1.       OFFICIAL DESIGNATION:  Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Advisory Committee (Committee).

 

2.       COMMITTEE OBJECTIVES AND SCOPE:  The Committee will advise the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture (Secretaries) with respect to the preparation and implementation of the management plan for the conservation and protection of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument (National Monument), as required by the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 431nt), as amended.

 

3.       PERIOD OF TIME NECESSARY FOR THE COMMITTEE’S ACTIVITIES:  Since the Committee’s functions are related to continuing Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and Forest Service responsibility for the management of public and National Forest lands and resources in the National Monument, the need for the Committee is expected to continue indefinitely to ensure that the management plan is implemented and current.  However, continuation of the Committee will be subject to periodic review and rechartering every 2 years as required by Section 14(b) of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA), 5 U.S.C. Appendix 2.

 

4.       OFFICIAL TO WHOM THE COMMITTEE REPORTS:  The Committee reports to the Secretaries through the Designated Federal Official (DFO).  The National Monument Manager will be the Committee’s DFO. The DFO represents both the BLM Palm Springs Field Office and the Forest Service San Jacinto Ranger District, and keeps both the BLM Field Manager and the Forest Service District Ranger apprised of Committee advice and recommendations. 

 

5.       ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT:  Administrative support for activities of the Committee will be provided by the BLM Palm Springs Field Office and the Forest Service San Jacinto Ranger District.

6.       DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE:  Members of the Committee will serve in a solely advisory capacity. The Committee will develop recommendations for the BLM and Forest Service regarding the preparation, amendment, and implementation of land use plans for BLM and National Forest lands and resources within the National Monument. This may require the Committee, at the direction of the DFO, to gather and analyze information, conduct studies and field examinations, and hear public comments relating to the issues.

 

7.       COMMITTEE COMPOSITION:  The Committee will consist of 15 primary members and 15 alternate members.  Members will be appointed to serve for a 3-year term. As specified in Section 7(b) of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Act, the Committee shall, to the extent practicable, include the following members:

 

a.    A representative with expertise in natural science and research selected from a regional college or university.

 

b.    A representative of the California Department of Fish and Game or the California Department of Parks and Recreation.

 

c.    A representative of the County of Riverside, California.

 

d.    A representative of each of the following cities: Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, La Quinta, Palm Desert, and Indian Wells.

 

e.    A representative of the Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians.

 

f.     A representative of the Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy.

 

g.    A representative of a local conservation organization.

 

h.    A representative of a local developer or builder organization.

 

i.     A representative of the Winter Park Authority.

 

j.     A representative of the Pinyon Community Council.

 

Only one alternate member for each category of representation identified above will be appointed. 

 

8.       ALLOWANCES FOR COMMITTEE MEMBERS:  Committee members serve without pay, but will be reimbursed for travel and per diem expenses at current rates for government employees under 5 U.S.C. 5703 when on Committee business. Travel and per diem expenses shall only be paid for one member (primary or alternate) representing a particular category of representation for each Committee meeting.

 

9.       ETHICS RESPONSIBILITIES OF MEMBERS: No Committee or subgroup member shall participate in any specific party matter including a lease, license, permit, contract, claim, agreement, or related litigation with the Department in which the member has a direct financial interest. As provided in 43 CFR

          1784.2-2, members of the Committee shall be required to disclose their direct or indirect interest in leases, licenses, permits, contracts, or claims that involve lands or resources administered by the BLM, or in any litigation related thereto.

 

10.     SUBGROUPS: At the discretion of the DFO, the Committee may form subgroups to provide local level input necessary to the successful functioning of the Committee. Such subgroups can be formed, subject to the DFO’s approval, in response to a petition from local citizens or by a motion of the Committee. At the discretion of the DFO, subgroups may include individuals who are not Committee members. Input by subgroups will be presented directly to the Committee for its deliberation and consideration.

 

11.     ESTIMATED NUMBER AND FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS: The Committee will normally meet four times annually, but in no case less than once. Additional meetings may be called by the DFO.

         

12.     ESTIMATED OPERATING COSTS: Estimated annual operating costs of the Committee is [sic] $40,000, including four work months of Federal employee support.

 

13.     EXPIRATION DATE: The Committee’s charter will expire 2 years from the date it is filed, unless, prior to that date, it is rechartered by the Secretaries in accordance with the previsions [sic] of Section 14(b) of FACA. The Committee shall not meet or perform any functions without a valid current charter. 

14.     AUTHORITIES: Section 7 of the Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument Act of 2000 (16 U.S.C. 431nt), as amended; Section 309 of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (43 U.S.C. 1739); the Forest and Rangeland Renewable Resources Planning Act of 1974 (16 U.S.C. 1600 et seq.); Section 14 of the National Forest Management Act of 1976 (16 U.S.C. 472a); the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1131 et seq.); and all other applicable provisions of law.

 

 

 

­­­­­­       /s/ Dirk Kempthorne                                            /s/ Chuck Conner

SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR                    ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

          NOV 15, 2007                                                     DEC 07 2007

          Date Signed                                                        Date Signed

 

 

Date Charter Filed