[Federal Register Volume 72, Number 51 (Friday, March 16, 2007)]
[Notices]
[Pages 12590-12591]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: E7-4873]
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DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Federal Advisory Committee for the Expert Review of Synthesis and
Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP); Establishment
AGENCY: Office of the Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Agriculture.
SUMMARY: Notice is hereby given of the creation of the Federal Advisory
Committee for the Expert Review of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3
(CERSAP).
PURPOSE: The Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the lead agency for
Climate Change Science Program Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3
titled, The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources,
Water Resources, and Biodiversity. CERSAP will provide advice to the
Secretary of Agriculture on the conduct of this study.
[[Page 12591]]
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Mr. William Hohenstein, Global Change
Program Office, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Room 112-A Whitten
Federal Building, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Washington, DC 20250-
3810; telephone: 202-720-6698.
Authority: CERSAP is established in accordance with the
provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C.
App. 2 section 9 (c). CERSAP supports the USDA in its participation
in the interagency U.S. Climate Change Science Program, specifically
in implementation of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (SAP 4.3),
The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water
Resources, and Biodiversity. The Secretary of Agriculture has
determined that CERSAP is in the public interest and will support
USDA in performing its duties and responsibilities.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: CERSAP will provide advice to the Secretary
of Agriculture on the conduct of a study titled, The Effects of Climate
Change on Agriculture, Land Resources, Water Resources, and
Biodiversity, to be conducted as part of the U.S. Climate Change
Science Program. The draft report will be published at http://www.climatescience.gov/Library/sap/sap4-3/default.htm. CERSAP will
provide advice on the specific issues to be addressed, appropriate
technical approaches, the nature of information relevant to decision
makers, the content of the final report, compliance with the
Information Quality Act, and other matters important to the successful
achievement of the study objectives. CERSAP will respond specifically
to the following seven inquiries related to the report:
1. Are the goals, objectives, and intended audience of the product
clearly described in the document? Does the product address all the
questions as outlined in the prospectus?
2. Are the findings and recommendations adequately supported by
evidence and analysis? If any recommendations are based on value
judgments or the collective opinions of the authors, is this
acknowledged and are adequate reasons given for reaching those
judgments?
3. Are the data and analyses handled competently? Are statistical
methods applied appropriately? Are uncertainties and confidence levels
evaluated and communicated appropriately?
4. Are the document's presentation and organization effective? Are
the questions outlined in the prospectus addressed and communicated in
a manner that is appropriate for the intended audience?
5. Is the document scientifically objective and policy-neutral? Is
it consistent with the scientific literature, including recent National
Research Council reports and other scientific assessments on the same
topic?
6. Does the summary concisely and accurately describe the content,
key findings, and recommendations? Is it consistent with other sections
of the document?
7. What significant improvements, if any, might be made in the
document?
Duties: CERSAP will provide expert peer-review to SAP 4.3,
according to the criteria listed above. CERSAP will generate a list of
comments and suggestions to increase the merit of SAP 4.3. After SAP
4.3's authors have responded to those comments, CERSAP will review
those responses to ensure that their review comments have been
adequately considered and addressed.
The duties of the CERSAP are solely advisory in nature.
Official(s) To Whom CERSAP Reports: CERSAP will submit advice and
report to the Secretary of Agriculture through the Director of USDA's
Global Change Program Office (GCPO) within the Office of the Chief
Economist (OCE).
Estimated Number and Frequency of Meetings: CERSAP expects to meet
approximately two (2) times. Meetings are expected to occur when the
draft report, The Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture, Land
Resources, Water Resources, and Biodiversity, is initially available,
and again to finalize the review document, or as needed and approved by
the Designated Federal Officer (DFO). USDA may pay travel and per diem
expenses when determined necessary and appropriate. A full-time or
permanent part-time employee of USDA will be appointed as the DFO. The
DFO or a designee will be present at all meetings and each meeting will
be conducted in accordance with an agenda approved in advance by the
DFO. The DFO is authorized to adjourn any meeting when he or she
determines it is in the public interest to do so.
As required by FACA, CERSAP will hold open meetings unless the
Secretary of Agriculture determines that a meeting or a portion of a
meeting may be closed to the public in accordance with subsection c of
Section 522(b) of Title 5, United States Code. Interested persons may
attend meetings, appear before CERSAP as time permits, and file
comments with the CERSAP.
Duration and Termination: This charter will be in effect until
publication of SAP 4.3. The charter will expire upon publication of SAP
4.3, and will not be renewed.
Member Composition: CERSAP will be composed of approximately twelve
(12) members. Members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture
through the Office of the Chief Economist. No member shall have served
as an author of the draft SAP 4.3.
Most members shall be designated Special Government Employees,
reflecting their selection based upon their scientific expertise in the
fields of climate change effects on the ecosystems and ecosystem
services investigated by SAP 4.3. Other members may be Regular
Government Employees, and will have comparable expertise.
Equal opportunity practices, in line with USDA policies, will be
followed in all membership appointments to CERSAP. To ensure that the
recommendations of CERSAP have taken into account the needs of the
diverse groups served by the Department, membership shall include, to
the extent practicable, individuals with demonstrated ability to
represent minorities, women, and persons with disabilities.
Subgroups: USDA, or CERSAP with USDA's approval, may form CERSAP
subcommittees or workgroups for any purpose consistent with this
charter. Such subcommittees or workgroups may not work independently of
CERSAP and must report their recommendations and advice to the full
CERSAP committee for deliberation and discussion. Subcommittees or
workgroups have no authority to make decisions on behalf of the full
CERSAP committee, nor can they report directly to the Secretary of
Agriculture or other USDA officials.
Keith Collins,
Chief Economist,
[FR Doc. E7-4873 Filed 3-15-07; 8:45 am]
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