Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the Arctic

[Federal Register Volume 80, Number 16 (Monday, January 26, 2015)]

[Presidential Documents]

[Pages 4191-4194]

From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

[FR Doc No: 2015-01522]

[[Page 4189]]

Vol. 80

Monday,

No. 16

January 26, 2015

Part IV

The President

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Executive Order 13689--Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in

the Arctic

Presidential Documents

Federal Register / Vol. 80 , No. 16 / Monday, January 26, 2015 /

Presidential Documents

___________________________________________________________________

Title 3--

The President

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Executive Order 13689 of January 21, 2015

Enhancing Coordination of National Efforts in the

Arctic

By the authority vested in me as President by the

Constitution and the laws of the United States of

America, and to prepare the Nation for a changing

Arctic and enhance coordination of national efforts in

the Arctic, it is hereby ordered as follows:

Section 1. Policy. The Arctic has critical long-term

strategic, ecological, cultural, and economic value,

and it is imperative that we continue to protect our

national interests in the region, which include:

national defense; sovereign rights and

responsibilities; maritime safety; energy and economic

benefits; environmental stewardship; promotion of

science and research; and preservation of the rights,

freedoms, and uses of the sea as reflected in

international law.

rests in the region, which include:

national defense; sovereign rights and

responsibilities; maritime safety; energy and economic

benefits; environmental stewardship; promotion of

science and research; and preservation of the rights,

freedoms, and uses of the sea as reflected in

international law.

Over the past 60 years, climate change has caused the

Alaskan Arctic to warm twice as rapidly as the rest of

the United States, and will continue to transform the

Arctic as its consequences grow more severe. Over the

past several decades, higher atmospheric temperatures

have led to a steady and dramatic reduction in Arctic

sea ice, widespread glacier retreat, increasing coastal

erosion, more acidic oceans, earlier spring snowmelt,

thawing permafrost, drier landscapes, and more

extensive insect outbreaks and wildfires, thus changing

the accessibility and natural features of this remote

region. As a global leader, the United States has the

responsibility to strengthen international cooperation

to mitigate the greenhouse gas emissions driving

climate change, understand more fully and manage more

effectively the adverse effects of climate change,

protect life and property, develop and manage resources

responsibly, enhance the quality of life of Arctic

inhabitants, and serve as stewards for valuable and

vulnerable ecosystems. In doing so, we must rely on

science-based decisionmaking and respect the value and

utility of the traditional knowledge of Alaska Native

peoples

velop and manage resources

responsibly, enhance the quality of life of Arctic

inhabitants, and serve as stewards for valuable and

vulnerable ecosystems. In doing so, we must rely on

science-based decisionmaking and respect the value and

utility of the traditional knowledge of Alaska Native

peoples. As the United States assumes the Chairmanship

of the Arctic Council, it is more important than ever

that we have a coordinated national effort that takes

advantage of our combined expertise and efforts in the

Arctic region to promote our shared values and

priorities.

As the Arctic has changed, the number of Federal

working groups created to address the growing strategic

importance and accessibility of this critical region

has increased. Although these groups have made

significant progress and achieved important milestones,

managing the broad range of interagency activity in the

Arctic requires coordinated planning by the Federal

Government, with input by partners and stakeholders, to

facilitate Federal, State, local, and Alaska Native

tribal government and similar Alaska Native

organization, as well as private and nonprofit sector,

efforts in the Arctic.

activity in the

Arctic requires coordinated planning by the Federal

Government, with input by partners and stakeholders, to

facilitate Federal, State, local, and Alaska Native

tribal government and similar Alaska Native

organization, as well as private and nonprofit sector,

efforts in the Arctic.

Sec. 2. Arctic Executive Steering Committee. (a)

Establishment. There is established an Arctic Executive

Steering Committee (Steering Committee), which shall

provide guidance to executive departments and agencies

(agencies) and enhance coordination of Federal Arctic

policies across agencies and offices, and, where

applicable, with State, local, and Alaska Native tribal

governments and similar Alaska Native organizations,

academic and research institutions, and the private and

nonprofit sectors.

(b) Membership. The Steering Committee shall

consist of:

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(i) the heads, or their designees, of the Office of Science and Technology

Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Domestic Policy Council,

and the National Security Council;

(ii) the Executive Officer of the Steering Committee, who shall be

designated by the Chair of the Steering Committee (Chair); and

ership. The Steering Committee shall

consist of:

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(i) the heads, or their designees, of the Office of Science and Technology

Policy, the Council on Environmental Quality, the Domestic Policy Council,

and the National Security Council;

(ii) the Executive Officer of the Steering Committee, who shall be

designated by the Chair of the Steering Committee (Chair); and

(iii) the Deputy Secretary or equivalent officer from the Departments of

State, Defense, Justice, the Interior, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Health

and Human Services, Transportation, Energy, and Homeland Security; the

Office of the Director of National Intelligence; the Environmental

Protection Agency; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration; the

National Science Foundation; the Arctic Research Commission; and the Office

of Management and Budget; the Assistant to the President for Public

Engagement and Intergovernmental Affairs, or his or her designee; and other

agencies or offices as determined appropriate by the Chair.

(c) Administration.

(i) The Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy, or his or

her designee, shall be the Chair of the Executive Steering Committee. The

Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, or his or her

designee, shall be the Vice Chair. Under the leadership of the Chair, the

Steering Committee will meet quarterly, or as appropriate, to shape

priorities, establish strategic direction, oversee implementation, and

ensure coordination of Federal activities in the Arctic.

(ii) The Steering Committee shall coordinate with existing working groups

established by Executive Order or statute.

(iii) As appropriate, the Chair of the Steering Committee may establish

subcommittees and working groups, consisting of representatives from

relevant agencies, to focus on specific key issues and assist in carrying

out its responsibilities.

of Federal activities in the Arctic.

(ii) The Steering Committee shall coordinate with existing working groups

established by Executive Order or statute.

(iii) As appropriate, the Chair of the Steering Committee may establish

subcommittees and working groups, consisting of representatives from

relevant agencies, to focus on specific key issues and assist in carrying

out its responsibilities.

(iv) Agencies shall provide administrative support and additional

resources, as appropriate, to support their participation in the Steering

Committee to the extent permitted by law and within existing

appropriations. Each agency shall bear its own expenses for supporting its

participation in the Steering Committee and associated working groups.

(v) Each member of the Steering Committee shall provide the Executive

Officer with a single point of contact for coordinating efforts with

interagency partners, collaborating with State, local, and Alaska Native

tribal governments and similar Alaska Native organizations, and assisting

in carrying out the functions and duties assigned by the Steering

Committee.

Sec. 3. Responsibilities of the Arctic Executive

Steering Committee. The Steering Committee, in

coordination with the heads of relevant agencies and

under the direction of the Chair, shall:

(a) provide guidance and coordinate efforts to

implement the priorities, objectives, activities, and

responsibilities identified in National Security

Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security

Presidential Directive 25, Arctic Region Policy, the

National Strategy for the Arctic Region and its

Implementation Plan, and related agency plans;

to

implement the priorities, objectives, activities, and

responsibilities identified in National Security

Presidential Directive 66/Homeland Security

Presidential Directive 25, Arctic Region Policy, the

National Strategy for the Arctic Region and its

Implementation Plan, and related agency plans;

(b) provide guidance on prioritizing Federal

activities, consistent with agency authorities, while

the United States is Chair of the Arctic Council,

including, where appropriate, recommendations for

resources to use in carrying out those activities; and

(c) establish a working group to provide a report

to the Steering Committee by May 1, 2015, that:

(i) identifies potential areas of overlap between and within agencies with

respect to implementation of Arctic policy and strategic priorities and

provides recommendations to increase coordination and reduce any

duplication of effort, which may include ways to increase the effectiveness

of existing groups; and

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(ii) provides recommendations to address any potential gaps in

implementation.

Sec. 4. Duties of the Executive Officer. The Executive

Officer shall be responsible for facilitating

interagency coordination efforts related to

implementing the guidance and strategic priorities

developed by the Steering Committee. The Executive

Officer shall coordinate with the Chair and the Special

Advisor on Arctic Science and Policy at the Department

of State to provide regular reports to the Steering

Committee on agency implementation and planning efforts

for the Arctic region.

ities

developed by the Steering Committee. The Executive

Officer shall coordinate with the Chair and the Special

Advisor on Arctic Science and Policy at the Department

of State to provide regular reports to the Steering

Committee on agency implementation and planning efforts

for the Arctic region.

Sec. 5. Engagement with the State of Alaska, Alaska

Native Tribal Governments, as well as other United

States Stakeholders. It is in the best interest of the

Nation for the Federal Government to maximize

transparency and promote collaboration where possible

with the State of Alaska, Alaska Native tribal

governments and similar Alaska Native organizations,

and local, private-sector, and nonprofit-sector

stakeholders. To facilitate consultation and

partnerships with the State of Alaska and Alaska Native

tribal governments and similar Alaska Native

organizations, the Steering Committee shall:

(a) develop a process to improve coordination and

the sharing of information and knowledge among Federal,

State, local, and Alaska Native tribal governments and

similar Alaska Native organizations, and private-sector

and nonprofit-sector groups on Arctic issues;

organizations, the Steering Committee shall:

(a) develop a process to improve coordination and

the sharing of information and knowledge among Federal,

State, local, and Alaska Native tribal governments and

similar Alaska Native organizations, and private-sector

and nonprofit-sector groups on Arctic issues;

(b) establish a process to ensure tribal

consultation and collaboration, consistent with my

memorandum of November 5, 2009 (Tribal Consultation).

This process shall ensure meaningful consultation and

collaboration with Alaska Native tribal governments and

similar Alaska Native organizations in the development

of Federal policies that have Alaska Native

implications, as applicable, and provide feedback and

recommendations to the Steering Committee;

(c) identify an appropriate Federal entity to be

the point of contact for Arctic matters with the State

of Alaska and with Alaska Native tribal governments and

similar Alaska Native organizations to support

collaboration and communication; and

(d) invite members of State, local, and Alaska

Native tribal governments and similar Alaska Native

organizations, and academic and research institutions

to consult on issues or participate in discussions, as

appropriate and consistent with applicable law.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order

shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

Native tribal governments and similar Alaska Native

organizations, and academic and research institutions

to consult on issues or participate in discussions, as

appropriate and consistent with applicable law.

Sec. 6. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order

shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:

(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department, agency, or the

head thereof; or

(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget

relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.

(b) This order shall be implemented consistent with

applicable law and subject to the availability of

appropriations.

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(c) This order is not intended to, and does not,

create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,

enforceable at law or in equity by any party against

the United States, its departments, agencies, or

entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any

other person.

(Presidential Sig.)

THE WHITE HOUSE,

January 21, 2015.

[FR Doc. 2015-01522

Filed 1-23-15; 11:15 am]

Billing code 3295-F5