Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board; Meeting

I. Public Meeting

Under the authority of 43 CFR part 1784, the Wild Horse and Burro Advisory Board advises the Secretary of the Interior, the Director of the BLM, the Secretary of Agriculture, and the Chief, Forest Service, on matters pertaining to management and protection of wild, free- roaming horses and burros on the Nation's public lands. The tentative agenda for the meeting is:

Wednesday, January 13, 1999

--Breakout into the four subcommittees (horses on the range, horses off the range, science and burros) to address the following topics: fee reduction clarification; sanctuary issues; interim selective removal policy; holding and training facilities; training of wild horses; fertility control guidelines; remote sensing; burro capture methods; 1992 Strategic Plan; range monitoring; setting appropriate management levels; and zeroing out herd management areas.

Thursday, January 14, 1999

--Review of the proposed plan for the adoption of the Oklahoma foals; --Review of requirements for report to Congress; --Public Comment and an opportunity for members of the public to address questions to the advisory board and to the BLM; --Subcommittee follow-up; --Review of BLM handbooks (Adoption; Management Considerations; Capture and Removal of Wild Horses and Burros; and Compliance).

Friday, January 15, 1999

--The advisory board will make formal recommendations to the BLM, discuss and agree on subcommittee assignments, and plan a preliminary agenda for their next meeting.

The meeting is open to the public. The advisory board will make detailed minutes of the meeting. BLM will make the minutes available to interested parties who contact the individual listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT. The meeting sites are accessible to individuals with disabilities. An individual with a disability who will need an auxiliary aid or service to participate in the hearing, such as interpreting service, assistive listening device, or materials in an alternate format, must notify the person listed under FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT two weeks before the scheduled hearing date. Although BLM will attempt to meet a request received after that date, the requested auxiliary aid or service may not be available because of insufficient time to arrange it. Under the Federal advisory committee management regulations (41 CFR 101-6.1015(b)), BLM is required to publish in the Federal Register notice of a meeting 15 days prior to the meeting date.

II. Public Comment Procedures

Members of the public may make oral statements to the advisory board on January 14, 1999, at the appropriate point in the agenda, which is anticipated to occur at 1:00 p.m. local time. Persons wishing to make statements should register with BLM by noon on January 14, 1999, at the meeting location. Depending on the number of speakers, the advisory board may limit the length of presentations. Speakers should address specific wild horse and burro-related topics listed on the agenda. Speakers must submit a written copy of their statement to the address listed in the ADDRESSES section or bring a written copy to the meeting. Participation in the advisory board meeting is not a prerequisite for submittal of written comments. BLM invites written comments from all interested parties. Your written comments should be specific and explain the reason for any recommendation. BLM appreciates any and all comments, but those most useful and likely to influence decisions on management and protection of wild horses and burros are those that are either supported by quantitative information or studies or those that include citations to and analysis of applicable laws and regulations. Except for comments provided in electronic format, commenters should submit two copies of their written comments where

feasible. BLM will not necessarily consider comments received after the time indicated under the DATES section or at locations other than that listed in the ADDRESSES section. In the event there is a request under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) for a copy of your comments, we intend to make them available in their entirety, including your name and address (or your e-mail address if you file electronically). However, if you do not want us to release your name and address (or e-mail address) in response to a FOIA request, you must state this prominently at the beginning of your comment. We will honor your wish to the extent allowed by law. All submissions from organizations or businesses, and from individuals identifying themselves as representatives or officials of organizations or businesses, will be released in their entirety, including names and addresses (or e-mail addresses).

Electronic Access and Filing Address

Commenters may transmit comments electronically via the Internet to: mknapp@wo.blm.gov. Please include the identifier ``WH&B'' in the subject of your message and your name and address in the body of your message.

Dated: December 17, 1998. Henri R. Bisson, Assistant Director, Renewable Resources and Planning. [FR Doc. 98-34023 Filed 12-22-98; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4310-84-M