Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2001 / Notices 3533

related services currently provided by

APHIS.

We have scheduled this public

meeting, the second meeting in our

series, for Friday, February 16, 2001, at

the Radisson Inn Cincinnati Airport. If

you wish to speak at the meeting, please

register in advance by calling the

Regulatory Analysis and Development

voice mail at (301) 734–8139. Leave a

message with your name, telephone

number, organization, if any, and an

estimate of the time you need to speak.

You may also register at the meeting

itself. Please register at the meeting

room between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.,

before the meeting officially begins.

Starting with the advance registrants,

we will call speakers in the order in

which they registered.

The meeting will begin at 9 a.m. and

is scheduled to end at 3 p.m. We may

end the meeting early if all the

registered speakers have had a chance to

speak and if no one else wants to speak.

We may also extend the meeting, or

limit the time allowed for each speaker,

if necessary, so all interested persons

have an opportunity to participate.

An APHIS representative will preside

at the meeting. The meeting will be

recorded. We encourage speakers to

present written statements, though it is

not required. If you choose to present a

written statement, please provide the

chairperson with a copy. The complete

record, including the transcript and all

written comments, will be available to

the public.

This meeting is the second in our

series of public meetings. The first

public meeting will be held on January

25, 2001, in Lake Buena Vista, FL. We

plan to hold additional meetings in

Idaho, Maine, Mississippi,

Pennsylvania, and Washington. We will

publish a notice or notices in the

Federal Register announcing the dates,

times, and locations of the meetings.

Done in Washington, DC, this 9th day of

January 2001.

Bobby R. Acord,

Acting Administrator, Animal and Plant

Health Inspection Service.

[FR Doc. 01–1199 Filed 1–12–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–34–P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Agricultural Research Service;

Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service

Biotechnology Risk Assessment

Research Grants Program for Fiscal

Year 2001; Request for Proposals and

Request for Input

AGENCY: Agricultural Research Service;

Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of request for proposals

and request for input.

SUMMARY: The Agricultural Research

Service (ARS) and the Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service (CSREES) are announcing the

Biotechnology Risk Assessment

Research Grants Program (the

‘‘Program’’) for fiscal year (FY) 2001.

Proposals are hereby requested from

eligible institutions as identified herein

for competitive consideration of

Biotechnology Risk Assessment Grant

awards. The authority for the Program is

contained in section 1668 of the Food,

Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade

Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5921). The

Program is administered by CSREES and

ARS of the U.S. Department of

Agriculture.

CSREES also requests comments

regarding this request for proposals

(RFP) from any interested party. These

comments will be considered in the

development of the next RFP for this

program. Such comments will be used

in meeting the requirements of section

103(c)(2) of the Agricultural Research,

Extension, and Education Reform Act of

1998 (AREERA).

DATES: All proposals must be received at

USDA on or before March 15, 2001.

Proposals not received on or before this

date will not be considered for funding.

User comments are requested within

six months from the issuance of this

notice. Comments received after that

date will be considered to the extent

practicable.

ADDRESSES: Proposals must be

submitted to the following mailing

address: Biotechnology Risk Assessment

Research Grants; c/o Proposal Services

Unit; Office of Extramural Programs;

Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service; U.S. Department

of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400

Independence Ave., SW.; Washington

DC 20250–2245.

The address for hand-delivered

proposals or proposals submitted using

an express mail or overnight courier

service is: Biotechnology Risk

Assessment Research Grants; c/o

Proposal Services Unit; Office of

Extramural Programs; Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture;

Room 1307, Waterfront Centre; 800 9th

Street, S.W.; Washington DC 20024.

Telephone: (202) 401–5048.

Written user comments should be

submitted by mail to: Policy and

Program Liaison Staff; Office of

Extramural Programs; USDA–CSREES;

STOP 2299; 1400 Independence

Avenue, SW.; Washington, DC 20250–

2299; or via e-mail to: RFPOEP@reeusda.gov. (This e-mail address

is intended only for receiving

stakeholder input comments regarding

this RFP, and not for requesting

information or forms.)

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Dr.

Deborah Sheely; Cooperative State

Research, Education, and Extension

Service; U.S. Department of Agriculture;

Stop 2241; 1400 Independence Avenue,

SW.; Washington, DC 20250–2241;

Telephone: (202) 401–1924; e-mail:

dsheely@reeusda.gov; or Dr. Robert M.

Faust; Agricultural Research Service;

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room

338, Building 005, BARC–West;

Beltsville, MD 20705; Telephone: (301)

504–6918; e-mail: rmf@ars.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Table of Contents

Stakeholder Input

Part I. General Information

A. Legislative Authority

B. Applicant Eligibility

Part II. Program Description

A. Purpose of the Program

B. Available Funding

C. Areas of Research to be Supported

Part III. Content of a Proposal

Part IV. How to Obtain Application Materials

Part V. Submission of a Proposal

A. What to Submit

B. Where and When to Submit

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

Part VI. Proposal Evaluation

Part VII. Supplementary Information

A. Applicable Regulations

B. Programmatic Contact

C. Additional Information

Stakeholder Input

CSREES is requesting comments

regarding this RFP from any interested

party. In your comments, please include

the name of the program and the fiscal

year of the RFP to which you are

responding. These comments will be

considered in the development of the

next RFP for the program. Such

comments will be used in meeting the

requirements of section 103(c)(2) of the

Agricultural Research, Extension, and

Education Reform Act of 1998 (7 U.S.C.

7613(c)(2)). Comments should be

submitted as provided for in the

3534 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2001 / Notices

ADDRESS and DATES portions of this

Notice.

Part I. General Information

A. Legislative Authority

The authority for the Program is

contained in section 1668 of the Food,

Agriculture, Conservation, and Trade

Act of 1990 (7 U.S.C. 5921). The

administrative regulations for this

program are found at 7 CFR part 3415.

B. Applicant Eligibility

Proposals may be submitted by any

United States public or private research

or educational institution or

organization.

Part II. Program Description

CSREES and ARS will competitively

award research grants to support

science-based biotechnology regulation,

thereby helping to address concerns

about the effects of introducing

genetically modified organisms into the

environment and helping regulators to

develop policies regarding such

introduction.

The Program’s emphasis is on risk

assessment, which is defined as the

science-based evaluation and

interpretation of factual information in

which a given hazard, if any, is

identified, and the consequences

associated with the hazard are explored.

Research funded through this program

will be relevant to risk assessment and

the regulatory process. When evaluating

transgenic organisms, regulators must

answer the following four general

questions: (1) Is there a hazard

(potential hazard identification)?; (2)

how likely is the hazard to occur

(quantifying the probability of

occurrence)?; (3) what is the severity

and extent of the hazard if it occurs

(quantifying the effects)?; and (4) is

there an effect above and beyond what

might occur with an organism, with

similar traits, developed using other

technologies?

Although investigators are not

required to perform actual risk

assessments in the research they

propose, they should design studies that

will provide information useful to

regulators for making science-based

decisions in their assessments of

genetically-modified organisms.

Accordingly, program applicants are

encouraged to address the following

questions in their proposals: (1) What is

the relevance of this research to the

evaluation of transgenic organisms?; (2)

What information will be provided by

this research to help regulators

adequately assess transgenic

organisms?; and (3) How does this

research model appropriate studies

necessary to identify and/or characterize

hazards associated with introducing

genetically-modified organisms into the

environment.

The Program does not support risk

management research, which is defined

to include either (1) research aimed

primarily at reducing effects of specific

biotechnology-derived agents or (2) a

policy and decision-making process that

uses risk assessment data in deciding

how to avoid or mitigate the

consequences identified in a risk

assessment. Proposals must be relevant

to risk assessment to be eligible for this

Program.

In addition to addressing the

questions posed above, proposals must

include a statement describing the

relevance of the proposed project to one

or more of the research topics requested

in this RFP. In addition, proposals

should include detailed descriptions of

the experimental design and appropriate

statistical analyses to be done.

Awards will not be made for clinical

trials, commercial product

development, product marketing

strategies, or other research deemed not

appropriate to risk assessment.

A. Purpose of the Program

The purpose of the Program is to

assist Federal regulatory agencies in

making science-based decisions about

the effects of introducing into the

environment genetically modified

organisms, including plants,

microorganisms (including fungi,

bacteria, and viruses), arthropods, fish,

birds, mammals and other animals

excluding humans. Investigations of

effects on both managed and natural

environments are relevant. The Program

accomplishes this purpose by providing

scientific information derived from the

risk assessment research that it funds.

Research proposals submitted to the

Program must be applicable to the

purpose of the Program to be

considered.

B. Available Funding

Subject to the availability of funds,

the anticipated amount available for

support of the Program in FY 2001 is

$1.5 million. The agency intends to

award these funds for project proposals

in the targeted areas with no more than

two awards for conference proposals.

Pursuant to section 1462 of

NARETPA, 7 U.S.C. 3310, indirect costs

charged against a grant awarded under

this program may not exceed 19 percent

of the total Federal funds provided

under the grant award. (An alternative

method to calculate this limitation is to

multiply total direct costs by 23.456

percent.)

C. Areas of Research To Be Supported

Proposals addressing the following

topics are requested:

1. Research relevant to assessing the

effects of the introduction into the

environment of genetically engineered

organisms. Potential subject areas

include but are not limited to: (a)

research on the potential for

recombination between plant viruses

and plant-encoded viral transgenes; (b)

research on the potential for non-target

effects of introduced foreign gene

products expressed in genetically

modified plant-associated

microorganisms (e.g., compounds in

phyllosphere or rhizosphere-inhabiting

bacteria) or in plants (e.g., Bacillus

thuringiensis delta-endotoxin),

especially in regard to persistence of the

organisms and material in the

environment, including their impact on

beneficial or soil organisms; (c) changes

in ecosystem or agro-ecosystem function

and composition; (d) research on gene

flow from transgenic crops to related

plants and exploration of factors

influencing gene transfer rates. Gene

flow experiments on crops with a high

potential for gene introgression into

wild or weedy relatives (e.g., those with

high rates of outcrossing and with

overlapping habitats are of particular

interest); (e) research on the role that

insects and/or pathogens play in

limiting populations of crops and weeds

as this relates to acquisition of

transgenic pest protection by crops and/

or weeds; (f) research on how transgenic

plants, especially grasses, that are

resistant or tolerant to environmental

stresses (such as drought or salt) affect

land use practices (new habitats or

tillage), water use (irrigation) patterns,

and species displacement.

The data collected may include:

survival; reproductive fitness; genetic

stability (e.g., transgene retained during

backcrossing); genetic recombination;

horizontal gene transfer; loss of genetic

diversity; or enhanced competitiveness.

As long as the data gathered are relevant

to the assessment of the effects of

genetically modified organisms, the

experiments need not utilize transgenic

organisms. When feasible, measures of

risk should include estimates of

expected frequency and impact, and

address the availability of effective

mitigation measures to reduce or avoid

impacts.

2. Research on large-scale deployment

of genetically engineered organisms,

especially commercial uses of such

organisms, with special reference to

considerations that may not be revealed

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2001 / Notices 3535

through small-scale evaluations and

tests and may address cumulative effect

concerns. Studies should attempt to

project impacts over as large a spatial

and temporal scale as feasible. Potential

focus areas include but are not limited

to:

(a) Studies of insects and viruses that

have developed resistance to plants

possessing transgenic protection from

them. This may be done by monitoring

locations where such plants are grown

on a commercial scale or in large scale

production. The analysis of resistant

viral strains should include analyzing

whether the strain arose via

recombination between viral transgenes

and the viral genome and an analysis of

how the resistance was effected (e.g.,

changed coat protein with increased

seed or insect vector transmissibility).

The potential for transcapsidation in

transgenic plants to alter seed

transmission can be evaluated by

comparing the levels of infected seed

from transgenic plants inoculated with

a virus, that could be transcapsidated,

with seed from nontransgenic plants

inoculated in a similar manner.

Analysis should include the presence of

satellite RNA (satRNA) which may

replicate with the help of a suitable

helper virus. Such projects should

survey the production sites for two to

three years.

(b) Studies to assess the impact of

transgenic plants, especially insect

resistant or herbicide tolerant plants, on

biodiversity of agro-ecosystems. This

could include changes in population

dynamics and species diversity of

nontarget arthropods (particularly

beneficial predators, parasites, and

pollinators), plants, mammals, avian or

microbial species (including both

pathogenic or beneficial fungi or

bacteria associated with the crop plant).

These studies should be conducted in

such a way as to compare the impacts

of transgenic plants to nontransgenic

cultivars with otherwise similar

phenotypes using the commonly

recommended or adopted practices for

tillage, irrigation, and control of pests or

weeds. Also, effects of these plants on

soil erosion or water quality could be

included. Extensive documentation of

agricultural practices will be a necessary

component.

(c) Monitoring for the occurrence of

individual or stacked resistance traits in

wild/weedy relatives of commercialized

transgenic crops, and subsequently, any

effects of such genes on fitness,

competitiveness, and weediness.

3. Research to assess the effects of

transgenes in wild relatives of crop

species. This research could evaluate

the potential for unexpected fitness

effects by comparing fitness

characteristics in hybrids or

introgressants between a transgenic line

and the wild relative to hybrids or

introgressants between the

nontransgenic line and the wild

relatives, or could evaluate fitness

effects of the introduced trait by

evaluating survival or reproductive

success under natural conditions, or

through planned competition

experiments. Crop species could

include those with compatible wild

relatives in the U.S. which have been

deregulated (e.g., rice, rapeseed, melon,

and squash) or are being developed (e.g.,

sunflower, turfgrasses, strawberry).

Introduced traits could include those

that have potential effects on fitness

(e.g., pest or disease resistance), or that

have potential physiological or

metabolic effects.

4. Research to assess the effects of

genetically engineered plants with

‘‘stacked’’ resistance genes or genes that

confer broad resistance to insects or

diseases. These genes may give recipient

plants a greater selective advantage and

lead to less predictable ecological

consequences. Possible areas of research

include, but are not limited to: (a) The

impact of gene stacking on non-target

species; (b) the effects of stacked genes

on pest populations; (c) transmission

and establishment of multiple resistance

genes into weedy relatives; (d) influence

of genetic factors such as linkage on the

transmission and establishment of

multiple genes; and (e) ecological

importance in weedy hosts of pest

complexes sufficiently variable as to

require broad resistance or stacked

genes for their control.

5. Research to develop statistical

methodology and quantitative measures

of risks associated with field testing of

genetically modified organisms.

6. The Program will, subject to

resource availability, provide partial

funding to organize a conference that

brings together scientists, regulators,

and others to review the science-based

data relevant to risk assessment of

genetically modified organisms released

into the environment. The steering

committee for the conference should

include representatives from a variety of

relevant scientific disciplines, such as

ecology, population biology, pathology,

production and resource management

science, as well as educators, extension

specialists and others, as appropriate.

The goals of such a conference may

include sharing of scientific information

and identification of gaps in knowledge,

and/or public education and outreach,

among others. Publication of the

proceedings will be required. The

Program will fund a maximum of two

conference proposals.

Part III. Content of a Proposal

The format guidelines for full research

proposals, found in the administrative

provisions for the Program at 7 CFR

3415.4(d), should be followed for the

preparation of proposals under the

Program in FY 2001. In addition, please

note the following items: (1) the

Department elects not to solicit

preproposals in FY 2001; (2) a

proposal’s project summary may not

exceed one single- or double-spaced

page. Include on this page the proposal

title, as well as names and institutions

of each investigator; (3) Proposal

budgets (Form CSREES–55) must

include funds sufficient for travel by all

principal investigators to Washington,

D.C. for one meeting during the period

of the award. The purpose of this

meeting is to report on the progress of

the research to USDA program and

regulatory staff; and (4) a separate

conflict of interest list must be

submitted with the proposal for all key

personnel for whom a curriculum vita

(C.V.) is required. This list is necessary

to assist program staff in excluding from

proposal review those individuals who

have conflicts of interest with the

project personnel in the grant proposal.

For all key personnel (as described in

the proposal project description), list

alphabetically the full names of only the

individuals in the following categories.

It is not necessary to list individuals in

each category separately; rather, a single

alphabetized list for all key personnel is

preferred. Additional pages may be used

as necessary. A conflict of interest list

must be submitted before a proposal is

considered complete. Inclusion of a C.V.

or publication list in lieu of a conflict

of interest list is not sufficient. Other

investigators working in the applicant’s

specific research area are not in conflict

of interest with the applicant unless

those investigators fall within one of the

categories listed below:

(A) All collaborators on research

projects within the past four years,

including current and planned

collaborations;

(B) All co-authors on publications

within the past four years, including

pending publications and submissions;

(C) All persons in your field with

whom you have had a consulting or

financial arrangement within the past

four years; and

(D) All thesis or postdoctoral

advisees/advisors within the past four

years.

3536 Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2001 / Notices

Compliance With the National

Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

As outlined in 7 CFR Part 3407 and

7 CFR Part 520 (the CSREES and ARS

regulations implementing the National

Environmental Policy Act of 1969

(NEPA), as amended (42 U.S.C. 4321 et

seq.)), environmental data or

documentation for the proposed project

is to be provided to CSREES and ARS

in order to assist CSREES and ARS in

carrying out their responsibilities under

NEPA. These responsibilities include

determining whether the project

requires an Environmental Assessment

(EA) or an Environmental Impact

Statement (EIS) or whether it can be

excluded from this requirement on the

basis of the categorical exclusions listed

in 7 CFR 3407.6. To assist CSREES and

ARS in this determination, the applicant

should review the categories defined for

exclusion to ascertain whether the

proposed project may fall within one of

the exclusions.

Form CSREES–1234, NEPA

Exclusions Form (copy in Application

Kit), indicating the applicant’s opinion

of whether or not the project falls within

one or more categorical exclusions,

along with supporting documentation,

must be included in the proposal. The

information submitted in association

with NEPA compliance should be

identified in the Table of Contents as

‘‘NEPA Considerations’’ and Form

CSREES–1234 and supporting

documentation should be placed after

the Form CSREES–661, Application for

Funding, in the proposal.

Even though the applicant considers

that a proposed project may fall within

a categorical exclusion, CSREES and

ARS may determine that an EA or an

EIS is necessary for an activity if

substantial controversy on

environmental grounds exists or if other

extraordinary conditions or

circumstances are present that may

cause such activity to have a significant

environmental effect.

Part IV. How To Obtain Application

Materials

Copies of this RFP, the administrative

provisions for the Program (7 CFR Part

3415), and the Application Kit, which

contains required forms, certifications,

and instructions for preparing and

submitting applications for funding,

may be obtained by contacting: Proposal

Services Unit; Office of Extramural

Programs; Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service; U.S.

Department of Agriculture; STOP 2245;

1400 Independence Avenue, SW.;

Washington, DC 20250–2245;

Telephone Number: (202) 401–5048.

Application materials also may be

requested via Internet by sending a

message with your name, mailing

address (not e-mail) and telephone

number to psb@reeusda.gov which

states that you wish to receive a copy of

the application materials for the FY

2001 Biotechnology Risk Assessment

Research Grants Program. The materials

will then be mailed to you (not emailed) as quickly as possible.

This RFP and other application

information and materials also are

available at the Program’s website

(http://www.reeusda.gov/crgam/

biotechrisk/biotech.htm).

Part V. Submission of a Proposal

A. What To Submit

An original and 14 copies of a

proposal must be submitted. Proposals

should be typed on 8 1⁄2′′ x 11′′ white

paper, single-or double-spaced, and one

side of the page only. The text of the

proposal should be prepared using no

type smaller than 12 point font size and

one-inch margins. Each copy of each

proposal must be stapled securely in the

upper lefthand corner. (DO NOT BIND.)

All copies of the proposal must be

submitted in one package.

B. Where and When to Submit

Hand-delivered proposals (brought in

person by the applicant or through a

courier service) must be received on or

before March 15, 2001, at the following

address: Biotechnology Risk Assessment

Research Grants Program; c/o Proposal

Services Unit; Office of Extramural

Programs; Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service; U.S.

Department of Agriculture; Room 1307;

Waterfront Centre; 800 9th Street, S.W.;

Washington, D.C. 20024. The telephone

number is (202) 401–5048. Proposals

transmitted via a facsimile (fax)

machine will not be accepted.

Proposals submitted through the U.S.

mail must be received on or before

March 15, 2001. Proposals submitted

through the U.S. mail should be sent to

the following address: Biotechnology

Risk Assessment Research Grants

Program; c/o Proposal Services Unit;

Office of Extramural Programs;

Cooperative State Research, Education,

and Extension Service; U.S. Department

of Agriculture; STOP 2245; 1400

Independence Avenue, S.W.;

Washington, D.C. 20250–2245.

C. Acknowledgment of Proposals

The receipt of all proposals will be

acknowledged via the Internet (e-mail).

Therefore, it is important to include

your e-mail address on Form CSREES–

661 when applicable. This

acknowledgment will contain a

proposal identification number. Once

your proposal has been assigned a

proposal number, please cite that

number in future correspondence.

Part VI. Proposal Evaluation

Proposals will be evaluated by the

Administrators of ARS and CSREES

assisted by a peer panel of scientists for

scientific merit, qualifications of project

personnel, adequacy of facilities, and

relevance to both risk assessment

research and regulation of agricultural

biotechnology. Proposals for funding a

scientific research conference grant will

be evaluated on the following criteria:

choice of topics and selection of

speakers; general format of the

conference, especially with regard to its

appropriateness for fostering scientific

exchange and/or public understanding;

provisions for wide participation from

the scientific and regulatory community

and others as appropriate; qualifications

of the organizing committee and

appropriateness of invited speakers to

the topic areas being covered; and

appropriateness of the budget requested

and qualifications of the project

personnel. All proposals are considered

together in making award decisions.

However, no more than two conference

grants will be awarded.

Part VII. Supplementary Information

A. Applicable Regulations

This Program is subject to the

administrative provisions found in 7

CFR Part 3415, which set forth

procedures to be followed when

submitting grant proposals, rules

governing the evaluation of proposals,

the awarding of grants, and post-award

administration of such grants. Several

other Federal statutes and regulations

apply to grant proposals considered for

review or to grants awarded under this

Program. These include but are not

limited to:

7 CFR Part 3019—USDA

implementation of OMB Circular A–

110, Uniform Administrative

Requirements for Grant and Agreements

with Institutions of Higher Education,

Hospitals and Other Nonprofit

Organizations.

B. Programmatic Contact

For additional information on the

Program, please contact: Dr. Deborah

Sheely; Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service; U.S.

Department of Agriculture; Stop 2241;

1400 Independence Avenue, S.W.;

Washington, D.C. 20250–2241;

Telephone: (202) 401–1924; e-mail:

dsheely@reeusda.gov; or Dr. Robert M.

Federal Register / Vol. 66, No. 10 / Tuesday, January 16, 2001 / Notices 3537

Faust; Agricultural Research Service;

U.S. Department of Agriculture; Room

338, Building 005, BARC-West;

Beltsville, MD 20705; Telephone: (301)

504–6918; e-mail: rmf@ars.usda.gov.

C. Additional Information

The Biotechnology Risk Assessment

Research Grants Program is listed in the

Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance

under No. 10.219. For reasons set forth

in the final rule-related Notice to 7 CFR

Part 3015, subpart V (48 FR 29115, June

24, 1983), this Program is excluded from

the scope of Executive Order No. 12372

which requires intergovernmental

consultation with State and local

officials.

Under the provisions of the

Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, as

amended (44 U.S.C. chapter 35), the

collection of information requirements

contained in this Notice have been

approved under OMB Document No.

0524–0022.

Done at Washington, D.C., on this 4th day

of January, 2001.

Colien Hefferan,

Administrator, Cooperative State Research,

Education, and Extension Service.

Edward B. Knipling,

Acting Administrator, Agricultural Research

Service.

[FR Doc. 01–1018 Filed 1–12–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–22–P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

Interim National Drought Council

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency, USDA.

ACTION: Notice of Interim National

Drought Council meeting.

SUMMARY: The Interim National Drought

Council (Interim Council) was

established through a Memorandum of

Understanding (MOU). It’s purpose is to

coordinate activities between and

among Federal Agencies, States, local

governments, tribes and others. The first

meeting of the Interim Council was held

November 9, 2000. All meetings are

open to the public; however, seating is

limited and available on a first-come

basis.

DATES: The Interim Council will meet

on January 25, 2001, in Room 233 of the

Hall of the States building located at 444

North Capitol Street, NW. in

Washington, DC from 10:00 a.m. to

11:30 a.m. and then from 12:30 p.m. to

3:00 p.m.. All times noted are Eastern

Standard Time. This meeting will be

devoted to revising the work plan and

other Interim Council business.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Leona Dittus, Executive Director,

Interim National Drought Council,

United States Department of Agriculture

(USDA), 1400 Independence Avenue,

SW, Room 6701–S, STOP 0501,

Washington, D.C., 20250–0501 or

telephone (202) 720–3168; FAX (202)

720–9688; internet

leona.dittus@usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

purpose of the MOU is to establish a

more comprehensive, integrated,

coordinated approach toward reducing

the impacts of drought through better

preparedness, monitoring and

prediction, risk management, and

response to drought emergencies in the

United States. The Interim Council will

encourage cooperation and coordination

between and among Federal, State,

local, and tribal governments and

others, relative to preparation for and

response to serious drought

emergencies. Activities of the Interim

Council include providing coordination

to: (a) Resolve drought related issues, (b)

exchange information about lessons

learned, and (c) improve public

awareness of the need for drought

planning and mitigation measures. The

Interim Council is co-chaired by the

Secretary of Agriculture or his designee,

and a non-federal co-chair, selected

from among the members who are not

Federal officers or employees. Ms. Ane

D. Deister, Executive Assistant to the

General Manager, Metropolitan Water

District of Southern California,

representing urban water interests, was

selected as the non-federal co-chair at

the Interim Council’s organizational

meeting. Administrative staff support

essential to the execution of the Interim

Council’s responsibilities shall be

provided by USDA. The Interim Council

will continue in effect for 5 years or

until Congress establishes a permanent

National Drought Council.

If special accommodations are

required, please contact Leona Dittus, at

the address specified above, by COB

January 22, 2001.

Signed at Washington, D.C., on January 10,

2001.

George Arredondo,

Administrator, Farm Service Agency.

[FR Doc. 01–1226 Filed 1–12–01; 8:45 am]

BILLING CODE 3410–05–P

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Farm Service Agency

Meeting on the Implementation of the

United States Warehouse Act

AGENCY: Farm Service Agency,

Agriculture.

ACTION: Notice of meeting.

SUMMARY: To solicit comments and

options for consideration in

implementing the United States

Warehouse Act of 2000 that was enacted

on November 9, 2000 (USWA 2000), the

Department of Agriculture (USDA) will

conduct a public meeting.

The meeting is open to the public

with attendance limited to space that

will be available on a first come basis.

All attendees are asked to be prepared

to share information concerning their

current and future e-commerce

activities. Individuals who plan to

attend and need special assistance, such

as sign language interpretation or other

reasonable accommodations should

notify the contact person listed below in

advance of the meeting. No registration

is required and there is no fee to attend

the public meeting.

DATES: The public meeting to present

implementation options and to solicit

oral comments will be held on January

23, 2001, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. E.S.T.,

in the Jefferson Auditorium of the U.S.

Department of Agriculture South

Building, 1400 Independence Avenue,

SW., Washington, DC, near the

Smithsonian Metro Station.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Roger Hinkle, Chief, Licensing

Authority Branch, Warehouse and

Inventory Division, Farm Service

Agency, 1400 Independence Avenue

SW., STOP 0553, Washington DC 20250,

telephone (202) 720–7433; e-mail:

Roger_Hinkle@wdc.fsa.usda.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The

USWA 2000 was enacted on November

9, 2000, to replace the original United

States Warehouse Act (USWA) that was

enacted in 1916. USWA 2000 can be

found online at: www.fsa.usda.gov/

daco/uswamain/public-law-106–

472.pdf. This statute was enacted to

make Federal warehouse licensing and

operations more relevant to today’s

agricultural marketing and financial

systems. USWA 2000 authorizes the

Secretary of Agriculture to promulgate

regulations governing (1) The issuance

and transfer of electronic warehouse

receipts across State and international

boundaries; (2) the manner in which

electronic documents relating to the

shipment, payment, and financing of the

sale of agricultural products may be