81 FR 10700 - Notice of Request for Expressions of Interest by Environmental Experts in Assisting the CAFTA-DR Secretariat for Environmental Matters With the Preparation of Factual Records
DEPARTMENT OF STATE Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)
Federal Register Volume 81, Issue 40 (March 1, 2016)
| Page Range | 10700-10701 | |
| FR Document | 2016-04519 |
[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 40 (Tuesday, March 1, 2016)] [Notices] [Pages 10700-10701] From the Federal Register Online [www.thefederalregister.org] [FR Doc No: 2016-04519] ======================================================================= ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF STATE [Public Notice: 9457] Notice of Request for Expressions of Interest by Environmental Experts in Assisting the CAFTA-DR Secretariat for Environmental Matters With the Preparation of Factual Records AGENCY: Department of State. ACTION: Request for expressions of interest by environmental experts to assist the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) Secretariat for Environmental Matters (Secretariat) with the preparation of factual records. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of State (State Department) and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are compiling recommendations for additional candidates to be included on the roster of environmental experts from which the CAFTA-DR Secretariat selects individuals to assist in the preparation of factual records. The State Department and USTR invite environmental experts, including representatives from non- governmental organizations, educational institutions, private sector enterprises, and other interested persons, to submit their expression of interest in being included on the roster of experts. We encourage submitters to review the following prior to expressing interest: (1) Chapter 17: Environment of the CAFTA-DR, in particular Articles 17.7 and 17.8; (2) paragraph 2(d) of the Understanding Regarding the Establishment of a Secretariat for Environmental Matters Under CAFTA- DR; (3) paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 5 of the Agreement Establishing a Secretariat for Environmental Matters Under CAFTA-DR; and (4) Decision No. 10 of the CAFTA-DR Environmental Affairs Council (Council). Submitters also are encouraged to review the definition of ``environmental law'' in Article 17.13 of Chapter 17 to get a sense of the range of environmental matters that could be at issue in a factual record. These documents are available at: http://www.state.gov/e/oes/eqt/trade/caftadr/. [[Page 10701]] DATES: To be assured of timely consideration, expressions of interest are requested no later than March 31, 2016. ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest should be emailed or faxed to Laura Buffo, Office of Environment and Natural Resources, Office of the United States Trade Representative ([email protected], Fax: 202- 395-9510), and Neal Morris, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues, Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of State ([email protected], Fax: 202-647-5947), with the subject line ``CAFTA-DR Roster of Environmental Experts to Assist in Development of Factual Records.'' If you have access to the Internet, you can view and comment on this notice by going to: http://www.regulations.gov/#!home and searching on docket number: DOS-2016-0006. FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neal Morris_[email protected], (202) 647-9312; or Laura Buffo_[email protected], (202) 395-9424. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant to Article 17.7 and 17.8 of CAFTA- DR, any person of a Party may file a submission with the CAFTA-DR Secretariat asserting that a Party is failing to effectively enforce its environmental laws. Where the Secretariat determines that a submission meets the criteria set out in paragraph 2 and 4 of Article 17.7, and where the Secretariat considers that the submission, in light of any response provided by the Party, warrants developing a factual record, the Secretariat shall so inform the Council and provide its reasons. The Secretariat shall prepare a factual record if the Council, by vote of any Party, instructs it to do so. We recommend that submitters review completed factual records by visiting the CAFTA-DR Secretariat Web site at www.saa-sem.org. Pursuant to paragraph 2(d) of the Understanding Regarding the Establishment of a Secretariat for Environmental Matters Under CAFTA-DR (the Understanding), the Council shall establish a roster of environmental experts, comprising persons with a demonstrated record of good judgment, objectivity, and environmental expertise, including regional expertise, from which the Secretariat shall select, as appropriate, individuals to assist the Secretariat with the preparation of factual records pursuant to Article 17.8 of the CAFTA-DR. In accordance with paragraph 2(d) of the Understanding and paragraphs 3 and 4 of Article 5 of the Agreement Establishing a Secretariat for Environmental Matters Under CAFTA-DR, on July 3, 2012, the Council set forth procedures for the Secretariat to follow regarding the engagement of such experts. See Decision No. 10, ``Engagement of Environmental Experts to Assist the Secretariat for Environmental Matters with the Preparation of Factual Records.'' Pursuant to Decision No. 10, when the General Coordinator deems it necessary, such as when the existing roster does not contain any individuals with the relevant expertise that is necessary to assist the SEM in the preparation of a particular factual record, the General Coordinator shall seek input from the Council Members on additional candidates for the roster. The Council shall decide, by consensus, to accept the revisions to the roster as proposed or with modifications. Decision No. 10 provides that individuals selected for inclusion on the roster shall:Have demonstrated a record of good judgment, objectivity and environmental expertise; Carry out all duties fairly, thoroughly and diligently; Demonstrate national or regional expertise where possible; Avoid impropriety or the appearance of impropriety and shall observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity or impartiality of any work performed by the expert at the request of the SEM shall not be called into question; Not seek or receive instructions from any government or any other authority external to the SEM or Council. Accordingly, experts shall not have ex parte contacts with any of the Parties without the prior explicit consent of the Secretariat or Council; Safeguard from public disclosure any information received in their capacity as an environmental expert, where the information is designated by its source as confidential or proprietary; Ensure that his or her work complies with all applicable laws and regulations; and Promptly disclose any interest, relationship or matter that is likely to affect the expert's independence or impartiality or that might reasonably create an appearance of impropriety or an apprehension of bias in his work. The State Department and USTR are requesting expressions of interest from experts who wish to be included on the roster. To do so, please submit the following information: 1. Full Name; 2. Contact information (should include a business address, telephone number, and email address); 3. Citizenship(s); 4. A resume' or curriculum vitae; 5. A letter of reference; 6. Three individuals, in addition to the author of the letter of reference, who are willing to serve as a reference and provide information regarding the expert's professional experience (should include name, contact information, and relationship to expert); 7. A summary of any current and past employment by, consulting experience, or other work for any of the Governments that are a Party to the CAFTA-DR; 8. Proof of Spanish and English language proficiency, written and spoken. For additional information, please visit: http://www.state.gov/e/oes/eqt/trade/caftadr/. Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a request for expressions of interest, and is not a request for applications. No granting of money is directly associated with this request. The State Department and USTR will select which environmental experts will be recommended by the United States for inclusion on the roster. Dated: February 24, 2016. Deborah Klepp, Director, Office of Environmental Quality and Transboundary Issues, Department of State. [FR Doc. 2016-04519 Filed 2-29-16; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4710-09-P
![10700 Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices
individual wishes to change their DD/ using the direct deposit information to and SSI recipients requesting that we
EFT information. For the convenience of enable DD/EFT of funds to the enroll them in the Direct Deposit
the respondents, we collect this recipient’s chosen financial institution, program or change their direct deposit
information through several modalities, we also use the information through our banking information.
including an Internet application, in- Direct Deposit Fraud Indicator to ensure Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-
office or telephone interviews, and our the correct recipient receives the funds.
approved information collection.
national 800 number. In addition to Respondents are OASDI beneficiaries
Average bur- Estimated total
Number of re- Frequency of den per re-
Modality of completion annual burden
sponses response sponse (min- (hours)
utes)
Internet DD ...................................................................................................... 507,214 1 10 84,536
Non-Electronic Services (FO, 800#- ePath, MSSICS, SPS, MACADE, POS,
RPS) ............................................................................................................. 3,317,351 1 12 663,470
Direct Deposit Fraud Indicator ......................................................................... 54,016 1 2 1,801
Totals ........................................................................................................ 3,878,581 ........................ ........................ 749,807
2. Centenarian and Medicare Non- through one-time, in-person interviews Worksheets, or refusal of the interviews,
Utilization Project Development with the centenarians and MNUP will result in the suspension of the
Worksheets: Face-to-Face Interview and beneficiaries. If the centenarians and centenarians’ or MNUP beneficiaries’
Telephone Interview—20 CFR MNUP beneficiaries have payments. SSA conducts the interviews
416.204(b) and 422.135—0960–0780. representatives or caregivers, SSA either over the telephone or through a
SSA conducts interviews with personnel invite them to the interviews. face-to-face discussion with the
centenary Title II beneficiaries and Title During these interviews, SSA employees respondents. Respondents are SSI
XVI recipients, and Medicare Non- make overall observations of the recipients or Social Security
Utilization Project (MNUP) beneficiaries centenarians, MNUP beneficiaries, and beneficiaries 100 years old or older;
age 90 and older to: (1) Assess if the their representative payees (if MNUP beneficiaries; their
beneficiaries are still living; (2) prevent applicable). The interviewer uses the
representative payees; or their
fraud through identity appropriate Development Worksheet as
caregivers.
misrepresentation; and (3) evaluate the a guide for the interview, in addition to
well-being of the recipients. SSA field documenting findings during the Type of Request: Revision of an OMB-
office personnel obtain the information interview. Non-completion of the approved information collection.
Average bur- Estimated total
Number of re- Frequency of den per re-
Modality of completion annual burden
sponses response sponse (min- (hours)
utes)
Centenarian Project—Title XVI Only* .............................................................. 240 1 15 60
MNUP—All Title II Responses ......................................................................... 4,400 1 15 1,100
Totals ........................................................................................................ 4,640 ........................ ........................ 1,160
* Some cases are T2 rollovers from prior Centenarian workloads
Dated: February 23, 2016. America-United States Free Trade submitters to review the following prior
Naomi R. Sipple, Agreement (CAFTA–DR) Secretariat for to expressing interest: (1) Chapter 17:
Reports Clearance Officer, Social Security Environmental Matters (Secretariat) Environment of the CAFTA–DR, in
Administration. with the preparation of factual records. particular Articles 17.7 and 17.8; (2)
[FR Doc. 2016–04229 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am] paragraph 2(d) of the Understanding
SUMMARY: The U.S. Department of State
BILLING CODE 4191–02–P Regarding the Establishment of a
(State Department) and the Office of the
U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) are Secretariat for Environmental Matters
compiling recommendations for Under CAFTA–DR; (3) paragraphs 3 and
DEPARTMENT OF STATE additional candidates to be included on 4 of Article 5 of the Agreement
the roster of environmental experts from Establishing a Secretariat for
[Public Notice: 9457] Environmental Matters Under CAFTA–
which the CAFTA–DR Secretariat
selects individuals to assist in the DR; and (4) Decision No. 10 of the
Notice of Request for Expressions of
preparation of factual records. The State CAFTA–DR Environmental Affairs
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
Interest by Environmental Experts in
Assisting the CAFTA–DR Secretariat Department and USTR invite Council (Council). Submitters also are
for Environmental Matters With the environmental experts, including encouraged to review the definition of
Preparation of Factual Records representatives from non-governmental ‘‘environmental law’’ in Article 17.13 of
organizations, educational institutions, Chapter 17 to get a sense of the range
AGENCY: Department of State. private sector enterprises, and other of environmental matters that could be
ACTION: Request for expressions of interested persons, to submit their at issue in a factual record. These
interest by environmental experts to expression of interest in being included documents are available at: http://
assist the Dominican Republic-Central on the roster of experts. We encourage www.state.gov/e/oes/eqt/trade/caftadr/.
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![Federal Register / Vol. 81, No. 40 / Tuesday, March 1, 2016 / Notices 10701
DATES: To be assured of timely In accordance with paragraph 2(d) of 1. Full Name;
consideration, expressions of interest the Understanding and paragraphs 3 2. Contact information (should
are requested no later than March 31, and 4 of Article 5 of the Agreement include a business address, telephone
2016. Establishing a Secretariat for number, and email address);
Environmental Matters Under CAFTA– 3. Citizenship(s);
ADDRESSES: Expressions of interest
DR, on July 3, 2012, the Council set 4. A resume’ or curriculum vitae;
should be emailed or faxed to Laura 5. A letter of reference;
forth procedures for the Secretariat to
Buffo, Office of Environment and 6. Three individuals, in addition to
follow regarding the engagement of such
Natural Resources, Office of the United the author of the letter of reference, who
experts. See Decision No. 10,
States Trade Representative (Laura_ are willing to serve as a reference and
‘‘Engagement of Environmental Experts
Buffo@ustr.eop.gov, Fax: 202–395– provide information regarding the
to Assist the Secretariat for
9510), and Neal Morris, Office of expert’s professional experience (should
Environmental Matters with the
Environmental Quality and include name, contact information, and
Preparation of Factual Records.’’
Transboundary Issues, Bureau of Oceans relationship to expert);
Pursuant to Decision No. 10, when the
and International Environmental and 7. A summary of any current and past
General Coordinator deems it necessary,
Scientific Affairs, U.S. Department of employment by, consulting experience,
such as when the existing roster does
State (MorrisND@state.gov, Fax: 202– or other work for any of the
not contain any individuals with the
647–5947), with the subject line Governments that are a Party to the
relevant expertise that is necessary to
‘‘CAFTA–DR Roster of Environmental CAFTA–DR;
assist the SEM in the preparation of a
Experts to Assist in Development of 8. Proof of Spanish and English
particular factual record, the General
Factual Records.’’ If you have access to language proficiency, written and
Coordinator shall seek input from the
the Internet, you can view and comment spoken.
Council Members on additional
on this notice by going to: http:// For additional information, please
candidates for the roster. The Council
www.regulations.gov/#!home and visit: http://www.state.gov/e/oes/eqt/
shall decide, by consensus, to accept the
searching on docket number: DOS– trade/caftadr/.
revisions to the roster as proposed or
2016–0006. Disclaimer: This Public Notice is a
with modifications.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Neal Decision No. 10 provides that request for expressions of interest, and
Morris—MorrisND@state.gov, (202) individuals selected for inclusion on the is not a request for applications. No
647–9312; or Laura Buffo—Laura_ roster shall: granting of money is directly associated
Buffo@ustr.eop.gov, (202) 395–9424. • Have demonstrated a record of good with this request. The State Department
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: Pursuant judgment, objectivity and and USTR will select which
to Article 17.7 and 17.8 of CAFTA–DR, environmental expertise; environmental experts will be
any person of a Party may file a • Carry out all duties fairly, recommended by the United States for
submission with the CAFTA–DR thoroughly and diligently; inclusion on the roster.
Secretariat asserting that a Party is • Demonstrate national or regional
Dated: February 24, 2016.
failing to effectively enforce its expertise where possible;
• Avoid impropriety or the Deborah Klepp,
environmental laws. Where the Director, Office of Environmental Quality and
appearance of impropriety and shall
Secretariat determines that a submission Transboundary Issues, Department of State.
observe high standards of conduct so
meets the criteria set out in paragraph [FR Doc. 2016–04519 Filed 2–29–16; 8:45 am]
that the integrity or impartiality of any
2 and 4 of Article 17.7, and where the
work performed by the expert at the BILLING CODE 4710–09–P
Secretariat considers that the
request of the SEM shall not be called
submission, in light of any response
into question;
provided by the Party, warrants • Not seek or receive instructions DEPARTMENT OF STATE
developing a factual record, the from any government or any other
Secretariat shall so inform the Council [Public Notice: 9456]
authority external to the SEM or
and provide its reasons. The Secretariat Council. Accordingly, experts shall not U.S. Department of State Advisory
shall prepare a factual record if the have ex parte contacts with any of the Committee on Private International
Council, by vote of any Party, instructs Parties without the prior explicit Law (ACPIL): Public Meeting on
it to do so. We recommend that consent of the Secretariat or Council; Electronic Commerce
submitters review completed factual • Safeguard from public disclosure
records by visiting the CAFTA–DR any information received in their The Office of the Assistant Legal
Secretariat Web site at www.saa- capacity as an environmental expert, Adviser for Private International Law,
sem.org. where the information is designated by Department of State, gives notice of a
Pursuant to paragraph 2(d) of the its source as confidential or proprietary; public meeting to discuss a Working
Understanding Regarding the • Ensure that his or her work Paper prepared by the Secretariat of the
Establishment of a Secretariat for complies with all applicable laws and United Nations Commission on
Environmental Matters Under CAFTA– regulations; and International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
DR (the Understanding), the Council • Promptly disclose any interest, The public meeting will take place on
shall establish a roster of environmental relationship or matter that is likely to Tuesday, May 3, 2016 from 10 a.m. until
experts, comprising persons with a affect the expert’s independence or 12 p.m. EDT. This is not a meeting of
asabaliauskas on DSK5VPTVN1PROD with NOTICES
demonstrated record of good judgment, impartiality or that might reasonably the full Advisory Committee.
objectivity, and environmental create an appearance of impropriety or The UNCITRAL Secretariat has
expertise, including regional expertise, an apprehension of bias in his work. revised draft provisions on electronic
from which the Secretariat shall select, The State Department and USTR are transferable records, which are
as appropriate, individuals to assist the requesting expressions of interest from presented in the form of a model law,
Secretariat with the preparation of experts who wish to be included on the for discussion during the next meeting
factual records pursuant to Article 17.8 roster. To do so, please submit the of UNCITRAL’s Working Group IV,
of the CAFTA–DR. following information: which will meet May 9–13, 2016. The
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Document Created: 2018-02-02 14:59:39
Document Modified: 2018-02-02 14:59:39
| Category | Regulatory Information | |
| Collection | Federal Register | |
| sudoc Class | AE 2.7: GS 4.107: AE 2.106: | |
| Publisher | Office of the Federal Register, National Archives and Records Administration | |
| Section | Notices | |
| Action | Request for expressions of interest by environmental experts to assist the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR) Secretariat for Environmental Matters (Secretariat) with the preparation of factual records. | |
| Dates | To be assured of timely consideration, expressions of interest are requested no later than March 31, 2016. | |
| Contact | Neal [email protected]ate.gov, (202) 647-9312; or Laura [email protected], (202) 395-9424. | |
| FR Citation | 81 FR 10700 |
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