouraged to provide public

access, physical space, technical

assistance, and other support for which

they have authority and resources.

Private Sector Opportunities

The Administration will look for

opportunities to help communities

access resources from the private sector

to help accomplish the purposes of this

initiative.

Benefits to Applicants Who Submit

Complete Nomination Packages

Communities that invest their time to

complete the American Heritage Rivers

nomination package have already taken

important steps to revitalize their

communities and improve their rivers.

In recognition of these efforts, those

who submit complete nomination

packages will receive:

• An invitation to a national or

regional symposium on partnering with

federal, state, tribal and local

governments to share information and

learn about the tools and resources

available from a variety of sources,

including community organizations.

These symposia will also provide

community members an opportunity to

give important feedback to federal

program managers.

• Relevant site-specific data and

computer software, including

environmental information, geological

maps, community planning software

and economic modeling tools. This

information will be tailored to meet the

community’s needs as identified in their

nomination.

Improved Services Available to All

Communities

All communities will benefit from

improved federal services. American

Heritage Rivers Services consolidates

existing information from many

organizations in one, easy-to-use World

Wide Web site. Those who do not have

Internet access can call 1–888–40RIVER

to request information.

Services, tools and products related to

these three primary objectives of

American Heritage Rivers are referenced

in the web site. Users may choose from

categories such as:

• Information Centers, Publications,

Maps and Databases.

• Calendars, Discussion Groups, and

Contacts.

• Hands On Assistance and Talent

Banks.

• Laws and Regulations.

• Financial Assistance.

• Community Outreach Tools,

Curricula, and Professional Training.

• Data Collection and Evaluation

Techniques.

• Planning and Management Tools.

• Research and Development.

Each entry describes the services and

provides contacts for further

information, including Internet links

(where possible).

American Heritage Rivers Services

also provides information organized

geographically. Using familiar prompts,

such as a river or city name, users can

locate information on flood events,

population change, road networks, the

condition of the water resources, and

the partnerships already at work in their

area. They can construct customized

maps and download them, use

economic and environmental

assessment models, find information on

relevant educational programs, link

their own information, or enter a

dialogue with others.

Clarifications

What is the Role of the Federal

Agencies?

The role of the federal agencies in this

initiative is to listen to community

concerns and needs; to work with

communities engaged in conservation

and development activities; to overcome

obstacles in the delivery of federal

services to identified local priorities;

and to play a coordination role in

helping communities and government

agencies learn from each other and

compile the best practices, standards,

and models for emulation throughout

the country.

The greater coordination of federal

agencies involved in the American

Heritage Rivers initiative may result in
48866 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices

more efficient review of federal actions

taken in conjunction with

implementation of the community’s

plan of action.

While federal agencies will not

endorse individual nominations for

designation as an American Heritage

River, they will be able to answer

questions about the nomination process

and continue to work with local

government and nongovernmental

organizations, some of which may be

pursuing designation.

All activities proposed under the

American Heritage Rivers initiative

must comply with and be consistent

with any applicable federal, state, tribal

and local laws, be voluntary, and be

helpful to local governments. There is

nothing in the American Heritage Rivers

initiative that will alter any obligation of

the federal government to comply with

NEPA or any other statutory or

regulatory requirements. Nothing herein

shall create or alter any rights, duties,

obligations, causes of action or defenses,

implied or otherwise, of any person or

entity. American Heritage Rivers is a

commitment by the federal government

to try to provide those programs and

resources, identified by the community

and paid for by taxpayers, in the most

efficient and effective manner possible.

Protection for Private Property and

Other Rights

The Administration is committed to

ensuring that private property rights,

water rights, and other rights are fully

respected and protected under the

American Heritage Rivers initiative.

• The American Heritage Rivers

initiative will work in coordination with

laws and regulations that seek to reduce

pollution, improve water quality,

protect drinking water, manage

floodplains, promote economic

development, facilitate interstate

commerce, promote agriculture, protect

wetlands and endangered species,

preserve important historic and

archaeological sites, and address other

concerns.

• The American Heritage Rivers

initiative will not conflict with matters

of state and local government

jurisdiction, such as water rights, land

use planning and water quality

standards, nor will it change interstate

water compacts, Indian tribal treaty

rights, flood damage reduction, or other

existing rights. By achieving greater

coordination between programs and

local needs, American Heritage Rivers

will work to build mutual

understanding and better solutions to

existing and future problems. It will

provide a forum in which federal

officials, community organizations, and

other stakeholders can examine how the

range of regulations are implemented

locally.

• Employees of the federal

government, including the River

Navigator, may not as a result of the

American Heritage Rivers initiative

infringe on the existing authority of

local governments to plan or control,

land use, or provide or transfer

authority over such land use; nor may

the initiative affect any existing

limitations on or create any new

authorities for the participation of

federal employees, including River

Navigators, in local zoning or land

management decisions involving private

property.

• The initiative will not supersede,

abrogate, or otherwise impair the

authority of each state to allocate

quantities of water within its

jurisdiction; and any proposal relating

to water rights in a community’s plan

must comport with all applicable laws

and interstate compacts. Nothing in this

initiative is meant to preclude any

holder of a state water right from

exercising that right in a manner

consistent with state law.

• In implementing the American

Heritage Rivers initiative, federal

departments and agencies shall act with

due regard for the protections of private

property provided by the Fifth

Amendment to the United States

Constitution.

What is the Role of State, Tribal, and

Local Governments?

State, tribal, and local governments

play critical roles in the American

Heritage Rivers initiative. The initiative

is designed to complement the work

already taking place at the state, tribal

and local levels. Local agencies in

particular bring a unique and valuable

perspective. The American Heritage

Rivers initiative can serve as a catalyst

to bring these stakeholders together,

including neighboring localities and

states that share rivers.

Through partnerships, the American

Heritage Rivers initiative will bring

federal, state, tribal and local resources

together to improve the ten designated

rivers and provide more efficient

services to communities. The greater

efficiency achieved through greater

coordination of federal services will

translate into easier access to federal

services by state, tribal, and local

governments.

Projects identified through the

nomination process for American

Heritage Rivers will undergo

appropriate state and local review

processes. The identification of projects

in the nomination process should not

circumvent local, regional, or state

planning forums, especially those

involving public review process.

Indeed, as appropriate, such processes

should complement public outreach

efforts and can serve as public forums

on proposed projects to be undertaken

as part of designation as an American

Heritage River. Designation should not

impact existing timetables for projects

already identified by the community. In

many cases, designation could

accelerate completion of common

objectives.

Many of the federal agencies already

have close working relationships with

state, tribal, and local governments.

These relationships will continue. The

River Navigator may request that state,

tribal, and local governments participate

in the teams that will be assembled to

work with each community to

implement its plan of action.

Evidence of state, tribal, and local

government support will be a key

element in selecting American Heritage

Rivers. It is likely that state, tribal, and

local governments will submit

nominations on behalf of communities

who wish to participate.

The American Heritage Rivers

initiative schedule:

1997

February–ongoing: Outreach to Interested

Organizations and Individuals

May–August: Federal Register notice of Draft

Program Design, with Comment Period

September: Cabinet Recommends Initiative

Design to President

Mid-September: Federal Register notice of

Final Program, Open Nomination Period

December 10: Nominations Due

1998

Early 1998: Designated Rivers Announced

Dated: September 12, 1997.

Kathleen A. McGinty,

Chair, Council on Environmental Quality.

APPENDICES

Appendix 1—American Heritage Rivers

Cover Sheet for Nomination Packet

[OMB Control No. 0596–0143; Expiration

Date: 3/31/98]

To be considered, nomination packets

must be received by 7:00 p.m. Eastern

Standard Time on December 10, 1997.

Mail your completed nomination packet to:

American Heritage Rivers, Executive Office

of the President, Old Executive Office

Building, Room 360, Washington, D.C.

20502.

Or fax to: (202) 456–6546.

Or to e-mail: See instructions on American

Heritage Rivers web site at http://

www.epa.gov/rivers.

1. Name of proposed American Heritage

River: llllllll

2. Nominating Organization(s): lllll

3. Primary Point of Contact: lllll
Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices 48867

Title: lllllllllllllllll

Organization: lllllllllllll

Street Address: llllllllllll

City: lllllllllllllllll

State: lllllllllllllllll

ZIP: lllllllllllllllll

Phone: Work lllllllllllll

Home: llllllllllllllll

FAX lllllllllllllllll

4. Certification and Signature of Primary

Point of Contact:

To the best of my knowledge, the

information contained in this Nomination

Packet is accurate.

Name of Contact (print): llllllll

Title: lllllllllllllllll

Signature and Date: llllllllll

Nominations must be limited to 15 pages

of 10-point text or larger, using one-inch

margins. Letters of endorsement should

include names, addresses, and phone

numbers of the supporters and will not count

toward the 15-page limit. Letters of

endorsement should also indicate the level of

support to be given to the American Heritage

River plan of action by the individual or

organization writing the letter. Letters of

endorsement must be included in the

nomination packet; letters of endorsement

sent separately will not be considered. Due

to constraints on the review and selection

process, additional materials, such as videos,

photographs, and plans, will not be accepted;

however, photographs may be embedded in

the text if the total length does not exceed 15

pages.

Facsimile (FAX) of nomination packets

will be accepted. Fax to (202) 456–6546.

Nomination packets may be submitted

electronically. See instructions on the

American Heritage Rivers web site at http:/

/www.epa.gov/rivers.

If faxing or sending electronically, please

also complete and mail the cover sheet along

with any letters of endorsement.

The nomination packet must be received

by 7:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time on

December 10, 1997.

Information supplied on the nomination

cover sheet will be used to determine

eligibility for American Heritage River

designation and is required to receive

program benefits.

Estimated burden for preparing this

application is 32 hours per response. If you

have comments on this burden estimate,

contact American Heritage Rivers c/o Council

on Environmental Quality, Executive Office

of the President, Old Executive Office

Building, Room 360, Washington, DC 20502.

Information supplied on the nomination

cover sheet is public and may not be held

confidential. An agency may not contact or

sponsor, and a person is not required to

respond to a collection of information unless

it displays a currently valid OMB control

number.

Appendix 2—Summary of Comments

Received and How They Were Used

A content analysis of the comments was

performed to provide an accurate picture of

expressed public opinion on the initiative.

The comments were incorporated into the

final design of the initiative. A 100 percent

analysis was carried out on the 1,727 letters,

e-mail messages, phone messages, faxes,

petitions and form letters received through

August 20. Each letter was read and coded

by a team trained in content analysis

procedures. Each substantive comment was

divided into subject categories and captured

verbatim in the database.

Individuals made up the largest response

(58.5 percent). Others who commented

identified themselves as farmers and

ranchers (4.2 percent); environmental

organizations (3.9 percent), and elected

officials (12.1 percent, including Members of

Congress).

Respondents commented on a wide range

of subjects. In particular they focused on the

following (not in rank order):

• Overall initiative design;

• Need for the initiative;

• Qualifying and selection criteria;

• Role of the federal government;

• Congressional, state, and local roles;

• Benefits to non-designated rivers;

• Role of the River Navigator;

• Private property concerns;

• Nomination and selection process

• Public involvement in the design of the

initiative.

Overall Initiative Design

Many comments were favorable, citing

increased federal coordination, the attention

to a range of values in the design of the

initiative, the integrated approach to river

restoration and revitalization, and the

community-driven approach. Many

comments were appreciative of the nonregulatory design of the initiative.

Several comments addressed initiative

funding. Some requested that the initiative be

funded adequately to ensure success; others

stated that the initiative would be too costly.

Many respondents wanted to know more

about the cost of the initiative and many

were concerned that support for existing

programs would be withdrawn in order to

pay for the initiative. Still others stated that

‘‘no new money’’ was a good catalyst and

freed communities to develop more creative

solutions.

In response, this Federal Register notice

clarifies that the American Heritage Rivers

initiative is about improved government

responsiveness, efficiency, and effectiveness.

The programs that are part of the initiative

are already authorized by Congress; the

initiative will ensure these programs are

better coordinated and targeted. With a full

understanding of the community’s needs and

coordinated assistance, the appropriate

federal program will more quickly be

available to a given community (reducing

costly delays and wasteful duplication of

efforts).

Need for the Initiative

Some respondents expressed concern that

the initiative would create another

bureaucratic layer and merely duplicate

existing federal, state, and local programs.

Among those who stated that the initiative

was useful and needed, the principal reasons

given were river revitalization and

improvement of federal programs by focusing

on community-based solutions. This Federal

Register notice clarifies that the initiative is

needed in order to support locally-led efforts

aimed at economic development, natural

resources and environmental protection, and

historic and cultural preservation in an

efficient and effective manner. See additional

discussion under ‘‘Why this initiative?’’

Qualifying and Selection Criteria

On the subject of qualifying criteria, a

number of respondents were concerned that

only certain types of rivers would be

designated—those with prior successes, those

rivers in relatively pristine condition, or only

rivers in the East. A number of respondents

stated that highly degraded rivers and efforts

at an early stage of development were most

deserving of designation. This Federal

Register notice clarifies that a diversity of

rivers will be selected. See additional

discussion under ‘‘How will rivers be

selected for designation?’’

Role of the Federal Government

Respondents raised many questions on

what new roles, in any, federal agencies

would play in their communities. The role of

federal agencies in this initiative is to listen

to community concerns and needs; work

with communities engaged in conservation

and development activities; overcome

obstacles in the delivery of federal services

and responses to identified local priorities;

and play a coordination role in helping

communities and government agencies learn

from each other and compile the best

practices, standards, and models for

emulation throughout the country. See

additional discussion under ‘‘What is the role

of the federal agencies?’’

Congressional, State, and Local Roles

Respondents raised questions about the

involvement of Congress and the states in

both the design of the initiative and its

implementation. Because Congress

authorizes and appropriates funds for the

agencies involved in American Heritage

Rivers, efforts have been made to inform

Members of Congress of the initiative’s

progress from the beginning. Representatives

from the participating agencies invited staff

from the authorizations and appropriations

committees to two meetings held in

Washington, D.C. In addition, the agencies

held briefings for House and Senate staff and

met or talked with over 100 Congressional

offices.

The states have provided input into the

initiative, through the National Governors

Association and through individual agencies.

Individual elected officials, as well as the

National Conference of Mayors, commented

as well. This Federal Register notice clarifies

that state and local support will be critical to

successful designation and that the initiative

will not conflict with matters of state, tribal

and local government jurisdiction.

Many respondents from all parts of the

country called for more involvement by the

states in implementing such an initiative, so

that the states’ priorities are not overlooked.

This Federal Register notice clarifies that

state, tribal, and local governments all play

critical roles in implementing this initiative.

See additional discussion on the role of

states in implementing the initiative under

‘‘What is the role of the states and local
48868 Federal Register / Vol. 62, No. 180 / Wednesday, September 17, 1997 / Notices

government?’’ and ‘‘What is the Role of the

Federal Agencies?’’

Benefits to Non-Designated Rivers

Respondents were curious about what

benefits will go to non-designated rivers. The

initiative provides benefits to all people

working to revitalize their rivers. See

additional discussion under ‘‘Benefits to

Applicants Who Submit Complete

Nomination Packets’’ and ‘‘Improved

Services Available to All Communities.’’

Role of the River Navigator

Some respondents stated that the River

Navigator would be of great help to the

community; others focused on the possibility

that this individual would hold too much

power, would add a layer of bureaucracy,

and/or would not represent the community’s

wishes. These issues have been clarified in

this Federal Register notice. The River

Navigator will not be given any new

authority over local zoning or local land use

decisions. When American Heritage Rivers

are selected, members of the relevant

communities will have the opportunity to

help shape the specific duties of their River

Navigator and have a role in choosing one

Navigator from several candidates. Although

the Administration believes that River

Navigators will be extremely helpful, no

community will be required to accept a River

Navigator. See additional discussion under

‘‘Benefits of Designation,’’ subsection ‘‘River

Navigator.’’

Private Property Concerns

Many wrote in with concerns about private

property rights. While existing laws and

programs will continue to apply, the

American Heritage Rivers initiative, in and of

itself, will have no effect on private property

rights. However, several new directives

concerning protection of property rights were

included in the Federal Register notice. See

additional discussion under ‘‘What is the

Role of the Federal Agencies?’’ and

‘‘Protection for Private Property and Other

Rights.’’

Nomination and Selection Process

Many respondents questioned how rivers

would be nominated. The term ‘‘river

community’’ was confusing to many people.

They sought clarification on which groups

composed a ‘‘river community’’ and the

extent of community support needed for a

nomination. Of particular concern was that a

group of people who lived outside the ‘‘river

community’’ could successfully nominate a

river without the support of the people who

relied on the river for their livelihood or

recreation.

Only those people who live or work in the

proposed area may nominate their river.

However, people representing all interests

should be involved in the process. See

discussion under ‘‘Summary of American

Heritage Rivers Initiative’’ and ‘‘How do

communities nominate a river and who may

apply?’’

Respondents showed considerable interest

in particular rivers being designated. As of

September 12, 1997, no nominations have

been solicited or accepted and no rivers have

been selected. Nomination packets are now

available. The nomination period will be

open from September 11 to December 10. The

President will announce the selected rivers

in early 1998. See more detailed discussion

under ‘‘How do communities nominate a

river and who may apply?’’ and ‘‘How will

rivers be selected?’’

Public Involvement in the Design of the

Initiative

Respondents sought information on when

and how the public has played a role in

designing the initiative. Extensive public

involvement has been a cornerstone of the

initiative from the beginning. See discussion

under ‘‘How the initiative was developed.’’

[FR Doc. 97–24774 Filed 9–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3125–01–M

FEDERAL COMMUNICATIONS

COMMISSION

[Report No. 2224]

Petitions for Reconsideration and

Clarification of Action in Rulemaking

Proceedings

September 12, 1997.

Petitions for reconsideration have

been filed in the Commission’s

rulemaking proceedings listed in this

Public Notice and published pursuant to

47 CFR Section 1.429(e). The full text of

these documents are available for

viewing and copying in Room 239, 1919

M Street, N.W., Washington, D.C., or

may be purchased from the

Commission’s copy contractor, ITS, Inc.

(202) 857–3800. Oppositions to this

petitions must be filed October 2, 1997.

See Section 1.4(b)(1) of the

Commission’s rules (47 CFR 1.4(b)(1)).

Replies to an opposition must be filed

within 10 days after the time for filing

oppositions has expired.

Subject: Changes to Board of Directors

of the National Exchange Carrier

Association, Inc. (CC Docket No. 97–21).

Federal-State Joint Board on Universal

Service (CC Docket No. 96–45).

Number of Petitions Filed: 5.

Subject: Federal-State Joint Board on

Universal Service (CC Docket No. 96–

45).

Number of Petitions Filed: 6.

Federal Communications Commission.

William F. Caton,

Acting Secretary.

[FR Doc. 97–24723 Filed 9–16–97; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 6712–01–M

FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM

Formations of, Acquisitions by, and

Mergers of Bank Holding Companies

The companies listed in this notice

have applied to the Board for approval,

pursuant to the Bank Holding Company

Act of 1956 (12 U.S.C. 1841 et seq.)

(BHC Act), Regulation Y (12 CFR Part

225), and all other applicable statutes

and regulations to become a bank

holding company and/or to acquire the

assets or the ownership of, control of, or

the power to vote shares of a bank or

bank holding company and all of the

banks and nonbanking companies

owned by the bank holding company,

including the companies listed below.

The applications listed below, as well

as other related filings required by the

Board, are available for immediate

inspection at the Federal Reserve Bank

indicated. The application also will be

available for inspection at the offices of

the Board of Governors. Interested

persons may express their views in

writing on the standards enumerated in

the BHC Act (12 U.S.C. 1842(c)). If the

proposal also involves the acquisition of

a nonbanking company, the review also

includes whether the acquisition of the

nonbanking company complies with the

standards in section 4 of the BHC Act.

Unless otherwise noted, nonbanking

activities will be conducted throughout

the United States.

Unless otherwise noted, comments

regarding each of these applications

must be received at the Reserve Bank

indicated or the offices of the Board of

Governors not later than October 9,

1997.

A. Federal Reserve Bank of

Richmond (A. Linwood Gill III,

Assistant Vice President) 701 East Byrd

Street, Richmond, Virginia 23261-4528:

1. One Valley Bancorp, Inc.,

Charleston, West Virginia; to acquire

100 percent of the voting shares of One

Valley Bank-Central Virginia, N.A.,

Lynchburg, Virginia. The proposed

successor by charter conversion to One

Valley Bank-Central Virginia,

Lynchburg, Virginia, a subsidiary of One

Valley Bancorp, Inc.

B. Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis

(Randall C. Sumner, Vice President) 411

Locust Street, St. Louis, Missouri 63102-

2034:

1. First United Bancshares, Inc., El

Dorado, Arkansas; to acquire 100

percent of the voting shares of City Bank

& Trust of Shreveport, Shreveport,

Louisiana.

C. Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas

City (D. Michael Manies, Assistant Vice

President) 925 Grand Avenue, Kansas

City, Missouri 64198-0001:

1. FirstBank Holding Company of

Colorado, ESOP, Lakewood, Colorado;

to acquire an additional .86 percent for

a total of 26.36 percent, of the voting

shares of FirstBank Holding Company of

Colorado, Lakewood, Colorado, and

thereby indirectly acquire FirstBank of