U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250
|
DEPARTMENTAL REGULATION |
Number: 1042-076 |
|
|
SUBJECT: Resource Conservation and Development Policy Advisory Board |
DATE: October 18, 2000 |
|
1 PURPOSE
This
regulation establishes a Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D)
Policy Advisory Board (PAB) as directed in 16 U.S.C. §
3457. This regulation also establishes a working group and outlines
responsibilities and operating procedures for the PAB and working group.
2 CANCELLATION
Department
Regulation No. 1042-76, dated July 14, 1997, is hereby canceled.
3 POLICY
It is
the policy of USDA to encourage and improve the capability of State and local
units of government and local nonprofit organizations in rural areas to plan,
develop, and carry out programs for resource conservation and community
development.
The PAB
will serve as the single interagency forum for advising and recommending policy
to the Secretary regarding the administration of the Resource Conservation and
Development (RC&D) Program, in Public Law 97-98, 16 U.S.C. §
§ 3451-3461. The PAB will identify ways to make more effective
use of available resources to further objectives of USDA programs.
4 OFFICERS AND
MEMBERSHIP
a Policy
Advisory Board (PAB): The PAB shall be comprised of a minimum of seven
full-time employees of USDA as follows: Under Secretary for Natural Resources
and Environment, and two senior executives, preferably the administrators,
selected by their respective Under Secretaries from each of the three mission
areas: Natural Resources and Environment; Research, Education and Economics;
and Rural Development. The Under Secretary for Natural Resources and
Environment will chair the PAB. Additional members may be added to strengthen
interagency coordination and cooperation on resource conservation and community
development. The RC&D policy coordinator on the Natural Resources
Conservation Service (NRCS) staff will serve as executive secretary.
The
chairperson is responsible for calling all meetings. The meetings are executive
meetings of Federal officials. Other persons, agencies, or groups may be
invited to attend specific meetings when deemed appropriate. The proceedings of
each meeting will be recorded by the executive secretary to the PAB.
The PAB
will act on issues assigned by the Secretary, raised by the working group, and
with those raised to the PAB level through appropriate administrative channels
by agencies of the Department and by RC&D Councils. The chair of the PAB
has the authority to authorize RC&D Area boundary adjustments.
b Working
Group: A working group shall be chaired by NRCS and consist of USDA
employees representing member agencies of the PAB. NRCS shall provide clerical
and related staff support for the working group.
The
chairperson is responsible for calling the Working Group meetings. The Working
Group shall function as the staff of the PAB, preparing reports and proposals
and conducting related activities as directed by the PAB and upon their own
initiative as deemed appropriate. In addition, the Working Group shall work
closely with local, State, regional, and National Associations of RC&D
Councils to identify needs and concerns. The Working Group shall identify needs
and concerns of Councils to the PAB and facilitate coordination among USDA
Agencies and programs to increase effectiveness and efficiency in assisting
communities.
Equal
opportunity practices, in accordance with USDA policies, shall be followed in
all appointments to the PAB and Working Group. To ensure that the
recommendations of the PAB have taken into account the needs of the diverse
groups served by USDA, membership should include, to the extent practicable,
individuals with demonstrated ability to represent minorities, women, and
persons with disabilities.
5 DUTIES
The PAB
shall:
a
Respond to the needs and concerns of RC&D Councils;
b
Identify and coordinate Departmental Agency activities to achieve the
objectives of the RC&D Program and strengthen assistance to communities;
c
Recommend policy and procedures for coordinating with agencies outside the
Department to achieve the objectives of the RC&D Program;
d
Recommend RC&D Program evaluation and progress monitoring activities;
e
Review applications and recommend new RC&D Area designations;
f
Recommend actions to revitalize inactive RC&D Areas and undesignate
inactive RC&D Areas when deemed necessary;
g
Assist all USDA Agencies in developing and implementing community assistance
programs;
h
Advise the Secretary on other RC&D policy-related issues as the PAB deems
appropriate;
i
Analyze progress and report to USDA and other Federal agencies the contribution
of resources provided by participating agencies.
6 ESTIMATED ANNUAL
OPERATING COSTS
The PAB
members shall serve without pay.
7 NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS
The PAB
will meet four times per year.
8 REPORTS AND
SUPPORT
NRCS
shall provide clerical and related staff support for the Working Group and to
the PAB.
-End-