U. S. Department of Agirculture
Washington, D. C. 20250
Departmental Regulation
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NUMBER: 1042-153 |
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SUBJECT:
Committee for the Expert Review of Synthesis and
Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP) |
DATE: March 8, 2007 |
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OPI: Global Change Program Office, OCE |
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1.
Purpose
This regulation establishes the Committee for the Expert Review of Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (CERSAP). The U.S. 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 Synthesis and Assessment Product 4.3 (SAP 4.3).
2. Authority
CERSAP is established in accordance with the provisions of
the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. App.2 § 9 ©. 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.
3. Background
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. 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?
4. Description of CERSAP 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.
5. 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).
6. Agency Responsible for
Providing the Necessary Support
The Director of the GCPO in the OCE is responsible for preparing this charter under FACA requirements. OCE is responsible for providing necessary support for CERSAP.
7. Estimated Annual Operating
Costs and Person Years
The estimated annual operating cost of the CERSAP is $25,000 and 0.25 staff years of support.
Members shall serve without compensation, but may receive reimbursement for travel expenses and per diem in accordance with USDA regulations as allowed by available appropriations.
8. 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, pending approval 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.
9. 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.
10. Member Composition
CERSAP will be composed of approximately twelve (12) members. Members will be appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture through the OCE. No member shall have served as an author of the draft SAP 4.3.
CERSAP members will have the expertise, experience, and knowledge essential to the successful review of SAP 4.3. Serving on CERSAP requires a demonstrated expertise in the subject matters of the study, including:
1) agriculture;
2) land resources;
3) water resources; or
4) biodiversity.
Non-Federal members of CERSAP 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. Federal government employees with comparable expertise and appropriate qualifications may be appointed to serve on CERSAP. Membership of CERSAP may include, but is not limited to:
1) terrestrial and aquatic ecologists;
2) hydrologists;
3) land managers;
4) water quality experts;
5) polar scientists; or
6) veterinarians.
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.
11. 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.
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